Prep Baseball Report

2016 Team Preview: Westminster HS



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By Jerry Shank
Maryland Scouting Director

As we prepare for the upcoming 2016 high school season, we will be taking a glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Westminster
Nickname: Owls
Class: 3A
Conference: Carroll
Head Coach:  Mark Winebrunner
Years as HC:  5th
2015 Record: 9-10
2015 Conference Record: 7-7
2015 Post Season: Lost in Regional Final

Returning Starters/Position: 6
Returning Starters/Pitcher: 2

Players with Post-Season Honors
Brandon Martin ??? 1st Team All-County, HM All-Conference
Justin Buberl ??? 2nd Team All-County, 2nd Team All-Conference

Players to Watch
RHP/SS  Brandon Martin 2016 (Fordham)
C/RHP Justin Buberl
1B Ryan Mills 2017

Season Outlook
The Owls are looking to pick up where they left off in 2015, which ended in a run to the Regional Final where they lost to North Harford 1-0. The season was an up-and-down year for the Owls after a hot start, the Owls had a slow second half of their season leading up to the state tournament. In the playoffs, Westminster won two games and was one game away from the final four. Ryan Mills and Justin Buberl lead the Owls on the offensive end for 2016.  Mills heads into his junior season after hitting .389 with 14 RBI, both of which led the offense. Buberl should improve off his strong 2015 in which he hit .283 with 11 RBI. Brandon Martin should also build off a .258 BA with 14 RBI from last season. Keep an eye out for newcomers C/OF Josh Kosmicki and 3B Justin Cotter to also contribute on the offensive end.  The Owls will have to find a replacement for Jake Kucharski who hit .355 last year.

Brandon Martin will anchor the pitching staff in 2016. A Fordham commit, Martin increased his stock after a strong summer and has risen in the prospect rankings for the 2016 class. The long and lanky 6-foot-4 pitcher has been up to 90 mph with projection and potential for more on the mound.  He struck out 53 in 34.1 innings in 2015 with a 3.47 ERA. Buberl looks to be a solid No. 2 for the Owls after a 2.96 ERA in 26 innings.  Keep an eye out for Cotter who should also contribute on the mound and Mills could also provide some innings from the Owls. If the Owls can provide on the offensive end, a deep pitching staff should give the owls opportunity to improve in 2016 and be a contender in the 3A North.

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