First of all, you're 100% correct about the importance of Gruhl to our team. I thought it was interesting that he was listed as a "follow" on the PGCrosschecker VA draft report, but he was completely overlooked in the all-district (and thus, all-region) voting.
He didn't have the year offensively that he did his junior year, but he is still a solid threat, and behind the plate he was awesome. Nothing got by, threw out & picked off runners until they stopped running on us completely. Called the games brilliantly. I just can't say enough. I'm sorry he got passed over by the D-I's but Bridgewater will no doubt be happy they got him.
As for next year, it will be a competition but Jack Cleary is your best bet. Very strong arm and does know our pitchers very well. There aren't many in Gruhl's class so he's a tough act to follow, but Jack will grow into it I'd guess.
In the end, I think we're a good team next year but not as good as we were this year. You can't lose guys like Gruhl, Prill, Briere, Kent, Anderson and Nance -- all going on to college ball -- and think you're going to repeat. You have to like Cosby as the team to beat in 2008.