CLASS 2-1A BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2026
 

 
WES ANDERSON, FRANKFORT
 
Anderson has been a starter for each of the three years Frankfort has fielded a baseball program and helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 2-1A regional runner-up finish last year. A shortstop/pitcher, Anderson hit .371 a year ago with 2 home runs and driving in 19. He also stole 14 bases. On the mound, he went 3-0 with a 3.63 ERA and struck out 26 in 17.1 innings, earning first-team All-Twin Valley League honors and honorable mention All-Class 2-1A. 
 

TY CALDERWOOD, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY
 
Calderwood is a four-year starter for the Trojans, playing mostly in centerfield but also seeing time on the mound. He hit .365 a year ago with 12 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He posted a 1-3 mark on the mound with 26 strikeouts and was a first-team All-Lyon County League selection.
 

 
DAMIAN CERVANTEZ, VALLEY FALLS
 
Hitting out of the two hole for the Dragons since Day 1, Cervantez is a three-year starter and the consummate team player. He hit .406 last year and drove in 30 runs while also setting the table for Valley Falls’ big sticks. He stole 11 bases as well and can play shortstop, third, outfield and also pitches. Cervantez was first-team All-Northeast Kansas League for the second straight year.
  

 
LANE CRENNER, MEDICINE LODGE

Crenner filled the utility role well enough for the Indians last season to earn All-Central Plains League first-team honors. The Medicine Lodge senior batted .420 with 15 RBIs and 25 stolen bases, helping the Indians win the Skyline regional as a sixth seed and advance to the Class 2-1A state tournament. A four-year starter, Crenner plays first base and outfield along with pitcher, where he went 4-4 with a 4.70 ERA as Medicine Lodge finished 11-11.
 

COOPER CRISS, CEDAR VALE-DEXTER
 
The Spartans’ quarterback in football is Cedar Vale-Dexter’s catcher on the diamond, bringing a tough mindset and a strong ability to handle pitchers. Criss, a junior, batted .333 last season, earning All-South Central Border League first-team honors after the Spartans finished 18-3. Criss is directing a pitching staff this season that yielded a combined 11 runs in its first 10 games, all victories.
   

CADEN DINKEL, TMP-MARIAN

Dinkel showcased his two-way talent while helping lead a talented Monarch squad at catcher and on the mound during last season’s 24-win campaign, which ended with a loss to eventual champion St. Mary’s Colgan in the quarterfinals. He earned second-team All-2-1A honors at catcher after hitting .385 with 33 hits and 12 doubles. Dinkel was also tremendous on the mound, going 7-0 with a 0.92 ERA. He entered his senior season as a career .342 hitter with 55 RBIs.
 

 
COLBY FEHR, LEBO/WAVERLY
 
Fehr had an impressive freshman season for Lebo/Waverly, particularly on the mound. He led the team in appearances with nine and posted a 5-2 record. His 1.38 WHIP and 43 strikeouts also led the team and he had a 3.43 ERA. He’ll not only return to the mound this season but also take over at first base for departed standout Zach Oswald. Fehr hit .308 in his limited at-bats a year ago and earned first-team All-Lyon County League honors.
 

IAN FLOYD, STANTON COUNTY

Floyd enjoyed a stellar junior season on the bump, finishing with a 2.39 ERA in seven appearances and 26.1 innings pitched. Highlights included three complete games, including a no-hitter. He was also solid at the plate, hitting .393 with four doubles, one triple and one home run. Floyd was a first-team All-Hi-Plains League selection. Stanton County, which went 7-12 last season, has a new coach in Clint Floyd. 
 

KREIG GARRETT, CENTRAL HEIGHTS

A first-team all-league and second-team all-state selection, Garrett was nearly unstoppable at the plate, hitting an eye-popping .554 with a .654 on-base percentage. He piled up 46 hits, including 14 doubles and five triples, while driving in 55 runs and scoring 47 more. His discipline and toughness made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers — drawing 16 walks, getting hit eight times and striking out just four times all season. Garrett also impacts the game in every phase, swiping 24 bases and serving as the Vikings’ ace on the mound. He went a perfect 10-0 in 57.2 innings with a 1.50 ERA, leading Central Heights to the state tournament in 2025.  
 

LOGAN GREENWALT, MOUNDRIDGE
 
Greenwalt, a junior, has provided Moundridge with a utility option during his first two seasons. After a 39-RBI season as a freshman that earned him All-Class 2-1A second-team honors at designated hitter, Greenwalt received All-Heart of America first-team honors for the second time last spring. He batted .328 with 31 stolen bases, and went 2-4 with a 4.44 ERA in pitching duty. That helped the Wildcats finish with a 13-10 record.
 

 
WYATT GRIFFIN, CHASE COUNTY
 
A Butler Community College commit after also having small college football offers, Griffin is a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and was their top player last year. He played shortstop, first base and pitcher and led the team with a .524 average. He had 9 doubles and 4 home runs among his 43 hits and drove in 25 runs. Griffin, who also runs track, showed his speed with 30 stolen bases. He went 5-4 with a 2.79 ERA and struck out 94 batters, earning first-team All-Flint Hills League honors.
 

COHEN GUNN, ELLINWOOD

Gunn, an outfielder and left-handed pitcher, returns as one of the top hitters in Class 3A following a sophomore season in which he hit .537 with 13 doubles, 39 RBIs and 47 runs scored. On the mound, he finished with a 1.77 ERA, 45 strikeouts and two saves. Gunn, a three-year starter, was named first-team All-2-1A as an outfielder last year. He is part of a solid returning core for the Eagles as they look to improve on last season’s 14-12 mark.
 

JOHN HESS, CEDAR VALE-DEXTER
 
Hess was one of five Spartans on the All-South Central Border League first team after an 18-3 season that ended with a regional semifinal loss to Douglass. A junior third baseman and right-handed pitcher, Hess’s strong arm is an asset for Cedar Vale-Dexter, which started this season unbeaten in its first 10 games. Hess, who also earned All-Class 2-1A honorable mention, brings an aggressive approach to the diamond. “He works efficiently, trusts his defense, and brings energy every time he takes the ball,” Spartans coach Luke Wachter said. 
 

GANNON HOBBS, SOUTHEAST-CHEROKEE

Just a sophomore, Hobbs has already established himself as one of Southeast-Cherokee’s most valuable all-around pieces in 2026. A two-year starter, Hobbs does a little bit of everything for the Lancers. He sets the tone at the top of the lineup as the team’s leadoff hitter, where he hit .344 last season with 22 hits, nine stolen bases and a knack for creating offense. Hobbs also serves as Southeast-Cherokee’s go-to arm in big moments. He serves as the team’s ace and delivered a strong freshman campaign on the mound, going 4-2 with a 2.08 ERA and 65 strikeouts. For his efforts, he was a first team All-Three Rivers League selection.

KYLE HONKAMP, CEDAR VALE-DEXTER

Honkomp, a junior, plays the middle infield and pitches for the Spartans. His athleticism and footwork provide him with quality range and the ability to make the turn on a double play. He helped Cedar Vale-Dexter post an 18-3 record last season with good pitching command and a knack for keeping hitters off balance. Honkomp earned All-South Central Border League first-team honors as a positional player and All-Class 2-1A honorable mention as a middle infielder last spring.
 

 
CAEL HORGAN, ROSSVILLE
 
Horgan teamed with fellow returner Cameron Miller to give Rossville a strong 1-2 punch atop its pitching rotation. He posted a 6-2 record with a 1.80 ERA and 65 strikeouts, going the distance in the Bulldawgs’ regional championship victory over Frankfort that clinched Rossville’s first state berth since 2019. He also filled spots on the infield and finished the season hitting .282 with 17 RBI. Horgan was a first-team All-Big East League pick.
 

DRAKE HOSMAN, ELLINWOOD

Hosman, a shortstop and pitcher, is a four-year starter for the Eagles. He hit .400 with seven doubles, 22 stolen bases and 45 runs scored last season. On the mound, he went 7-2 with a 2.59 ERA, 54 strikeouts and one save. Hosman earned honorable mention All-2-1A honors last season as a utility player. Ellinwood returns most of its key players from last season’s 14-12 team.
 

 
CAYSON IVEY, SACRED HEART
 
Ivey earned first-team All-North Central Activities Association honors last year after hitting .388 for the Knights. A first baseman and pitcher, Ivey had 4 doubles and 3 triples and drove in 33 runs. As a pitcher he posted a 3-2 record with a 2.50 ERA and struck out 55 batters. 
 

 
COLLIN KEARNEY, VALLEY FALLS
 
Since joining the Valley Falls program his sophomore year, Kearney has been a huge impact player for the Dragons and helped lead them to a runner-up finish at the Class 2-1A state tournament as Valley Falls finished the season 24-5 after falling 10-0 to St. Mary’s Colgan in the title game. He’s been a force on both ends of the battery, going 11-0 on the mound last year with a 0.99 ERA and 91 strikeouts. He’s equally as strong as a catcher despite being a lefty, a rarity for the position. Kearney hit .471 with 12 doubles, 3 home runs and 41 RBI last year and also stole 37 bases. He was a second-team All-Class 2-1A pick and first-team All-Northeast Kansas League.
 

 
LUKE KOLAND, SACRED HEART
 
Koland is Sacred Heart’s starting shortstop and last year hit a team-high .465, collecting 40 hits, including 4 triples. Koland drove in 25 runs and earned first-team All-North Central Activities Association honors in helping the Knights to an 18-8 record and regional semifinal appearance.
 

ETHAN KRAFT, CENTRAL HEIGHTS

Central Heights will lean on Kraft as one of its top all-around threats this spring after a breakout sophomore campaign. A first-team all-Three Rivers League selection, Kraft was a catalyst at the plate and on the bases, hitting .446 with a .541 on-base percentage while piling up 41 hits and scoring 42 runs. Kraft’s speed adds another dynamic element, as he swiped 27 bases. He will be one of several players counted on to help lead Central Heights back to the postseason after last year’s state tournament run that ended in the quarterfinals against Douglass. 
  

BRAYDEN LIENEMANN, SOUTH LYON COUNTY

Lieneman led South Lyon County with a .565 batting average last year, slugging at a .745 percentage. He had 7 doubles and a home run and earned first-team All-Lyon County League honors, one of three Eagles to make the first team along with Jaiden Kurzen and Eli Markowitz. He's already off to a hot start this year, hitting .594 with 5 home runs and 26 RBI.
 

CARSON LILES, TMP-MARIAN

Liles was part of a dominant pitching staff for the Monarchs, finishing his junior season with a 0.71 ERA and a 5-1 record while striking out 45 in 39 innings. A starter since his freshman year, Liles entered his senior season as a .362 career hitter with 56 RBIs and recorded 167 strikeouts on the mound in his first three seasons. Liles was honorable-mention All-2-1A as a pitcher last year. The Monarchs are a top contender in Class 2-1A after notching 24 wins last season.
 

DALTON LINGENFELTER, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY
 
A scary injury to his throwing arm suffered during football season in which he broke the ball of his shoulder completely off threatened to claim Lingenfelter’s baseball season, but he has returned. That’s good news for the Trojans with Lingenfelter coming off a big 2025 season in which he hit .509 with 10 doubles. He picked up 28 RBI and also stole 22 bases. He was MdCV’s top starting pitcher as well with a 4-1 record and 1.77 ERA, striking out 53. He earned honorable mention All-Class 2-1A honors as a shortstop and was first-team All-Lyon County League.
 

FINN LINTECUM, MOUNDRIDGE
 
Lintecum, a junior, is in his third season as a starter for the Wildcats, who won 13 games for the second straight year last spring. A pitcher and first baseman, Lintecum batted .406 with 27 RBIs and 13 stolen bases a year ago. He also went 2-0 with four saves and a 3.41 ERA. He earned postseason accolades as a designated hitter, named to the All-Heart of America League’s first team.
 

OWEN LUPER, SEDGWICK
 
Luper is back for his senior season after helping the Cardinals stay unbeaten last spring until they were tripped up by Remington 2-1 in the Class 2-1A regional semifinals to finish 25-1. Luper was All-Heart of America first team and All-2-1A at catcher after batting .408 with 31 hits and 32 RBIs. On a team that finished with 120 stolen bases, Luper was one of six players in double figures, swiping 16 of 18. The right-hander saw spot duty on the mound, going 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA with 18 strikeouts and four walks in 16.3 innings.  
 

 
CAMERON MILLER, ROSSVILLE
 
Miller was one of Rossville’s top pitchers a year ago as the Bulldawgs returned to the Class 2-1A state tournament for the first time since 2019, falling in the quarterfinals 1-0 to Remington. Miller went 5-1 with a 1.88 ERA and struck out 63. He played in the outfield on days he didn’t pitch and hit .348 with 2 home runs and 20 RBI. A first-team All-Big East League pick, Miller also earned honorable mention All-Class 2-1A honors.
 

STETSON MILLER, CENTRAL HEIGHTS

Miller is back as one of Central Heights' top returning arms and all-around playmakers. A first-team all-Three Rivers League selection a year ago, Miller delivered a strong sophomore campaign, going 9-1 on the mound with a 3.40 ERA across 43.1 innings while racking up 78 strikeouts. After helping lead Central Heights to a state tournament appearance last season, Miller is expected to once again be a key piece as the Vikings look to make another deep postseason run. 

 
CANANN MITCHELL, ROSSVILLE
 
Mitchell has held down Rossville’s starting shortstop job since his freshman year and last year helped Rossville return to the Class 2-1A state tournament for the first time since 2019. He hit .422 with 10 doubles and 4 home runs among his 38 hits. Mitchell drove in 28 runs and was a second-team All-Class 2-1A selection at middle infield, also earning second-team All-Big East League honors.
 

GRANT NEHLS, TMP-MARIAN

Nehls was a key addition to the Monarchs’ lineup and pitching staff last year as a freshman. He posted a .440 batting average with four home runs, 34 RBIs and 39 runs scored. He finished with a 1.60 ERA on the mound. That production earned him second-team All-2-1A honors as a middle infielder.
 

BROCK RADELL, ST. MARY’S COLGAN

Radell returns as one of the key pieces from a Panthers squad that captured a state championship and finished 19-9 a season ago. A unanimous first-team All-CNC League selection, Radell has been a steady and reliable presence in the infield while anchoring the top of the lineup. Radell hit .374 last season with 34 hits, driving in 27 runs and swiping 16 bases. He helped set the tone for Colgan’s championship run and will once again be counted on as a leader as the Panthers look to defend their title. 
 

 
LANDON REED, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY
 
A second baseman and pitcher for the Trojans, Reed is in his third year as a starter. He hit .393 last year with all but one of his 22 hits singles. He drove in 11 and had 12 stolen bases. He logged a win in his only decision on the mound and struck out 23, earning first-team All-Lyon County League honors in the infield.
 

EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ, STANTON COUNTY

Rodriguez was Stanton County’s top hitter last season, leading the team in batting average (.483), hits (28), RBIs (25), doubles (6) and triples (5). Now a senior, he earned first-team All-Hi-Plains League honors last season. The Trojans are looking for a breakthrough season in just their fourth year as a program after finishing 7-12 in 2025.
 

PEARSON RUSH, OXFORD
 
While Rush’s numbers are nice, his leadership behind the plate with a young Oxford pitching staff may be his greatest asset this season. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Peyton, Rush, now a senior, earned All-South Central Border League first-team honors at catcher last spring after batting .330 with 18 RBIs and 18 runs. He also threw out baserunners at more than an 80% clip. Rush, who also pitches, batted .405 through the first month of this season.
 

TUCKER RUYLE, OXFORD
 
Ruyle, a senior, has been Oxford’s top RBI producer through the early portion of the 2026 season. A senior third baseman and pitcher, Ruyle batted .405 last spring with 15 RBIs, 27 runs and seven hits for extra bases. He earned All-South Central Border League first-team honors as a positional player. Ruyle, who batted .467 in the opening month, has also been a stabilizing force for Oxford’s pitching staff, which features four freshmen.
 

TY SCHMEIDLER, TMP-MARIAN

TMP-Marian’s deep pitching staff is anchored by the dynamic Schmeidler, who has already committed to Kentucky. He finished his sophomore season with a 1.86 ERA in 41.1 innings, recording 78 strikeouts. When he’s not on the bump, Schmeidler also plays catcher and first base. He hit .256 last season and entered his senior year as a .304 career hitter. Schmeidler was a first-team All-2-1A selection.
 

 
JACK SCHREINER, MEDICINE LODGE
 
Schreiner’s value to the Indians was highlighted in last year’s postseason honors. The senior earned All-Class 2-1A second team as a pitcher, posting a 3.48 ERA with 53 strikeouts last season. He also was voted All-Central Plains League second team as an infielder. The shortstop batted .380 with a .520 on-base average and 18 RBIs. It all helped Medicine Lodge return to the Class 2-1A state tournament where, as a sophomore, Schreiner pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout in the 2024 title game against Mission Valley to boost the Indians to the championship. 
 

 
LANE SMITH, ST. MARYS
 
A four-year starter for the Bears at both centerfield and pitcher, Smith is a two-time All-Mid-East/Big East League pick, earning first-team honors last year. Smith scored 28 runs last year which tied his father, Dylan, for third on St. Marys’ single-season list. He finished with a .375 average and had 10 RBI and 18 stolen bases. He was 3-3 with a 3.03 ERA and struck out 22.
 

 
MATT STAPP, VALLEY FALLS
 
Hitting out of the 9-hole for Valley Falls a year ago wasn’t an indictment on Stapp’s hitting ability but rather a validation as Dragon coach Luke Burns treats it as a second leadoff spot. Stapp delivered with a .338 average with four doubles. He was a threat on the basepaths with 26 stolen bases and also drove in 14 runs. He’ll move into the leadoff spot this season. Stapp also pitched and had a 2.67 ERA with 37 strikeouts. He was an honorable mention All-Class 2-1A selection last year as a sophomore after helping the Dragons to a runner-up finish at the Class 2-1A state tournament. 
 

LANE STULTZ, ST. MARY’S COLGAN

After playing a key role in St. Mary’s Colgan’s state championship run a season ago, Stultz returns as one of the Panthers’ top returners. A unanimous first-team All-CNC League selection and second-team all-state pick, Stultz was a catalyst at the top of the lineup in 2025. He hit .350 with 28 hits and showed a strong ability to get on base with 32 walks. Once aboard, his speed became a weapon, swiping 21 bases in 25 attempts while also turning in two doubles and two triples. Defensively, Stultz was a steady presence in the outfield during Colgan’s 19-9 championship season, and his experience in big moments only adds to his value entering his junior campaign.  
 

TYLER WARNER, SOUTHEAST-CHEROKEE

A three-year starter, Warner has established himself as a steady presence behind the plate while also providing a spark offensively at the top and middle of the lineup. Warner earned first-team All-Three Rivers League honors after hitting .433 with 31 hits, 20 RBIs and 15 stolen bases last season. Defensively, Warner handled the catching duties in every game a year ago, anchoring the pitching staff. Although he didn’t pitch in 2025, his versatility as a pitcher gives the Lancers additional options this season. 
 

DRAKE WEIR, COLONY-CREST

A unanimous first-team all-league and first-team all-state selection, Weir put together a dominant junior campaign at the plate, hitting .537 with 44 hits, 10 doubles, four home runs and 47 RBIs, while scoring 33 runs. Weir was just as effective on the mound, going 5-2 with 53 strikeouts in 33.1 innings, giving Colony-Crest a reliable frontline arm. After helping lead the Chargers to a 17-10 record last season, Weir enters his senior year as the centerpiece of Colony-Crest’s lineup. 
 

HENRY WHITE, COLONY-CREST

White returns as one of the most dynamic table-setters in the Three Rivers League after a record-setting junior campaign. White hit an impressive .477 with 41 hits, including 15 doubles, three triples and a home run, while driving in 35 runs. His biggest impact, however, came on the basepaths, where he scored a state-record 67 runs. A first-team All-Three Rivers League selection, White was a key piece in Crest’s 17-10 season a year ago. 
 

SYLAS WILSON, KC CHRISTIAN

A first-team all-league selection a year ago, Wilson has been a three-year starter and a do it all for the Panthers, with the ability to play any position on the field while primarily anchoring the middle at shortstop and contributing on the mound. Wilson was a force at the plate in 2025, hitting .449 with 22 hits, seven doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs, while also swiping 22 bases. He struck out just five times all season. His speed on the basepaths adds another dimension, as he enters the year within reach of the school’s stolen base record.