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2016 Spring Team Preview: Grand Rapids Union Redhawks

March 15, 2016

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By Dylan Hefflinger, Aaron Wilson and PBR Staff
Editor in Chief/Scout / Assistant Director of Scouting

With the 2016 spring season right around the corner, PBR Michigan is eagerly anticipating bringing the great state of Michigan the best high school coverage throughout the entire state.

Starting February 1st, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2016 Team Preview, click here.

Interested in attending a PBR Michigan event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2016 Spring Team Preview: Grand Rapids Union Redhawks

Team Name: Grand Rapids Union Redhawks
Head Coach: Mike Eddington
Division: I
2015 Record: 16-13
Conference Record: OK-Black, 7-8
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/1

Coach Outlook: "We return a talented core of five seniors that will all be four year varsity players. They will combine with a promising group of underclassmen to form a deep and talented lineup. Bruce Buurstra returns as our #1 starter, and can keep us in any game. How our young pitching develops will determine if we contend for the conference."

2016 Team Strengths:

  • Offense
  • #1 Starter
  • Experience/Leadership
  • Speed
  • Defense

2016 Team Weaknesses:

  • Pitching Depth
  • Base running

Top Returning Players:

  • Bruce Buurstra, SS/RHP, 2016, 6-4/170-pounds, R/R, 4-year starter. (.386 BA, 2 2B, 28 RBI, 7 SB. 2-5, 1 SV, 1.62 ERA, 43 IP, 56 K, 12 BB)
  • Andy Zinck, C/IF/OF, 2016, 6-1/185-pounds, R/R, 4-year starter. (.500 BA, 4 2B, 19 RBI, 18 SB)
  • Jake Dabkowski, P/1B/OF, 2016, 6-3/160-pounds, L/L, 4-year starter. (.387 BA, 2 2B, 4 3B, 11 RBI, 6 SB. 7-2, 4.60 ERA, 41 IP, 36 K, 18 BB)
  • Chase Murphy, CF, 2016, 6-0/160-pounds, R/R, 4-year starter. (.368 BA, 4 2B, 3 RBI, 14 SB)
  • Sergio Diaz, LF/3B, 2016, 6-2/170-pounds, R/R, 4-year starter, D-II basketball recruit. (.197 BA, 1 2B, 15 RBI, 10 SB)
  • Joe Heemstra, C, 2017, 5-11/180-pounds, R/R, 2-year starter. (DNP in 2015 due to injury, contributed on varsity level in 2014 as freshmen)

Top Underclassmen:

  • Dante Santana, SS/3B/RHP, 2019


A Look Back At 2015 Preseason Articles:

To view the 2015 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click here.
To view the 2015 Preseason State Rankings, click below.