By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
The MaxPreps Xcellent Preseason Baseball Rankings will be unveiled later this week, but here is an early look at the teams that figure to be the best in each state.
While baseball has already begun in most of the southern and western states, many of the northern states will not begin play until mid- to late March.
Alabama
Cullman
The Bearcats have been the 5A state champion or the runner-up in six of the past seven years including a state championship the past two seasons. Cullman is already off to a solid start with wins over Hartselle and Hoover.
Alaska
Sitka
The return of two-time all-tournament choice Ross Vennberg and junior Dave Reynolds, who earned all-tournament honors last year as a sophomore, make Sitka the preseason favorite in Alaska. Sitka won the state championship three years in a row before falling to Juneau Douglass in last year’s championship game.
Arizona
Hamilton
Hamilton returns 11 players from last year’s 5A state championship team including infielder Matt Helm, who earned all-state honors. Cory Bernard leads the pitching staff while Aaron and Trent Hardenburg head a talented outfield that also includes Tim Fowler and Pat O’Connell.
Arkansas
Sylvan Hills
Led by D.J. Baxendale, the Bears won the 6A championship last year, the seventh state title in school history. Baxendale, who has signed with Arkansas, is back to lead Sylvan Hills to another run at a state title.
California
El Toro
The Chargers return 14 players from a team that won a Southern Section championship and finished 14th in the MaxPreps national rankings last year. Chad Thompson, a Southern Section division MVP, returns after posting a 12-3 record last year with 121 strikeouts. He’s joined by All-American candidate Nolan Arenado, and infielder who batted .456 last year.
Colorado
Cherry Creek
With six players who gained all-state recognition returning this year, the Bruins figure to be the favorite in Colorado. Cherry Creek finished 22-2 last year, losing in the fourth round of the playoffs. Pitcher Alex Blackford is an All-American candidate at pitcher while the infield should be outstanding with Alec Mielnicki (1B), Duncan Satherlie (3B), TJ Shantz SS) and Jon Shoutta (C ). All-state pick Conor McCabe returns to patrol the outfield.
Connecticut
Seymour
Seymour won 27 straight games last year before falling to Plainville in the Class M semifinals. All-state pick Chris Renzoni (7-1, 1.50 ERA, 10 HR, 51 RBI) gives the Wildcats one of the top pitchers and hitters in the state. John Murphy returns to lead the defense at shortstop.
Delaware
Salesianum
All-state pitcher Brady Breidenbach returns to lead Salesianum to another possible state title. Pitched a shutout in the state championship game last year against Middletown.
Florida
American Heritage
The Patriots have an experienced infield with sophomore catcher Brandon Sedell, senior shortstop Deven Marrero and senior second baseman Eric Azevedo all returning from last year’s state championship team. Pitching will be the key for the Patriots, who have no experienced seniors returning to the mound.
Georgia
Cartersville
The Purple Hurricanes have been one of the most successful teams in Georgia the past decade, winning state 4A titles in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2008. Cartersville returns one of the nation’s top prospects in Donavan Tate, who was an all-state outfield selection last season.
Hawaii
Punahou
The Buff ‘N Blue have two of the state’s top position players returning from last year’s team in third baseman Tyler Hanzawa and outfielder Tyler Young. Meanwhile Jeremy Fujimoto, a third-team all-state pick last year, heads the pitching staff.
Idaho
Bishop Kelly
Bishop Kelly defeated Skyview for the state 4A championship last year and returns the core of last year’s championship team. Right-handed pitcher Nico Lytle ranks as one of the top players in Idaho by Baseball Northwest while infielder Justice Mariscal is also a top 10 prospect. Spencer Graves (INF) and John Rezendis (C ) fill out a talented infield.
Illinois
Wheaton (North)
Wheaton finished fourth in the state 4A tournament last year, but it returns its top three pitchers, led by Trey Martin who was 6-0 with 55 strikeouts and a 0.86 ERA. Aric Dama and Jack DeAno are both back after winning seven games apiece last season. DeAno was also the team’s top hitter with a .475 batting average. Martin, meanwhile, led the team in home runs with six.
Indiana
Brownsburg
Tucker Barnhart, the state’s top returning catcher, is back to help guide the Bulldogs this year. Barnhart batted .500 as a junior with 11 home runs during a 21-5 campaign for Brownsburg.
Kansas
Blue Valley
The Tigers return three players who earned all-area status after last year’s 6A state championship run. First baseman Conner Combes anchors the infield with a .319 batting average last year. He’s joined by junior third baseman Taylor Drake and junior outfielder Derek Hackney.
Kentucky
Christian County
Always in the hunt for a state title in Kentucky, Christian County returns 17 players from a team that advanced to the quarterfinal round in last year’s state finals. The Colonels return their top two pitchers in juniors Dylan Carroll (10-2, 1.97 ERA) and Cole Isom (7-6, 2.72).
Louisiana
Parkview Baptist
The defending Class 3A champs return the bulk of last year’s lineup, including state MVP and All-American candidate Alex Byo (9-1) at pitcher. Joining Byo are returning all-state picks Brant Legendre (.446) in the outfield and Alex Edward (.512) at utility.
Maine
Deering
The undefeated state champions return four all-state players from last year’s squad, including state MVP Taylor Candage. Last year, Candage went 9-0 on the mound with 88 strikeouts in 59 innings to go along with a .462 batting average. He’s joined by all-state players Jack Heary (.426 average) at second base, Matt Watson (.471) at catcher and Matt Powers (.346) at utility.
Maryland
Calvert Hall
After an undefeated season in 2007, Calvert Hall dipped to 27-7 last year. However, the Cardinals still managed to win their fourth straight MIAA Class A championship and they have a group of seniors that went undefeated at the junior varsity level two years ago. Brandon Crigger, a preseason all-state pick, leads this year’s squad.
Massachusetts
Plymouth North
The Blue Eagles went 26-0 last year and posted one of the few undefeated seasons in the state over the past decade. The top two pitchers on the team return in state MVP Joe Flynn (12-0) and All-Scholastic Tom MacInnes. All-conference player Matt Walsh also returns for Plymouth North.
Michigan
Brother Rice
The Warriors lose just one player from a roster that won a state Division 1 championship and posted a 35-6 record in 2008. The one player was a good as all-state shortstop Andy Lentz has graduated. However fellow all-state pick Matt Conway (11 doubles, 11 home runs), returns along with all-Catholic pick Pat MacKenzie (.400) and all-league members Steve Hodgins (.322), Derek Kilmer (5-0, 1.05 ERA), and Brian Kurzawa (4-0, 0.59 ERA).
Minnesota
Coon Rapids
The Cardinals captured the AAA state championship last year and return the team’s top pitcher from last year in Cody Beam, who was 6-1 with a 1.94 ERA. Beam was also the team’s top hitter with a .414 average while catcher Mike Latta returns with a .378 average.
Mississippi
Tupelo
The Golden Wave are always among the top teams in Mississippi and the country. Tupelo fell in last year’s state finals to Ocean Spring, but return all-state pick Chris Stratton (P/SS) to try and make another run at the state title. Pitching will be the strong suit for the Golden Wave with Lex Rutledge, Perrin Crews, Jacob McGregor and Kyle Graham all returning to lend their arms to the Tupelo rotation.
Missouri
Rolla
The Bulldogs had a breakout season last year in rolling to a 22-4 record before falling to eventual state champion Ozark in the playoffs. Rolla returns one of the state’s best pitchers in the hard-throwing Dalton Friend. The athletic Tyler Sinnot patrols the outfield for the Bulldogs while Chris Bowie joined Sinnot as an honorable mention all-state choice.
Nebraska
Millard West
The Wildcats went 30-9 last season with a runner-up finish in the Class A state championship. Millard West has one of the state’s most productive hitters from last year in second baseman Brandon Bass, who scored a state best 48 runs and eight doubles.
New Hampshire
Portsmouth
The Clippers finished season undefeated last year at 22-0 and won the Class I championship. State players of the year Ben Hart and Tim Welch are gone, but four all-state picks remain in infielder Mike Fransoso, catcher Kevin Bergeron, infielder Mike Montville and pitcher Nate Jones.
New Jersey
Don Bosco Prep
The Ironmen posted the best season in New Jersey history last season, going 33-0 with a Non-Public A championship. Don Bosco returns a pair of All-American candidates this year in pitcher Niko Spezial and outfielder Brett Knief. The Ironmen will match talent with some of the top teams on the West Coast in April when they travel to the National Bat Classic.
New Mexico
La Cueva
Posting a 28-4 record last year, the Bears ran roughshod over their opponents by averaging nearly 10 runs a game while winning the 5A state championship. The Bears have won five state championships in the past six years and were crowned the mythical national champs in 2004 by Collegiate Baseball America.
New York
Mamaroneck
Many of the top players from last year’s team that finished 30-2 and won the Class AA championship. Ace pitcher Sean Hagan returns after a 9-2 season while heavy-hitting Michael Rosenfeld is back at first base after a record-breaking season that saw him blast a school record 58 RBI. All-state picks Andrew Benkwitt, Matthew McGovern and Gabe Klein also return to provide help on the mound when they aren’t playing in the outfield.
Nevada
Bishop Gorman
Possibly the top team in the country, the Gaels won the 4A state championship in Nevada and went 41-3 on the season. Gatorade state player of the year Jeff Malm returns after batting .564 last season with seven home runs. Joey Rickard led the team in home runs with 12 while hitting .589. Rickard and Malm are also part of a pitching staff that returns three hurlers with at least seven wins. Senior Stephen Manthei leads the pack with nine victories. Many of the players on this year’s team were also members on the squad that won the National American Legion World Series over the summer.
North Carolina
Providence
The Panthers returns three players who earned all-area honors last year, topped by Clemson-bound infielder Richie Shaffer, who batted .410 last year with eight home runs. All-Mecklenburg selection C.A. Clayton joins Shaffer in the infield while Tyler Zupcic is back in the outfield. Providence posted a 20-10 record last year.
North Dakota
Dickinson
The Midgets have won the past two state Class A championships and return 14 players from last year’s squad that posted a 22-7 overall record.
Ohio
St. Edward
St. Edward returns the bulk of last year’s lineup that won the Division 1 state championship in Ohio, led by one of the nation’s best juniors in Stetson Allie. The Eagles defeated a pair of strong opponents in the final two rounds of last year’s playoffs, topping Lakota West in the semifinals and St. Ignatius for the crown.
Oklahoma
Owasso
Hard to pick against a school that has reached the finals 11 times in the past 12 years and has 10 state titles to its credit including last year’s 6A crown. The Rams lose state MVP Brian Flynn to graduation, but returning senior Austin Kirk is Owasso’s top All-American candidate this season.
Oregon
Thurston
Although the Colts fell to Ashland in last year’s 5A state playoffs, they return five players who earned all-state honors last year. The trio of Skip Spencer (catcher), Kyle Hoover (infield) and Danny Urness (outfield) top the list after making the all-state first team. Second team pick Tym Pearson joins Urness in the outfield while honorable mention selection Chris Reed heads the pitching staff.
Pennsylvania
Canon McMillan
The Big Macs return 12 players from last year’s team that went 21-5 and won the state 4A championship. Leading the way is all-state P/SS Matt Pierpoint.
Rhode Island
Bishop Hendricken
The Hawks are always the team to beat in Rhode Island and 2009 should be no different. The defending state champs return one of the state’s best hitters in Chris Constantino (.444, 6 HR) as well as the state’s top returning outfielder in Evan Marzilli (.386, 8 HR).
South Carolina
Conway
Conway figured to have the top pitching tandem in the state this year with Colby Holmes and Bobby Watford taking turns on the mound. However Watford broke his hand last month and will be out until mid-March. Conway lost in the state championship to Boiling Springs last year, but should have two healthy hurlers in time for another state run in May.
Tennessee
Farragut
One of the top teams in the country, Farragut went 44-3 last year behind the play of state MVP Curt Powell (SS). The Admirals had one of the nation’s best freshmen last year as Philip Pfeifer posted a 13-1 record. The pair join returning all-region selections Jordan Cooper (LHP), Mack Thoreson (RHP/1B) and Cade Stallings (3B) to make Farragut the easy choice in Tennessee.
Texas
Coppell
Coppell returns many of the players that helped the team dominate District 6-5A last year. District MVP Zak Hermans returns on the mound while offensive player of the year Austin Elkins returns at third base. Defensive whiz Greg Higginbotham holds down the right side at second base while Danny Malone leads the pitching staff. All-Houston Area pick Chad Kettler joins Elkins and Higginbotham in the infield.
Utah
Cottonwood
Cottonwood loses state MVP Ryan Thomas, but junior pitcher Desmond Poulson returns to lead the defending 4A state champions. Kendall Mayer, a second team all-state selection, joins Poulson on the mound.
Vermont
Lyndon Institute
Lyndon Institute, which went 17-3 and reached the state finals last year, returns Capital League MVP Buddy Lamothe on the mound.
Virginia
Menchville
Considered by state coaches as the team to beat, Menchville returns all-state player Matt Armstead, who batted .531 with 10 doubles and four home runs last year. Also back is second team pitcher Ethan Carter. Armstead is set to play at VMI next year while Carter will head to South Carolina.
Washington
Snohomish
The defending state champions (25-5) return one of the state’s best outfielders in Bryan Wolfe. They should also be solid in the infield with Braden Allen and James Higgins. Bryce Meinhold joins Wolfe in the outfield.
West Virginia
Nitro
The Wildcats return three of the state’s top players in Andrew Pickering, J.R. Bradley and Matt Frazer. Bradley was a first team pick as an infielder after batting .400 with 47 RBI and 7 home runs his sophomore season. Frazer, meanwhile, blasted 11 home runs and batted .534 in the state tournament. Pickering was a second-team pick as a utility player last year as a sophomore.
Wisconsin
Kimberly
The Papermakers were the state champs in 2007 and reached the finals last year before falling to Kenosha Bradford. Kimberly has state MVP Brad Schreiber back on the mound while Jayme Wells, the state MVP in football last fall, patrols the infield at shortstop. Schreiber batted .534 last year while Wells batted .419. Bryce Bellin, who had a 6-1 record last year, also returns, along with starting catcher Will Randerson.
