By Rob Allison
Minnesota State Director

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Grand Rapids
Nickname: Thunderhawks
Class: AAA
League: N/A
Head Coach: Bill Kinnunen
Years as Head Coach at School: 14          
2014 Overall Record: 10-13
2014 League Record: NA
2014 League Finish: NA
2014 Post-Season Finish: 1-2

Returning Starters: 7
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Returning: 4

TOP RETURNERS
Noah Johnson, 2B/RHP, 2015
Kyle Stram, P/OF, 2015
Kenn Hasbargen, OF/P, 2015

X-FACTOR
Grand Rapids expects huge contribution from the junior class; relying on 2016's Drew Sjostrand- SS/RHP, Gunnar Harris- CF/LHP, C- Tanner Shepherd, and left-handed hitting utility/RHP Nick Johnson.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
John Baker, OF, 2017.  The 5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting OF.

2015 OUTLOOK
The Thunderhawks have high hopes; as they return a team minus three 2014's that finished 2nd at the VFW state tournament last year. They return quite a bit of experience as the underclass players have played and contributed extensively with only 3 seniors in 2014 class and 3 in the 2015 class. As the underclass players continue to develop physically; their opportunities to have a successful season improve.

For Minnesota high school baseball news and updates follow us on Twitter @PBRMinnesota

COACHES PRESEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by clicking here.

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