High school baseball preview: The top teams, players in the South Sound in 2021
The high school baseball season is underway for most leagues across the South Sound, and the region is stacked with talent.
Teams across the state lost the entirety of the 2020 season when spring sports were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but many have reloaded, and freshman and sophomores who were contributors in 2019 are now team leaders. Even without state playoffs planned this season, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Though difficult to predict how leagues might shake out after such a long layoff, this much is certain — there will be plenty of action-packed matchups across the South Sound this spring.
Here is an overview of the top programs and players in the area this season:
THE TOP TEAMS
4A/3A NPSL
With traditional fall sports still wrapping up, the NPSL — which is now split into 4A and 3A divisions — will be the final local league to open its spring season next week. This is still one of the state’s biggest leagues regardless of classification, so there will be a lot of baseball to watch even after other programs around the South Sound wrap up their seasons. On the 4A side, Tahoma, which advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals in 2019, will contend behind a strong pitching staff that includes lefty Matt Lewis, who threw a no-hitter in his first varsity game as a sophomore. Kennedy Catholic could be another front runner, and Federal Way, which also advanced to the state quarterfinals two years ago, will be a tough out. In 3A, Kentlake — led by shortstop Jake Larson, a Minnesota signee — Auburn Mountainview and Auburn Riverside could all be in the running.
4A SPSL
Look around at almost any matchup this spring and you’re likely to see at least one college-bound player. Perennially one of the toughest leagues in the state, the 4A SPSL is stacked again, and has added even more depth this season to form a 12-team super league. Members Olympia and South Kitsap have returned after playing traditional fall sports in leagues in Thurston and Kitsap counties, respectively, in accordance with state health guidelines. The league also added Bethel, which is back in the 4A ranks following the state’s most recent reclassification cycle. Gig Harbor and Peninsula, which usually compete in the 3A SSC, have joined as temporary members. Roll in powerhouse Puyallup, and this league currently has a collection of teams that have combined for eight state title game appearances in the past decade — including four winners. Puyallup won the 4A crown in 2017, while the Tides won 3A, and South Kitsap won 4A in 2015, a year after losing to the Vikings in the championship game. So, there’s plenty to be excited about here, even in a shortened season. This year, the league will be split into two divisions, and a small tournament format will decide the eventual champion. Who will win it all? Puyallup is the early favorite with its loaded lineup, which includes WSU commits Drake Anderson and Willis Cresswell, and Washington-bound Jacob Yang. But, Olympia and South Kitsap are also undefeated early and should contend. Curtis and Sumner are always competitive, and there’s no ignoring a Gig Harbor team — led by Utah commit Zach Toglia — that won a state title three seasons ago, regardless of league.
3A PCL
This league didn’t produce a team that advanced to the state playoffs two years ago, but it should be another battle between the three teams usually at the top — Bonney Lake, Stadium and Wilson. The Tigers have the early edge after topping the Rams and Panthers in their first two games this season, and have senior leadership, like pitcher and infielder Noah Steele, and young talent, like sophomore standout pitcher Marcel Mercado. The 3A PCL now has seven teams after losing Bethel, which jumped up to the 4A SPSL.
3A SSC
With Gig Harbor and Peninsula staying put in Pierce County to play in the 4A SPSL, Central Kitsap remaining in Kitsap County and Shelton dropping down a classification to join the 2A EvCo, only five teams remain in this league this season — Capital, North Thurston, Timberline, Yelm and newcomer River Ridge, which is up from 2A following the state’s most recent reclassification cycle. These programs will get to know each other plenty, even in a condensed season, playing opponents three times each. The Blazers, led by pitcher and shortstop C.J. Beard, have proven the early favorite, and advanced to the state playoffs five of the past six seasons there were state playoffs, but Capital should also contend as usual, after rolling to a semifinals appearance two years ago.
2A SPSL
Perennial state contender Fife might have the best player in the South Sound in Washington commit A.J. Guererro, who hit .402 with a team-leading 31 RBI, 12 doubles, two triples and six homers as a sophomore in 2019. The former 2A SPSL first-team infielder is the top-ranked player in the South Sound by Prep Baseball Report, and third-ranked player in the state in the 2021 class. The Trojans advanced to the 2A title game back in 2019, and are the favorite for a league title. White River and newcomer Enumclaw, which previously played in the 4A NPSL, should also compete.
2A EvCo
W.F. West is the early favorite here after topping Tumwater in a pitching duel earlier this week, and is paced by a pair of Division I-bound players in catcher Drew Reynolds (Texas Tech) and ace pitcher Tanner Vaughn (Oregon). The T-Birds were undefeated until that one-run loss, and should still contend for a league title behind a steady pitching staff that includes Washington State commit Ryan Orr. Tumwater is now coached by former Centralia star Lyle Overbay, who played 14 seasons in the majors for the Diamondbacks, Brewers, Blue Jays, Pirates, Braves and Yankees.
Small schools
Never bet against Bellevue Christian or Seattle Christian, the perennial powers in the 1A Nisqually, but 6-foot-4 right-hander Eli Thorsteinson, who is signed to Centralia College, will be worth watching at Cascade Christian. In the 2B Central, Rainier’s Michael Green, who is also the Mountaineers’ quarterback, is already making noise at the plate.
30 PLAYERS TO WATCH
INF Isaiah Afework, Federal Way, soph.
P R’Mani Adams, Decatur, jr.
INF Drake Anderson, Puyallup, sr.
P/INF Rylen Bayne, South Kitsap, sr.
P/INF C.J. Beard, Timbelrine, sr.
OF Sam Canton, South Kitsap, sr.
P/INF Michael Doyle, Wilson, sr.
C Willis Cresswell, Puyallup, sr.
OF Donte Grant, Puyallup, soph.
INF A.J. Guerrero, Fife, sr.
P/OF Rylan Haider, Olympia, jr.
P/OF Cash Hartness, Bonney Lake, sr.
P/INF Brett Harvey, Auburn Riverside, sr.
P/INFAiden Herrick, Olympia, sr.
INF Alec Highland, Sumner, sr.
OF Cameron Hoiland, Kentridge, sr.
INF Cole Kaschmitter, Enumclaw, sr.
INF Jake Larson, Kentlake, sr.
P Matt Lewis, Tahoma, sr.
OF Jay Mentink, Sumner, soph.
P Marcel Mercado, Stadium, soph.
OF Kamana Nahaku, Auburn Mountainview, sr.
P/OF Josiah O’Bannon, Curtis, sr.
C Carson Ohland, Tahoma, soph.
P Ryan Orr, Tumwater, jr.
C Drew Reynolds, W.F. West, sr.
INF Jaren Taijeron, Bethel, jr.
INF Zach Toglia, Gig Harbor, sr.
P Tanner Vaughn, W.F. West, sr.
INF Jacob Yang, Puyallup, sr.
This story was originally published April 7, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
