Thu January 5, 2017
Shon Plack
Kansas Scouting Director
As we prepare for the upcoming 2017 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.
Team: Derby HS
Nickname: Panthers
Class: 6A
Conference: AVCTL-D1
Head Coach: Todd Olmstead
Years as head coach at school: 4 years
Twitter Handle: @DerbyHSBaseball
2016 Overall Record: 18-5
2016 Conference Record: 7-5 (3rd Place)
2016 Post-Season Finish: Lost in first round of state playoffs
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 4
Players with 2016 Post Season Honors
Tanner Igo, CF, 2017, 2nd Team All-State
Tanner Olmstead, RHP/3B, 2017, 1st Team All-AVCTL
X-Factor
Blayten Tullis, OF/RHP, 2018
Newcombers
Noah Johnson, 2018
Brayden Paxton, 2018
Alex Jacobs, 2018
Season Outlook
The Panthers will return a pair of three year starters in Tanner Olmstead and Tanner Igo. Olmstead will anchor the pitching rotation, who has been 8-2 over the last two seasons, and Igo, an All-State selection in 2016, will be a force in the line-up. Along with Igo in the outfield, Derby will be fast and aggressive team. Look for Cooper Welch to add balance to the order, while Blayton Tullis and Landon Spillman round a high defensive outfield. Newcomer Noah Johnson will add depth in the pitching rotation and Tullis will be called on to add innings from a season ago. Derby will be competitive in 2017, keep an eye on them as May rolls around. The Panthers will be a team contending in 6A.