The Kansas high school season is nearing quickly, and we're here to cover it. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2023 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Kansas Preseason Power 20 Rankings.

We’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

 

Team: Wichita Northwest Grizzlies
League: Greater Wichita Athletic League
2022 Record: 11-11 Lost in Regional Final
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Gavin Darr
Years at the Helm: 1

OUTLOOK

The 2023 Grizzlies will rely on a wealth of experience and high-end defense to build on what the started last year. They return nine starters this year and 17 players that made an appearance in a varsity game. Northwest will still be young as they started seven sophomores and one freshman last year. The coaching staff is excited and looking forward to seeing the jump these guys make as "they have hit the weight room and their bodies have matured". The Grizzlies are looking to build off of our momentum we had at the end of the year last year. Defensively, the Northwest started seven sophomores and one freshman in the field last year and have them all back. The top four in the lineup will be as talented as anyone in our area and have shown they can produce runs. The Grizzlies' third baseman, catcher, middle Infield, and center fielder will all be three year starters. Coach Darr also talked about the fantastic chemistry this group shares. He goes on the state that the off-season workouts have been going great and there is a real positive energy with this group. He and the Grizzlies' varsity assistant, Blake Standiford (son of Mark Standiford), were both players at Northwest and went to state 3 out of 4 years in school while winning a league title. This group of players looks to return Northwest to that level of excellence. If the Northwest role players have strong year's Northwest could find their way to the state tournament. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

Brady Unrein, SS/P, 2024, 1st Team All-League Pitcher, 5'11, 170, 2nd Team All-State Utility
Unrein will be a three year starter that impacts every part of the game for Northwest. He will continue to be the clear No. 1 on the mound after a putting up 65 K's and 7 wins last year in the regular season as well as earning the win in the first round of regionals. Offensively, Unrein will stay in the  middle of the lineup after hitting .456, 1.229 OPS, 8 doubles, 1 triple, and 3 home runs to go along with 22 RBI's, 23 runs scored, and 8 stolen bases. Unrein is also one of the best athletes in the state.

Taccarri Brown, CF, 2024, 1st Team All-League Outfielder, 6'1, 165, 2nd Team All-State Outfielder
Brown will be 3 year starter. Taccarri covers gap-to-gap in center and made numerous run saving plays throughout last year. He also had three outfield assists last year. Taccarri filled up the stat sheet last year hitting .393 with a 1.214 OPS. He also posted six doubles, three triples, and three homeruns last year as well as 24 RBI's, 25 Runs scored and 16 stolen bases in the regular season. He had a great regional last year adding to all of these numbers. Another elite level athlete for Northwest.  

Michael Lopez, SS/P/2B/3B, 2024, 5'8, 140.
Lopez is coming off a football injury and the Grizzlies are excited to have him back in the lineup. Lopez is described as the team's "X-Factor". He was the No. 2 pitcher for us last year, picking up the save for us in our regional win. In a year where he had games cut short due to injury and not being 100%, he still had 4 doubles, 1 Home Run, 12 RBI's, 17 runs scored and 7 stolen bases. Coach Darr is expecting his hitting numbers to tremendously increase and show everyone the player he is when healthy. As a freshman two years ago, he hit .380 and only struck out 3 times. A great athlete with great speed and playmaking ability, Lopez move all over the infield for the Grizzlies this year.

Zach Root, 3B/C, 2023, 5'10, 185
Root will be a senior leader for the Grizzlies this year and a three year starter. Last year, he hit .353 with 6 doubles, one triple, and 18 RBI's. Defensively, Root will provide innings at both third base and catches. Root is a gamer who produced his best games against the best competition Northwest played last year. 

Newcomers TO WATCH

Though they are obviously not afraid to play young players, with nearly the entire team returning, there likely won't be too many new faces in the mix this year for the Grizzlies. 

 

Make sure to follow @PBRKansas on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.

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