75 Central Texas high school baseball players to watch this season
· Yahoo Sports
The Central Texas high school baseball season starts Thursday.
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The American-Statesman looks at 75 Austin-area players to watch this spring.
Players listed alphabetically
Jordan Andrews, Liberty Hill: One of the dominant pitchers in the Austin area, he went 11-2 with a 1.52 ERA and 102 strikeouts while throwing an impressive 102 innings. Was first-team all-Central Texas pick.
Quinn Barthalette, Round Rock: Part of a loaded Dragons team, the senior catcher/designated hitter hit .343 a year ago.
Jordan Benjamin, Weiss: Arguably one the area’s top three shortstops, he also hit .407 with 28 RBIs, 15 steals and an OBP of .561 while helping the Wolves to the third round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs.
Rhema Benjamin, Weiss: Whether on the mound, catching or at the plate, the junior — and brother of Jordan — does a little bit of everything for the Wolves. He’s coming off a year where he hit .300 and went 5-1 on the mound with a 2..25 ERA and 55 strikeouts.
Braedan Borger, Hendrickson: A first-team all-District 23-5A pick, the junior catcher, who teams rarely run on, hit .351 with a .495 OBP and drove in 19 runs.
Hayes Brodhead, Westlake: A force on the mound, he went 8-1 with a 2.34 ERA and was a first-team all-District 26-6A pick.
Thomas Botkin, Weiss: The senior stabilizes the Wolves’ pitching staff. He was 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA in 2025.
Bryce Bryant, Stony Point: The senior shortstop is known for his defense after recording a .990 fielding percentage on 55 assists and 40 putouts, but he’s an underrated hitter who the Tigers will count on for offense.
Patrick Byrd, Austin High: Senior shortstop/pitcher had an OBP of .335 and is a reason the Maroons have playoff hopes in a loaded District 25-6A.
Cristian Caro, Rouse: Senior second baseman is part of a perennially loaded Raiders squad who hit .407 and was second-team all-state in Class 5A.
Noah Castillo, Hutto: The talented senior infielder/pitcher combines with Braxton Parker to lead a Hippos squad that looks to surprise in District 25-6A.
Jonah Cihock, LASA: Just as good on the baseball diamond as he is on the basketball court, the senior outfielder hit .395 and drove in 21 runs and is also a key part of the pitching staff.
James Cole, Anderson: Part of a loaded Trojans team that should be very good again, the junior outfielder hit .313 with six doubles and 23 RBIs.
Connor Comeau, Anderson: Signed to play at Texas A&M, the senior shortstop is one of the top five players in Central Texas. He hit .357 with a .495 OBP, 24 extra-base hits, 34 RBIs, 43 runs scored and 26 stolen bases. Was a first-team all-Central Texas pick.
Osby Contreras, Austin High: Arguably the most underrated catcher in the area, the senior had a .395 OBP and teams up with Byrd to give the Maroons a dangerous combination at the top of the lineup.
Blake Cox, Dripping Springs: Overshadowed a year ago by a loaded senior class despite putting up wildly impressive numbers, the senior is the Tigers’ ace and brilliant on the mound. He went 6-0 with six saves, 47 strikeouts and a 0.77 ERA in 45 1/3 innings.
Hudson Cuevas, Cedar Park: Injuries shortened his sophomore season, but the shortstop is one of the top four players in District 25-5A. He hit .479 with 13 extra-base hits and 12 RBIs.
Jack Doss, Rouse: An impressive sophomore pitcher, he came on strong at the end of last year and finished 5-0 with a 1.28 ERA and 51 strikeouts.
Landon Dyer, Legacy Ranch: The Wranglers have playoff aspirations in their first year competing at the varsity level, and the talented second baseman/outfielder is one reason why.
Brandt Eastman, East View: Key for the Patriots both on the mound and in the middle infield, the senior hit .322 with 14 RBIs and went 5-1 with 32 strikeouts and three saves in 33 1/3 innings. Voted the District 23-5A relief pitcher of the year.
Adolfo Erives, Rouse: The junior outfielder is simply prolific on offense. He hit .429 with six extra-base hits, 18 RBIs an OBP of .570 while also being stellar on defense. Was a first-team all-Central Texas pick.
Trey Flores, Elgin: The District 23-5A newcomer of the year, who is now a junior, will pitch and play wherever needed for the Wildcats.
Mack Galindo, Cedar Park: Missing all of 2025 with an injury, the talented junior center fielder should break onto the scene this spring.
Rafael Gamboa, Glenn: Senior second baseman was key in the Grizzlies making a late run to qualify for the Class 5A playoffs by hitting .305.
Ryder Garcia, Hays: District 25-5A is loaded, but the Hawks should compete for the playoffs thanks to Garcia. A junior left-side infielder, he hit .400 with a .487 OBP and 20 RBIs.
Selvin Garrett, Johnson: A wizard at shortstop who is committed to Texas, the junior hit .412 with an OBP of .471 and scored 36 runs for a Jaguars team that went to the Class 6A Division I regional finals.
Riggs Gordon, Cedar Ridge: Part of a loaded junior class for the Raiders, the talented catcher threw out 12 runners and hit .316 with nine extra-base hits.
Robert Grona, McCallum: A unanimous first-team all-District 24-5A pick at pitcher, the junior recorded a 2.68 ERA and fanned 31 while earning four wins.
Masen Harlow, Glenn: Whether it’s at shortstop, where he makes up an impressive middle infield with Gamboa, or in the outfield, the senior is deft defensively and will bat near the top of the order for the Grizzlies.
Jayden Hall, Wimberley: The junior pitcher/shortstop paces the Texans and is coming off a year when he went 5-0 with a 1.37 ERA and hit .306 with 23 RBIs and 31 runs scored.
CJ Hansford, Lake Travis: With a mind-boggling .508 OBP at the 6A level, the senior outfielder/pitcher is an integral part of a loaded Cavs team. Was a first-team all-District 26-6A pick.
Josh Horvath, Round Rock: The Dragons’ ace was a first-team all-District 25-6A pick and went 5-1 with a 3.90 ERA.
Dominic Jaramillo, Leander: A skilled senior shortstop, he’s a big reason the Lions have playoff hopes.
Lane Johnson, Westlake: The accomplished junior center fielder hit .308 with 12 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs on the way to earning first-team all-District 26-6A honors.
Braylon Jones, Vandegrift: Talented with the glove at either third base or shortstop, the junior might be more dangerous at the plate. He hit .374 and drove in 31 runs while earning second-team all-District 25-6A honors.
JP Kazmann, Round Rock: Whether it’s at shortstop or second base, the senior is dynamic with the glove and also potent at the plate after hitting .357.
Jack Kieke, Georgetown: With plenty of range, the senior excels at shortstop. But he’ll also pitch for a perennially strong Eagles team and is coming off a year when he tallied 15 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and 26 runs scored.
Andrew Klemmett, Vista Ridge: The senior returns after earning all-District 25-6A honors as an outfielder and recording a 3.18 ERA on the mound.
Austin Knox, Westlake: Is the senior the top infielder in Central Texas? Maybe. The District 26-6A defensive player of the year was also impressive at the plate hitting .361 with a notable .504 OBP.
Ryan Kume, Hays: One of the Hawks’ two starting pitchers, the junior will also play third base or shortstop. He batted .303 last spring.
Kasen Langerhans, Cedar Ridge: The sophomore middle infielder was the District 25-6A newcomer of the year in 2025 after batting .297 with eight extra-base hits, 18 RBIs, 22 runs scored, 26 walks and an OBP of .477.
Journey Lowery, Liberty Hill: A top outfielder in the Austin area, the junior tallied 42 hits on the way to batting .360 with 30 runs scored, 16 stolen bases and a .460 OBP last spring. Was a second-team all-Central Texas pick.
Antonio Martinez, Westwood: Multi-talented senior who can play any position, he hit .314 for a Warriors squad who is perennially tough under longtime coach Casey Carter.
Luke McBride, Lake Travis: The senior southpaw makes up part of the best starting pitching duo in Central Texas along with Cooper Webb. He had eye-popping numbers a year ago, going 8-1 with a 1.10 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings. A third-team all-Central Texas pick, he was an integral reason why the Cavs reached the Class 6A Division I semifinals.
Tyson McFarlin, Elgin: A first-team all-District 23-5A selection, the senior shortstop/pitcher is one of the area’s most versatile players and a potent hitter.
Tommy McIntyre, McCallum: A junior catcher who was a first-team pick in District 24-5A, he finished with 26 hits, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored.
Nelson Molina, Lake Travis: The senior infielder hit .333 with an OBP of .390, 15 extra-base hits and 34 RBIs. He’ll help ignite a potent Cavs lineup.
Tyler Moorman, Leander: An all-District 25-5A pick at designated hitter after batting .355, he’ll be an infielder for a Lions squad that returns a lot of talent.
Brenly Oaks, Johnson: A junior third baseman, he makes up a dynamic left side of the infield with Garrett. Hit .378 with an OBP of .468 and scored 31 runs for the Class 6A Division I regional finalists a year ago.
Louis Olmeda, Bowie: The senior pitcher was a first-team all-District 26-6A pick after going 6-2 with a 1.43 ERA and 77 strikeouts in leading the Bulldogs to the playoffs.
Darek Paiz, Anderson: A prolific senior catcher, he was nearly perfect defensively with a .995 fielding percentage and hit .396 with eight extra-base hits and a .534 OBP for a team that went to the Class 5A Division I regional finals. Was a third-team all-Central Texas pick.
Braxton Parker, Hutto: Senior pitcher towers on the mound at 6 feet 3 and combines with Castillo to pace the Hippos’ playoff hopes.
Rhett Peterson, Hendrickson: Part of a loaded junior class across the area, the infielder and District 23-5A offensive player of the year led the Hawks with 40 hits and 25 runs scored while batting .392 with a .466 OBP..
Leo Pena, Bowie: A dynamic senior outfielder, he was a first-team all-District 26-6A pick who hit .321 and had a .988 fielding percentage.
Gannon Plummer, Johnson: Arguably the best hitting outfielder in Central Texas, the senior is coming off a year when he had a school-record 42 hits and batted .385 with a .507 OBP, 36 runs scored and 17 RBIs to help the Jaguars to the Class 6A Division I regional finals. Was a first-team all-Central Texas pick.
Chase Psencik, Stony Point: One of the Tigers’ team captains, the senior is back for his third year on varsity and can play outfield or first base. He’ll be somewhere at the top of Stony Point’s batting order.
Kai Rice, Cedar Ridge: Committed to Mountain View College in Dallas, the senior outfielder shines defensively and hit an impressive .378 for a Raiders team that should be very good.
Landon Richter, Legacy Ranch: The sophomore pitcher/outfielder is one of the leaders for a Wranglers team in its first year of varsity competition playing in District 25-4A.
Hank Rippy, Anderson: A transfer from Hyde Park, the junior third baseman is a Texas commit who should be a major addition for the Trojans.
Luke Rodriguez, Round Rock: A dangerous hitter, the senior first baseman/pitcher led the Dragons with an impressive .392 batting average.
Sterling Salicki, Pflugerville: Will be one of the Panthers’ top pitchers this year and throws consistently in the high 80s. College teams are starting to take notice, and he’ll combine with Cole Taylor to pace Pflugerville’s playoff hopes.
Cade Sanders, Dripping Springs: The junior outfielder/first baseman/pitcher hit an impressive .359 and will be a major part of a Tigers team that perennially churns out good seasons.
Justin Sandusky, McNeil: A first-team all-District 25-6A pick, he moves to shortstop this year and will also pitch. He had a .454 OBP and finished with 24 hits, 27 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
Max Satterwhite, McCallum: The senior first baseman and pitcher was the District 24-5A MVP after hitting .384 with 13 extra-base hits, 34 RBIs and a .513 OBP. Was a second-team all-Central Texas pick.
Tyler Schwarz, McNeil: Along with Sandusky, he keys the Mavericks’ hopes to return to the playoffs. The senior pitcher/infielder hit .352 with an impressive OBP of .495 and was a second-team all-district selection.
Carson Sharp, Liberty Hill: If he isn’t the area’s best catcher, the senior is in the top two. He makes up a lethal battery for the Panthers when Andrews is on the mound. At the plate, he produced a mind-boggling 40 hits — which included 15 doubles and nine home runs —and batted .404 with 38 RBIs. Was a first-team all-Central Texas pick.
Jake Shoemaker, Cedar Ridge: A first-team pick in the nine-team, loaded District 25-6A, the junior outfielder hit .337 with 19 extra-base hits, 19 RBIs and stole 10 bases.
Jacob Soliz, Rouse: Wizard-like at shortstop, the senior hit .321 and is a big reason the Raiders are one of the top teams in the area regardless of class.
Jason Steele, Dripping Springs: The junior shortstop, who was the 2025 District 26-6A newcomer of the year, hit .324 with a .471 OBP, 15 RBIs, 30 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.
Carson Tan, Vandegrift: The Vipers will count on the senior for quality pitching and shortstop play. He hit .343 and had an eye-popping .965 fielding percentage last spring.
Cole Taylor, Pflugerville: The senior first baseman/pitcher is one of the area’s top hitters and keys the Panthers’ playoff hopes. He batted .507 with 12 extra-base hits and 19 RBIs while being nearly perfect defensively with only one error. Voted all-state in Class 5A.
Nathan Taparauskas, Westwood: Senior pitcher is the Warriors’ ace and was a second-team all-District 25-6A pick after recording a 2.36 ERA.
Cooper Thomas, Georgetown: One of Central Texas’ top outfielders, the junior hit .345 with an a .430 OBP, 13 extra-base hits, 23 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. A first-team all-District 23-5A and third-team all-Central Texas pick.
Andres Uzcategui, East View: The Patriots’ ace, the senior had a 2.97 ERA and fanned 47 in 48 2/3 innings while being a first-team all-District 23-5A pick.
Jack Vasquez, San Marcos: Returning as the District 29-6A MVP, the southpaw went 8-2 with a 0.56 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 50 innings on the mound.
Cooper Voight, Bastrop: The District 24-5A pitcher of the year struck out 72, had a 2.66 ERA and limited opponents to a .182 batting average in 44 2/3 innings. Only a junior, he’s thrown 89 mph in the preseason and leads the Bears’ playoff aspirations.
Cooper Webb, Lake Travis: One of the area’s top pitchers, the senior and Texas signee was dominant in going 8-1 with a 0.79 ERA and 73 strikeouts in helping the Cavs to the Class 6A Division I semifinals. He combines with McBride to give Lake Travis the area’s best starting pitching combination. A first-team all-Central Texas pick in 2025.
Drew Wells, Vista Ridge: A junior who was a second-team all-Central Texas pick and the District 25-6A pitcher of the year, he struck out an eye-popping 93 batters and had a 1.11 ERA in 56 innings. He’s also a threat on offense after hitting .342 with 10 doubles and 17 RBIs.
Connor Willie, LASA: Back for his third year as an integral part of the Raptors, the junior excels at second base and as the team’s leadoff hitter. He tallied 24 hits and 14 RBIs in 2025.
Connor Young, Georgetown: A first-team all-District 23-5A pick, the junior catcher had 32 hits and 22 RBIs. He’ll also pitch for the Eagles.