Standout Millard South shortstop commits to play baseball for Vanderbilt (2024)

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Year: Senior | College:Nebraska

The buzz:Wherever Christo took the mound this season, major league scouts followed, and it’s easy to see why. Christo’s 95-mph fastball helped him lead the state with 92 strikeouts while allowing just three earned runs in 48 innings pitched. Christo was just as good at the plate, with five home runs and 39 RBIs.

Year: Senior | College:Emporia State

The buzz:Opposing hitters had very little chance against Barton this season. The Omaha Skutt senior posted a 9-0 record while allowing just two earned runs for a state-best 0.30 earned-run average. When he wasn't pitching, Barton started at shortstop and hit .319.

Year: Junior | College:Nebraska

The buzz:Millard South wouldn’t have won a Class A state title if not for the success of its pitching ace. Moquin's 9-1 record included two pivotal wins at the state tournament, and he struck out a total of 48 batters in 55 innings pitched.

Year: Senior | College:South Mountain (Arizona) CC

The buzz:Eleven of Jelkin’s 12 pitching appearances this season ended with opponents scoring one run or fewer. A lively fastball and dominant mix of breaking pitches helped him finish the season 5-0 with 80 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.20.

Year: Junior | College:Undecided

The buzz:Cahoy’s success with breaking pitches made him one of the best strikeout artists in the state this season. He posted a 5-1 record and a 1.42 earned-run average, but most impressive was Cahoy’s 73 strikeouts over 44 innings, a rate of 1.66 strikeouts per frame.

Year: Senior | College:Allen County (Kansas) CC

The buzz:Bland played many different positions for Bellevue West this season, and his versatility helped the senior slot right in at catcher. He was one of the Thunderbirds’ most consistent hitters as he finished the season hitting .389 with 31 RBIs.

Year: Sophom*ore | College:Undecided

The buzz:Despite playing his first varsity season as a sophom*ore, Kozeal quickly established himself as one of the state’s best players. The Millard South shortstop led his team in batting average (.376), slugging percentage (.592) and home runs (five), while impressively striking out just five times in 149 plate appearances.

Year: Senior | College:Creighton

The buzz:One of the best power hitters in the entire state, Sailors recorded a hit in 30 of his 31 games this season. The Creighton commit’s seven home runs were second-best in the state, while his .476 batting average and 39 RBIs were also good for top-10 marks.

Year: Senior | College:Northeastern (Kansas) Junior College

The buzz:Trout may be a three-sport athlete, but this baseball season was his best yet as he helped lead Papillion-La Vista South to the state tournament. His .472 batting average was among the top 10 in the state, and he also led the Titans with 29 RBIs and 11 extra-base hits.

Senior: Junior | College:Undecided

The buzz:Brink spent most of the season hitting .500 or better, which is a tremendous accomplishment against Class A’s high-quality pitching. Brink still finished with the best average of any Class A player at .481, and his team-best five home runs and 38 RBIs helped Lincoln East make a run at the state tournament.

Year: Junior | College: Nebraska

The buzz:After a stellar freshman season, the Nebraska baseball commit blossomed into one of the state’s best hitters as a junior. Lewis’ .507 batting average was second-best in the state, while his six home runs and 30 RBIs single-handedly won games for Platte Valley.

Year: Senior | College:Wayne State

The buzz:The engine behind much of Bellevue West’s success this season, Madsen relished his role as the Thunderbirds’ leadoff batter. Madsen hit .382 with four home runs and 21 RBIs, while making a big impact with his lockdown defense in center field as well.

Year: Sophom*ore | College:Nebraska

The buzz:There were no growing pains for Buettenback in his first varsity season as the sophom*ore quickly became Southeast’s best hitter. The NU baseball recruit hit .452 in a leadoff role, while fast hands at the plate, speed and defensive positioning are among his strengths.

Year: Junior | College:Undecided

The buzz:The reason behind Central City/Fullerton/Centura’s first-ever state tournament appearance as a co-op is simple — it had the best hitter statistically. Jensen not only impressed on the mound with an 11-0 record and 0.78 ERA, but he also led the state in batting average (.552), home runs (eight) and on-base percentage (.617).

Year: Junior | College:Undecided

The buzz:As one of Millard South’s most versatile players, Smith only committed one error all season while splitting time between catcher and the outfield. The junior led Millard South in RBIs with 41, and his .333 batting average showed his value as the team’s leadoff hitter.

Year: Senior | College:Nebraska

The buzz:Guthmiller played a big role on Millard South’s title-winning team as an experienced bat in the middle of the order. The future Husker hit .345 with 28 RBIs while leading the team in walks (23) and stolen bases (17).

Year: Sophom*ore | College:Kentucky

The buzz:Small began the season as a catcher, but a move to shortstop helped the sophom*ore develop even quicker. His .455 batting average, six home runs and 46 RBIs this season made him one of the state’s toughest power hitters to get out.

Year: Junior | College:Undecided

The buzz:Meyer anchored Norris’ Class B state tournament run as both a pitching ace and one of the team’s best infielders. Meyer went 7-0 with a 1.78 ERA during the regular season while hitting .348 with 31 RBIs and a team-best six home runs.

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