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player ready...Pioneer Press broke down the Highland Park baseball team at the start of the 2016 season:
Highland Park
Coach: Dan Casey
Top Returners: Sr. OF/LHP Justin Mills, Sr. LHP Noah Stern, Jr. SS Thano Fourlas, Sr. OF/LHP Jordan Mendiola, Sr. C Joey Zamost, Sr. RHP/OF Toby Tigges
Newcomers: Jr. OF/RHP Jack Zeidler, Jr. INF Henry Singer; Jr. C/DH David Adelstein
2015 Record: 12-22, lost to Prospect in a Class 4A regional semifinal
Season Outlook: According to coach Dan Casey, this team is one of the more athletic teams to ever come through his program. It’s also mixed with a significant amount of young talent. The question will be, can the younger players who are new to the team mesh well with the returning seniors? Casey’s baseball knowledge is significant, so expect the Giants to be competitive in 2016.
Storyline to watch: Can the Giants’ returning seniors propel them to the next level? There were times a year ago when the Giants showed how dangerous their lineup could be, as they scored runs in bunches thanks to solid hitting fundamentals and good bat speed throughout the order. The potential for good things is here.
They said it: “Every game on our schedule is meaningful and tough,” Casey said. “Our schedule is as competitive as ever and our new young players and returning players are excited for the challenge.”
Tim Froehlig is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @TFroehlig