Prep Baseball Report

2015 Division I Preseason Top 25 Team Power Rankings



By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

As the high school season gets underway, Prep Baseball Report Ohio takes an in-depth look into the 2015 Division I Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings.

During the season we would really appreciate if on Saturday/early Sunday a coach, player or fan could send your team's updated record. Please include overall record, record for the week, who you beat/lost to during the week, and top performances for your squad, so we will be able to highlight the top teams and athletes from around the great state of Ohio. Please send this to [email protected]

We also have the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams which includes 47 players for D-I, II, III, and IV. To take a look at those click here.

Please head over to JJHuddle to discuss the Team Rankings.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

1. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller

Coaches Name/Record: Tim Held, 183-31
2014 Record: 24-5
Conference: GCL
Conference Record/Finish: 6-3
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4/4

Team Overview:

The Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller Crusaders are poised to make yet another long run during the 2015 season. The Crusaders have won three of the last seven state championships and are looking to add to the trophy mantle this season.

The nationally ranked Crusaders and coach Tim Held are expecting to reload after a final four appearance in 2014. Moeller will need to replace some outstanding prospects in Riley Mahan (Kentucky), Zach Logue (Kentucky) and Nick Voss (Cincinnati).

At the Plate (Stats from 2014):

  • Bryan Soth, 1B, 2015, Kent State recruit. 44 AB, .364 BA, 17 R, 8 RBIs, 9 SB.
  • Joe Vranesic (pictured right), RHP, 2015, Kent State recruit. 58 AB, .310 BA, 3 2B, 1 4B, 2 HR, 8 R, 18 RBIs.
  • Josh Hollander, IF, 2015, Kent State recruit. 70 AB, .300 BA, 11 R, 12 RBIs, 7 SB.
  • Kyle Dockus, IF, 2015, Wright State recruit. 54 AB, .315 BA, 12 R, 8 RBIs.
  • Bailey Montoya, C, 2015, Dayton recruit. 48 AB, 3 2B.
  • Jordan Ramey, OF/IF, 2015, Cincinnati recruit. 38 AB, 12 R, 3 3B, 7 RBIs, 4 SB.
  • Eric Conner, OF/RHP, 2015, Walsh recruit. 12 AB, 2 2B, 4 RBIs.
  • Kyle Butz, 2B/OF, 39 AB, .436 BA, 18 R, 6 RBIs, 8 SB.
  • Pat Mullinger, C, 2016
  • Alec Graves, IF, 2016

On the Mound (Stats from 2014):

Young Talent:

Strengths of Team:

  • Offense - Most of the offensive production from last season returns.
  • Pitching - Returning a stable of arms committed to Division I and Division II programs with varsity level experience.
  • Athletic - Very fast and can cover a lot of ground.

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Relief Pitching - Young arms will be appearing late in games and be counted on to close things out.

Key Players Lost From 2014:

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 11 straight trips to the regionals.
  • 6 out of the past 7 years in the state finals.
  • 3 state championships in the past 7 years.
  • 7 total state championships (2013, 12, 09, 04, 93, 89, 72).

2. Walsh Jesuit

Coaches Name/Record: Chris Kaczmar, 444-83
2014 Record: 26-1
Conference: North Coast League
Conference Record/Finish: 8-0,  First
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/3

Team Overview:

The Walsh Jesuit Warriors and head coach Chris Kaczmar are nationally ranked (9th time in school history) and ready to get over their tournament hump in 2015. The Warriors return almost their entire team from 2014's squad that went unbeaten during the regular season, finishing 2014, 26-1.

The four-time state champion Warriors have their eyes set on returning to Columbus for the first time since 2010, which came in Division II.

At the Plate (Stats from 2014):

  • Blake Jenkins (pictured right), OF, 2015, Bowling Green commit. 69 AB, .507 BA, 5 2B, 6 HR, 11 BB, 29 R, 37 RBIs, 4 SB.
  • Riley Minorik, SS, 2015, Bowling Green commit. 61 AB, .328 BA, 3 2B, 2 HR, 9 BB, 19 R, 11 RBIs, 9 SB.
  • Azim Qadri, OF, 2015, Ohio State commit. 57 AB, .386 BA, 5 2B, 14 BB, 17 R, 4 RBIs, 4 SB.
  • Ryan Feltner, RHP, 2015, Ohio State commit. 57 AB, .263 BA, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 BB, 9 R, 14 RBIs.
  • Dominic Canzone, RHP/OF, 2016, Ohio State commit. 76 AB, 8 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 BB, 20 R, 27 RBIs.
  • Chris Shorter, OF/RHP, 2016. 19 AB, .474 BA, 7 R, 8 RBIs.
  • Dan Mendenhall, 2016, 25 AB, .360 BA, 4 R, 4 RBIs.
  • Collin Marks, C/2B, 2016, 12 AB, .500 BA.

On the Mound (Stats from 2014):

  • Ryan Feltner (pictured right), RHP, 2015, Ohio State commit. 38.2 IP, 6-0, 48 K, 1.45 ERA.
  • Ty Shoaff, LHP, 2015, Missouri commit. 40 IP, 8-0, 55 K, 1.75 ERA.
  • Dominic Canzone, RHP/OF, 2016, Ohio State commit. 16.1 IP, 3-0, 15 K, 0.00 ERA.

Young Talent:

Strengths of Team:

  • Pitching
  • Hitting
  • Defense

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Nate Romans, SS/2B, Ranked 23rd in Ohio???s 2014 class -  Ohio State University

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 4 time state champion
  • 2 time state runner up
  • 2 time state poll champion

3. Westerville Central

Coaches Name/Record: Jeff Keifer, 111-84 (188-142 overall)
2014 Record: 25-3
Conference: OCC-Cardinal
Conference Record/Finish: 14-0
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/7

At the Plate (Stats from 2014):

  • Nick Buchanan, P/OF, 5'11"-185, L/L- Florida Southern commit. 77 AB, .377, 9 2B, 2 HR, 19 R, 22 RBIs, 6 SB.
  • Gavin Lyon, P, 5'11"-175, R/R- OSU verbal.28 AB, .357 BA, 9 R, 7 SB.
  • Noah West (pictured right), SS, 5'11"-160, R/R- OSU verbal. 15 H, 5 2B, 18 R, 6 RBIs, 14 SB.
  • Jeremiah Clarke, OF/1B, 6'2"-205, R/R- Toledo Verbal. 85 AB, .341 BA, 7 2B, 15 R, 29 RBIs.
  • Kyle Keifer, CF, 5'11-155, R/R. 14 H, 13 R, 7 RBIs, 6 SB.
  • Nick Stone, P/OF, 6'1"-170, R/L- Ashland commit.  
  • Andy Oppliger, 1B, 6'3" 225, R/L. 21 H, 11 R, 10 RBIs.
  • Zach Dahman, MIF - Wilmington commit.
  • Austin Kondratick, C, 5'9"-160, R/R 87 AB, .379 BA, 20 R, 21 RBIs, 5 SB.
  • Mitchell Saunders, OF, 6'0"-190, R/R.
  • Daniel Kreuzer, C/P, 6'2"-190, R/R- Wright State verbal. 2 2B, 3 R, 8 RBIs, 6 SB.

On the Mound (Stats from 2014):

  • Nick Buchanan, P/OF, 5'11"-185, L/L- 43 IP, 7-1, 48 Ks, 0.98 ERA.
  • Austin Sherry, P, 5'10-150, L/L- Oakland commit. 47 IP, 6-1, 80Ks, 0.89 ERA.
  • Gavin Lyon (pictured right), P, 5'11"-175, R/R- 33.1 IP, 5-0, 0.20 ERA, 1 ER, 59 Ks.
  • Daniel Kreuzer, C/P, 6'2"-190, R/R- 7.2 IP, 3 SV, 5 Ks.

Young Talent:

  • Bryce Cromer, SS/OF, 5'9-175, R/R, 2017.
  • Tate Skipton, 2B, 5'9-195, L/R, 2017.
  • Evan Ingram, C/P, 5'10", R/R, 2017.  
  • Brandon Miller, RHP/CIF, 5'6"-170, R/R, 2017.
  • Sean Osbourne, P, 5'10"-155, R/R, 2018.  
  • Drew Fischer, P, 6"1"-165, R/R, 2018.  
  • Dax Mickley, P/C, 5'11, R/R, 2018.

Strengths of Team:

  • Pitching
  • Chemistry
  • Experience

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Consistency at the plate

    Key Players Lost From 2014:

    • Mason Wamsley, 3B, Otterbein

    Postseason Accomplishments:

    • Regional Finalist - 2011
    • District Champs - 2011
    • District Runner-up - 2012, 2014

    4. Toledo St. John's

    Coaches Name/Record: Greg Christian
    2014 Record: 23-4
    Conference: TRAC
    Conference Record/Finish: 9-0

    Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

    Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

    Young Talent:

    Strengths of Team:

    • Solid lineup offensively

    Weakness of Team:

    • Pitching Depth

      5. Mason

      Coaches Name/Record: Curt Bly, 25-5
      2014 Record: 25-5
      Conference: Greater Miami Conference
      Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/7

      At the plate (Stats from 2014):

      • Rodney Hutchinson, RHP/C, 2015, R/R - North Carolina Commit. 89 AB, .292 BA, 4 2B, 1 HR, 11 R, 28 RBIs.
      • Andy Marzheuser (pictured right), RHP/1B, 2015, R/R - Florida Tech Commit. 46 AB, .326 BA, 4 2B, 1 3B, 8 R, 11 RBIs.
      • Tyler Krabbe, C/3B/RHP, 2015, R/R, 73 AB, .384 BA, 5 2B, 1 HR, 11 R, 19 RBIs.



      On the Mound (Stats from 2014):

      Young Talent:

      Strengths of Team:

      • Pitching Depth
      • Leadership

        Key Losses from the Class of 2014:

        6. Lakota West

        Coaches Name: Bill Dreisbach, 322-176 (17 years)
        2014 Record: 23-5
        Conference: Greater Miami Conference
        Number of Returning Starters 5

        Projected Lineup:


        Projected Rotation:

        Strengths of Team:

        • Senior leadership
        • Young players who want to be great

        Weaknesses of Team:

        • Young, inexperienced pitching staff after top 3-4

          7. Wadsworth

          Coaches Name/Record: Greg Pickard, 51-24
          2014 Record: 22-2
          Conference: Suburban League
          Conference Record/Finish: 13-1
          Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/3

          Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

          Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

          Young Talent:

          Strengths of Team:

          • Experience
          • Depth
          • Pitching 
          • Solid lineup offensively

          Weakness of Team:

          • Pitching Depth

            Key Losses from the Class of 2014:

            • Aden Campbell, IF, Western Illinois
            • Eric Perebzak, P
            • Greg Jones, OF

            8. Olentangy Liberty

            Coaches Name/Record: Ty Brenning, 58-29
            2014 Record: 26-6
            Conference: Ohio Capital Conference - Central Division
            Conference Record/Finish: 12-2
            Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/4

             
            Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

            • Cameron Comer, SS, 6'1", 185, L/R, Special Player/Leader, UVA Commit
            • Nick Parr, P/3B, 6'3", 215, R/R, Great Competitor on the mound and at the plate, Oakland Commit
            • AJ Kullman, P/1B, 6'8", 205, L/R, Projectable, Talented two way guy- tough out, UC Commit
            • Charlie Lutwen, INF, 2015, 6', 180, R/R, Athletic, great glove, great hitter, missed summer 2014 due to injury
            • Alec Ross, P, 6' 175, R/R 
            • Matt McPheron, P, 6'3", 200, R/R, great movement, strike thrower, down in the zone, gets guys out 
            • Nathan Meeker, OF/RHP
            • Justice Griebel, OF, 6'2", 175, R/R, big time speed
            • Seth Oehler, IF

            Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

            Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

            Top Prospects in Class of 2018:

            Strengths of Team:

            • Humility
            • Experience
            • Depth 
            • Defense

              Key Losses from the Class of 2014:

              • Jacob Niggemeyer - Ohio State University
              • Nick Newton - Marshall University
              • Marcus Wechselberger - Rose Hullman
              • Kyle Mottice - Cincinnati 
              • Mitchell Griffiths - Alderson-Broadus

              Notable Post-Season Accomplishments:

              • 5 - 20+ Win Seasons in 11 years
              • 2 - District Titles
              • 3 - District Runner-Up
              • 1 - Elite 8

              9. Cleveland St. Ignatius

              School Name: Cleveland St. Ignatius
              Coaches Name: Brad Ganor
              Conference: Independent

              Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

              • Alex Panstares (Catcher/Williams College, pictured right)
              • MJ Nara (RHP/Walsh University)
              • Sam Fuller (OF/St. Bonaventure)
              • Jake Kucia (Case Western Reserve University)
              • Mullen Socha (Washington and Jefferson)

              Strengths of Team:

              • Quality arms coming up but with limited varsity experience

                Key Losses from the Class of 2014:

                10. Massillon Jackson

                Coaches Name/Record: Bill Gamble, 78-33
                2014 Record: 27-5
                Conference: Federal League
                Conference Record/Finish: 10-2
                Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3/5

                Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

                Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

                Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

                Strengths of Team:

                • Big game experience
                • Pitching depth 
                • Fast athletes that love to compete 

                Weakness of Team:

                • Roles have changed
                • Developing trust and leadership

                  Key Losses from the Class of 2014:

                  • Jake Miller - IMG/Northern Kentucky
                  • Tim Turner - George Mason 
                  • AJ Kloehn - Lafayette
                  • Kyle Mottice - Cincinnati 
                  • Mike McCann - Mount Union

                  Notable Post-Season Accomplishments:

                  • 2014 Division I State Championship
                  • Federal League Champions in 2014
                  • No. 21 USA Today Final Ranking in 2014
                  • No. 5 PBR Final Regular Season Poll in 2014
                  • No. 10 OHSBCA Final Regular Season Poll in 2014

                  11. Cincinnati Elder

                  12. Lakewood St. Edward

                  13. Perrysburg

                  14. Gahanna Lincoln

                  15. North Canton Hoover

                  16. Hudson

                  17. Olentangy Orange

                  18. Grove City

                  19. Strongsville

                  20. Lebanon

                  21. Beavercreek

                  22. St. Charles

                  23. Pickerington Central

                  24. Cincinnati Anderson

                  25. Cincinnati Loveland

                  Others in consideration (alphabetical order):

                  Amherst Steele, Anthony Wayne, Aurora, Austintown-Fitch, Avon, Avon Lake, Bowling Green, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Canton Glen Oak, Centerville, Chardon, Cincinnati LaSalle Cincinnati St. Xavier, Clayton Northmont, Copley, Delaware, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, Eastlake North, Findlay, Fremont Ross, Glen Este, Hamilton, Holland Springfield, Kings, Lakewood, Lakota East, Little Miami, Madison Comprehensive, Marysville, Massillon Washington, Mentor, Miamisburg, Milford, Mount Vernon, North Royalton, Oak Hills, Olentangy, Olmsted Falls, Oregon Clay Pickerington Central, Pickerington North, Springboro, Sycamore, Sylvania Southview, Thomas Worthington, Toledo Central Catholic, Toledo St. Francis de Sales, Troy, Uniontown Lake, Upper Arlington, Vandalia Butler, Willoughby South.