Video: Small Schools Baseball Player of the Year Watch
See who we had in our sights earlier in the seasonMaxPreps Small Schools Player of the Year: Cole Ragans, North Florida Christian
North Florida Christian is a perennial small-school baseball powerhouse in the Sunshine State and Cole Ragans has been a big reason why.
As a sophomore, Ragans helped the Eagles win a Class 3A state championship. As a junior, Ragans and the Eagles reached the championship game before falling to Westminster Christian.
Ragans had North Florida Christian in the running again in 2016, reaching the regional final before losing to Maclay. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound pitcher shined for the Eagles, posting a 9-2 record with a 0.90 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched. He was also named the Big Bend Pitcher of the Year by the Tallahassee Democrat.
But the biggest accomplishment came on draft day when he was selected as the No. 30 overall pick by the Texas Rangers in the Major League Baseball Draft. He was the first small-school player taken in the draft. Eagles coach Mike Posey was thrilled to hear Ragans' named called in the first round.
“It’s great,” Posey told the Democrat. “You never start your career thinking you’ll
get a guy in the first round or get a guy to the big leagues. Even just
getting drafted is something you don’t think about it. It’s awesome and
it’s testimony to his hard work."
MaxPreps Small Schools Coach of the Year: Dan Cimini, University Liggett
Cimini has made University Liggett a permanent fixture in the state finals in Michigan, reaching the championship game five of the past six seasons. The Knights have won four state championships during that time, including the Division 3 title in 2016. They won their final two games by a combined score of 21-0, including a 12-0 win over New Lothrop in the championship game.
University Liggett went 32-4 on the season with all four losses coming against schools with enrollments of more than 1,000 students. The Knights also finished the season ranked No. 3 overall in Michigan according to the MaxPreps Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.
University Liggett will not be able to defend its state championship, as it will move up to Division I for the 2017 season.
The Small Schools All-American Team consists of players who compete for schools that play in state enrollment divisions that generally have fewer than 1,000 students.
MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Baseball Team
First TeamP – Cole Ragans, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.), 6-4, 200, Senior
Honors: National High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Southeast Region Team... American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Region 3 Team... American Family Insurance All-USA Florida All-State Team... Florida Coaches Association All-State Team... Tallahassee Democrat All-Big Bend Pitcher of the Year... Texas Rangers draft pick at No. 30.
Stats: 9-2 record, 0.90 ERA, 104 strikeouts, 70 innings pitched.
P – Sam Keating, Canterbury (Fort Myers, Fla.), 6-1, 150, Junior
Honors: Fort Myers News Press All-Area Team... Florida Dairy Farmers Class 3A Player of the Year.
Stats: 10-0 pitching record, 0.34 ERA, 77 strikeouts, 62.2 innings pitched.
P – Brent Headrick, Reed-Custer (Braidwood, Ill.), 6-6, 185, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Illinois All-State Second Team... Illinois High School Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team... Herald News All-Area Team.
Stats: 11-1 pitching record, 1.93 ERA, 118 strikeouts, 79.2 innings pitched.
P – Dalton Parker, St. Joseph-Ogden (St. Joseph, Ill.), 6-4, 205, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Illinois All-State Second Team... Illinois High School Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team... Champaign News Gazette All-Area Player of the Year... WCIA 3 Player of the Year.
Stats: 11-1 pitching record, 156 strikeouts, 0.53 ERA, 2 no-hitters, 6 shutouts.
P – Justin Bullock, South Granville (Creedmoor, N.C.), 6-2, 200, Junior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA North Carolina All-State Team.
Stats: .460 batting average, 33 runs, 38 RBIs, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs, 10-3 pitching record, 141 strikeouts, 1.49 ERA, 70.2 innings pitched.
P – Brett Super, Sage Hill (Newport Beach, Calif.), 5-10, 160, Junior
Honors: Southern Section Division 6 Player of the Year... Orange County Register All-County Third Team.
Stats: 13-0 pitching record, 133 strikeouts, 0.51 ERA, 97 innings pitched, .268 batting average, 24 RBIs, 20 runs, 2 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs.
P – Max McKinley, Maclay (Tallahassee, Fla.), 6-2, 210, Senior
Honors: All-Big Bend Player of the Year.
Stats: 11-3 pitching record, 0.74 ERA, 103 strikeouts, 95 innings pitched, .379 batting average, 20 RBIs, 20 runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples.
P – Eric Mullet, Hiland (Berlin, Ohio), 5-8, 175, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Ohio All-State Team... Ohio Baseball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year... Wooster Daily Herald All-Area Team.
Stats: 10-0 pitching record, 98 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 61.2 innings pitched.
P – MacKenzie Gore, Whiteville (N.C.), 6-2, 170, Junior
Honors: Wilmington Morning Star All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 12-1 pitching record, 174 strikeouts, 0.08 ERA, 83.1 innings pitched.
P – Preston Macik, West (Texas), 6-0, 205, Senior
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Team... Waco Tribune All-Super CenTex Team.
Stats: 10-1 pitching record, 1.02 ERA, 82 strikeouts, .474 batting average, 12 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 34 RBIs.
C – Joe Donovan, Westmont (Ill.), 5-11, 170, Junior
Honors: Daily Herald All-DuPage County Team... Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .523 batting average, 10 home runs, 44 RBIs, 38 stolen bases.
C – David Avitia, Alhambra (Phoenix), 5-11, 190, Junior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Arizona Small Schools Player of the Year.
Stats: .528 batting average, 40 runs, 39 RBIs, 17 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs.
C – J. Paul Fullerton, Harding Academy (Searcy, Ark.), 6-2, 175, Senior
Honors: Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps First Team... Class 3A All-State Team... Three Rivers Edition Player of the Year.
Stats: .367 batting average, 50 RBIs.
1B – Dalton Reed, Roff (Okla.), 6-0, 170, Senior
Honors: Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Team.
Stats: .523 batting average, 36 runs, 62 RBIs, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 13 home runs.
1B – Spencer Brickhouse, Bunn (N.C.), 6-3, 220, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA North Carolina All-State Team... Raleigh News & Observer All-Metro Team.
Stats: .516 batting average, 38 RBIs, 39 runs, 6 doubles, 13 home runs.
IF – John Trousdale, Lauderdale County (Rogersville, Ala.), 6-1, 165, Senior
Honors: Alabama Sports Writers Association All-Super State Team... ASWA Class 3A All-State Hitter of the Year... Times Daily Class 1A-3A Hitter of the Year.
Stats: .455 batting average, 39 RBIs, 9 doubles, 13 triples, 6 home runs, 27 stolen bases.
IF – Deacon Medders, American Christian Academy (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), 6-4, 193, Senior
Honors: Alabama Sports Writers Association All-Super State Team... ASWA Class 3A Pitcher and Player of the Year... Tuscaloosa Nine All-West Alabama Player of the Year.
Stats: 12-1 pitching record, 0.75 ERA, 104 strikeouts, 74.2 innings pitched, .505 batting average, 59 RBIs, 10 home runs, 46 runs, 10 doubles.
IF – Connor McCarron, University Liggett (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.), 5-9, 175, Junior
Honors: Michigan Baseball Coaches Association Dream Team... Michigan Baseball Coaches Association All-Division 3 Team.
Stats: .505 batting average, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run.
IF – D'Mond Lafond, Refugio (Texas), 6-3, 180, Junior
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team... Victoria Advocate All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: .580 batting average, 3 home runs, 7 triples, 12 doubles, 37 RBIs, 40 runs, 6-0 pitching record, 1.83 ERA, 26.1 innings pitched, 53 strikeouts.
D'Mond Lafond, Refugio
Photo by Lester Rosebrock
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Missouri All-State Team... Missouri Baseball Coaches Association Division 2 All-State Team.
Stats: .609 batting average, 59 runs, 17 doubles, 7 triples, 55 RBIs, 12-0 pitching record, 89 strikeouts, 1.66 ERA, 67.2 innings pitched.
IF – Caleb Littlejim, Christian Heritage (Del City, Okla.), Senior
Honors: Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Team... Oklahoma City Oklahoman Little All-City Player of the Year.
Stats: .473 batting average, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 5-1 pitching record, 1.15 ERA, 93 strikeouts.
OF – Jacob Wilcher, Kossuth (Miss.), 6-3, 205, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Mississippi All-State Team... Clarion Ledger Best of MS Prep All-State Team... Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 3A Player of the Year.
Stats: .529 batting average, 55 runs, 37 RBIs, 17 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs.
OF – Aldrich De Jongh, Trinity Christian Academy (Lake Worth, Fla.), 5-9, 160, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Florida All-State Team... Sun Sentinel All-Palm County Small Schools Player of the Year.
Stats: .358 batting average, 17 runs, 30 RBIs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 11-0 pitching record, 0.13 ERA, 84 strikeouts, 55 innings pitched.
OF – Bryce Giles, Summertown (Tenn.), 5-7, 150, Senior
Honors: Tennessee Baseball Report All-State Team... Nashville Tennessean All-MidState Team... Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State Team.
Stats: .475 batting average, 24 RBIs, 61 runs, 42 stolen bases.
OF – Jackson Tate, Edgewood Academy (Elmore, Ala.), 6-1, 192, Junior
Honors: Montgomery Advertiser AISA All-Metro Player of the Year.
Stats: .529 batting average, 65 runs, 51 RBIs, 8 doubles, 15 triples, 5 home runs.
OF – Taylor Trammell, Mount Paran Christian (Kennesaw, Ga.), 6-2, 200, Senior
Honors: National High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Southeast Region Team... American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Region 3 Team... American Family Insurance All-USA Georgia All-State Team... Marietta Daily Journal Athlete of the Year... Cincinnati Reds draft pick at No. 35.
Stats: .514 batting average, 46 RBIs, 7 home runs, 3 triples, 45 runs.
OF – Quentin Taylor, New Lothrop (Mich.), 6-3, 225, Senior
Honors: Michigan Baseball Coaches Association Division 3 All-State Team.
Stats: .564 batting average, 68 runs, 70 RBIs, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 10 home runs.
UTIL – Peyton Battenfield, Verdigris (Claremore, Okla.), 6-4, 205, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Oklahoma All-State Team... Tulsa World News All-Metro Player of the Year... Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Player of the Year.
Stats: .466 batting average, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 37 RBIs, 38 runs, 118 strikeouts, 4 no-hitters.
UTIL – Zack Thompson, Wapahani (Selma, Ind.), 6-1, 175, Senior
Honors: Muncie Star News Player of the Year... National High School Baseball Coaches Association Upper Midwest All-Region Team... American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Region 5 Team... Tampa Bay Rays draft pick at No. 330.
Stats: .500 batting average, 36 runs, 36 RBIs, 15 doubles, 6 triples, 8 home runs, 4-2 pitching record, 119 strikeouts, 1.88 ERA, 56 innings pitched.
UT – Zack Mazza, Bosqueville (Waco, Texas), 6-1, 205, Senior
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team... Waco Tribune All-Super CenTex Player of the Year.
Stats: .489 batting average, 52 RBIs, 4 home runs, 12-1 pitching record, 2.35 ERA, 66 strikeouts.
Second Team
P – Matthew Gushee, University Liggett (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.), 6-2, 235, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Michigan All-State Second Team... Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Division 3 All-State Team.
Stats: 12-1 pitching record, 0.78 ERA, 89 strikeouts.
P – Stephen Atkins, St. Andrews Episcopal (Ridgeland, Miss.), 6-0, 170, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Mississippi All-State Second Team... Clarion Ledger Best of MS Preps All-State Second Team... Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 3A All-State Second Team.
Stats: 10-2 pitching record, 119 strikeouts, 1.41 ERA, 79.2 innings pitched, .302 batting average, 30 RBIs, 40 runs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run.
P – Noah Eaker, Cherryville (N.C.), 6-4, 190, Junior
Honors: Gaston Gazette All-Area Player of the Year... Charlotte Observer All-Area Team.
Stats: 9-1 pitching record, 0.76 ERA, 110 strikeouts, 83 innings pitched.
P – Colby Lee, Latta (S.C.), 6-2, 175, Senior
Honors: South Carolina Coaches Association Class 1A State Player of the Year... All-PeeDee Player of the Year... High School Sports Report Class 1A Player of the Year.
Stats: 10-1 pitching record, 94 strikeouts, 1.02 ERA, .411 batting average, 10 doubles, 29 RBIs.
P – Will Jones, Van Alstyne (Texas), 6-4, 215, Senior
Honors: All-Texomaland Player of the Year... Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats: 13-1 pitching record, 1.30 ERA, 129 strikeouts, 81 innings pitched.
P – Mack Blashka, St. Mary Catholic (Neenah, Wis.), 5-9, 158, Senior
Honors: Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats: 9-0 pitching record, 0.69 ERA, 104 strikeouts, 61 innings pitched.
P – Matt Wurthmann, Santa Fe Catholic (Lakeland, Fla.), 6-4, 220, Junior
Honors: Lakeland Ledger All-Area Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: 10-3 pitching record, 1.55 ERA, 91 strikeouts, 85.2 innings pitched, three shutouts.
P – Nicolas Mongelli, Marlboro Central (N.Y.), 6-0, 190, Senior
Honors: New York Sports Writers Association Class B Player of the Year... Daily Freeman All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 13-0 pitching record, 0.61 ERA, 68.2 innings pitched, 67 strikeouts, .310 batting average, 16 RBIs.
P – Ethan Harris, Beckville (Texas), Sophomore
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .415 batting average, 28 runs, 46 RBIs, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 13-0 pitching record, 124 strikeouts, 1.00 ERA, 98 innings pitched.
P – Dylan Grogan, Stanfield/Echo (Stanfield, Ore.), 6-3, 185, Junior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Oregon All-State Team... Class 3A All-State Player of the Year.
Stats: 10-1 pitching record, 0.71 ERA, 133 strikeouts, 68.1 innings pitched, .516 batting average, 45 RBIs, 5 home runs.
C – Tyler Melton, Chico (Texas), 6-1, 250, Senior
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team... Wise County Offensive Player of the Year.
Stats: .673 batting average, 39 RBIs, 8 home runs.
C – Kayson Bundy, Enterprise (Utah), 5-8, 145, Senior
Honors: Deseret News Class 2A State Player of the Year.
Stats: .531 batting average, 21 doubles, 48 runs, 24 RBIs, 1 home run.
C – Ashton Atkinson, Ash Fork (Ariz.), 5-10, 150, Senior
Honors: Arizona Republic Division IV All-State Team;
Stats: .706 batting average, 67 RBIs, 24 doubles, 4 triples, 8 home runs, 10-1 pitching record, 1.15 ERA, 170 strikeouts, 73.1 innings pitched, 1 no-hitter.
Ashton Atkinson, Ash Fork
Photo by Darin Sicurello
Honors: Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .417 batting average, 32 runs, 34 RBIs, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs.
1B – Michael Green, Strom Thurmond (Johnston, S.C.), 6-0, 170, Senior
Honors: South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A State Player of the Year... Augusta Chronicle All-Area South Carolina Player of the Year;
Stats: .421 batting average, 34 RBIs, 3 home runs.
IF – Austin Stone, Faith Christian (Arvada, Colo.), Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Colorado All-State Team... CHSAANow All-State Class 3A Player of the Year.
Stats: .462 batting average, 34 runs, 29 RBIs, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 7-1 pitching record, 83 strikeouts, 1.23 ERA, 57 innings pitched.
IF – Drew Smith, Elkhorn (Neb.), 5-10, 185, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Nebraska All-State Team... Lincoln Journal Star All-Super State Team.
Stats: .483 batting average, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 46 runs, 31 RBIs, 5-0 pitching record, 34 strikeouts, 31 innings pitched, 1.35 ERA.
IF – John Bounds, Beckville (Texas), 5-11, 180, Senior
Honors: Longview News Journal Player of the Year.
Stats: .582 batting average, 63 runs, 74 RBIs, 20 doubles, 11 triples, 2 home runs.
IF – Andrew Daschbach, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, Calif.), 6-3, 210, Senior
Honors: San Jose Mercury News All-Area Team... Tampa Bay Rays draft pick at No. 1,200.
Stats: .418 batting average, 29 runs.
IF – Gabe Howell, Trion (Ga.), 6-2, 180, Senior
Honors: Rome News Tribune All-Area Team... Atlanta Braves draft pick at No. 589.
Stats: .615 batting average, 41 runs, 33 RBIs, 12 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs.
IF – Jaxon Shirley, Lapel (Ind.), 6-3, 175, Senior
Honors: Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team... Chicago White Sox draft pick at No. 1,016.
Stats: .443 batting average, 27 RBIs, 26 runs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs.
OF – Austin Langworthy, Williston (Fla.), 5-11, 180, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Florida All-State Second Team... Gainesville All-Area Small Schools Team... Cincinnati Reds draft pick at No. 918.
Stats: .453 batting average, 31 runs, 27 RBIs, 7 doubles, 1 home run, 5-0 pitching record, 56 strikeouts, 1.47 ERA, 47.2 innings pitched.
OF – Branden Boissiere, Woodcrest Christian (Riverside, Calif.), 6-0, 180, Sophomore
Honors: Southern Section Division 5 Player of the Year... Riverside Press-Enterprise All-Area Team.
Stats: .427 batting average, 32 runs, 32 RBIs, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs.
OF – Micah Byrd, Lafayette (Mayo, Fla.), 6-0, 175, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Florida All-State Second Team... Florida Dairy Farmers Class 1A State Player of the Year... Gainesville Sun All-Area Small Schools Player of the Year.
Stats: .478 batting average, 25 runs, 28 RBIs, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 9-2 pitching record, 113 strikeouts, 1.45 ERA, 62.2 innings pitched.
OF – Andrew Schultz, Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.), 6-4, 195, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Georgia All-State Second Team... Gwinnett Daily Post All-County Team.
Stats: .369 batting average, 20 RBIs, 25 runs, 4 home runs, 7-2 pitching record, 85 strikeouts, 58 innings pitched.
OF – Ledgend Smith, Binger-Oney (Binger, Okla.), 6-3, 195, Junior
Honors: Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Team.
Stats: 10-1 pitching record, 1.65 ERA, 8 home runs, 10 doubles.
OF – Tristan Gonzalez, West (Texas), 5-7, 125, Senior
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team... Waco Tribune All-Super CenTex Team.
Stats: .443 batting average, 42 runs, 41 RBIs, 18 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs.
UTIL – Philip Hoffman, Wahama (Mason, W. Va.), 6-2, 220, Junior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA West Virginia All-State Team... West Virginia Class 1A Player of the Year.
Stats: 9-4 pitching record, 159 strikeouts, 0.49 ERA, .530 batting average, 34 RBIs.
UTIL – Alex Fisher, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City), 6-2, 195, Senior
Honors: American Family Insurance All-USA Oklahoma All-State Team... Little All-City First Team.
Stats: 8-0 pitching record, 1.81 ERA, .427 batting average, 11 doubles, 2 triples.
UTIL – Hunter Avery, Mobile Christian (Ala.), 6-1, 200, Senior
Honors: Alabama Sports Writers Association All-Super State Team... ASWA Class 2A All-State Player of the Year... All-Coastal Alabama Team.
Stats: .323 batting average, 25 RBIs, 9 doubles, 6-4 pitching record, 0.98 ERA, 70 strikeouts, 70 innings pitched.
