By John Cackowski
State Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The Top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Grandview
Preseason Rank: 9
2014 Record: 11-10
Conference: Centennial
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Henry
Playoff Run: Lost to Mountain Vista 5-4 in the 5A Final Four
2015 Final Rank: 23
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS:
Grant Schroeder, RHP, No. 21 2016 (Arkansas State)
Tyler Smith, 2B/SS, No. 36 2016 (Ohio University)
Travis Parker, OF, No 37 2016 (Utah Valley)
Nick Morris, RHP, No. 42 2016
Cade Crader, RHP, No 54 2016 (Metropolitan State
Zach Sundine, LHP, No. 62 2017 (Central Arizona)
Andrew Coverly, OF/RHP, No 85 2016 (Lamar CC)
Tommy Knowlton, No. 94 2016 (St. Cloud State)
Adam Neider, 1B, No. 128 2016
Braden Sullivan, 3B, No. 188 2016
Justin Wesner, 2B, 2016
Tyson Hays, C, No. 26 2017
Garrett Gipson, OF, No. 48 2016
Ryan Robinson, OF No. 62 2017
Gunnar Lamphere, OF, No. 94 2017

X-FACTOR:
No one can throw out as many arms on the mound as the Wolves can this year. Not only that, they return over 100 innings on the mound of experience from last year.

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Eric Mingus: Iowa Western C.C.
Keifer Glau: University of Northern Colorado

STAT RAT:
The pitchers who are coming back this year posted a 3.26 Earned Run average in over 100 innings pitched in 2015

BOTTOM LINE:
In years past you were used to seeing the names Greg Bird, and Kevin Gausman walk on the field for the Wolves. This year you might not have those high profile draft picks, but the Wolves might be deeper this year than in any previous year since the school opened. Moving on is legendary coach Dean Adams, and taking over is longtime assistant Scott Henry. He inherits a team that could be right back where they were last year, in the 5A Final 4. 2016 RHP Grant Schroeder (Arkansas State) returns, and is one of the top pitchers in the state. He possesses an upper 80's fastball with sink. Last time we saw Grant he was pitching the Wolves into extra innings in a heart breaking 5-4 loss to Mountain Vista in the 5A Final Four. Partnering up with Grant all of 6-foot-6 RHP Nick Morris who also possess a mid 80's fastball with that height. Those two could be the best 1-2 tandem in 5A. Also filling in will be 2016 pitchers Cade Crader (Metropolitan State), Zach Sundine (Central Arizona), and Andrew Coverly (Lamar CC). The rotation is as deep as it gets. The offense will come from 2016 OF Travis Parker (Utah Valley) and 2016 SS Tyler Smith (Ohio University) who both started last year as juniors. Parker possesses an arm that can reach 90 mph from the outfield, and Smith led the team in homeruns in 2015. The program will always have depth and talent, but this year could be special.

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