10 CLASS 2-1A BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2023

 

KYSEN BENNETT, PITTSBURG COLGAN
 
Bennett landed on the All-State second team last year as a pitcher. Bennett led a Colgan team that won three straight postseason games by at least 10 runs on the way to the regional title before losing to Colony Crest 5-3 in the state quarterfinals.

BRAYDEN BERENS, PRATT SKYLINE
 
Berens, a junior, was named an All-Class 2A second-team pitcher for Skyline last season. But he’ll provide plenty of versatility for the Thunderbirds at shortstop and catcher, as well. He was 4-0 on the mound last season with a 0.63 ERA, yielding a .141 batting average to opponents while striking out 95. Offensively, he batted .463 with 2 home runs, 27 RBIs and 15 stolen bases as Skyline finished 13-6.
 

DYLAN CERVANTEZ, VALLEY FALLS

With the graduation of All-Stater Avery Gatzemeyer, the Dragons will lean hard on Cervantez, their lone returning senior starter from last year's 21-4 team that finished third at the Class 2-1A state tournament. Cervantez joined Gatzemeyer as an All-State pick, earning second-team All-Class 2-1A honors at third base after hitting .483 with 3 home runs and 41 runs scored. Cervantez also was 1-1 on the mound and will take on a bigger role in the rotation with the loss of Gatzemeyer, the team ace a year ago. Cervantez is one of only three returning starters along with junior Zac Evans and sophomore Hayden Kearney.
 

ZAC FISHER, ONAGA

Fisher followed up a 2021 season that saw him hit .465 with 6 home runs, 26 RBI and 25 stolen bases with nearly identical numbers in 2022. Last season, Fisher finished with a .475 average with 3 home runs, 23 RBI, 37 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. Fisher also went 4-2 with a 3.13 ERA and 57 strikeouts on the mound. He earned first-team All-Twin Valley League honors at third base and pitcher and honorable mention All-Class 2-1A honors at third base. Fisher will move to centerfield this season.
 

 CESAR GOMEZ, ELKHART

Gomez was named Class 2-1A Player of the Year by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches. He was a first-team 2-1A all-state pick at middle infielder and was also the Hi-Plains League Player of the Year. Gomez hit .729 with 8 home runs. He drove in 35 runs and scored 58 runs. On the mound, Gomez went 5-0 with a 1.56 ERA and had 41 strikeouts. Elkhart went 19-5 last year. The Wildcats beat Bucklin in the regional final to advance to state before falling in the first round to eventual runner-up Little River.
ABE HUARACHA, ST. MARYS

The lone senior on St. Marys' team this year, Huaracha will look to lead a young Bears squad that looks to build on a 7-14 season from last year that saw them reach the regional finals. Huaracha will be hard-pressed to improve on his stats from a year ago, however, as he enjoyed a huge season for the Bears. He was 3-0 with a 4.62 ERA on the mound, but was even better at the plate, hitting .567 and scoring 23 runs. Huaracha was a first-team All-Mid-East League selection and a second-team All-Class 2-1A pick.
 

KAGE RALSTIN, ELKHART

Ralstin earned first-team All-2-1A honors by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches as a pitcher. Ralstin was also a first-team HI-Plains League selection. He was tremendous on the mound last year, going 6-1 with a 0.55 ERA. He wasn't too shabby at the plate, either, hitting .437 with 3 home runs and 34 runs driven in. He scored 42 runs. Ralstin is committed to Butler Community College.
COREY REESE, LEBO-WAVERLY

Reese helped Lebo-Waverly to its third straight Lyon County League title and a 13-6 record overall. The junior catcher shined as a sophomore, hitting .569 with 31 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. Reese also pitches and the Wolfdogs return their rotation in tact. Reese earned first-team All-Lyon County League honors and was an honorable mention All-Class 2-1A pick at utility, one of two returning All-Class 2-1A players for Lebo-Waverly along with second-team outfielder Drew Konrade, who hit .536 last year.
 

STETSON SETTER, COLONY CREST

Setter earned All-State first team honors as a middle infielder last year. Setter racked up 51 RBIs off of 39 hits and six home runs on a .527 batting average. As a pitcher, Setter finished with 5-0 win-loss record on the mound with a 1.73 ERA and 56 strikeouts. Setter led a Crest team that reached the state semifinals before ultimately finishing in fourth place.
 

BRADEN YOUNG, LITTLE RIVER

One of two first-team All-Class 2-1A selections for Little River along with fellow senior Grant Stephens, Young helped lead Little River to a 22-6 overall record and runner-up finish at the Class 2-1A state tournament. Young hit a team-best .537 last year with 3 home runs and 56 runs scored. Primarily a second baseman who can play all over the field, Young is one of seven returning starters and is a three-year starter who has signed with Central Christian College.