Prep Baseball Report

Ohio Insider: 2015 All-State Elite 25



Graphic: Taylor Wilhelm; Photos: Dylan Hefflinger

By Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

The 2015 season was my fourth season with PBR Ohio and as with each of the previous three years, I couldn't ask for a better job. Yeah the weather could be better in March and April, but seeing these kids battle through the conditions that Ohio brings is great.

Being able to finish the season at the home of the Cleveland Indians AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers is a dream that all high school baseball players hope to be able to accomplish. Huntington Park is one of the finest minor league venues in all of baseball and the OHSAA and Clippers organization have done a great job of running the state final four.

Personally I want to thank all of the players, coaches, parents, media members and fans who have helped PBR Ohio and myself with coverage across the great state of Ohio.

In 2016, PBR Ohio will continue to be your one-stop spot for high school baseball news in Ohio and will look to bring you even more. Thanks again! Can't wait for the 2016 season to begin!

For all of you that are playing this summer, have a blast, work hard and use this time to make yourself better. For everyone going to play at the collegiate level, good luck! Represent your family, school and yourself as the best student-athlete you can be. For all that are just going to college or going straight to a job after high school, I wish you luck in all your future endeavors.

Below we at PBR Ohio look to bring to you our first-time All-State selections, including the 2015 All-State Elite 25, which is the "Top 25 players of the 2015 season, with some September call-ups".

To view the other Divisions All-State, click below.
Division I
Division II
Division III
Division IV

Visit our scout blog, which includes velocity, pop times and in-depth scouting reports. The blog will be updated throughout the entire spring, with information on top prospects and top performances, click here.

To view the 2015 Top 22 All-Tournament Team, click here.

To view the Final 2015 Team Rankings, click here.

To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click here.

To discuss this article, please visit our partner JJHuddle.

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

PBR Ohio 2015 All-State Elite 25


Elite 25 Co-Player of the Year:


Shay Smiddy, Defiance, 2016
2015 Season: The Louisville commit had a year to remember for the Division II State Champion Defiance Bulldogs. At state, this future Cardinal was dominant. The righty went the distance in the semifinal win over Big Walnut allowing 1 run (in the 7th) on 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4. In the state title game the 6-foot-5 RHP got the final two outs for the save. At the plate, Smiddy went 4-7 with two singles, two doubles, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. Defensively at shortstop the junior was stellar, recording a tournament high eight assists. Statistics wise throughout the year, Smiddy was the head of the class as you can see...
2015 Statistics:
Pitching: 69.2 IP, 11-1, 3 SV, 6 CG, 0.50 ERA, 81 Ks.    
Hitting: 33-86, .384 Avg, 5 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 27 R, 22 RBIs, 8 SB

Elite 25 Co-Player of the Year:


Grant Macciocchi, Moeller, 2015
2015 Season: The future Missouri Tiger was part of a 1A-1B punch for the Division I state champion Moeller Crusaders. During the season Macciocchi was dominant, but when the lights were the brightest this righty star would glow the brightest. Macciocchi was lights out in the Division I State Championship game. The hard-throwing righty went the distance (5 innings), allowing just three hits while shutting out a strong Westerville Central offense. Utilizing a fastball that got up to 91 MPH, the righty struck out four in the contest. At the plate, the future Tiger went 3-6, lacing two singles, a triple and a sac fly. The cleanup hitter for the Crusaders scored a run and drove in a tournament high five runs. Statistics wise, the future Tiger was dominant all season as you can see...
2015 Statistics:
Pitching: 65 IP, 10-0, 0.97 ERA, 76 Ks, 4 SHO.
Hitting: 27-65, .415 Avg, 3 2B, 3 3B, 15 R, 18 RBIs, 8 SB

Elite 25 Position Player of the Year:


DJ Wilson, Canton South, 2015
2015 Season: The speedy outfielder paced Canton South into the regional finals, where they fell to Poland Seminary. The Vanderbilt commit and 4th round draft pick by the Chicago Cubs had some gaudy numbers as you can see...
2015 Statistics: 45-89, .506 Avg, 7 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 34 R, 29 RBIs, 22 SB, 1 K, 11 BB

Elite 25 Pitcher of the Year:


Gavin Lyon, Westerville Central, 2016
2015 Season: The future Ohio State Buckeye had a season to remember with his Westerville Central Warhawks teammates. The Warhawks went 26-7 on the season, falling to the eventual Division I state champion Moeller Crusaders in the state title game. However in the game before that, this righty was stellar on the mound in the state semifinal win over St. Ignatius. Lyon went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs (two ER) on 9 hits and a walk while striking out an impressive 12 batters.On the mound throughout the season, this junior posted some impressive numbers as you can see...
2015 Statistics: 57.1 IP, 9-0, 0.49 ERA, 111 Ks, 22 BBs

Elite 25 Co-Coach of the Year:


Tim Held, Moeller

2015 Season: Tim just finished his 8th season as the varsity head baseball coach. In those eight years, the Crusaders have made seven trips to the state final four (2011 they did not) with four state titles (2009, 2012, 2013 and 2015). Overall record is 214-34. In 2015 the Crusaders (31-3) were a constant in the #1 spot of PBR's Team Power Rankings.

Elite 25 Co-Coach of the Year:


Tom Held, Defiance

2015 Season: Tom just finished his 17th season with the Bulldogs and has a record of 437-70 at Defiance (640-143 overall). This is his 4th trip to the final four (2002, 2010, 2013 & 2015 and 2nd title in the past three years (2013 & 2015). Defiance (28-5) started out as the #2 ranked team and finished with the Division II State championship. After reeling off an 8-game winning streak to start the season, the Bulldogs lost 2 out of 3 games, but a couple of changes in the lineup and Defiance won 19 of its last 21 games.