Who’s No. 1? Midseason power rankings for South Sound baseball
We’re roughly halfway through the high school baseball season in the South Sound and league title races are heating up.
Which programs have proved themselves the area’s best so far this spring? Here’s our midseason all-classification power rankings heading into the final weeks of the season and into next month’s playoffs.
Looking for more? We published a midseason MVP watchlist earlier this week, highlighting some of the best first-half performers in the area.
1. Sumner (10-2)
Spartans have the state’s deepest lineup and are built for the postseason. 2B Jake Miller has been “Mr. Clutch” midway through the season, hitting over .600 with runners in scoring position. If two-way star Wyatt Plyler (P/CF) catches fire at the plate, watch out.
2. Emerald Ridge (13-2)
Jags have been one of the spring’s best stories. We knew the 1-2 pitching punch of Jackson Dion and Zach Morris would be one of the league’s best, but the young lineup has proven just as capable. Junior CF Preston Bolam (.467, three triples, three home runs, 15 RBI) has been electric at the plate.
3. Tahoma (10-1)
Bears boast one of the state’s best rotations, led by lefty Oregon State commit Neal Burtis (4-0, 25 strikeouts, six walks, 0.00 earned run average). Season finale crossover game against 3A NPSL’s Decatur on May 7 should be a fun one.
4. Decatur (9-0)
There’s some serious pop in this lineup, highlighted by 1B Nate Gilmore (.560, five doubles, nine RBI) and 3B/C/P Ethan Flavel (.520, double, four home runs). Flavel’s return from a lower back injury that cost him his entire sophomore year has been the biggest reason for Decatur’s success.
5. Olympia (13-2)
Derek Weldon always seems to have a few good arms at Olympia. Senior RHP Travis Kunkel (0.94 earned run average, 25 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched) is the latest to shine with a high 80s fastball.
6. Curtis (9-5)
Vikings could be a sneaky team come postseason, as Bryan Robinson’s group has shown the ability to beat top teams. Senior SS Riley Angelo is a difference maker in the infield and at the plate, hitting .512 with three doubles, a triple, a home run and 11 stolen bases. C Joe Giles and P Cooper Hordyk are also impact players.
7. Peninsula (12-2)
Seahawks have put runs on the board consistently. 1B Thomas Marzano (.585, six doubles, two triples, 19 RBI) has been the most dangerous hitter of the group midway through the season, but Landon Schultz (.444), Andy Merry (.433) and Fresno State commit Pete Browand (.432) are all hitting over .400, as well.
8. Fife (11-2)
SS Dylan Hoots brings the energy for the Trojans, and seems to always be on base, alongside CF Logan Marquart. Hoots is batting .480 with three doubles and 10 RBI, while Maquart is hitting .405 with five doubles.
9. Gig Harbor (9-7)
The record might not show it, but I’m still bullish on the Tides, mainly because of ace Quentin Bockhorn (.074 earned run average, 26 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched) and No. 2 arm Jake Cuda, who has fanned 26 and has yet to give up an earned run in 17 innings of work. Pitching can carry a team deep into the postseason.
10. Puyallup (7-6)
It’s been a weird couple of weeks for Puyallup, which saw first-year coach Sean Taunt resign recently as the team went through a slide. Still, there’s plenty of talent on this young roster. UW commit, SS Brayden Landry (.444, nine doubles, three triples, two home runs, 15 RBI) has been a hitting machine. I’d be careful about counting Puyallup out.
The Next Five
Silas, Kennedy Catholic, Tumwater, Graham-Kapowsin, Yelm
