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With 2023 now in the past, PBR Michigan is eagerly anticipating bringing the state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2024. Starting in February, we began releasing team previews for squads across the state. Ahead, we will have Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings coming your way.

To view the full list of 2024 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2024 Team Preview, click here.

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

2024 Spring Team Preview: Byron Center Bulldogs

Team Name: Byron Center Bulldogs
Head Coach: Pat MacKenzie
Division: 1
2023 Record: 20-18
2023 Tourney Finish: District Semifinals loss to Jenison
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/7

Coach Outlook: "Very excited to see our club in 2024. We were very young and had suffered some key injuries to seniors in 22’ and 23’ which then forced our 2025 class to carry more of a load early. Hopefully that experience pays off and we have a break out spring. We are still relatively "young" with only a few returning seniors but this the most returning innings we've had since 2019, most returning in the lineup since 2019 as well. We also still likely be a mix of contributions from all 4 classes senior - freshman. We schedule tough and are in a good league so we will get to see if we've made the jumps necessary to win the conference and make a run in the playoffs."

2024 Team Strengths:

• Upper Classmen leadership
• Pitching Depth
• Lineup

Top Returning Players:

• Thatcher Simon, C/CIF, 2024, 5'11, 195, R/R Committed to Hope College, 4 year varsity, Last year stats- avg .287 5 doubles 17 RBI 17 R scored
  
• Andrew Kroft, OF/LHP, 2024, L/L uncommitted, 2 year Varsity, Last Year Stats .300 avg, .382 OBP, 5 2B, 27 R, 28 Stole Bases
  
• Zach Ryan, RHP, 2024 R/R
  
• Brayden Menifee LHP 2024 L/R
  
• Kellen Payne, RHP/OF 2025, 6'0" 205, entering 3rd year as starter, Last year on the mound went 6-1, 1.3 ERA, .854 WHIP in 48 innings, 68K-18BB, .130 BAA. Hit .340 with 11 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 37 RBI
  
• Luke Laska, C/CIF 2025, 5'10" 195. Entering 3rd year as starter. Hit .345 .977 OPS 9 2B, 5 3B, 1 HR, 31 RBI & 27 Runs, 20 SB
  
• Alex Wauben OF/SS 2025 L/R
  
• Blake Stelma RHP 2025
  
• Kaden Krause CIF 2025 R/R
  
• Tate Bainbridge MIF 2026 L/R
  
• Nolan Booth MIF RHP 2026 R/R

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Thatcher Simon

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Kellen Payne
• Luke Laska
• Blake Stelma
• Alex Wauben 

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Nolan Booth
• Jake Hill LHP
• Tate Bainbridge 

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Keaton Van Kampen
• Cam Payne 

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