The Kansas high school season is nearing quickly, and we're here to cover it. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2023 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Kansas Preseason Power 20 Rankings.

We’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

 

Team: Maize South
League: AVCTL Div 1
2022 Record: 16-6
Classification: 5A
Head Coach: Chad Christensen
Years at the Helm: 13

OUTLOOK

The Maize South Mavericks will be in the mix again for a 5A State Championship. The strength of this year's team will be the ability to continually execute the fundamental. From base running, bunting, to fielding, the Mavericks will play clean baseball. The Maverick's success will be determined in large part on how their young players who have little to no varsity experience step up this year.  With their top arm out, they will need some new faces to collect wins and eat up important innings. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

Tate McNew - SS/3rd/P, 2025, 6'0 R/R
Tate is one of the Maverick's top returners. He will anchor the 3/4 and be their number 2 or 3 pitcher.

Payton Akers - OF/P, 2023, 5'10", R/R.
Akers returns to the OF and will find time on the mound as well this season. The Mavericks will count on his leadership this spring.

Luke Youngdahl - P, 2024, 6' 2" R/R.
Luke is the Maverick's number 1 guy. He is coming off of knee surgery from football season and the Mavericks hope to have his arm back in the rotation by mid April

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hunter Higgins, 2026, C
PBR Notes: The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Catcher is one of the most physical players in his class with advanced strength throughout. Offensively, the right-handed hitter already shows exit velos into the 90s with a clean swing. Defensively, Higgins has advanced arm strength behind the dish with near 2.00 pop times. 

Brock Ellis, 2024

Lane McEachern, 2023

 

Make sure to follow @PBRKansas on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.

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