2015's best high school baseball team in each state

Photos by MaxPreps photographers/Graphic by Ryan Escobar

MaxPreps continues its preseason baseball coverage by naming the top high school baseball team in each state for the 2015 season.

Alabama
Pelham, 24-12
The Panthers reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs last year, but they return three of the state's top seniors in outfielder Sam Finnerty, catcher Hunter Stovall and pitcher Connor Radcliff. Finnerty was named the state player of the year in 2014 by American Family Insurance. Stovall has also earned all-state honors in the past.

Alaska
Lathrop (Fairbanks), 14-2
After winning the consolation championship in last year's state tournament, Lathrop could be the favorite to win it all this year. Besides returning seven of the top nine offensive performers from last year, Lathrop has two players, catcher Cameron Walker and infielder Mike Fitzpatrick, who earned all-state honors as juniors.

Arizona
Horizon (Scottsdale), 27-7
The Huskies finished among the top four teams in the state last year after losing to Mesquite in the Division I consolation semifinals. Horizon will compete in the National High School Invitational in March. Last year, Horizon won its own National Invitational Tournament. Ben Lewis, the tournament MVP, returns for his junior season while all-tournament players Matt Kroon and Chris Isbell also return.

Arkansas
Fayetteville, 30-4
The Bulldogs fell to Bryant in the Class 7A state championship game but they won the state title the year before. Fayetteville returns the top player in from the northwestern part of the state in Andy Pagnozzi, who earned all-area player of the year honors last season after posting a 10-1 record. The Bulldogs also return one of the state's top shortstops in Drew Tyler, who belted four home runs as a junior. Cody Davenport, who hit five home runs and also won four games on the mound, also returns.



California
JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 22-8
The Lions won the Trinity League last year and finished 22-8 overall. JSerra, which reached the semifinals of the Division I playoffs last year, will play in the National High School Invitational in North Carolina in March. The Lions have seven all-league players returning this year, including league MVP Brady Shockey (OF) and nationally ranked Chase Strumpf (SS).

Colorado
Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins), 21-5
The Class 5A state champions lost a number of top players to graduation, including MaxPreps All-American Carl Stajduhar. However, Cole Anderson returns in the outfield after hitting .494 with 14 doubles last season. Rocky Mountain has also won four state championships in the past seven years and has averaged 20 wins a year during that span.

Connecticut
Bunnell (Stratford), 19-6
Bunnell lost to eventual Class L champion Notre Dame in the quarterfinals, but it returns the top player in the state in Ron Rossomando, who batted .338 with 21 RBIs and also went 7-2 on the mound. Pitcher Justin Lasko also returns after posting a 5-3 record. Top hitters Aaron Rios (.376) and Brian Valeriano (.388) also return.

Delaware
Caravel (Bear), 18-2
The defending state champions could be the favorite again thanks to the return of all-state pitcher Jason Bilous, who racked up 11 wins last year and is currently the top-ranked recruit in the state by Perfect Game. He returns along with catcher Ryan Zwier, who earned all-state honorable mention status.

Florida
Park Vista (Lake Worth), 27-4
The Cobras advanced to the semifinals of the Class 8A state playoffs last year and return one of the state's top players in senior pitcher Austin Smith. As the Sun Sentinel Large Schools Player of the Year, Smith won 12 games and struck out 96. He's joined by all-county infielders Dakota Julvlia (.500), Matthew Mika (.419) and Joey Genord. Coach Larry Greenstein has over 400 wins on his resume.

Georgia
Lambert (Suwanee), 36-2
The Longhorns will likely begin the year ranked No. 1 in the nation after returning a talented group from last year's AAAAAA state championship team. Leading the way is MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year Seth Beer, who batted .589 with 10 home runs last year. Lambert also returns its top pitcher in senior J.D. Dutka (11-1) along with a pair of talented juniors in Tucker Maxwell (.404) and Kyle McCann (.404).



Hawaii
Campbell (Ewa Beach), 24-3-2
Campbell reached the state semifinals last year before falling to eventual champion St. Louis. The Sabers have one of the state's top pitching prospects in Ian Kahaloa, who has committed to play at Hawaii after going 6-1 with a 1.04 ERA as a junior. All-state pitcher Dorien Villanueva-Hermosura gives Campbell two of the state's top pitchers. All-state second team infielder Zachary Kapihe also returns.

Idaho
Eagle, 22-6
The Mustangs fell to Capital in the Class 5A state finals last year, but they return five players who earned some type of all-conference honors last year, including catcher Taylor Brooks, catcher Gavin Speegle, outfielder Kam Lane, third baseman Austin Jackson and outfielder Cody Aden.

Illinois
St. Rita (Chicago), 37-6
All nine starters have some starting experience and that depth could give St. Rita its best unit in the past 20 years, according to coach Mike Zunica. St. Rita has four Division I players in Tyler Halas (Tennessee), Matt Ryan (Butler), Marty Bechina (Michigan State) and Shane Peisker (Navy).

Indiana
Terre Haute North Vigo, 25-8
The Patriots return one of the top power hitters in the country in junior catcher T.J. Collett, who already has 26 career home runs after hitting 17 as a sophomore. He also batted .536 with 51 RBIs and 12 doubles in leading the team to the Class 4A championship game. The Patriots also return pitchers Tristan Pate, Brandon Taylor and Greg Hannum, each of whom won four games apiece.

Iowa
Kennedy (Cedar Rapids), 31-7
Kennedy fell in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs, which are held in late summer, but it should be a top contender this year thanks to the return of All-Super State selections Sam Lizarraga (pitcher) and Zach Daniels (infield).

Kansas
Blue Valley (Stilwell), 17-7
The Tigers came on strong last season, winning the Class 6A state championship after finishing fourth in the Eastern Kansas Conference. Coach Tom Scardino was named coach of the year and pitcher Ryan Cyr, who earned all-state first team honors, returns to lead the pitching staff.



Kentucky
St. Xavier (Louisville), 30-10
The state champion last year, St. Xavier returns 18 wins from last year, including Cameron Revelette, who posted an 8-1 record with a 2.07 ERA. JD Mundt (4-2) also returns along with Grant Wessling, who missed last year but went 5-0 as a sophomore on the varsity team. Top offensive players include Josh Finerty (.337) at catcher and Avery Lane (.351) in the infield.

Louisiana
St. Thomas More (Lafayette), 31-5
A Louisiana team finished No. 1 in the nation last year with Barbe winning the mythical national championship. This year it could be St. Thomas More, which returns a number of talented players from last year's Class 4A state championship team. Leading the way are all-state outfielder O'Neal Lochridge (.383) and highly rated Hogan Harris (P). Meanwhile junior Mason Templet is one of the top-ranked juniors in the state.

Maine
Messalonskee (Oakland), 13-6
The Eagles fell to eventual champion Bangor in the semifinals, but they return three of the state's top players in outfielder Zachary Mathieu, pitcher Ben Frazee and infielder Jake Dexter.

Maryland
Reservoir (Fulton), 22-2
The defending Class 3A state champions lost only three starters from last year's team and return the top player in the state in Cody Morris, who went 8-1 with 89 strikeouts last year. The pitching staff also returns Jack Barry, who went 8-0, and Tony Grabow, who had a 3-0 record. The team's top infielder, Joey Janush (.400) also returns.

Massachusetts
Bridgewater-Raynham, 20-4
The team favored to win it all last year, Bridgewater-Raynham fell to Newton North (Newtonville) in the postseason. The Trojans return a pair of all-state players in second baseman Andrew Noviello and pitcher Jack Connolly. Noviello ranks as the top player in the state by Perfect Game while Connolly is No. 8.

Michigan
Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills), 34-3-1
The Warriors took a shockingly early exit from the playoffs following a loss to West Bloomfield. Nevertheless, Brother Rice has the state's top player in Nick Plummer as well as a strong pitching prospect in Davis Feldman and catcher Robert Iacobelli. The Wolverines will not have returning starter Alex Malzone, the state's top quarterback, who graduated early to attend Michigan.



Minnesota
Mahtomedi, 20-3
The Zephyrs entered the state tournament last year with a 19-1 record, but suffered two losses in the postseason. Six lettermen return from last year, including 6-foot-11 pitcher Sean Hjelle, who is ranked by Perfect Game as the second-best prospect in the state.

Mississippi
DeSoto Central (Southaven), 28-10
Seven of the team's top nine offensive performers return from a team that finished second behind Oak Grove in the Class 6A playoffs. The Jaguars have one of the state's top players in Austin Riley, who batted .465 with nine home runs and also went 8-3 on the mound. Pitcher Keegan James (6-2) also returns along with Brant Blaylock (.372) and Colin Coates (five home runs).

Missouri
Westminster Christian (St. Louis), 31-5
The Class 4 state champions are the favorite to repeat despite losing a number of all-state players from last year's squad. The top player figures to be RHP Luke Matheny, the son of St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. Another highly regarded pitcher in the lineup figures to be Michael Failoni.

Nebraska
Omaha Westside, 34-3
The Class A state champion the past two seasons, Omaha Westside appears to be the favorite once again thanks to the return of several all-state players. First team all-state pitcher Matt Waldron returns along with his brother Mike Waldron, an all-state infielder. The Warriors also return second team all-state selection Will Patterson in the outfield.

Nevada
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 25-5
It's been two years since the Gaels have won a state championship, but that streak could end in 2015. Bishop Gorman returns the top player in the state in sophomore Cadyn Grenier, who batted .500 last season. He's joined by Brandon Wulff, the team's top power hitter with 12 home runs in 2014. The Gaels also return 19 wins from the pitching staff, including outstanding sophomore pitcher Matt Mitchell, who led the team in wins as a freshman with seven.

New Hampshire
Londonderry, 19-7
The Lancers have reached the Division I state finals each of the past two seasons, winning it all in 2014. Although state player of the year Rob Del Signore has graduated, first team all-state pick Colby Joncas returns along with third team all-state pick Geoff Kayo.



New Jersey
Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City), 26-6
The 2014 season was one of those rare years when Gloucester Catholic did not win a Non-Public state championship. However the depth of talent on this year's team could return the Rams to the state championship. Ten of the Rams' top 12 offensive performers return from last year, led by Anthony Harrold who batted .381 with five home runs. The Rams also return 20 pitching wins, including eight from nationally ranked pitcher John Murphy.

New Mexico
La Cueva (Albuquerque), 26-3
The Class 5A state champions have won eight state titles in their history and are favored to win a ninth. The squad returns eight starters from last year, led by New Mexico signees Austin Bell (.359) in the outfield and Andrew Pratt (.458) at catcher. The infield is also strong with first baseman Caleb McAlister (.426) and third baseman Jacob Turcotte (.297) returning.

New York
Rye, 23-5
The Garnets reached the Class A state finals, losing to Bayport-Blue Point in the championship game. Rye returns a pair of all-state players in pitchers Tim DeGraw (first team) and junior George Kirby (fourth team).

North Carolina
Ardrey Kell (Charlotte), 29-3
The Knights took an early exit from the Class 4A state playoffs last year after falling to Providence, a team it had beaten twice earlier in the season. Ardrey Kell returns one of the nation's top juniors, however, in Aaron Pilkington, who earned MaxPreps All-American honors last season after belting 19 home runs.

North Dakota
Dickinson, 21-5
The Midgets nearly reached the state finals last year, falling to Bismarck in the semifinals of the Class A tournament. Dickinson begins the 2015 season as the favorite, however, thanks to the return of all-state pitcher Luke Herauf and all-state catcher Mark Erickson.

Ohio
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), 24-5
The Crusaders were back-to-back state champions in 2012 and 2013, but fell short in 2014 with a loss to Jackson in the Division I semifinals. Archbishop Moeller could be the favorite again this year, however, with the return of junior Nick Bennett, plus seniors Josh Hollander and Joe Vranesic. All three earned all-area honorable mention by the Cincinnati Enquirer last year.



Oklahoma
Broken Arrow, 35-5
Broken Arrow entered the playoffs last year as one of the favorites to win the Class 6A state championship, but a 3-0 loss to Westmoore ended the Tigers' season prematurely. They will attempt to make another run this year behind the play of all-metro second-team pick Nick Roark at shortstop and honorable mention selections Blake Biggs in the outfield and Ryan LeMoine and Cole Wheaton on the mound.

Oregon
Tualatin, 25-6-1
The Timberwolves reached the Class 6A state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion North Medford. Tualatin returns the top pitcher in Class 6A in Jacob Bennett, who earned state pitcher of the year honors as a junior. Also back is all-state Karter Cook along with junior outfielder Chase Anderson, who earned all-state honorable mention.

Pennsylvania
Spring-Ford (Royersford), 20-8
The Class AAAA semifinalists return three all-conference players from last year, including pitcher Bret Clarke, infielder Connor Klemann and outfielder Cam Simmons.

Rhode Island
Bishop Hendricken (Warwick), 23-3
The defending state champions are loaded again, led by Gatorade State Player of the Year Gian Martellini (.467, 41 RBIs) at catcher and all-state third baseman John Toppa. The Hawks also return their top pitcher, Michael McCaffrey, along with up-and-coming junior outfielder Dante Baldellii, the younger brother of former Major Leaguer Rocco Baldelli.

South Carolina
Wando (Mt. Pleasant.), 19-11
The Warriors were mostly a junior crew last season yet still managed to win 19 games. This year, those players rank among the top seniors in the state, including South Carolina recruits Kep Brown in the outfield and Harrison Smith on the mound.

South Dakota
Roosevelt (Sioux Falls), 13-7
Besides returning possibly the top player in the state in infielder Jake Bear, the Rough Riders also return one of the state's top pitchers in Stuart Baruth.

Tennessee
Farragut (Knoxville), 35-13
The Admirals won the Class AAA state championship last year for their first state championship since winning four in a row between 2008-11. Coach Matt Buckner's team is headed to the National High School Invitational in March to match up against the top teams in the nation. Farragut features two of the state's top players in pitcher Patrick Raby and shortstop Chase Fullington.



Texas
Marcus (Flower Mound), 32-12
Seven players who earned all-district honors last year return, including district MVP Brendan Venter and pitchers Jack Cushing and Ethan Nichols. Marcus had a pair of wins last year over eventual state champion Flower Mound.

Utah
Pleasant Grove, 24-10
The Vikings captured the Class 4A state championship last year and return the state's top player in Easton Walker, who batted .424 with three home runs and also went 9-0 on the mound with 93 strikeouts. Junior catcher Payton Henry (.391, five home runs) also returns.

Vermont
Bellows Free Academy (Fairfax), 19-0
Just one run has prevented the Bullets from going undefeated two seasons in a row. In 2013, BFA was 18-0 before losing in the state finals 3-2. Last year, however, the Bullets zipped through the season undefeated. The top player from those two teams returns as Alex Chapman, the state player of the year last season by American Family Insurance, comes back after going 8-0 on the mound.

Virginia
Freeman (Richmond), 26-2
The Rebels reached the Class 5A state championship game, but fell to Hickory 9-1 for just their second loss of the season. Two of the team's top players from last year, pitcher Danny Lynch and catcher Logan Harvey, return and they are ranked among the top players in the state by Perfect Game.

Washington
Puyallup, 28-0
Although Gatorade State Player of the Year Luke Heimlich graduated early to attend Oregon State, Puyallup still has plenty of firepower left to make a run at a second-straight Class 4A state title. Topping the list is catcher Brendan Illies, a four-year starter who is headed to University of North Carolina. Puyallup also has Washington commit Zach Needham at shortstop and Western Nevada Junior College commit Owen Breithaupt in center field. Three strong transfers in pitchers Christopher Micheles, Leif Strom and Herbie Good will strengthen the pitching staff.

West Virginia
Hurricane, 30-8
The defending Class AAA state champions return a pair of all-state players in J.t. Rogoszewski (utility) and Trey Dawson (utility). The Redskins have won at least 27 games in each of the past six seasons.



Wisconsin
Kimberly, 20-8
Kimberly fell to Sun Prairie in the Division I state finals last year, and it also loses state player of the year Scott Schreiber. However all-area pitcher Griffin Hawley returns along with all-area honorable mention selections Ben Carew (infield) and Brice Swick (utility).