CLASS 3A BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2026
 

 
CALEB BACK, WICHITA TRINITY
 
Back, a junior, earned the distinction of being Trinity’s first winning starting pitcher in a state title game last May, coming within one out of a complete game in the Knights’ 10-3 victory over Hesston in the Class 3A finale. That capped a season in which Back went 7-1 with three saves and a 1.06 ERA. Back, also a third baseman, batted .273 with one home run, 18 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He earned All-Class 3A second team and All-Central Plains League first team on the mound.
 

ELI BEMIS, LAKIN

Bemis, a senior, formed a strong 1-2 punch with now-graduated Dru Patterson on the mound last season. Bemis finished 6-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched. He was also a productive hitter for the Broncs, batting .315 with 19 RBIs and earning first-team All-Hi-Plains League honors.
 
 

 
REID BUTTREY, COUNCIL GROVE
 
One can find Buttrey somewhere up the middle of the infield for the Braves whether he’s playing pitcher, catcher or second base. He’s at his best on the mound where he went 6-0 with a 1.41 ERA last year, striking out 69. He also hit .397 with 2 home runs and 27 RBI. Buttrey earned second-team All-Class 3A honors as a pitcher and was first-team All-Flint Hills League for the second straight year.
 

 
MASON COLLINS, BURLINGTON

Collins plays both shortstop and pitcher and helped Burlington to a 21-6 record as the Wildcats finished as Class 3A regional runners-up to Humboldt, falling 6-4 in the regional championship game. Collins hit a team-high .407 last year with a slugging percentage of .648 and OPS of 1.144. He also drove in 22 runs. On the mound, Collins posted a 2-3 record with a 0.63 ERA and struck out 44 batters and was at his best against Pioneer League competition,  allowing no hits or runs. Collins earned honorable mention All-Class 3A honors in the infield and was a first-team all-league selection.
 

EMILIO CONTRERAS, SCOTT CITY

A three-year starter at first base, Contreras leads a senior class looking to help the Beavers improve on last year’s 12-11 season. He hit .443 last season with nine doubles, one home run and 27 RBIs. That production earned him first-team All-Great West Activities Conference honors.
 

CHASYN COSNER, HOLCOMB

Cosner made an immediate impact as a freshman last year, helping the Longhorns produce a 20-win season. The outfielder earned first-team All-Great West Activities Conference recognition. He is also a standout running back for the Longhorn football team.
  

MADDOX DRUMRIGHT, WICHITA COLLEGIATE
 
Drumright maintains a busy slate in the spring with tennis – in which he’s a two-time reigning doubles champion in Class 3-1A – and baseball, where he’s part of a Spartan squad that lost just one starter off last year’s 13-15 team. Drumright handles catching and pitching duties for Collegiate, batting .384 with a home run and 26 RBIs last season. He also had a 3.50 ERA. Drumright earned All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail IV first team at catcher and All-3A honorable mention at designated hitter. The junior has committed to Wichita State, where his dad, Greg, pitched in the late-1990s.
 

MAX EVANS, RUSSELL

Evans came up clutch in the regional tournament last season, helping the Broncos reach state for the first time since 2016. He threw a complete-game shutout and hit a 3-run home run in a 6-0 win over Colby in the regional final. Evans excelled at the plate and on the mound last season. Heading into state, he was hitting .435 with five home runs and 40 RBIs, and was 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA and 64 strikeouts. Evans earned honorable mention All-3A honors.
 

 
BRODY GARLAND, BURLINGTON
 
A senior multi-year starter, Garland filled a variety of positions for Burlington a year ago in leading the Wildcats to a 21-7 record and a regional runner-up finish. He played first base and outfield and also pitched, finishing the season with a .361 batting average with 22 RBI. He also posted a 0.53 ERA and struck out 54 batters in 26 innings pitched and didn’t allow an earned run in Pioneer League action, earning first-team all-league honors as well as being a second-team All-Class 3A selection at first base.
 

 
GRADY GEBHARDT, SOUTHEAST OF SALINE
 
A standout on the gridiron for the Trojans, Gebhardt is more than solid on the diamond as well. An outfielder, Gebhardt hit .371 a year ago with 2 home runs and 13 RBI while scoring 33 runs. The speed that made him one of the top running backs in the state translates to baseball where he stole 32 bases and was caught stealing just once. He earned first-team All-North Central Activities Association honors a year ago.
  

 
GRANT HAEFELE, MARYSVILLE
 
Haefele is a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and plays both centerfield and catcher. He hit .368 a year ago with 14 of his 77 hits doubles and also hitting 4 ome runs. Haefele collected 48 RBI and swiped a whopping 53 bases. After being a first-team All-Class 3A selection in 2024 at utility, Haefele was second-team All-3A last year in the outfield, earning first-team All-North Central Kansas League honors both seasons.
 

 
MASON HAYES, RIVERSIDE
 
A four-year starter in the outfield, Hayes earned first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors last year after hitting .413. He had 7 doubles and drove in 17. Hayes also stole 19 bases.
 

TY HEITSCHMIDT, SMOKY VALLEY
 
Heitschmidt, a starter since his freshman year, is in his final season with the Vikings and working to help them improve on last year’s 4-17 campaign. An Ottawa University signee, Heitschmidt batted .517 last season with a 1.539 OPS. He had 30 hits, including 10 doubles and four home runs, with 31 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. On the mound, he had a 2.20 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. Heitschmidt is a three-time, first-team All-Central Kansas League selection at first base. He also earned All-Class 3A first team last spring after being named second team as a sophomore. Heitschmidt already has a 14-strikeout game against Nickerson and 10-strikeout performance against Larned this spring.  
 

 
KEAGAN HUGHES, RIVERSIDE
 
Hughes emerged as one of the top pitchers for the Cyclones last year, helping them to the top seed in their Class 3A regional. He finished the season with a 6-2 mark on the mount with a 2.50 ERA, striking out 70 in 50 innings pitched. Hughes also filled a utility role when not pitching and hit .395 with 20 RBI and stole 24 bases. He was a first-team All-Northeast Kansas League pick.
  

 
KOBE KOEHLER, RIVERSIDE
 
Koehler was an impact freshman for the Cyclones a year ago, particularly on the mound. He finished his debut season with a 6-1 record and a 1.88 ERA, striking out 48 in 29.2 innings pitched. He also held down the shortstop position and hit .308 with 19 RBI and 22 stolen bases, earning first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors.
 

BRODY LEE, WICHITA TRINITY
 
One of five returning starters from Trinity’s Class 3A championship team, Lee was part of a pitching staff that yielded just 10 runs in six postseason games. Lee, a sophomore who also plays centerfield, was 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA for the Knights, and added 11 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and 16 runs. Lee joined teammate Caleb Back as an All-3A second-team selection at pitcher, and also earned All-Central Plains League honorable mention.
 

KADEN LUDWIG, CHENEY
 
A shoulder injury has cost Ludwig part of his senior campaign, but the three-year starter is expected back by late April. Last season, Ludwig, a center fielder, batted .365 with 31 hits – 12 for extra bases – with one home run, 27 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He earned All-Central Plains League first team and All-Class 3A honorable mention after helping the Cardinals finish 18-6. Ludwig batted .330 this season before he was sidelined. 
 

BEN MAJOR, COLUMBUS

Major returns as one of the Titans’ top players in 2026. A third-year starter, Major impacts the game in multiple ways — whether it’s at shortstop, in the outfield, or on the mound — and is expected to take over as the team’s No. 1 arm this spring. Major put together a strong sophomore campaign, going 10-2 with a 2.75 ERA and 86 strikeouts, while also contributing offensively with a .304 average, 24 hits and 17 stolen bases. A second-team All-CNC infielder and second-team all-state pitcher, Major played a key role in helping Columbus reach the state tournament, where the Titans fell by one run in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Wichita Trinity.
 

 
HUNTER MILLER, OSKALOOSA
 
A four-year fixture in the middle of the diamond for Oskaloosa, Miller has played pitcher, catcher and shortstop throughout his career for the Bears. Last year, he hit .466 with 10 doubles, a triple and 2 homers among his 41 hits. Miller had 33 RBI and 35 runs scored and also stole 15 bases. On the mound, he sported a 7-3 record with a 1.69 ERA and struck out 96 batters. He holds school single-season records for hits (41) and strikeouts (96) and career strikeouts (192). A two-time first-team All-Northeast Kansas League selection, Miller was second-team All-Class 2-1A last year.
 

 
REID MITCHELL, SABETHA
 
A wall behind the plate who also controls the run game, Mitchell is a three-year starter at catcher for the Bluejays and has been a defensive stalwart. He had five put outs from his catcher spot last year and also plays a little in the outfield in games he doesn’t catch. At the plate, he hit .436 with 7 doubles and 3 triples last year, driving in 25. He also added 9 stolen bases. Mitchell was a first-team All-Big East League selection and earned second-team All-Class 3A honors.
 

 
MAVERICK MOODY, WEST FRANKLIN
 
Moody was a big-time bright spot in leading West Franklin to a 20-3 record and Flint Hills League title last season. The lefty put together a 3-1 record on the mound with a 0.74 ERA and struck out 52, earning unanimous first-team all-league honors. He also played first base and hit .297 with 16 RBI.
 

 
TY MOSER, MARYSVILLE
 
Moser spends most of his time in right field for the Bulldogs, but also gets in time on the mound as well and is a four-year starter. Last year, he hit .341 and had 38 RBI and 16 doubles. He also stole 18 bases and earned honorable mention All-Class 3A honors as an outfielder as well as being a first-team All-North Central Kansas League selection.
 

 
KANEAN OLSON, BELOIT
 
Olson moved into a starting role in Beloit’s outfield last year and became an immediate contributor for the Trojans. He finished with a .404 average and scored 16 runs. He added 10 RBI and also stole three bases, earning first-team All-North Central Activities Association honors.
 

 
TIERNAN PTACEK, SOUTHEAST OF SALINE
 
Ptacek was one of the Trojans’ top pitchers a year ago as a sophomore. He put together a 5-2 record with a 2.62 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Ptacek struck out 25 batters in 32 innings pitched and was a first-team All-North Central Activities Association selection.
 

 
JOEL REXROAT, BELOIT
 
Rexroat has been a fixture for the Trojans since his freshman year, splitting time between outfield and on the mound. Last year, he posted a 6-4 record with a 1.52 ERA and 65 strikeouts and enters his senior season approaching numerous career records including strikeouts, ERA and innings pitched. He also hit .267 with 19 RBI and 19 runs scored and stole 14 bases. Rexroat earned first-team All-North Central Activities Association honors.
  

 
ALEX SCHEELE, MARYSVILLE
 
One of three four-year starters for Marysville, Scheele rotates between first and third base when he isn’t pitching. His 75 hits ranked just two behind Grant Haefele for the team lead and he finished with a team-high .396 average. Scheele also led the Bulldogs with 64 RBI and chipped in 24 stolen bases on his way to earning first-team All-Class 3A honors at third base. He also was a first-team All-North Central Kansas League pick.
 
BRYOR SCHULTZ, GIRARD

Schultz made an immediate impact as a freshman for the Trojans. A first-team All-CNC selection, Schultz led the Trojans with 27 hits while batting .386 with a 1.017 OPS. He showed a knack for extra-base production with four doubles and three triples, and also drove in 12 runs. Schultz was just as effective on the mound, going a perfect 4-0 with 16 strikeouts in 16 innings during Girard’s 13-8 campaign. 
  

 
ZACH SCHAFFER, ANDERSON COUNTY
 
Entering his third season as Anderson County’s starting shortstop, Schaffer ranked second on the team last year with his .431 average to senior teammate Brayden Wheat. His 15 doubles were more than double anyone else on the team and he finished with 31 RBI and 18 stolen bases. He also pitches some for the Bulldogs and was a first-team All-Pioneer League selection last spring.
 

KAM SMITH, GIRARD

Smith has already established himself as one of the top arms in the state—and he’s only getting started. The University of Arkansas commit was dominant on the mound last season, posting a 0.88 ERA with 71 strikeouts and just seven walks while helping lead the Trojans to a 13-8 record. Smith has already surpassed 100 career strikeouts. He’s also proven to be a reliable contributor at the plate, hitting .296 with eight doubles, a home run and 20 RBIs. A first team all-state selection, Smith enters his junior campaign as the centerpiece of Girard’s pitching staff. 
 

JACOB STEHLEY, WICHITA COLLEGIATE
 
Stehley, a junior, had a solid two-way season for the Spartans in 2025. A left-handed pitcher and first baseman, Stehley went 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA and batted .368 with four home runs and 25 RBIs as Collegiate went 13-15. The Wichita State commit has helped the Spartans to an 11-1 start this season. Stehley was All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail IV second team and All-3A honorable mention at first a year ago.  
 

SAM THIELEN, RUSSELL

Thielen and fellow senior Max Evans will be counted on to lead the Broncos after they lost key pieces off last year’s state-qualifying team, including standout catcher Mason Rohr. Thielen was productive at the plate and on the mound, taking a 4-0 record into last year’s state tournament with a 3.58 ERA and 43 strikeouts. He earned first-team All-3A honors.
 

REECE TOLAR, CHENEY
 
Tolar will play football at Missouri Southern State this fall, but this spring he’s been building on a productive junior season in a big way. A pitcher and third baseman, Tolar had six multi-hit games in Cheney’s first 12 contests, hitting a pair of three-run homers in a doubleheader against Wichita Collegiate. He also set a program record with 18 strikeouts against Chaparral. Tolar batted .350 with 27 hits – 10 for extra bases – and 24 RBIs last season, and had a 1.02 ERA with a win and a save. He earned All-Central Plains League second team as an infielder and All-3A honorable mention at pitcher.
 

 
MAXTON VILLALOBOS, COUNCIL GROVE
 
Villalobos enters his third year as a starter for the Braves and last year broke the school record for runs scored and singles, getting 35 singles among his 38 hits. He drove in 27 and stole 11 bases and played either third base or shortstop when he wasn’t pitching. He went 5-0 with a 2.75 ERA and a save, striking out 20 on the mound last year. Villalobos was a first-team All-Flint Hills League infielder and honorable mention All-Class 3A.
 

 
COOPER WATKINS, JEFFERSON WEST
 
Watkins was the ace for a Jefferson West team that finished 26-3 and returned to the Class 3A state tournament for the first time since 2016. Watkins finished a stellar junior season with an 11-1 mark on the mound, sporting a 2.11 ERA and striking out 106 batters. He was named the Class 3A pitcher of the year in addition to being first-team All-3A and All-Big East League. Watkins also had 25 RBIs as a batter.
 

 
BRAYDEN WHEAT, ANDERSON COUNTY
 
Wheat is a four-year starter at both pitcher and centerfield for the Bulldogs and has committed to Coffeyville Community College to continue his baseball career next year. Last year, he led the team with a .448 average, banging out 74 hits. He had 10 doubles and 3 homers and drove in a whopping 50 runs. On the mound, Wheat went 9-2 with a 2.16 ERA and struck out 119 batters. He was first-team All-Pioneer League. 
 

BROCK WIEMERS, FRONTENAC

Wiemers returns as one of the steady anchors in the Raiders’ lineup after helping lead the program to a CNC title and a regional championship appearance a year ago. A unanimous first-team All-CNC selection, Wiemers has been a consistent presence since his freshman season and brings both experience and reliability to the middle infield. The three-year starter hit .329 in 2025 with 26 hits, including eight doubles, while driving in eight runs.
 

 
TRE WILSON, IOLA

A four-year starter for the Mustangs, Wilson helped Iola to a 17-8 record a year ago. The senior catcher hit .420 with 7 home runs and 27 RBI, earning first-team All-Pioneer League honors as well as being a second-team All-Class 3A selection as a designated hitter. He’s got 12 career home runs and 77 career RBI.
 

BRAXTON WITHINGTON, COLBY

The Eagles return their ace in Withington, who held hitters to a .177 batting average and struck out 74 last year as a junior. He helped the Eagles go 17-6 in 2025. A Cloud County Community College commit, Withington’s senior season is off to a tremendous start. He has yet to allow a run in 18 innings with 33 strikeouts. Withington was a second-team All-3A selection last season and earned first-team All-Great West Activities Conference honors.