CLASS 6A BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2026
 

DRAKE BLASI, MAIZE
 
Blasi was one of four Maize underclassmen who received All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail I first-team honors last season. The junior outfielder batted .300 with 18 hits, five doubles and 19 runs scored. Blasi also drew 20 walks in putting together a .523 on-base percentage. He helped the Eagles earn their 21^st state tournament berth last spring and finish with a 20-9 record. Blasi was a second-team all-league selection as a freshman. 
 

MILO BURTON, OLATHE EAST

Burton enters his final season as one of the top shortstops in the Sunflower League and a cornerstone for a Hawks team coming off a 22-6 campaign. The Missouri commit put together an impressive junior season, hitting .359 with 28 hits, including eight doubles, three triples and two home runs. He also drove in 18 runs, scored 32 times and added 10 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. His all-around performance earned him first-team All-Sunflower League honors and second-team all-state recognition. 
 

OSCAR DIEZ, SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

A first-team All-Sunflower League selection in the outfield a season ago, Diez is expected to be a key contributor again — this time while also handling duties behind the plate as the team’s starting catcher. Diez hit .385 in 2025 with 15 hits, three doubles and six RBIs, establishing himself as a reliable bat in the middle of the order. He will be counted on to anchor the lineup and guide the pitching staff throughout the spring. 
 

 
AUSTIN DITCH, WASHBURN RURAL
 
A two-year starter at shortstop for the Junior Blues, Ditch hit .315 a year ago and was one of Rural’s leading hitters. He had eight doubles and a home run and drove in 10. He also stole 10 bases and scored a team-high 28 runs, earning first-team All-Centennial League honors – Rural’s lone selection to the first team. He helped Rural to a 15-12 record and a berth in the Class 6A state tournament and is one of several returning starters as the Junior Blues look to get back to the state tournament for a second straight year and eighth time since 2014.
 

EASTON ENGELHART, MILL VALLEY

Engelhart returns as one of the Jaguars’ most consistent bats after playing a key role in last season’s state tournament run. A first-team All-Sunflower League designated hitter, Engelhart put together an impressive sophomore campaign, hitting .370 with eight doubles, two home runs and 24 RBIs while posting a strong .453 on-base percentage. With another year of experience under his belt, he will look to build on that success and help lead the Jaguars back into postseason contention. 
 

 
BRAYSON GNIRK, MANHATTAN
 
Gnirk helped lead Manhattan to a fourth-place finish at last year’s Class 6A state tournament as the Indians finished with a 21-8 record. Holding down third base for the Indians for the past two seasons, Gnirk enters is third year as a starter after hitting .364 with 32 hits last year. He drove in 17 and scored 20 runs. He also pitched for the Indians and went 5-3 with a 3.36 ERA, striking out 22 in 35.2 innings. He could take on a bigger role on the mound this year as Manhattan graduated ace Sam Spiegel. Gnirk was a second-team All-Centennial League and second-team All-Class 6A selection last year.
 

 MAX GONZALES, DODGE CITY

Gonzales is the Red Demons’ top returning hitter after posting a .372 batting average with 27 hits, seven doubles, 19 RBIs and 18 runs scored last season as a sophomore. That production earned Gonzales first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors. He will look to help Dodge City improve on last year’s eight-win season.
 

BEN GRAVES, FREE STATE

Graves returns after playing a key role in the Firebirds’ state championship run a year ago. A three-year starter, Graves helped lead Free State to a 28-2 record while providing impact both in the field and on the mound. Graves, an Oral Roberts commit, is a steady presence in the middle infield. Offensively, he hit .361 last season with 30 hits, seven doubles and 36 RBIs, consistently producing in key moments. He also proved to be a weapon on the mound as Free State’s closer, finishing with nine saves, a 0.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts, shutting the door in pressure situations throughout the Firebirds’ title run. He was also a first team all-state and All-Sunflower League selection. 
 

MATTHEW GRAVITT, BLUE VALLEY

Blue Valley will lean on one of its most efficient arms this spring in Gravitt, who played a key role in the Tigers’ third-place state finish a year ago. Gravitt made the most of his opportunities on the mound, going 5-1 in eight starts while posting a 1.89 ERA over 44 innings. A second-team All-Eastern Kansas League selection and honorable mention all-state pick, Gravitt proved to be a steady and reliable option, allowing just 12 earned runs while striking out 33. His ability to limit damage and keep hitters off balance gives Blue Valley a strong presence on the mound as the Tigers look to build on last season’s postseason run.  
 

MAX HAMILTON, OLATHE WEST

Opponents rarely found much success against Hamilton last spring — and there’s little reason to believe that will change this season. Hamilton, a first-team all-state and All-Sunflower League selection, returns as one of the most dominant arms in the area after a stellar junior campaign. The right-hander went 7-1 on the mound, posting a 1.25 ERA while allowing just 30 hits and 12 runs across 240 batters faced. Hamilton also racked up 92 strikeouts compared to just 17 walks. A key piece in Olathe West’s run to the state quarterfinals, the Oklahoma State signee established himself as a true ace and will try and help the Owls back to the state tournament in his final year.  
  

QUINCY KOEHN, MAIZE

Coming off a season in which he earned All-Class 6A second-team and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail I first-team honors, Koehn has delivered early in 2026. The junior right-hander pitched two no-hitters in March, striking out 15 in a 1-0 victory over Stillwater (Okla.). Last season, Koehn, a University of Kansas commit, went 6-0 with one save and a 1.85 ERA in 60.2 innings. He struck out 68 and yielded a .232 batting average, helping the Eagles reach the 6A state tournament. 
 

RYKER MAHNKE, FREE STATE

Free State’s lineup will once again feature one of the top outfielders in the state in Mahnke. A two-year starter in center field, Mahnke is coming off a breakout season in which he hit .426 with 43 hits, eight doubles and 21 RBIs while helping lead the Firebirds to a dominant 28-2 record and a Class 6A state championship. A first team all-state and All-Sunflower League selection, Mahnke has already committed to Missouri and enters his junior season as a key piece as the Firebirds look to defend their state title. 
 

 
PARKER MEIROWSKY, MAIZE
 
Meirowsky had a productive season at the plate and in the field last spring for the Eagles, batting .400 with 40 hits – nine for extra bases – with 11 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He also played error-free defense, earning All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail I first team at first base for the second straight season after receiving honorable mention as a freshman. The senior also earned All-Class 6A second-team honors a year ago.
 

 
SAWYER NEWTON, MANHATTAN
 
Newton enters his third year as the Indians’ starting shortstop and last year helped Manhattan to a fourth-place finish at the Class 6A state tournament with the Indians finishing 21-8 overall. Newton hit .375 and was an on-base machine, drawing 17 walks to go along with his 33 hits. He scored 26 runs and drove in 21 and also stole 16 bases. Newton was a first-team All-Centennial League selection and honorable mention All-Class 6A pick.
 
 

BEAU PETERSON, MILL VALLEY

Few players in the state bring the all-around impact that Peterson does entering the 2026 season. The reigning Class 6A Player of the Year is coming off a dominant junior campaign in which he hit .463 with six doubles, four triples and four home runs, while striking out just five times in 82 at-bats.  A first-team all-state and All-Sunflower League selection, Peterson was just as dangerous on the mound, recording 56 strikeouts in 45.2 innings. Committed to the University of Texas, Peterson is the centerpiece for a Mill Valley squad coming off a state tournament appearance.

 

JAKOBE RATHBUN, GARDEN CITY

Rathbun emerged as one of the Western Athletic Conference’s top players last season as a sophomore, batting .393 with 24 hits and 22 runs scored. His speed was a weapon for the Buffaloes, as he swiped 21 bases. Rathbun also contributed on the mound with a 3.17 ERA, earning first-team All-WAC honors.
 

COLE RYHERD, BLUE VALLEY WEST

Ryherd established himself as one of the state’s top hitters a season ago, and he enters this spring poised for an even bigger impact. As a sophomore, Ryherd hit .418 with 33 hits, while earning second-team All-Eastern Kansas League and second-team all-state honors. Already committed to Southern Illinois, he also brings leadership to the Jaguars as a key piece of the lineup as they try and get back to the state tournament. 
 

ZANE SHAW, FREE STATE

When the moment was biggest, Shaw delivered. Now the Free State senior returns looking every bit the part of a proven ace after leading the Firebirds to a Class 6A state championship a season ago. Shaw, a two-year starter, was nearly untouchable on the mound in 2025, going 10-0 with a 0.47 ERA and 80 strikeouts while earning first-team all-state and All-Sunflower League honors. Committed to Nebraska, Shaw capped his junior year with a dominant outing in the state title game, picking up the win in a 7-1 victory over Shawnee Mission West as Free State finished 28-2. 
 

CARTER SMITH, WICHITA HEIGHTS
 
Smith, a junior, earned All-Greater Wichita Athletic League first team as an outfielder last season for the Falcons. He batted .483 with 11 RBIs and eight stolen bases, getting on base at a .634 clip. Smith also pitched 12 innings with a 5.83 ERA. Coach Gage Walker lauds Smith for his leadership and high baseball IQ. With all-league second-team shortstop Kasch Oakley sidelined so far this season, more of that leadership has fallen to Smith.
 

LUKE VENNEMAN, OLATHE EAST

Venneman is back as one of the top outfielders in the Sunflower League, bringing both production and experience to the Hawks’ lineup. A four-year starter, Venneman hit .387 last season with 31 hits, 22 RBIs and nine stolen bases, consistently finding ways to impact the game at the plate and on the basepaths. A second-team all-state selection and first-team All-Sunflower League honoree, Venneman played a key role in leading Olathe East to a 22-6 record a year ago, just missing the state tournament as the Hawks fell to Blue Valley in the regional championship.
 

GRANT WESTPHAL, BLUE VALLEY

Westphal is back to headline the Tigers’ lineup after a breakout season. A first-team all-state and All-Eastern Kansas League selection, Westphal hit .404 a year ago with 12 doubles, a triple and four home runs while scoring 33 runs and driving in 23 more. A University of Texas commit, Westphal brings a blend of speed and power to the centerfield position, where he also anchors the Tigers defensively. His 15 stolen bases highlight his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. After helping lead Blue Valley to a third-place finish at state last season, Westphal returns as a key piece for a Tigers squad that hopes to return to the state tournament.