1) Saguaro Sabercats (34-4) Division II
Two-time defending State Champs, 10 seniors
Coach: Ryan Dyer
Key guys:
Sr. OF Austin Anderson (John Hopkins University)
Sr. OF/RHP Zach Gibbons (University of Arizona)
Sr. RHP Daniel Akmon (SMCC)
Sr. OF Christopher Akmon (St. Mary's)
Sr. Inf Reed Austin (University of Arizona)
Sr. LHP Alan Madsen (Paradise Valley Community College)
Sr. MIF Matt Morris
Sr. MIF John Lagusis
Sr. Inf John Nimtz
Soph LHP Nick Meservey
Soph Catcher Brett Adams
2) Brophy Prep Broncos (21-10) Division I
Coach: Tom Succow
Key guys: Seven starters return
Sr. OF Chris Beall (Arizona State)
Sr. RHP/Inf Dave Graybill (Arizona State)
Sr. MIF Emilio "Emo" Torrez (Arizona State)
Sr. Catcher John Rapisarda (Grand Canyon University)
Sr. MIF Connor Moore
Sr. RHP Jake Steffens
Jr. Inf/RHP Connor Messman
Jr. LHP Stephen Oleksak
Jr. RHP Michael Westra
Jr. Inf Michael Lucero
Soph (OF) Isaiah Deutsch
3) Hamilton Huskies (27-7) Division I
Lost 7-6 to Mountain Pointe in the 5A state finals last year.
Eight players from that team are playing in college/pros. They are:
OF Malcolm Holland (Dodgers)
RHP Jake Andrews (Central Community College)
Inf/RHP Brennen Pierson (Central Community College)
Inf Jordan Frabasilio (South Mountain Community College)
Catcher Colton Frabasilio (South Mountain Community College)
OF Mike Baker (Chandler-Gilbert Community College)
RHP Zak Johnson (South Mountain Community College)
OF Parker Osborne (Central Community College)
Key players this year are:
Sr. Inf Mitch Nay (Arizona State)
Sr. Inf Trent Goodrich (Dartmouth)
Sr. RHP/Inf Parker Gallegos (Chandler-Gilbert Community College)
**Junior class is really loaded. Include:
Catcher Kyle Pechloff
Inf Cody Bellinger
RHP Pat Murphy
OF Skylar Palermo
Inf Shawn Rackowski
4) Salpointe Catholic Lancers (23-8-1) Division II
Coach: Danny Preble
**Seven starters return, along with 10 seniors
Key guys:
Sr. OF Kevin Brice (Pomona College)
Sr. RHP Hunter Miller (Grand Canyon University)
Sr. MIF Tyler Kimbrough (Northern Colorado)
Sr. Inf Ryan Penaflor (Grinnell College)
Sr. Inf Ray Eastman (Belmont University, Tenn.)
Sr. RHP Ben Scherer
Jr. Inf/RHP Michael Hoard (University of Arizona)
Jr. RHP Adam Montano
*Biggest loss to graduation: Joe Serrano (Arkansas)
5) Chaparral Firebirds (24-9) Division I
Defending State Champs
Coach: Sam Messina (2nd year)
Key guys:
Sr. OF/LHP Nick Diamond (Arizona State)
Sr. Inf Dylan Cozens (Committed to the University of Arizona for baseball and football)
Sr. Catcher Eric Brossart (Yavapai Community College)
Jr. LHP/Inf Dillon Bigcrane
Jr. MIF Mike Diamond
*Biggest loss to graduation: Joey Bielek (University of Cincinnati)
6) Liberty Lions (19-10-1) Division II
Coach: Mark Ernster
Key guys:
Sr. RHP/Inf Nathan Bannister (University of Arizona)
Sr. MIF Paul Panaccione (Grand Canyon University)
Sr. Inf PJ Catera (Mesa Community College)
Sr. Catcher Ryan Benedict
Jr. RHP Zac Johnston
7) Mesquite Wildcats (29-6) Division I
No. 1 seed last year, but lost to Hamilton in the semi's
Six starters return, including fourteen seniors
Coach: Jeff Holland
Key guys:
Sr. LHP/OF Garrett Jeffries (Grand Canyon University)
Sr. RHP/OF Spencer Applebach (Yavapai Community College)
Sr. captain MIF Seth Fretheim (Grand Canyon University)
Sr. Inf Jake Howard (New Mexico University)
Jr. Inf Matt Waldren
Jr. MIF/RHP Brad Holland
*Biggest loss to graduation: Undefeated pitcher Zach Davies (Orioles)
8) Boulder Creek Jaguars (33-6) Division I
Coach: Joe McDonald
Key guys:
Sr. RHP/OF Tony Blanford (Arizona State)*
*Possibly the top MLB pitching prospect in the state
Sr. MIF West Tunnell (Baylor University)
Sr. OF Chase Wagner (Glendale Community College)
Sr. RHP/MIF Cameron Brendel (Glendale Community College)
Sr. Catcher David Real (Glendale Community College)
Jr. OF Riley Joyce
9) Mountain Pointe Pride (29-5) 5A State Champs
Coach: Brandon Buck
Key guys:
Sr. OF/RHP Joey Curletta (Central Community College)
Sr. MIF Scott Kingery (Central Community College)
Sr. MIF Sam Kingery (Central Community College)
Sr. LHP Connor Conant (Glendale Community College)
Jr. Inf Brantley Bell
Jr. OF Mike Wagner
Jr. RHP Kyle Detwiller
Soph. OF Ernie De La Trinidad
** Biggest loss to graduation: Kevin Cron (Texas Christian)
10) Pinnacle Pioneers (21-9-1) Division I
Coach: John Casey
Loaded junior class, including four sophomore starters last year
Key guys:
Sr. RHP/Inf Eric Melbostad (Arizona State)
Jr. RHP/Inf Will Jones
Jr. OF MJ Hubbs
Jr. MIF Brock Hartley
Jr. Catcher Alex Friedman
Jr. OF Sam Welton