Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season. Team previews touch on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Oregon Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team Previews are generated through a mixture of coaches' responses gathered through our perennial coaches questionnaires, as well as insight from Prep Baseball Staff. Stay tuned the next several weeks for the unveiling of Team Previews and the complete Power 25.

Today, we spotlight the #7 ranked Thurston Colts. 

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High School: Thurston Colts   
Head Coach: Dennis Mimum
Division: 5A
League/Conference: Midwestern
2025 Record (Finish): 26-4
2025 Playoff Finish: 5A state semifinalists

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Key Players Lost: Kyle Miller, Brock Lundy, Noah Blair, Braden Corgain, Connor Molony, Carson Wolf, Collin Hernandez

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Grady Saunders, Parker Edwards, Brody Corgain

‘26 Grady Saunders (OR, @BeaverBaseball)

FB: 93-95
SL: 79-82
CH: 85

Dynamic, athletic mover moving hoppy heater in/out. Uptempo with aggressive mvmt patterns. Applied pressure early on counts allowing avg secondary to play up.

Good PNW follow#MLBDraft || @PrepBaseballOR pic.twitter.com/5QgKH9qDVb

— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 8, 2025

Bullpen: Brock Johnson, Carlin Crutcher, Cody Halley, Dean Knowles, Jackson Lane, Cam Nosack

Top Seniors: Grady Saunders, Brock Johnson, Cam Nosack, Bryson Bowser, Jackson Lane

Top Juniors: Parker Edwards

Underclassmen to watch: '28 Levi Woodman, '28 Brody Corgain, '28 Carlin Crutcher, '28 Dean Knowles, '28 Cody Halley

Areas to watch: Depth

Team Strengths: Pitching, defense, team speed

Coaches Outlook: “Our pitching will be one of our strengths this year. We will be a team that creates runs and not wait for runs. Our senior class has a ton of varsity experience, if some of our younger players have solid seasons, we will have an opportunity to be playing late in the spring season." - Dennis Minium, Head Coach

Overall Summary

Thurston enters the 2026 season with high hopes as one of the most talented 5A sides in the state. The Colts are headlined by the top-ranked senior in the state and Oregon State commit Grady Saunders. The RHP features an electric fastball into the low/mid 90's, paired with a wipeout slider and changeup. Though he'll be a pitcher at the collegiate level, Saunders also provides a middle of the order bat with some pop for Thurston as well. Saunders was dominant in 2025 and will be a Player of the Year candidate heading into this spring. Senior INF and Bushnell commit Brock Johnson is another key returning piece, providing speed and a quality glove up the middle while getting on base a ton at the dish. Other returners in the lineup include senior outfielder Cam Nosack, who may step into a larger role offensively this season. On the mound, Sheldon transfer Parker Edwards looks to be a breakout-type arm for the Colts. The junior offers a more physical presence with a low-80's fastball as a different look. Thurston's sophomore class also features several potential varsity contributors, including Levi Woodman, Brody Corgain and Carlin Crutcher. Head Coach Dennis Minium is circling the Sheldon game as well as the Coach Bob National Invitational Tournament as highlights to the 2026 schedule. Expect Thurston to once again be among the most dominant teams in the state this year.

Find more information on the 2026 Thurston program below:

+ Follow them on IG/X: @ThsColtBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Oregon Preseason Power 25 homepage

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