2025 Nevada Player of the Year Candidates
February 12, 2025
While too early to tell, several players come to mind when attempting to predict the to-be 2025 Player of the Year in Nevada. This years' class features several "leaders" with a strong track record and the talent to match. Several others have clear paths to the award, noting the depth of this senior class. I also added my personal list of Underclass Darkhorses to hedge in the event that one of these talented players breaks out in a major fashion this spring.
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Stay on the lookout for more high school preseason coverage in the coming weeks, including team previews, team rankings, and much more...
PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCHLIST
5 FRONT-RUNNERS FOR OUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD HEADING INTO THE SPRING
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Tate Southisene SS / 2B / Basic Academy of Int'l Studies HS, NV / 2025The reigning Prep Baseball Nevada Player of the Year is one of the favorite to run it back as we project the USC signee to be one of the favorites to earn that honor for the second time. A standout at the Prep Baseball ProCase - West to kick off the Summer, Southisene continued rolled that event into a massive Summer where his draft stock soared and is still trending as he gears up for his Senior campaign. |
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Rookie Shepard SS / 2B / Faith Lutheran, NV / 2026Nevada's #1 ranked 2026, and one of the top prospects in the country, had his breakout Spring this past season as a sophomore and with obvious added strength and size to his frame, Shepard is another favorite to earn Prep Baseball Nevada's Player of the Year honors. The Faith Lutheran product has all the tools plus the makeup tool to take his game to another level this Spring as a major piece for the Crusaders that have their sites set on raising the State Title in May. |
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Ethan Clauss SS / 3B / Palo Verde, NV / 2025Nevada's 2025 Super60 representative has already gotten his year started off with impressive at-bats against some of the top teams in the West. At a Prep Baseball Verified 6-foot-1, 190.9 pounds the LSU signee has emerged this Spring with a "pro ready" body that we expect to carry his loud preseason into his senior High School season. |
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Brady Dallimore C / OF / Palo Verde, NV / 2025Before going down last Spring with an unfortunate injury, Dallimore was off to a massive start last year during the first few weeks of the season. This season, he is going to enter his senior campaign with a full slate of health and added strength throuhgout his 6-foot-4, 230 pounds frame that we look forward to seeing him re-enter the Palo Verde lineup as one of the favorite to earn Player of the Year honors. |
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Alexander Mercurius RHP / OF / Durango High School, NV / 2025One of the Highest Risers in the last 12 months, Mercurius comes off an impressive run of bringing the Class 4A State Championship to Durango, posting one of the top performances at the Prep Baseball ProCase - West, then announcing his commitment to the University of Oklahoma shortly after. A threat on both sides of the ball, you can expect him to shine on the mound with his fastball projected to run into the mid to upper 90's as things continue to warm up. |
SLEEPER CANDIDATES
5 MORE NAMES WITH A CLEAR PATH TO THE AWARD
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James Whitaker RHP / OF / Bishop Gorman, NV / 2025The Northwestern signee has been a key piece on the mound for Bishop Gorman over the past two years and this Spring is where we expect Whitaker to take his game to another level and help lead the Gaels back to the ultimate prize. Already showing his game is trending this preseason, their is much more projected to come and this Spring is where it will be on full display as he is slotted to be the arm that get the ball in the big games.
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Nolan Eberwein OF / RHP / Bishop Gorman, NV / 2025Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 1
This USC signee is primed for a massive Spring season with his high level bat already on full display in his preseason matchups. The 6-foot-2, 190 lbs. (and growing) prospect will be the catalyst at the top end of the Gaels lineup this Spring and we project him to be in the discussion of the top bats in the Silver State when it comes to both batting average and power numbers. With that, do not sleep on his defense as he has shown his ability to go get it in centerfield. Keep Eberwein on your radar this Spring to have a big year. |
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Tanner Johns 1B / OF / Palo Verde, NV / 2025Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 1
After his breakout junior campaign that helped lead Palo Verde to a State Championship, Johns will ascend into a critical two-way role that will be a major piece in deciding if this team can run it back in 2025. The GCU signee has proven his can handle the opportunity and we expect him to be in serious consideration for Player of the Year honors. |
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Mack Edwards 1B / LHP / Reno, NV / 2025Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 2
After helping lead Reno to the State Title game in 2024, the UCLA commit is primed for a huge 2025 campaign where he is slotted to play a pivotal role on both sides of the ball for the Huskies. We project the 2023 Future Games standout will only seen his game continue to trend during his senior season as he looks to lead the Huskies back to the State Tournament that will be hosted in Reno. |
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Andruw Giles OF / LHP / Basic Academy, NV / 2026Coming off his massive summer campaign that began with a standout performance at the Prep Baseball ProCase - West, Giles is another two-way prospect that we project to have a big Spring. The advanced actions on both sides of the ball that will be a key piece in the heart of the Wolves batting order as well as one of their go-to arms on the mound. |
UNDERCLASS DARKHORSES
5 PLAYERS LOOKING FOR A BIG SPRING TO THROW THEIR NAME INTO THE PLAYER OF THE YEAR TALKS
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Colton Christman LHP / OF / Arbor View, NV / 2026 |
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Troy Southisene OF / SS / Basic Academy of Int'l Studies HS, NV / 2026 |
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Keenan Dolan RHP / OF / Bishop Manogue, NV / 2026 |
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Kingston Kela 3B / 2B / Faith Lutheran, NV / 2026
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Giovanni Guariglia Jr. RHP / 1B / Silverado, NV / 2026 |
Upcoming Events
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| Las Vegas Rising Stars ID | NV | 03/22 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Reno Rising Stars ID | NV | 3/29 | Reed High School |