MaxPreps 2017 Underclass All-American Baseball Teams

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See this Kentucky 10-11 All Star overcome his obstacles and lead his team to victory.

Two pitchers from California and an infielder form Texas highlight the 2017 MaxPreps Underclass All-American Teams, which feature the top 30 juniors, sophomores and freshmen in the nation for the 2017 high school baseball season.

National Junior Player of the Year — Grant Holman, Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.)

After a sophomore season in which he earned MaxPreps Underclass All-American honors, Holman was even better as a junior. He led Eastlake to a San Diego Section champion and was named the San Diego Section's Player of the Year.

Holman could easily be chosen as a position player or a pitcher. At the plate, Holman was one of the top home run hitters in the state of California with 12. As a pitcher, he went undefeated at 10-0 with 120 strikeouts.

National Sophomore Player of the Year — Bobby Witt, Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas)

The son of former Major League pitcher Bobby Witt, the younger Witt helped lead Colleyville Heritage deep into the Class 5A state playoffs in Texas while earning All-Area honors by the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

Expected to be one of the top prospects out of the Class of 2019, Witt batted .476 on the season with 50 RBIs and 10 home runs. He is a two-time MaxPreps Underclass All-American.

National Freshman Player of the Year — Lucas Gordon, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)

The Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) pitching staff was supposed to feature one of the most prized pitchers in the nation with No. 1 recruit Hunter Greene expected to lead the way. However, when coach Tom Dill shut down Greene in mid-April to preserve his arm, another pitcher stepped up to fill the void. That pitcher was the freshman Gordon.

Gordon led the Knights with a 10-1 record and also led the team with 77 strikeouts and 69.1 innings pitched. He earned Newcomer of the Year honors by the Los Angeles Daily News.

P — Matthew Liberatore, Mountain Ridge (Glendale, Ariz.), 6-3, 190
Honors: Arizona Republic All-State Team.
Stats: 8-1 record, 96 strikeouts, 0.79 ERA, 62.1 innings pitched.

P — Grant Holman, Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.), 6-6, 215
Honors: San Diego Section Player of the Year.
Stats: 10-0 record, 0.98 ERA, 120 strikeouts, .381 batting average, 12 doubles, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs.

P — Cole Winn, Silver Creek (Longmont, Colo.), 6-2, 195
Honors: American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region 7 Team; Gatorade Colorado state Player of the Year; CHSAA Class 4A All-State Team..
Stats: 9-0 record, 95 strikeouts, 0.73 ERA, 47.2 innings pitched, .388 average, 19 runs, 19 RBIs, eight doubles, three triples, two home runs.

P — Bret Neilan, Timber Creek (Orlando, Fla.), 6-1, 160
Honors: Orlando Sentinel All-Area Team.
Stats: 15-0 record, 0.84 ERA, 133 strikeouts, 99.2 innings pitched.

P — Cole Wilcox, Heritage (Ringgold, Ga.), 6-5, 230
Honors: Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class AAAA All-State Team.
Stats: 9-3 record, 70 strikeouts, 2.40 ERA.

P — Garrett Schmeltz, Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville, Ky.), 6-1, 185
Honors: Kentucky Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats: 14-1 record, 0.94 ERA, 153 strikeouts, 89.1 innings pitched.

P — Michael Vasil, Boston College High (Mass.), 6-4, 210
Honors: Boston Globe All-Scholastics Super 8 Player of the Year.
Stats: 9-0 record, 69.5 innings pitched, 0.505 ERA.

P — Ethan Hankins, Forsyth Central (Cumming, Ga.), 6-6, 200
Honors: Forsyth County News All-County Pitcher of the Year; Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class AAAAAAA All-State Team.
Stats: 5-2  record, 0.90 ERA, 77 strikeouts, 46.2 innings pitched.

P — Jonathan Childress, Forney (Texas), 6-4, 215
Honors: Dallas Morning News All-Area Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: 8-1 record, 137 strikeouts, 0.48 ERA, 72.2 innings pitched.

P — Luke Bartnicki, Walton (Marietta, Ga.), 6-3, 210
Honors: Marietta Daily Journal/Cobb County Pitcher of the Year; Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class AAAAAAA All-State Team.
Stats: 10-1 record.

C — Austin Wells, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 6-2, 195
Honors: Gatorade Nevada state Player of the Year; National High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Rocky Mountain Region Team; Las Vegas Review Journal All-State Team.
Stats: .500 average, 47 runs, 47 RBIs, 8 home runs.

C — Michael Schrab, Katy (Texas), 5-11, 180
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 6A All-State Team; All-Greater Houston Team; Houston 5A Baseball All-Houston 6A Team.

C — Will Banfield, Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.), 6-0, 200
Honors: Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class AAAAAAA All-State Team; Gwinnet Post All-Area Team.
Stats: .409 average, 33 RBIs, nine doubles, 30 runs, seven home runs.

1B — Kody Milton, Severna Park (Md.), 6-2, 185
Honors: Washington Post All-Metro First Team.
Stats: .580 average, six home runs, 32 RBIs.

1B – Grayson Rodriguez, Central Heights (Nacogdoches, Texas), 6-4, 200
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Team.
Stats: 511 average, 43 runs, 52 RBIs, eight doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 14-1 record, 89.3 innings pitched, 0.31 ERA, 175 strikeouts.

IF — Nolan Gorman, O'Connor (Phoenix), 6-0, 210
Honors: Arizona Republic All-State Team.
Stats: .361 average, 28 runs, 34 RBIs, four doubles, 11 home runs.

IF — Brice Turang, Santiago (Corona, Calif.), 5-11, 150
Honors: Riverside Press Enterprise All-Area Team; Southern Section All-Division I Team; Los Angeles Times All-Area Team.
Stats: .465 average, 15 RBIs, 25 runs, 13 doubles, two home runs.

IF — Luke Ziegler, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), 6-3, 190
Honors: CHSAA Now Class 4A All-State Player of the Year.
Stats: .328 average, 22 RBIs, six doubles, three home runs, 6-1 record, 1.76 ERA, 76 strikeouts, 47.2 innings pitched. IF — Jeremiah Jackson, St. Luke's Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.), 6-0, 170
Honors: Alabama Sports Writers Association All-Super State; ASWA Class 2A State Player of the Year; All-Coastal Alabama Team.
Stats: .486 average, 53 runs, 37 RBIs, 27 stolen bases, 12 home runs.

IF — Logan Simmons, Tattnall Square Academy (Macon, Ga.), 6-3, 190
Honors: Macon Telegraph All-Middle Georgia Team; Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class 1A Private All-State Team.
Stats: .382 average, 47 runs, 47 RBIs, nine home runs.

IF — Gage Hughes, Greenup County (Greenup, Ky.), 6-1, 140
Honors: National High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Upper Midwest Team; American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Region 4 Team; Kentucky Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats: .493 average, 36 runs, 41 RBIs, four home runs.

OF — Cole Roederer, Hart (Newhall, Calif.), 6-0, 180
Honors: Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: .353 average, 31 runs, 28 RBIs, 26 stolen bases.

OF — Tanner O'Tremba, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), 6-0, 210
Honors: National High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Rocky Mountain Team; CHSAA Now Class 5A All-State Team.
Stats: .515 average, 30 runs, 10 home runs, 31 RBIs.

OF — Eric Kennedy, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.), 6-0, 190
Honors: Tampa Times All-Pinellas County Player of the Year.
Stats: .556 average, 39 RBIs, 11 doubles, four triples, three home runs.

OF — Alek Thomas, Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago), 5-11, 179
Honors: Daily Southtown All-Area Team; Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A All-State Team.
Stats: .470 average, 10 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 43 RBIs, 59 runs.

OF — Joseph Gray, Hattiesburg (Miss.), 6-3, 195
Honors: Clarion Ledger All-State Team.
Stats: .477 average, 43 runs, 34 RBIs, 10 doubles, two triples, seven home runs.

OF — Mike Siani, William Penn Charter (Philadelphia), 6-0, 195
Honors: Philadelphia News All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Team.
Stats: .367 average, 27 RBIs, 33 runs.

AP — J.T. Ginn, Brandon (Brandon, Miss.), 6-2, 200
Honors: Clarion Ledger All-State Team.
Stats: 5-1 record, 1.74 ERA, 69 strikeouts, 39.1 innings pitched, .483 average, 66 RBIs, 16 home runs.

AP — Brett Hansen, Foothill (Pleasanton, Calif.), 6-4, 190
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Team; San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Team.
Stats: 7-1record, .321 average.

AP — Jonathan Gates, Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville, Fla.), 6-2, 185
Honors: Tampa Times All-Tampa Area Team.
Stats: .478 average, 10 home runs, 114 strikeouts, 0.79 ERA.

P — Blake Adams, Har-Ber (Springdale, Ark.), 6-1, 180
Honors: Arkansas Preps All-State Team.
Stats: 8-3 record, 1.39 ERA, 85 strikeouts, 65.2 innings pitched, .373 batting average, 20 runs, 29 RBIs, nine doubles, two home runs.

P — Sammy Faltine, Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas), 6-2, 185
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 6A All-State Team; All-Greater Houston Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: 10-0 record, 1.84 ERA, 80 strikeouts, 62.2 innings pitched.

P — McKayden Templeton, Rogers (Ark.), 5-11, 175
Honors: Arkansas Preps All-State Team.
Stats: 5-2 record, 62 strikeouts, 0.94 ERA, 59.2 innings pitched.

P — Hunter Barco, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), 6-4, 200
Honors: Times Union All-First Coast Team.
Stats: 7-2 record, 1.84 ERA, 56 strikeouts, 57 innings pitched, .303 average, four home runs, 18 RBIs.

P — Landon Sims, South Forsyth (Cumming, Ga.), 6-2, 195
Honors: Forsyth News All-County Team.
Stats: 6-2 record, 2.10 ERA, 58 strikeouts, 50 innings pitched.

P — Dallas Glass, Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville, Ky.), 5-10, 185
Honors: Kentucky Baseball Coaches Association All-State Second Team.
Stats: 11-0 pitching record, 1.28 ERA, 42 strikeouts, 60 innings pitched.

P — Nolan Hudi, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.), 6-0, 170
Honors: Tampa Tribune All-Tampa Area Team.
Stats: 10-0 record, 0.54 ERA, 86 strikeouts, 65.1 innings pitched.

P — Marcus Johnson, Etiwanda (Calif.), 6-5, 170
Honors: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Newcomer of the Year.
Stats: 8-2 record, 1.98 ERA, 31 strikeouts, 64 innings pitched.

P — Ben Schoneman, La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Honors: Albuquerque Journal All-Metro Team.
Stats: 10-0 record, 1.44 ERA, 58.1 innings pitched, 51 strikeouts.

P — Cy Nielson, Spanish Fork (Utah), 6-2, 190
Honors: Coaches Class 4A All-State Team.
Stats: .333 average, 21 runs, 25 RBIs, nine doubles, four home runs, 10-1 record, 3.40 ERA, 92 strikeouts, 57.2 innings pitched. C — Wyatt Stevenson, Christian County (Hopkinsville, Ky.), 5-11, 186
Honors: Kentucky Baseball Coaches Association All-State First Team.
Stats: .406 average, 33 RBIs.

C — Jacob Herbert, George Jenkins (Lakeland, Fla.), 6-2, 220
Honors: Lakeland Ledger All-County Team.
Stats: .341 average, five home runs.

C — Ray Torres, Providence (Charlotte, N.C.), 5-11, 185
Honors: North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A All-State Team.

1B — Spencer Jones, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), 6-7, 195
Honors: San Diego All-Section Team.
Stats: .387 average, 31 runs, 21 RBIs, 10 doubles, one home run.

1B — Justin Campbell, Simi Valley (Calif.), 6-7, 185
Honors: Ventura County Star All-County Team; Southern Section All-Division II Team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Second Team.
Stats: 3-0 record, 1.00 ERA, .381 average, 23 RBIs, eight doubles.

IF — Tyler Callihan, Providence School (Jacksonville, Fla.), 6-0, 195
Honors: Times Union All-First Coast Third Team.
Stats: .360 average, 27 RBIs.

IF — Anthony Volpe, Delbarton (Morristown, N.J.), 5-10, 170
Honors: MSG Varsity All-Metro Team; Star Ledger All-Group Non-Public A Team.
Stats: .482 average, six doubles, five triples, 31 runs.

IF — Rece Hinds, Niceville (Fla.), 6-3, 195
Honors: Florida Home Run Derby champion.
Stats: .318 average, 24 runs, 24 RBIs, three doubles, 11 home runs.

IF — Bobby Witt, Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas), 6-1, 180
Honors: Fort Worth Star Telegram Super Team, Dallas Morning News All-Area Team.
Stats: .476 average, 46 runs, 50 RBIs, 10 home runs.

IF — CJ Abrams, Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.), 6-1, 175
Honors: Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class AAAA All-State Team.
Stats: .402 average, 34 runs, 22 RBIs, nine doubles, four triples, one home run.

IF — Josiah Miller, Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.), 6-0, 180
Honors: All-Big Bend Team.
Stats: .370 average, 28 runs, nine doubles, five home runs.

OF — Michael Borah, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 5-10, 170
Honors: All-Gwinnett County Team; Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class AAAAAAA All-State Team.
Stats: .415 average, 27 RBIs, 51 runs, five home runs.

OF — Chris Newell, Malvern Prep (Malvern, Pa.), 6-2, 170
Honors: Philadelphia News All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Team.
Stats: .453 average, 21 runs, 39 RBIs, one home run.

OF — Lillo Paxia, Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.), 5-11, 205
Honors: Star Ledger First Team All-State; All-South Jersey Team.
Stats: .520 average, 41 RBIs, 40 runs, 13 doubles, three home runs.

OF — Jordan Sweeney, Egg Harbor Township (N.J.), 6-5, 220
Honors: Star Ledger First Team All-State.
Stats: .467 average, 29 runs, 46 RBIs, 10 doubles, nine home runs.

OF — Michael Dixon, Berkeley (Calif.), 6-0, 190
Honors: East Bay News Group All-Bay Area Second Team; San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention.
Stats: .358 average, 28 RBIs, eight home runs.

OF — Jerrion Ealy, Jackson Prep (Jackson, Miss.), 5-10, 192
Honors: Clarion Ledger All-State Team.
Stats: .420 average, 11 doubles, two home runs, 26 RBIs, 40 runs.

AP — Bubba Gomez, Fremont Christian (Fremont, Calif.), 5-10, 190
Honors: San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Second Team.
Stats: .605 average, 9-1 record, 104 strikeouts, 0.57 ERA, 61 innings pitched.

AP — Brandon Walker, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.), 6-0, 185
Honors: All-Big Bend Team.
Stats: 6-1 record, 1.86 ERA, 73 strikeouts, 53 innings pitched, .410average, 24 RBIs, 23 runs, nine doubles, two home runs.

AP — Nolan Crisp, Locust Grove (Ga.), 6-0, 170
Honors: Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class AAAAA All-State Team.
Stats: 97 strikeouts, 1.24 ERA, .354 average.

P — Jacob Gomez, Rutherford (N.J.), 5-8, 135
Honors: Star Ledger All-Group 2 Second Team.
Stats: 8-0 record, 0.82 ERA, 88 strikeouts, 51 innings pitched.

P — Cade Feeney, Century (Bismarck, N.D.), 5-11, 165
Honors: All-Western Dakota Association Team.
Stats: 6-2 record, threw a no-hitter.

P — Nate Wohlgemuth, Owasso (Okla.), 5-11, 195
Honors: Tulsa World News All-World honorable mention.
Stats: 5-1 record, 1.81 ERA.

P — Jared Kelley, Refugio (Texas), 6-2, 200
Honors: Victoria Advocate All-Area Newcomer of the Year.
Stats: 7-1 record, 1.16 ERA, 109 strikeouts, 60.1 innings pitched, .376 average, 32 RBIs, 18 runs, six doubles.

P — Kyle Hilton, Savannah Christian (Savannah, Ga.), 5-11, 185
Honors: All-Greater Savannah First Team; Georgia Dugout Club Preview Magazine Class A-Private All-State Team.
Stats: 10-0 record, 1.61 ERA, 59 strikeouts, 56.2 innings pitched, .301 average, 18 RBIs.

P — Elijah Degrate, Valley Mills (Texas), 6-0, 200
Honors: Super CenTex Newcomer of the Year.
Stats: 6-4 record, 113 strikeouts, 1.63 ERA, .340 average, 13 doubles, 23 RBIs.

P — Lucas Gordon, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), 6-1, 175
Honors: Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Newcomer of the Year.
Stats: 10-1 record, 77 strikeouts, 1.59 ERA.

P — Nick Hammer, Washington Township (Sewell, N.J.), 6-2, 170
Honors: All-South Jersey Team.
Stats: 5-2 record, 2.24 ERA, 49 strikeouts, 50 innings pitched, .378 average.

P — Nelson Berkwich, American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.), 6-0, 175
Honors: Sun Sentinel Class 6A-1A All-Palm County Team.
Stats: 5-2 record, 1.61 ERA, 67 strikeouts.

P — Jamar Fairweather, Westminster Christian (Miami), 6-1, 215
Honors: Miami Herald All-Dade County Class 6A-1A Team.
Stats: 6-1 record, 46.2 innings pitched, 44 strikeouts, 2.10 ERA.

C — Jack Bulger, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 5-11, 195
Honors: Washington Post All-Metro Second Team.
Stats: .344 average, 22 RBIs, five home runs, eight doubles, 14 runs.

C — Corey Collins, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 6-2, 205
Honors: All-Gwinnett County Second Team.
Stats: .368 average, 23 RBIs, nine doubles, four home runs.

C — Drew Romo, The Woodlands (Texas), 6-0, 180
Honors: All-Greater Houston Newcomer of the Year.
Stats: .405 average, seven doubles, 22 RBIs, 19 runs.

1B — Hank Bearden, Northwest Whitfield (Tunnel Hill, Ga.), 5-11, 156
Honors: Dalton Daily Citizen All-Area Team.
Stats: .342 average, eight doubles, three triples, one home run, 77 strikeouts, five wins, 2.19 ERA.

1B — Kendall Cribb, Theodore (Ala.), 6-1, 210
Honors: Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 7A All-State Second Team.
Stats: .500 average, 31 RBIs.

IF — Drake Westcott, Edwardsville (Ill.), 6-3, 229
Honors: St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro Team;
Stats: .435 average, 12 home runs, 39 RBIs.

IF — Cayden Wallace, Greenbrier (Ark.), 6-1, 200
Honors: Arkansas Preps All-State Team.
Stats: .349 average, 30 runs, 37 RBIs, nine doubles, four home runs.

IF — Sterlin Thompson, Forest (Ocala, Fla.)
Honors: Ocala Star Banner All-County Second Team.
Stats: .282 average, 20 runs scored.

IF — Mac Horvath, Century (Rochester, Minn.), 6-0, 165
Honors: Rochester Post Bulletin Player of the Year.
Stats: 5-1 record, 1.64 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 42.2 innings pitched, .378 average, 17 runs, 18 RBIs, seven doubles, three home runs.

IF — Jordan Carrion, Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), 6-0, 150
Honors: Sun Sentinel All-Broward County Honorable Mention.
Stats: .261 average, 17 runs, 11 RBIs, three doubles.

IF — Jacob Gonzalez, Glendora (Calif.), 6-1, 165
Honors: San Gabriel Valley Tribune All-Area Honorable Mention
Stats: .396 average, 25 runs, 25 RBIs, five doubles, three triples.
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OF — Josh Shuler, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 6-2, 190
Honors: All-Gwinnett County Third Team.
Stats: .317 average, 17 runs, 17 RBIs, five doubles, six home runs.

OF — Karrington Sullivan, North Augusta (S.C.), 5-8, 185
Honors: Augusta Chronicle All-Area Team.

OF — Dalton Pearson, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 5-11, 160
Honors: All-Gwinnett County Third Team.
Stats: .346 average, 26 runs, 25 RBIs, eight doubles, two home runs.

OF — Philip Reinhardt, Valmeyer (Ill.)
Honors: St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro Team; Republic Times All-Area Team.
Stats: .360 average, 27 RBIs, 9-1 record, 0.95 ERA.

OF — Luke Boyers, Boerne-Champion (Boerne, Texas), 5-11, 175
Honors: San Antonio News Express Class 5A All-Area Team.

OF — Nicholas Noonan, Deep Run (Glen Allen, Va.)
Honors: Richmond Times Dispatch All-Metro Second Team; VHSL Class 5A All-State Second Team.
Stats: .420 average, 12 runs, six RBIs, five doubles.

AP — Chipper Menard, DeRidder (La.), 5-8, 135
Honors: Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State Team.
Stats: .385 average.

AP — Colby Halter, Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, Fla.), 6-1, 180
Honors: Times Union All-First Coast Second Team.
Stats: .389 average, 21 RBIs, 5-0 record, 2.65 ERA, 42.1 innings pitched.

AP — Jared Jones, La Mirada (Calif.), 6-0, 165
Honors: Whittier Daily News All-Area
Stats: .242 average, 10 RBIs, three doubles, one home run, 4-2 record, 1.42 ERA, 34 strikeouts, 29.2 innings pitched.

Editor's Note: Players are chosen based mostly on performance, not necessarily potential.