Byron Buxton heads MaxPreps 2012 Small Schools Baseball All-Americans

In the relatively short history of the MaxPreps All-American baseball teams, there has never been an easier selection for MVP than Appling County's Byron Buxton.

Professional scouts valued Appling County's ByronBuxton as the nation's top high school player.MaxPreps values him as the Small Schools MVP.

Photo courtesy of David Miller

The MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Player of the Year, Buxton had a dream season in leading his team to the Georgia 2A state championship. He capped his senior year by becoming the No. 1 high school player from the United States chosen in the MLB First Year Player Draft.

A five-tool athlete, Buxton proved his worth at the plate, batting .513 with 17 doubles and 68 runs scored. On the basepaths, he flashed his speed by stealing 38 bases on the year.

Buxton also wowed scouts with his arm, posting a 10-1 record with 154 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched. He also showed his leadership skills by leading the Pirates to a 35-3 record and a state title.

Buxton didn't have to wait long for his name to be called during the MLB Draft. The Minnesota Twins selected the outfielder with the No. 2 overall pick. He has already signed with the club for a $6 million bonus.

MaxPreps overall All-Americans / Medium Schools All-Americans

Jeff "Dusty" Rhodes of Riverside (Decaturville, Tenn.) earns the Small Schools National Coach of the Year honor after guiding his team through a tumultuous season that culminated in a third-straight Tennessee Class 1A state championship.

Rhodes' top player, Stephen Gant, committed suicide early in the season. Considered the top prospect in the state and a potential first-round draft pick, Gant was a three-time all-area player of the year headed to Vanderbilt prior to his death.

Rhodes and the Panthers regrouped, however, and defeated Eagleville 8-1 in the state finals.

The Small Schools All-American Team consists of players who competed at schools that played in enrollment divisions with generally less than a 1,000 student enrollment.

MaxPreps 2012 Small Schools All-American Baseball Team

First Team

P - Matthew Valencia, Escalon (Calif.), Senior
Stockton Record All-Area Team... Modesto Bee All-District Player of the Year.
Stats - 11-1 record, 118 strikeouts, 18 walks.

P - Mitch Gueller, W.F. West (Chehalis, Wash.), Senior
News Tribune Player of the Year.
Stats - 6-0 record, 0.80 ERA, 70 strikeouts, 43.2 innings pitched, .323 batting average, 5 home runs.

P - Freddy Avis, Menlo (Atherton, Calif.), Senior
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Team.
Stats - 5-2 record, 1.88 ERA, .469 batting average, 10 doubles, 5 triples, 7 home runs, 39 runs.

P - Carson Fulmer, All Saints' Academy (Winter Haven, Fla.), Senior
Lakeland Ledger All-Polk County Pitcher of the Year... Florida Dairy Farmers Class 2A State Player of the Year.
Stats - 10-1 record, 169 strikeouts, 0.27 ERA, .424 batting average, 20 RBI.

P - Alex Daar, University Liggett (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.), Senior
Michigan Dream Team Player of the Year.
Stats - 16-1 record, 0.50 ERA, 161 strikeouts, 98 innings pitched, 3 no-hitters.

P - Jamie Callahan, Dillon (S.C.), Senior
Gatorade State Player of the Year.
Stats - 7-1 record, 0.89 ERA, 113 strikeouts, 50 innings pitched, .439 batting average, 32 RBI, 28 runs, 5 home runs.

P - Mason Felt, Hebron Academy (Dacula, Ga.), Senior
Gwinnett Daily Post All-County Team.
Stats - 10-1 record, 0.42 ERA, 120 strikeouts, 67 innings pitched.

P - Ryan Keaffaber, Northfield (Wabash, Ind.), Junior
Indiana Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats - .438 batting average, 45 RBI, 12 doubles, 3 home runs, 16-0 record, 1.24 ERA, 108.2 innings pitched, 164 strikeouts.

P - Kevin Davis, T.R. Miller (Brewton, Ala.), Junior
Alabama Class 3A State Pitcher of the Year.
Stats - 7-2 record, 0.70 ERA, 139 strikeouts, 60 innings pitched.

P - Jacob Hendren, University (Normal, Ill.), Senior
Chicago Tribune All-State Second Team... Illinois Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats - 9-1 record, 1.33 ERA, 68.1 innings pitched, 94 strikeouts.

C - Thomas Nido, Orangewood Christian (Maitland, Fla.), Senior
Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida Team.
Stats - .477 batting average, 16 doubles, 33 runs, 34 RBI, 7 home runs.

C - Brett Sunde, Bishop Foley (Madison Heights, Mich.), Senior
Gatorade State Player of the Year... Michigan Coaches Association Dream Team.
Stats - .500 batting average, 43 RBI, 40 runs.

C - Christin Stewart, Providence Christian Academy (Lilburn, Ga.), Senior
Gwinnett Daily Post All-County Team.
Stats - .460 batting average, 15 home runs, 37 RBI, 43 runs, 51 walks.

1B - Walker Lockett, Providence (Jacksonville, Fla.), Senior
All-First Coast Team.
Stats - .400 batting average, 6 home runs, 26 RBI, 9-1 record, 0.64 ERA, 86 strikeouts.

1B - Hayden Hurst, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), Senior
All-First Coast Team.
Stats - 5-2 record, 61 strikeouts, 1.81 ERa, .327 batting average, 2 home runs, 16 RBI.

IF - Stephen Wallace, South Stanly (Norwood, N.C.), Senior
All-Observer Team... North Carolina Coaches Association Class 1A Player of the Year.
Stats - .441 batting average, 41 RBI, 8 home runs.

IF - Connor Owings, Gilbert (S.C.), Senior
HSSR South Carolina State Player of the Year.
Stats - .588 batting average, 45 runs, 46 RBI, 11 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs.

IF - Corey Oswalt, Madison (San Diego), Senior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats - .436 batting average, 30 runs, 26 RBI, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 4-0 record, 44 strikeouts, 2.16 ERA, 35.2 innings pitched.

IF - Nolan Gannon, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach, Calif.), Senior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats - .301 batting average, 17 runs, 26 RBI, 8 doubles, 5 home runs.

IF - Evan Holland, Guntersville (Ala.), Junior
Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 4A Hitter of the Year.
Stats - .501 batting average, 14 home runs, 61 RBI, 10-2 record

IF - Jalen Goree, Bibb County (Centreville, Ala.), Senior
Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 4A Player of the Year.
Stats - .459 batting average, 36 runs, 10 doubles, 7 home runs, 24 stolen bases, 39 walks, 5-3 record, 1.67 ERA, 58 strikeouts, 45.1 innings pitched.

OF - Skye Bolt, Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta), Senior
All-Suburban Atlanta Player of the Year.
Stats - .418 batting average, 40 runs, 31 RBI, 7 home runs.

OF - David Thompson, Westminster Christian (Miami), Senior
Miami Herald All-Dade County Team.
Stats - .460 batting average, 8 home runs, 33 RBI.

OF - Byron Buxton, Appling County (Baxley, Ga.), Senior
Gatorade State Player of the Year.
Stats - .513 batting average, 68 runs, 17 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs, 35 RBI, 38 stolen bases, 10-1 record, 1.90 ERA, 81 innings pitched, 154 strikeouts.

OF - Evan Anderson, Dale (Okla.), Junior
Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Team.
Stats - .511 batting average, 12 home runs, 50 RBI, 5-2 record, 1.13 ERA.

OF - DJ Stewart, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), Senior
All-First Coast Player of the Year.
Stats - .423 batting average, 9 home runs, 29 RBI, 19 stolen bases.

OF - Christian Dicks, Providence (Jacksonville, Fla.), Senior
All-First Coast Team.
Stats -  .384 batting average, 21 RBI, 33 runs, 17 stolen bases.

UT - Josh Advocate, River Valley (Mohave Valley, Ariz.), Senior
Arizona Republic All-State Small Schools Player of the Year... Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year.
Stats - .527 batting average, 49 RBI, 10 doubles, 7 home runs, 9-0 record, 63 strikeouts, 0.89 ERA, 47 innings pitched.

UT - Ryne Fisher, Riverside (Decaturville, Tenn.), Senior
Jackson Sun Player of the Year... Tennessee Baseball Coaches All-State Team.
Stats - 11-1 record, 59 strikeouts, 2.11 ERA, .464 batting average, 30 RBI, 3 home runs.

UT - Landon Coon, Dale (Okla.), Senior
Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Team.
Stats - .565 batting average, 16 home runs, 52 RBI.



Second Team

P - Bobby Kuntzendorf, Aurora Christian (Ill.), Senior
Beacon News Player of the Year... Illinois Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats - 10-1 record, 1.44 ERA, 63.1 innings pitched, 117 strikeouts, .365 batting average, 8 doubles, 6 home runs, 30 runs, 33 RBI.
 
P - Justin Landers, P.K. Yonge (Gainesville, Fla.), Senior
Gainesville Record Small Schools Player of the Year... Florida Dairy Farmers Class 3A State Player of the Year.
Stats - 12-1 record, 0.90 ERa, 90 strikeouts, 70 innings pitched, .453 batting average, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 33 RBI.

P - Dustin Hersey, Union County (Lake Butler, Fla.), Junior
Gainesville Record Small Schools All-Area Team... Florida Dairy Farmers Class 1A State Player of the Year.
Stats - 9-2 record, 1.27 ERA, 85 strikeouts, 62.2 innings pitched, .354 batting average, 4 doubles, 10 RBI.

P - Chase Mullins, Bourbon County (Paris, Ky.), Senior
Kentucky Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats - Unavailable.

P - Glenn Irby, Mars Hill Bible (Florence, Ala.), Junior
Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 2A Pitcher of the Year.
Stats - 9-0 record, 99 strikeouts, 60 innings pitched, .429 batting average, 1.27 ERA, 38 RBI.

P - Shay Phillips, Brock (Texas), Junior
Parker County Player of the Year... Texas Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats - 14-1 record, 109 strikeouts, 1.70 ERA, .500 batting average, 52 RBI, 53 runs, 7 home runs.

P - Gunner Baker, Carlisle (Price, Texas), Junior
Texas Baseball Coaches Association Class 1A All-State Team.
Stats - 14-1 record, 157 strikeouts, 86.1 innings pitched, .512 batting average, 47 RBI.

P - Brennan Swindoll, Friendship Christian (Lebanon, Tenn.), Senior
Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats - 12-1 record, 97 strikeouts, 0.76 ERA, 74.2 innings pitched.

P - Andrew Schorr, Audubon (N.J.), Senior
NJ.Com All-State Team.
Stats - 10-1 record, 0.90 ERA, 122 strikeouts, 68.1 innings pitched.

P - Zack Jackson, Berryhill (Tulsa, Okla.), Junior
Tulsa World All-Metro Team.
Stats - 13-1 record, 1.28 ERA, 167 strikeouts.

C - Kevin Stypulkowski, King's Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.), Senior
Sun Sentinel Palm County Player of the Year... Palm Beach Post Palm County Small Schools Player of the Year.
Stats - .412 batting average, 21 runs, 28 RBI, 1 home run, 7 doubles.

C - Jarrard Poteete, Hilldale (Muskogee, Okla.), Senior
Tulsa World Metro Player of the Year.
Stats - .515 batting average, 33 runs, 8 home runs, 43 walks.

C - Trey Mathis, West Morgan (Trinity, Ala.), Junior
Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 3A Hitter of the Year.
Stats - .506 batting average, 14 home runs.

1B - Thomas Burrows, Mars Hill Bible (Florence, Ala.), Junior
Florence All-Area Player of the Year... Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 2A Hitter of the Year.
Stats - .490 batting average, 72 RBI, 27 double,s 8 home runs, 9-1 record, 0.91 ERA, 97 strikeouts, 53 innings pitched.

1B - Marty Jentsch, Archer City (Texas), Senior
Texas Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats - .509 batting average, 71 runs, 52 RBI, 7 doubles, 16 home runs.

IF - Josh Miguel, Escalon (Calif.), Senior
Stockton Record Offensive Player of the Year... Modesto Bee All-District Team.
Stats - .404 batting average, 41 runs, 14 RBI, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs.

IF - Ryan Arrington, Cincinnati Christian (Fairfield, Ohio), Junior
Ohio Coaches Association Division IV Player of the Year.
Stats - .511 batting average, 42 RBI, 8 doubles, 10 triples, 9 home runs, 46 runs, 25 stolen bases, 6-0 record, 73 strikeouts, 0.46 ERA, 46 innings pitched.

IF - Caleb Parker, Sutter (Calif.), Senior
All-Northern Section Team... Appeal Democrat Player of the Year.
Stats - .525 batting average, 36 runs, 27 RBI, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs.

IF - Maxwell Moroff, Trinity Prep (Winter Park, Fla.), Senior
Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida Team.
Stats - 5 home runs.

IF - Brady VanderWeele, Parchment (Mich.), Senior
Michigan Coaches Association Dream Team.
Stats - .556 batting average, 16 doubles, 14 triples, 3 home runs, 70 hits, 67 runs, 40 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 7-3 record, 2.28 ERA, 99 strikeouts, 61.1 innings pitched.

IF - Chance Gusbeth, Desert Christian (Lancaster, Calif.),
Southern Section Division VI Player of the Year.
Stats - .562 batting average, 43 runs, 40 RBI, 14 doubles, 4 triples, 9 home runs, 5-1 record, 60 strikeouts, 1.63 ERA, 38.2 innings pitched.

OF - Josh Schubert, Calhoun (Ga.), Senior
Rome News Tribune Player of the Year.
Stats - .447 batting average, 6 home runs, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 6-1 record, 2.68 ERA.

OF - Devin Pearson, Carmel (Calif.), Senior
All-Monterey County Team.
Stats - .480 batting average, 8 doubles, 3 home runs, 18 RBI.

OF - Andrew Benintendi, Madeira (Cincinnati), Junior
Ohio Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year.
Stats - .564 batting average, 47 RBI, 54 runs, 14 doubles, 7 triples, 10 home runs, 23 stolen bases.

OF - Hayden Jennings, Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, La.), Senior
Louisiana Sports Writers Class 2A Player of the Year.
Stats - .439 batting average, 13 home runs.

OF - Sam Walley, Taylorsville (Miss.), Junior
Jackson Clarion Ledger All-State Team.
Stats - .495 batting average, 17 doubles, 11 home runs, 52 RBI, 10-1 record, 109 strikeouts, 64 innings pitched.

OF - Dylan Raymond, Giles (Pearisburg, Va.), Senior
All-Timesland Player of the Year.
Stats - .643 batting average, 26 RBI, 8 home runs.

UT - A.J. Young. Gila Bend (Ariz.), Senior
Arizona Coaches Association Division IV Player of the Year.
Stats - 4-3 record, 101 strikeouts, 1.00 ERA, 49 innings pitched, .509 batting average, 26 RBI, 9 doubles, 4 home runs.

UT - Levi MaVorhis, Archbishop Murphy (Everett, Wash.), Senior
Washington Baseball Coaches Class 2A State Player of the Year.
Stats - 11-0 record, 77 strikeouts, 1.65 ERA, 68 innings pitched, .437 batting average, 13 runs, 31 RBI, 9 doubles, 1 home run.

UT - Rylan Anderson, Gunnison Valley (Gunnison, Utah), Senior
Deseret News Class 2A State Player of the Year.
Stats - 9-0 record, 1.09 ERA, 92 strikeouts, .488 batting average.