The News Tribune’s 2021 All-Area baseball team
First- and second-team selections for The News Tribune’s 2021 All-Area baseball team.
Player of the Year
AJ Guerrero, Fife, sr. — Even during a shortened season, Guerrero’s elite bat jumped out immediately to anyone watching — and that often included Major League Baseball Scouts at Fife’s games. The shortstop posted a .462 avg with 12 hits, 15 RBI, five doubles, one triple, and two home runs in ten games. He’s ranked the No. 3 senior prep baseball player in the state by prepbaseballreport.com. Committed to the University of Washington.
Coach of the Year
Marc Wiese, Puyallup — Guided the Vikings to a perfect 16-0 season in the Class 4A South Puget Sound League, one of the state’s toughest leagues. Capped the season off with a 4-3 win over Olympia, in which the Vikings came from behind, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings and scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
PITCHERS
Rylan Haider, Olympia, jr. — Topped out at 90 miles per hour with his fastball, and kept batters guessing with his slider and changeup. In 30 innings, he posted a 0.93 earned run average and 0.87 WHIP, with 34 strikeouts and nine walks. WSU commit.
Wyatt Jones, Puyallup, jr. — Right-hander posted a 7-0 record with a 1.37 earned run average and 53 strikeouts for the 4A SPSL champions. Was named the 4A SPSL MVP pitcher. Tacoma Community College commit.
Marcel Mercado, Stadium, soph. — Had a 1.40 earned run average in 25 innings pitched. Posted a 2-1 record with 41 strikeouts for the 3A Pierce County League champion Tigers.
Ryan Orr, Tumwater, jr. — In 29 innings, the hard-throwing right-hander compiled a 5-0 record with a .044 earned run average and 60 strikeouts, stifling batters with a fastball that touched 90 mph and an 11-5 curveball. Committed to WSU.
Logan Pierce, Tahoma, P/1B, soph. — The top player in the 4A North Puget Sound League dominated at the plate and on the mound for the Bears. He hit .511 with a .911 slugging percentage — nine doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI. On the mound, he compiled a 5-0 record over 33 innings, posting a 1.49 earned run average with 27 strikeouts and just four walks. Threw a complete game shutout against Decatur.
INFIELD
Drake Anderson, Puyallup, sr. — The 4A SPSL MVP was the total package for the Vikings in his final high school season, hitting .404 with five doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Also pitched for Puyallup, posting a 1-0 record with a save and nine strikeouts in six innings pitched as the team’s closer. WSU commit.
Kolby Kero, Capital, sr. — The 3A South Sound Conference co-MVP played first and third for the Cougars, hitting .417 with six doubles, a triple, three home runs and 15 RBI. Kero had 10 extra base hits in 14 games for Capital.
Jake Larson, Kentlake, sr. — Was pitched around but still hit .405 with three home runs and 14 RBI. Drew 19 walks and stole 12 bases. University of Minnesota signee.
Chris Rivera, Timberline, jr. — The 3A South Sound Conference co-MVP played first and third for the Blazers, and hit .667 with 17 runs scored, five doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI. Struck out just three times on the season.
Noah Steele, Stadium, sr. — The 3A Pierce County League MVP hit .371 with 17 hits and 13 RBI, playing third base and pitcher for the Tigers.
Jaren Taijeron, Bethel, jr. — Shortstop hit .540 on the season with three doubles, 10 RBI, 16 runs scored and 24 stolen bases; he was struck out just twice. Lightning quick, too — he scored tagging from second base on a fly ball to center field against Graham-Kapowsin.
Zach Toglia, Gig Harbor, sr. — 4A SPSL first-team selection has been a star at third base since early in his high school career. In 10 games this year, he hit .467 with 13 RBI, hitting four doubles and a home run. Utah signee.
Jacob Yang, Puyallup, sr. — First-team 4A SPSL selection hit .500 with two doubles, three triples, two home run, 23 RBI and 13 stolen bases. He will walk on at UW.
OUTFIELD
Sam Canton, South Kitsap, sr. — First-team 4A SPSL selection and center fielder hit .358 with two triples, two home runs and 15 RBI. Gonzaga signee.
Donte Grant, Puyallup, soph. — Center fielder was electric for the Vikings, hitting .432 with six doubles, a triple, a home run, 11 RBI and 30 runs scored, also stealing 17 bases. First-team 4A SPSL selection already holds numerous Pac-12 offers.
Kyle Henington, Fife, sr. — Hit .481 for the Trojans in his senior season, racking up three doubles, two triples and eight RBI. Posted a .740 slugging percentage and 1.356 OPS. First-team 2A SPSL selection.
Zion Williams, Curtis, sr. — Vikings’ outfielder hit .396 with a 1.057 OPS, a home run, two triples, three doubles, seven RBI and 11 stolen bases for Curtis. Hopes to walk on at the UW.
CATCHER
Willis Cresswell, Puyallup, sr. — First-team 4A SPSL selection was one of the state’s top catchers in his senior season, known for his presence defensively and ability to shut down the opponents’ running game on the base paths. Offensively, hit .415 with five doubles and 17 RBI. WSU commit.
UTILITY
Rylen Bayne, South Kitsap, sr. — First-team 4A SPSL selection hit .404 with seven doubles, a triple, a home run and 14 RBI. On the mound, he compiled a 3-1 record in 40 innings with 1.75 earned run average and 60 strikeouts. Headed to Bellevue College.
Brett Harvey, Auburn Riverside, sr. — 3A NPSL co-MVP hit .488, scored 18 runs and stole 11 bases. On the mound, he pitched 36 innings, compiling a 4-1 record with a 2.6 ERA and 49 strikeouts. Won clutch games down the stretch, leading the Ravens to eight consecutive wins to close out the season and a share of the 3A NPSL title. Headed to UPS.
Kamana Nahaku, Auburn Mountainview, sr. — Played all over for the Lions, appearing at pitcher, center field, catcher, shortstop and third base during his senior season. Hit .468 in 63 plate appearances over 15 games, with 22 hits, four doubles, four triples, two home runs and 18 stolen bases. Had a penchant for clutch hits, batting .400 with runners in scoring position. Headed to Tacoma Community College.
Dylan Watts, Enumclaw, jr. — The 2A SPSL co-MVP played pitcher and catcher for the league champion Hornets. In the cleanup spot, he hit .486 with 18 hits, three triples, two doubles and 18 RBI. Defensively, had seven assists total on pickoffs and runners thrown out stealing.
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers: Tyler Logan, Curtis, soph.; Aiden Herrick, Olympia, sr.
Catchers: Carson Ohland, Tahoma, soph.; Dylan Bartlett, Kentlake, sr.; Kai Jones, Sumner, sr.
Infield: Connor Sloan, Auburn, jr.; Cole Kaschmitter, Enumclaw, sr.; Carsen Hayes, Graham-Kapowsin, jr.; Micah Bujacich, Steilacoom, fr.; Alec Highland, Sumner, sr.; Connor Bourbon, Tumwater, sr.; Caleb Wanaka, Peninsula, jr..
Outfield: Grant Mattson, Auburn Riverside, sr.; Amari Goodfellow, Auburn, soph.; Cameron Hoiland, Kentridge, sr.; Chanz Doughty, River Ridge, jr.; Logan Brady, Steilacoom, sr.
Utility: Sam Spicciati, Auburn Riverside, sr.; Jian Jung, Cascade Christian, fr.; Evan Williamson, Kentlake, sr.; Isaiah Afework, Federal Way, soph.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled an Auburn Riverside outfielder’s last name. It is spelled Mattson.
This story was originally published June 7, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
