After a long winter's nap, Southwest Ohio high school baseball fields have been drug and grass is beginning to grow. For those fortunate enough to have turf fields footprints have reappeared along the basepaths.
Compiling a list of the better high school players to watch is difficult seeing as there was no 2020 high school season. Most ballplayers couldn't get on a field until mid-June when limited summer action began.
So, this list was made with the help of Prep Baseball Report who rates many players looking to have college careers, along with current high school coaches. Also, players who were freshmen/sophomores in 2019 and made all-league were given recognition that they may have earned last spring given the opportunity. No list is perfect or all-inclusive, but here are some names that could turn some heads.
2021 Spring Swingers and Slingers
Greater Catholic League-South
Devin Taylor, La Salle, junior, OF - Taylor was a top producer in the GCL-South as a freshman hitting .443 with three homers and 30 RBI to become a First Team selection. Taylor is an Indiana commit and played with the 18U Midland Redskins organization last summer after what would have been his sophomore season.
Luke Schlimm, La Salle, junior, LHP - 1-0 as a freshman in 2019 with 13 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. Committed to Ohio State.
Adam Deitschel, La Salle, junior OF/LHP - Explosive speed and power with pitching velocity in mid 80s according to new Lancers coach Roosevelt Barnes.
Clayton Burdette, Moeller, sophomore, RHP/SS - Burdette's an Ohio State commit who could hit in the middle of the Moeller lineup.
C.J. Richard, Moeller, sophomore, OF - Richard is uncommitted but a top prospect according to Prep Baseball Report.
William Jaun, St. Xavier, senior,1b/LHP - .304 average in 2019, 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Second Team GCL-South and committed to Cornell.
Max Klare, St. Xavier, junior, INF/OF - A returning starter and at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds also a top football prospect.
Thomas Ryan, St. Xavier, junior, RHP/INF - A top Bombers pitcher who has attracted interest from Ohio State, Kent State and Michigan State.
Aaron Blum, St. Xavier, junior, LHP/OF -Kentucky commit who throws in the low 90 mph range. Also attracted interest from Ole Miss, Alabama, Indiana, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Jackson Hauck, St. Xavier, senior, RHP/INF - High 80s fastball with ability to play shortstop or third base. Division I prospect according to coach Bob Sherlock.
Luke Vaughn, Elder, sophomore, C/INF - Posted pop times between 1.86-1.92 per Prep Baseball Report.
Greater Miami Conference
Andrew Bachman, Lakota East, senior, LHP - Bachman is an Ohio State commit. As a sophomore in 2019, he was 3-3 with 35 strikeouts in 21.1 innings with a 2.62 ERA.
Evan Whiteaker, Lakota East, junior, RHP - Whiteaker is an Indiana commit for Thunderhawks coach Ray Hamilton with a fastball clocked at 92 mph.
Jacob Beall, Lakota West, senior, RHP/OF - Beall is an Akron commit. As a sophomore, he was 1-1 with four saves and 16 strikeouts in 15.2 innings.
Grant Miller, Lakota West, senior, SS - Hit. 270 with 11 steals as a sophomore in 2019. Committed to Ball State.
Carter Rust, Lakota West, senior, INF - Got some varsity experience as a sophomore. Committed to University of Charleston (WV)
Kurtis Reid, Hamilton, senior, SS - Reid hit .342 with six homers, 23 RBI and 12 steals as a sophomore, Coach Joey Lewis calls him a pro prospect. Reid is committed to Louisville.
Jackson Lewis, Hamilton, senior, INF - Lewis hit .310 driving in 16 runs as a sophomore in 2019.
Max Johnson, Mason, senior, INF - Johnson hit .342 driving in 19 runs as a sophomore. He is an Indiana commit.
Jaxon Orlando, Mason, senior, OF - Orlando hit .349 for the Comets as a sophomore.
Jameson Richmond, Oak Hills, junior, 1B - Richmond hit .319 with two homers and 14 RBI as a freshman in 2019. He is a Louisville commit.
Kayden Campbell, Fairfield, junior, LHP - 1.69 ERA in 29 innings as a freshman. Committed to Louisville.
Andrew Edrington, Princeton, sophomore, RHP/INF - Recently clocked at 91 mph at a Midland/Prep Baseball Report showcase. Uncommitted but being recruited at both positions.
Damian Tillie, Princeton, senior, RHP/1B - Pitched 43.2 varsity innings as a sophomore. Currently committed to Franklin College but at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds is now receiving some Division I consideration.
Harrison Barnes, Sycamore, senior, OF - Hit .347 with 16 steals in 2019 for the Aviators.
Eastern Cincinnati Conference
Josh Overbeek, Anderson, senior, INF/OF - Hit .412 with six home runs and 23 RBI as a sophomore. First Team ECC and committed to Pitt.
Charlie Crider, Anderson, senior, RHP - Crider was 3-1 with 36 strikeouts in 33.2 innings and a 2.29 ERA as a sophomore in 2019.
J.T. Brandenburg, Walnut Hills, senior, LF - HIt. 341 with 11 RBI as a sophomore in 2019. Committed to Lansing Community College.
Michael Conte, Walnut Hills, senior, P - Conte was 3-1 in 2019 with 36 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. He is committed to Central Michigan.
Nick Presley, Walnut Hills, senior, OF - Presley hit .273 as a sophomore with seven steals. He is committed to Ball State to play football as a receiver.
Collin Miller, Walnut Hills, senior, 1B/OF - Miller was on varsity as a sophomore driving in 10 runs. He is committed to Belmont-Abbey.
Trevor Conley, West Clermont, senior, C - Conley hit .333 for the Wolves two seasons ago as a sophomore. Has several offers awaiting.
Gavin Sunderman, West Clermont, senior P/3B - Varsity player as a freshman and sophomore that is headed to Wabash Valley Junior College who is ranked No. 2 in the country.
Spencer Rodriguez, Loveland, senior, C/INF - Rodriguez hit .409 driving in 19 runs and stealing 11 bases in 2019.
Braden Pickett, Milford, senior, INF/P - Pickette hit .303 as a sophomore in 2019 and was 2-1 with 26 strikeouts in 21.1 innings on the mound. He is committed to Iowa Western Community College.
Jonathan "Bubba" Baker, Milford, senior, INF/P - Baker was on varsity as a sophomore driving in 11 runs for the Eagles. He is committed to Huntington University.
Chase Herrell, Milford, sophomore, 1B/P - Viewed as a Division I prospect by Milford coach Tom Kilgore.
Johnny Berliner, Turpin, senior, P -Lefthander was 1-1 with 13 strikeouts in 14.1 innings as a 2019 sophomore. He is committed to Olney Junior College.
Connor Stout, Turpin, senior, OF/P - Hit .333 as a sophomore batting third in the order in 2019 and was 1-0 pitching with a 2.21 ERA.
William Henkel, Turpin, senior, P - Started district championship game for Spartans as a sophomore and got save in regional semifinal win. 3-3 in 40.1 innings in 2019.
Nick Kapostasy, Turpin, senior, C/1B - Hit .269 as a sophomore with a home run and 18 RBI.
Max Kline, Turpin, senior, INF - Hit .391 as a sophomore in 2019.
Colton Hartman, Lebanon, sophomore, P/OF - Lefthander with velocity up to 89 mph. Committed to Louisville.
Zach Weber, Lebanon, senior, P/OF - HIt .381 with two homers and 17 RBI as a sophomore in 2019. 1-1 pitching with 23 strikeouts in 201. innings.
Cameron Huhn, Kings, senior, 2B - Huhn is committed to Dominican University (Illinois)
Tarrus Garrett Jr., Kings, senior, Utility/P - Garrett is committed to Wittenburg
Will Kocher, Kings, sophomore, C/OF - Kocher also is a quarterback in football for the Knights.
Bob Orr, Kings, senior, P - As a sophomore Orr was 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA.
Greater Catholic League-Coed
Carter Earls, Fenwick senior, 1B/P - Earls was 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 33.1 innings while hitting .259 as a sophomore. He is committed to play at the University of Cincinnati.
Lauden Brooks, McNicholas, senior, 3B/OF - Brooks led the GCL-Coed in hitting as a freshman at .522 in 2019, He drove in 22 runs and stole 27 bases. He is a Kentucky commit and also saw time with 18U Midland Redskins last summer after his junior season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic. He was the GCL-Coed Central Division Player of the Year in 2019.
Clay Badylak, McNicholas, senior, P - As a sophomore, he struck out 34 in 26.1 innings for the Rockets while hitting .431 with 15 RBI.
Ryan Hallau, Roger Bacon, senior, OF/P - Hallau was 6-0 with a 2.27 record as a sophomore.
Evan Webb, Roger Bacon, senior, OF/P - Webb hit .306 and drove in 18 runs in 2019 and was 4-3 pitching with 40 strikeouts in 42.2 innings.
Jake Tschida, Roger Bacon, junior, CF/P - Started on varsity as a freshman hitting .250.
George Janzen, Roger Bacon, junior, C - Also started on varsity as a freshman hitting .362 with 16 RBI.
A.J. Enginger, Badin, senior, INF - Hit .422 as a sophomore with 18 RBI and 21 steals.
Ryan Kirkendall, Badin, senior, C/INF - hit .306 with 22 RBI as a sophomore.
Landyn Vidourek, Badin, junior, P/Utility - Uncommitted but highly ranked by Prep Baseball Report.
Lucas Moore, Badin, sophomore, OF/2B -Already a Kentucky commit.
Nik Copenhaver, Badin, sophomore, P - 6-foot-5 with velocity up to 91 mph. Projected as a Power Five prospect by Prep Baseball Report.
Cincinnati Hills League
Luke Hammond, Indian Hill, senior, 3B/OF - Hammond hit .375 driving in 16 runs and stealing 10 bases as a sophomore in 2019. He was 1-1 pitching with 13 strikeouts in 13 innings. Committed to Arizona State.
Dylan Thatcher, Madeira, junior, INF/CF/P - Thatcher hit .330 for the Mustangs in 2019 with five homers and 21 RBI. He was 2-3 pitching with 20 strikeouts in 16.1 innings.
Brennan Pagan, Wyoming, senior, CF/P - Pagan hit .477 as a 2019 sophomore driving in 10 runs and stealing 22 bases. He was CHL First Team in 2019.
Elijah Dennis, Wyoming, senior, C/P - Hit .414 in 2019 with a home run 11 RBI and 14 steals.
Aiden Dunehew, Wyoming, senior, 2B/P - Dunehew hit .356 as a sophomore and had 14 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 1-0 with a 2.52 ERA.
Cameron Ellis, Reading, junior, INF/P - Ellis hit .306 in 2019 with 10 steals. He was 4-2 as a pitcher.
Louie Hess, Reading, junior, INF/P - Hit .316 with 24 RBI in 2019. 1-1 as a pitcher.
Donald Furniss, Reading, senior, 2B/OF - Furniss hit .317 driving in 10 runs in 2019 and was 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA pitching.
Andrew Glassmeyer, Mariemont, senior, P - Glassmeyer was 3-2 with 36 strikeouts in 29.2 innings in 2019. He also hit .338 with 18 RBI.
Michael Napolitano, Mariemont, junior, C/P - Drove in 10 runs as a sophomore and was 2-3 pitching with 24 strikeouts in 20 innings.
Quinn Benner, Mariemont, junior, OF/P - .269 as a freshman in 2019 with 19 strikeouts in 25 innings on the mound. Committed to College of Charleston.
Tyler Tritsch, Mariemont, senior, INF - Drove in 16 runs as a sophomore.
Marshall French, Deer Park, senior, C/INF - French hit .362 driving in 17 runs in 2019.
Casey Hinton, Deer Park, junior, P - 1-0 with 20 strikeouts in 18.1 innings as a freshman.
Johnny Kearns, Taylor, junior, INF/P - Kearns hit .309 with a home run and 11 RBI as a freshman in 2019.
Seth Keith, Taylor, junior, C/SS/P - Keith hit .338 with a home run and 16 RBI in 2019. He was 2-1 pitching with 13 strikeouts in 11.2 innings.
Miami Valley Conference
Colin Ames, CHCA, junior, INF/P - As a freshman hit .264 with 14 RBI and was 2-3 with 26 strikeouts in 24.2 innings with a 2.27 ERA.
Caden Crawford, CHCA, junior, 1B/OF - As a 2019 freshman hit .413 with two home runs and 26 RBI.
Adrian Davis, CHCA, senior, OF - Davis hit .375 with 16 RBI and 21 steals in 2019.
Alex Moffitt, CHCA, senior, OF - Hit .385 in 2019 with 10 RBI and 10 steals.Committed to Miami U.-Hamilton.
Cooper Robinson, CHCA, junior, P/INF - Committed to Butler.
Trevor Allen, Cincinnati Christian, junior, OF/P - Allen hit .304 and drove in 18 runs as a freshman.
Cody Anderson, Cincinnati Christian, senior, C/LF - Anderson hit .323 with 18 RBI and 10 steals in 2019.
Tim Carangi, Cincinnati Christian, senior, OF - Hit .296 with a home run and 21 RBI with 22 steals in 2019.
Jackson Campbell, Cincinnati Country Day, junior, INF/P - Hit .408 as a freshman with a home run 14 RBI and 15 steals. On the mound, he was 6-3 with 53 strikeouts in 47 innings.
Payton Ebbing, CCD, junior, C/INF - Ebbing hit .449 as a freshman with 37 RBI. Committed to Tennessee.
Trey Vredeveld, CCD, junior, INF - Hit .291 with 10 RBI and 12 steals.
Kameron Boggs, Clark Montessori, senior, INF/P - Boggs hit .333 with 12 RBI in 2019.
Cameron Bryant, CCD, junior, SS/OF/P - A transfer highly-rated by Prep Baseball Report and Perfect Game. Hit .282 for Miamisburg in 2019 as a freshman and was 1-1 pitching with 24 strikeouts in 25 innings.
Landen Brown, Norwood, junior, INF/P - HIt .281 as a freshman and was 1-0 with 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings.
Aidan Allen, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, senior, OF/P - Hit .370 in 2019.
Jacob West, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, senior C/3B - Hit .324 in 2019.
Nicholas Ciaccio, Summit Country Day, junior, INF/P - 3-1 with 20 strikeouts in 24.1 innings for the Silver Knights in 2019.
Nicky Luttmer, Summit Country Day, junior, INF/P - 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA as a freshman.
Kam Williams, North College Hill, senior, C/INF - HIt .324 as a 2019 sophomore.
Jonah Cramer, Lockland, senior, P/1B - 2-3 with a 2.77 ERA in 2019.
Trey Robinette, New Miami, senior, INF/P - Robinette hit .327 and had 27 steals while going 3-2 pitching with 21 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.
Noah Winkler, New Miami, senior, INF/OF/P - 1-1 with 18 strikeouts in 13 innings with a 1.61 ERA.
Jacob Joffe, Seven Hills, junior, 3B/P - 1-1 pitching and .250 average as freshman.
Jacob Hessler, Miami Valley Christian Academy, junior, INF/P - Hit .379 and drove in 12 runs.
Jaden Howard, MVCA, junior, OF/P - Hit .324 as a freshman.
Southwest Ohio Conference
Mason Whitely, Edgewood, senior, INF/P - Hit .407 with 16 RBI and 14 steals in 2019 and was 4-2 as a pitcher.
Masyn Dallio, Harrison, senior, C/3B - Dallio hit .339 with three homers and 19 RBI as a sophomore.
Titan Selvie, Northwest, junior, INF - Selvie hit .310 as a freshman for the Knights.
Adam Rowland, Northwest, junior, P/OF - 2-2 on the mound with 24 strikeouts in 35.2 innings as a freshman.
C.J. Boze, Ross, senior, OF - Boze hit .333 in 2019.
Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference
Noah Smith, Gamble Montessori, senior, 2B - Hit .325 with 14 RBI and 21 steals in 2019.
Grover Taylor, Gamble Montessori, senior, P/1B - Hit .386 with 18 RBI, 19 steals and was 3-2 pitching.
Abriel Tye, Gamble Montessori, senior, P/INF - HIt .425 with 17 RBI and 24 steals. Was 3-1 pitching.
Dawson Cooey, Riverview East, senior, INF/P - Cooey hit .424 with 27 RBI, 39 steals and was 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA pitching.
Kejuan Watts-McDaniel, Withrow, senior, C - Hit .300 and drove in 10 runs for the Tigers when they were in the ECC.
Southern Buckeye Conference
Trevor Adams, Goshen, senior, INF - Hit .459 as a sophomore with four homers, 36 RBI and 17 steals.
Austin Suttle, New Richmond, senior, P/OF - Hit .333 with 12 steals for the Lions in 2019 and was 3-2 as a pitcher.
Drew Royalty, New Richmond, senior, P/3B - .313 average with 13 RBI and eight steals as a sophomore.
Dakota Gasaway, Clinton-Massie, senior, C/OF- Hit .267 as a sophomore in 2019.
Jordan Tackett, Wilmington, senior, INF/P - As a sophomore hit .356 with a home run and 13 RBI.
Landon Amann, Clermont Northeastern, senior, INF/P - Hit .335 as a sophomore in 2019.
Cole Ficke, Blanchester,senior, C/INF - .375 average as a sophomore with two home runs and 18 RBI and 13 steals. Team captain and Miami University-Hamilton commit.
Brody Rice, Blanchester, senior, INF/P - Rice hit .362 with two homers, 16 RBI and 14 steals. Team captain and committed to Cedarville.
Reagan Burch, Blanchester, junior, OF - A PBR top 10 2022 OF prospect. Hit .378 as a freshman and stole 26 bases.
Trenton Czaika, Blanchester, senior, OF/P - .333 average in 2019 with 16 RBI and 19 steals.
Adam Frump, Blanchester, junior, P - 5-1 with a 3.36 ERA as a freshman.
Kyle Smith, Bethel-Tate, senior, P/3B - Smith hit .409 with 19 RBI as a sophomore and was 2-0 pitching with a 1.57 ERA.
Garrett Taulbee, Felicity-Franklin, junior, P/3B - Taulbee hit .322 as a freshman in 2019.
Cameron Helton, Felicity-Franklin, junior, SS/P - Hit .288 as a freshman and had 15 steals.
Dan Jones, Williamsburg, senior, INF/P - Hit .429 as a sophomore with 12 RBI.
Bryce Raynor, Western Brown, senior, OF - Hit .392 as a sophomore.
Noah Smith, Western Brown, senior, P - 6-foot-5 prospect who struck out 16 in 19.1 innings as a sophomore.
Jared Teke, Batavia, junior, P/C - Teke hit .364 as a 2019 sophomore and was 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA.
Ian Bullis, Batavia, junior, SS/P - Bullis was 2-1 on the mound in 2019.
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