By DAVID COOK
DIVISION 1
Top teams statewide: Saline, Grosse Pointe South, Sterling Heights Stevenson
Top area teams: Brother Rice, Bay City Western, Howell, Rockford, Brighton
Brother Rice has a talent-rich team, led by one of the premier high school baseball players in America. Senior outfielder Nick Plummer is a multi-tool outfielder who is expected by many to be selected in the first round of this year’s Major League Baseball draft. Plummer has already committed to the University of Kentucky. Slick-fielding shortstop Davis Feldman has committed to Eastern Michigan University, while junior power pitcher Karl Kauffmann has committed to the University of Michigan.
Defending state champion Bay City Western has a good corps of talent returning. Senior Carson Eby is an all-state player who can play multiple positions. Junior pitcher Jason Clark went 10-2 last season and was the winning pitcher in the state title game. Senior David Fegan returns to the outfield, while junior Hunter David is a solid hitter. Junior Brandon Wise will pitch and play third.
Howell returns a stockpile of talent. Chris Ackerman is a solid catcher, while seniors Riley Bennett (second baseman) and Joe Corsten (shortstop) head up the middle infield, with senior Austin Palo at first base. Senior Brendan Merians returns in the outfield. Sophomore shortstop Caleb Balgaard is a big-time talent who has already committed to Indiana University.
Rockford has its usual roster full of talent. Senior pitcher Landon Haney is headed to Butler University, while shortstop Tyler Pellerito is another college recruit. The Rams also have a pair of dynamic junior arms in lefthander Bryce Kelley, who is headed to Michigan State University, and righthander Jake Weisenburger, who is headed to the University of Michigan.
Brighton is led by senior pitchers Justin Steele, Zach Vitkuske, and Alex Zielinski. Senior catcher Alex Dixon is another standout, as is senior shortstop Collin McClelland.
More area teams to watch:
Lake Orion is led by senior outfielder Miles Hardy and pitcher Kenneth Guldi, Jr. Junior pitcher Cameron Miller is a big-time talent who has committed to Central Michigan University.
Clarkston has a strong pitching staff, led by seniors D.J. Zezula, Andrew Dalrymple, and Max Bain. Senior outfielder Joe Popp hit .440 last season.
Novi has a solid pair of pitchers in seniors Jason Pastoor and Adam Tobias. Senior outfielder Michael Mitchell heads up the offense.
Midland Dow is led by senior shortstop Connor Smith, who is headed to Western Michigan University.
Bay City Central is led by senior pitchers Lennon Gwizdala and Tyler Wiecher.
St. Johns has a solid squad led by seniors Jimmy McKane on the mound and Jake Crum in the outfield. Junior Avery Maurer is a standout shortstop, while sophomore Adam Proctor is a large talent behind the plate.
Holt has a veteran team that also includes some talented youngsters. Sophomore lefthanded pitcher Jesse Heikkinen has already committed to Michigan State University.
Grand Ledge was hit hard by graduation, but the two veterans it does return are talented. Senior pitcher Tyler Waldrop is an ace on the mound, while second baseman Jake Ellis is an outstanding fielder and hitter.
DIVISION 2
Top teams statewide: Milan, East Grand Rapids, Niles
Top area teams: Mt. Pleasant, Notre Dame Preparatory, DeWitt
The defending state champion, Mt. Pleasant has another talented squad. Senior Hunter Buczkowski is a dominating starter who went 8-2 with a 1.21 ERA last year. Logan Buczkowski and infielder Noah Ingram are two other talented players. Senior catcher Dan Keller hit .345 last year. Shortstop Obie Ricustrict is another talented infielder, while junior third baseman Zach Heeke hit .417 with 34 RBI last year.
Notre Dame Prep has an overpowering pair of pitchers in seniors Will Mullen (6’4″, 210 pounds), who is headed to Western Michigan University, and Luke Shilling (6’4″, 250), who is headed to the University of Illinois. The duo produces crackling fastballs, and are both shutdown aces. Even more talent is found at third base, with Jacob DePillo, and with pitcher Mark Marrone.
DeWitt suffered some heavy graduation losses but returns multi-talented shortstop Keaton Sackett. Senior catcher Connor Grice is a skilled backstop.
More area teams to watch:
St. Mary’s Preparatory is led by senior pitcher Greg Loukinen, who went 7-3 with a 1.81 ERA last year. Junior catcher Tyler Robbins has already committed to the University of Michigan.
Fowlerville has a talented young team that returns senior outfielder Josh Bacha.
Williamston is led this season by senior pitcher/first baseman Lane Hodges and senior third baseman Garrett Nolan.
Linden has a solid, veteran-laden team. Seniors Austin Buerkel and Travis Petts head up the outfield. Senior Tim Sines tops the pitching staff, with senior Brady Sarkon back behind the plate.
Owosso is building around senior pitchers Gavin Barnes and Jalen Weekley. Senior outfielders Adam Stowe and Grant Drake head up the offense.
Corunna is led by senior shortstop Brandon Michalec, who earned all-conference honors last year. Senior outfielder Kyle Forbush and senior second baseman/pitcher Scottie Feldpausch also return.
Alma has a strong corps of pitchers, led by senior Zach Hanson, who went 6-2 with a 1.08 ERA last year, and junior Justin Doyle. Sophomore Konner Vedrode is a young power arm who will also help out at the plate. Jared Peterman is another veteran returning, while Tristan Villalobos is a promising sophomore to watch.
Haslett has a talented team, with a pitching staff anchored by senior Zach Berry and senior lefthander Thomas Johnston. Senior second baseman Trace Woodworth is a standout, while junior Hunter Ruhstorfer is a talented infielder and pitcher.
Mason is led by senior pitcher Andrew Fee and senior first baseman Jacob Scavarda.
Eaton Rapids brings back plenty of talent from a team that won 23 games last year. Seniors Nathan Laginness (outfielder/pitcher), Blaine Milheim (catcher/outfielder), and Jared McDaniel (shortstop/pitcher) lead the way, along with talented junior Van Acker (second baseman/pitcher).
Lakewood is led by senior pitcher/first baseman Kaleb Makley and senior third baseman Cam Comer. Junior Dylan Kemp is another promising player who will pitch and play the outfield.
DIVISION 3
Top teams statewide; University Liggett School, Bishop Foley Catholic, St. Mary Catholic Central
Top area teams: Lansing Catholic, Reese, Meridian
Lansing Catholic is led by senior pitcher/third baseman Ryan Paul. Junior Riley Creamer, another solid pitcher, will also see time at shortstop.
Reese has a number of talented hitters this season, including Ryan Maclin, Ryan Fisher, Jonah Jones, Jacob Hartman, and Kyle Gnatkowski.
Meridian is a team capable of a deep post-season run.
More area teams to watch:
Pewamo-Westphalia is led by senior infielder Trey Bauer, who is a leading hitter. Junior Austin Lewis is another solid hitter who will see time on the mound. Senior Jay Thelen will pitch and play the outfield, while Simon Rademacher is another solid hitter.
Michigan Lutheran Seminary is led by senior catcher Bragg Eastin.
Montrose returns talented outfielder Mike Ross.
DIVISION 4
Top teams statewide: Muskegon Catholic, Decatur, Hillman
Top area teams: New Lothrop, Beal City, Breckenridge
New Lothrop captured the state title last season and has a solid group of players returning this season.
Beal City reached the state final a year ago and has another solid squad this season. Tucker Gross is a standout on the mound and at the plate. Brett Upton and Chase Rollin are two other experienced players who also do damage at the plate.
Breckenridge brings back one of the top individual talents in Division 4 in senior Wade SanMiguel. As a pitcher, SanMiguel went 8-2 with a 1.26 ERA. At the plate, he hit .595. Mitch Miller hit .356 last year, while Devin Eastman is another returning hitter with pop. Cameron Foster joins SanMiguel as a top pitcher.
More area teams to watch:
Portland St. Patrick Catholic will be one to watch. Senior Joe Mackowiak is a steady shortstop and pitcher. Senior Connor Hengesbach returns behind the plate. Junior Travis Meyer is a pitcher and outfielder, while sophomore Brendan Schrauben will pitch and also see time behind the plate.
Morrice is another solid squad. The Orioles return senior pitcher/shortstop Garrett McPherson. Senor Mason Mendyk returns at second base, and senior Dakota Ward is in the outfield.