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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: Pontiac Academy for Excellence Eagles

Team Name: Pontiac Academy for Excellence Eagles
Head Coach: Mark Croxton
Division: III
2015 Record: N/A
Conference Record: Independent 
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/3

2016 Team Strengths:

• Senior leadership
• Personal (family) connection to the game
• Effort and desire to learn
• Coaching

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Strength, agility, and conditioning
• Overall team speed
• Pitching
• Position skill training

Coach Outlook: This is my first season as Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Pontiac Academy for Excellence and first Varsity Head Coaching position. I see this year as an opportunity to build the foundation for my program for years to come. My assistant coaches Matthew Hynes (Infield, Hitting) and Brian Wyman (Catching, Hitting) are both very knowledgeable and work in the building with our student athletes, which is a tremendous benefit. We are excited to take on the challenge of making baseball relevant in our school, the City of Pontiac, Oakland County, and ultimately the State of Michigan and look forward to all the rewards, successes, and challenges this upcoming season will bring. 

Top Returning Players:

• Jose Martinez, SS/1B, 2016, 5'9" 194, R/R, unquestionable leader of the team, bi-lingual player, helps to translate information and instructions to his Spanish only speaking teammates and has been a huge help in the recruitment of players coming out for the baseball team this year
• Pedro Caraballo, 2017, 5'11" 160, R/R, two-year returning player, will be counted on heavily on the mound this year

Top Underclassmen:

• Corbin Rodriguez, 2019, C/3B/P, 5'9" 200, R/R, big, strong, raw
• Claudio Lopez, 2019, MINF, 5’3” 130, R/R, quick, athletic

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.

• Division 1/2
• Division 3/4