SBLive Iowa Top 25 preseason baseball rankings

Defending 4A state champion Johnston on top again

By Chris Short 

The Iowa high school baseball season opens Monday, and four teams start the journey to defend their state titles – Johnston (Class 4A), Western Dubuque (3A), Van Meter (2A) and New London (1A). 

Johnston, which won its sixth state championship, headlines our all-class top 25, while Western Dubuque and Van Meter are both ranked as well. New London lost eight starters and did not make our rankings.

1. Johnston 36-4

The Dragons are our clear-cut choice for the top spot. They have played in seven straight state tournaments and four consecutive appearances in the championship game. 

The Dragons lost some key players to graduation, including their top three hits leaders Miles Risley, Spencer Campidilli and Michael Siemer, along with standout pitcher Jake Pemble, but they will likely reload behind the tutelage of coach Michael Barta, who’s won four state championships – tied for the most ever in Class 4A.

Runs will be hard to come by against Johnston, which returns a four quality junior arms from a pitching staff that had a sparkling 1.90 ERA and 1.09 WHIP last season with Pierce Anderson (8-0, 1.44 ERA), Kaden Halsrud (5-0 0.93 ERA 0.79 WHIP), Sam Hesselman (1.02 ERA, five saves) and Carter Woollums (10-0 1.59 ERA 0.7 WHIP).

The defending champs also return quality bats, led by Sophomore Will Nuss and junior Tyne Weeden. Nuss hit .361 and slugged .660 with 35 RBIs, five homers and 14 doubles as a freshman, and Weeden hit .438, slugged .753 with 21 RBIs, two homers, three triples and 11 doubles in 29 starts as a soph. Hesselman, who hit .358 with 25 RBIs, will also be counted on.

2. Dowling 27-15

The Maroons made it all the way to the 4A state championship before getting beat by Johnston. They could again challenge for a title as they return their top seven leaders in hits – led by senior Cooper Nicholson and junior Trever Baumler.

The TCU commit, Baumler, hit .487 and slugged .874 with 47 RBIs, 11 dingers, 13 doubles as a sophomore, and Nicholson hit .433 and slugged .730 with 34 RBIs, eight homers, two triples, 14 doubles and scored a team-high 49 runs. Seniors Luke Sheridan, Beau Gamble, George Nahas, Drew Mauro and junior Blake Larsen combined for 150 hits last season.

The Maroons, ranked fifth in the final SB Live 2022 all-class top 25, look to Sheridan (4-2 2.62 ERA) and Mauro (2-4, 2.95 ERA) to lead the pitching staff. After graduating ace Evan Curren (5-0, 1.43 ERA, 49 innings).

3. Western Dubuque 32-11

The defending 3A champions return four starters, including two-way standout Isaac Then, who was 8-0 with 1.71 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 61 1/3 innings on the mound and hit .378, slugged .526 with 39 RBIs and 14 doubles. Junior Jack Goodman hit .393 and senior Caleb Klein .364 with 36 RBIs and four triples will be key contributors, along with class of 2026 Ole Miss commit Brett Harris, younger brother of Calvin Harris, who helped the Rebels to the College World Series national championship. Harris hit .328 and a team-high 28 walks as an eighth grader.

The Bobcats were ranked second in SB Live’s final all-class top 25 last summer.

4. Ankeny Centennial 25-14-1

The Jaguars return eight of nine starters including their top five hitters and ace pitcher off a team that took Johnston to the brink before losing 3-2 in substate.

Seniors Damin Churchman and Nick Severson combined for 97 hits. Churchman hit .444 with a 43 RBIs, three home runs and nine doubles – all team highs. Severson hit .438 and had a team-best seven triples, two dingers and drove in 38 runs. Seniors Kyle Miller, Easton Miller, Cole Grider and juniors Sean Stewart, Joey Oakie and Lucas Bruhl also return.

Senior Easton Pratt and Oakie, a University of Iowa commit, lead the pitching staff. Pratt went 6-1 with a 2.39 ERA, and Oakie, who has been clocked at 97 mph, went 3-3 in eight starts with a 1.92 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings.

5. Cedar Rapids Prairie 28-7

The Hawks, who were ranked 9th in our final all-class top 25, return five players who started at least 28 games. Kirkwood signee Cal Sullivan leads the way. He hit .432 and slugged .720 with five homers, 17 doubles and three triples and 46 RBIs.

Junior Kam Volz (8-0 2.5 ERA), senior Maddux Frese (6-3, 248 ERA) and Sullivan (3-0, 1.70) return as on the bump,

6. Pleasant Valley 24-12

The Spartans, who finished 24th in our final rankings, return six players who started at least 27 games. Caden McDermott, who hit .423 and scored 34 runs, and the Lyon twins – juniors Tate and Tyge -- combined for 71 hits, 71 runs and 60 RBIs. Senior Sam George ate up 50 innings while compiling a 5-1 record with a 2.38 ERA.

7. West Des Moines Valley 20-15

The Tigers return six every-day players who played in at least 24 games and 90 percent of their innings pitched, including junior Jeff Rose (6-2, 2.64 ERA) to a squad that won 20 games last season, highlighted by a victory over state champ Johnston and three wins over runner up Dowling.

8. Waukee Northwest 26-12

The Wolves, who were also ranked 8th in our final all-class top 25, lost their top two pitchers and hitters but return five players who started at least half the games last year – led by seniors Carter Van Horn (.355 avg., 20 RBIs) and Drew Oleshko (.326 avg., 3 HRs, 21 RBIs). Junior Grant Miller was 4-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 42 innings pitched.

9. Indianola 25-13

The Indians, who finished 15th in our all-class top 25 last summer, return six position players who started at least 20 games. Senior Brady Blake was 8-3 with a 3.71 ERA on the bump and hit .383 with .717 slugging percentage with 31 RBIs and nine home runs. Senior Bennett Brueck hit .323 with 24 RBIs and three dingers.

10. Urbandale 25-15

The J-Hawks, who were 22nd in our final rankings, are led by Duke commit Sam Harris, who was 8-0 with a 1.52 ERA pitching and hit a robust .404 with 32 RBIs and four homers. They return five players who started at least 24 games.

11. Cedar Rapids Kennedy

The best thing about sophomores is they become juniors, and the Cougars have four good ones in Nathan Grawe (.435 avg., 3 HRs, 43 RBIs), Matthew Stotenberg (.364, 2 HRs, 2 triples, 9 doubles), Jace Scott (.327, six doubles, three triples, 36 RBIs) and Trevor Scott (.279, 10 doubles, 18 RBIs). They will be paired with seniors Colby Dolphin and Rowan Donels as the Cougars should be a force in Eastern Iowa with four of their top five pitchers coming back,

12. Council Bluffs Lincoln 22-14

The Lynx return seven starters and their top three batters, including sophomore Griff Rardin, who hit .361 with 28 RBIs. They have plenty of pitching as they graduated just one senior hurler.

13. Van Meter 39-0

The Bulldogs, who were ranked third in our final all-class top 25, will be going for their fifth straight Class 2A state championship. Roughly half the starters return from unbeaten 2A title team, including senior Ike Speltz (.397 avg., 51 RBIs, 5 HRs) and junior Rhett Plaggenkuhle (5-0 2.07 ERA).

14. Independence 30-12

The Mustangs, who were ranked 14th in our final all-class top 25, return their top hitter and pitcher from last year’s 3A state semifinalist. Senior Mitchell Johnson hit .368, slugged .680 with 52 RBIs and 11 home runs, and senior ace Korver Hupke was 4-2 with a 2.85 ERA and hit .348 with 39 RBIs.

15. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 31-12

Six starters return from the 3A state tournament semifinalist team. Senior Tylar Lutgen hit .354 with 29 RBIs for the Warriors, who were ranked 13th in our final all-class top 25.

16. Southeast Polk 22-19

The Rams lose only one pitcher who threw double digit innings and return eight every day players who saw significant playing time from last year’s squad.

17. Cedar Falls 26-13

The Tigers return six everyday players, including junior Colin Coonradt (.381, 5 HRs, 3 triples, 10 doubles, 39 RBIs) who saw action in at least 24 games and seven of their top eight pitchers – led by senior Shae Buskohl (6-2, 1.99 ERA).

18. Council Bluffs Lewis Central 31-4

The Titans, who were ranked 17th in SB Live’s final all-class top 25, return five players who started at least 27 games, led by senior Payton Fort (.427 with 40 RBIs). Pitching the big question as LC graduated its top three arms who combined to go 22-3.

19. Remsen St. Mary’s 35-1

The Hawks return eight every-day players off a 1A state semifinalist, including three pitchers with ERAs under 0.90 who combined to go 22-0 in seniors Jaxon Bunkers, who hit .472 with 45 RBIs, Isaiah Garritts and Cale Ortmann, who also hit .519 with 44 RBIs. St. Mary’s was ranked 12th in our final all-class top 25.

20. Mason City Newman Catholic 33-4

The Knights, who were ranked 19th in SB Live’s final all-class top 25, return two University of Iowa commits off their 1A state semifinalist in two-way standouts Doug Taylor and Max Burt. Taylor went 9-1 with a 1.73 ERA and .086 WHIP on the mound and hit .448 and slugged .802 with 60 RBIs and seven dingers. Burt went 4-0 with 0.58 ERA and 0.75 WHIP and hit .465, slugged .802 with 48 RBIs and six homers.

21. Sioux City East 24-15

The Black Raiders lost their top two hitters but return their next seven batters who combined for 191 hits led by senior Kelynn Jacobson and junior Blake Patino, who each had 35 hits and combined for 46 RBIs.

22. Cedar Rapids Xavier 28-12

The Saints return six starters from a team that finished 23rd in SB Live’s final all-class top 25 – led by junior Andrew Hamlett who was 5-0 with 1.27 ERA and 0.98 WHIP on the mound and hit .331 with 30 RBIs.

23. Dubuque Wahlert Catholic 25-13

The Golden Eagles, who were 25th in SB Live’s final all-class top 25, bring back four full-time senior starters and three others who played meaningful innings. Senior Bryce Rudiger was 8-1 with 1.89 ERA on the bump and hit .303 with a team highs 29 RBIs and four homers.

24. Sioux City Bishop Heelan 27-14

The Crusaders return four of their top six hitters, including two-way juniors Jaron Bleeker (4-2, 3.73 ERA) and Lochlin Jackson (3-1 3.23 ERA).

25. Dike-New Hartford 26-4

The Wolverines bring back their top four pitchers – sophomore Carson Castello, senior Wil Textor, sophomore Lewis Textor, and senior Gus Varney – who combined to go 20-0. Varney also hit .510 with 47 RBIs, six homers and four triples. Eight position players return who played in at least 23 games.

Others receiving consideration:

Class 4A

Iowa City High 32-9

The Little Hawks, who were ranked 7th in our final all-class top 25, graduated a talented senior class including Gable Mitchell and Cade Obermuller, who are both playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and second team all-stater Joey Bouska. Senior Alex Knudtson will be counted on at the plate and on the mound. He hit .363 with 38 RBI and started nine games on the bump with a 3-2 record and a 3.13 ERA. Overall the Hawks return four players who started at least 22 games.

Ankeny 24-13

The Hawks return five starters led by senior Jamison Patton who hit .405 with five dingers and 45 RBIs.

Des Moines Roosevelt 27-14-1

The Roughriders return five players who started at least 25 games – all hit at least .298.

Dubuque Hempstead 26-12

The Mustangs finished 21st in our final rankings but return three every day players.

Dallas Center-Grimes 21-15

The Mustangs return Kirkwood commit Clayton Campidilli who hit .435, slugged .989 with 38 RBIs and 14 home runs and their top four pitchers in innings pitched.

Waukee 27-12

Senior Colin Driscoll 2-3 with a 2.22 ERA and hit .385 with .514 OBP with 26 RBIs. Junior Brady Deering hit .308 with 22 RBIs. Ranked 11th in our final rankings, the Warriors return only three players who started a game in the field and one on the mound.

Class 3A

West Delaware 32-10

The Hawks, ranked 18th in SB Live’s final top 25, return three starters off a 3A state tournament team but return senior Peyton Aldrich, who went 6-0 with 1.31 ERA and 0,80 WHIP from a pitching staff that was hit hard by graduation.

Davenport Assumption 32-7

The defending 3A state runner up, who finished fourth in our final all-class top 25, graduated six players who started at least 34 games and were the team’s top six hit leaders. The question is will they be able to reload with with only three regulars back? The Knights will count on seniors Tyler Welsch (8-1 with 1.48 ERA), Jeffrey Davis (.280 avg.) and Alex Good (.351).

Class 2A

Mid-Prairie Wellman 19-11

The Golden Hawks return eight everyday players and their entire pitching staff off a 2A state semifinalist team, including junior Karson Grout, who hit .372 and team high 28 RBIs.

Cascade 20-6

The Cougars return seven everyday players off their Class 2A state tournament team, led by sophomore two-way player Cooper Hummel (7-1, 2.14 ERA, .311 batting avg.).

Estherville Lincoln Central 33-3

The defending 2A runner up Midgets bring back just two starters – senior Blake Evans (.402 with .543 OBP and 30 RBIs) and junior two-way player Owen Larson (350 31 RBIs and pitched 9-0 1.18 ERA), who’s going to South Dakota State to play basketball,. 10th

Beckman Catholic 25-14

The Trailblazers, ranked 16th in our final all-class top 25, bring back five every day players, headlined by senior Luke Schieltz (.496 with 29 RBIs, five home runs and four triples) and senior pitcher Nate Offerman (8-3 2.56 ERA with two saves).

Class 1A

Kingsley-Pierson 27-5

The Panthers return five everyday starters and senior Evan Neumann, who was 6-0 with a 2.56 ERA and a team-leading .500 batting average with 52 RBIs.

Lisbon 21-6

The Lions return seven everyday players off a 1A state tournament team, including senior Alex Bock, who hit .455 with 30 RBIs.

North Linn 31-3

The Lynx return seven starters from a state tournament team, led by sophomore Mason Bechen, who went 8-0 with a 2.05 ERA on the bump, and hit .456 with team highs of 52 RBIs and three homers.