2015 Division I Preseason Top 25 Team Power Rankings

March 30, 2015

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):

Grant Macciocchi, RHP, 2015, Missouri recruit. 7 IP, 13 K, 1.14 WHIP, 1.00 ERA.
Joe Vranesic, RHP, 2015, Kent State recruit. 35 IP, 2-1, 3 SV, 40 K, 1.14 WHIP, 1.60 ERA.
Zach Hoffman, LHP, 2015, Miami recruit. 5.2 IP, 6 K.
Nick Bennett (pictured right), LHP, 2016, Louisville recruit. 33.1 IP, 4-2, 39 K, 1.11 WHIP, 2.31 ERA.
Mitchell Bault, RHP, 2015, Ohio Dominican recruit. 9.2 IP, 2-0, 1 SV, 10 K, 0.52 WHIP, 0.00 ERA
Cameron Junker, RHP, 2016, Notre Dame recruit.
Kevin Brenning, LHP, 2016
Andrew Juelg, LHP, 2016

Young Talent:

Hunter Hughes, 3B/C, 2017
Jack Gallagher, SS, 2017
Sebastian Fabik, LHP/OF, 2017
Logan Sabo, LHP/OF, 2017
Anthony Delcimmuto, LHP/OF, 2017
Dylan Davis, OF, 2017
Christian Bault, P/1B, 2017
Cameron Swanger, 2018
Tyler McDonough, 2018

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:

Riley Mahan, SS, University of Kentucky recruit.
Zach Logue, LHP, University of Kentucky recruit.
Nick Voss, RHP, University of Cincinnati.

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:

Jace Burke, SS/RHP, 2017. 9 AB, .333 BA
Cade Pipoly, SS/2B, 2017. 11 AB, .636 BA, 7 R, 5 RBIs.
Brendan Regan, 2B/SS, 2017
Kasey Anzelc, LHP, 2017
Kevin Jarvis, 2018
Matt Lobeck, 2018

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:

TJ Lake, OF/P, 6'1" 170, West Virginia commit.
Chandler Dippman, 3B/2B/P
Brock Conner, P/1B

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

Samuel McClurg, C/OF
Grant Hall, MIF

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):

Rodney Hutchinson (pictured right), RHP/C, 2015, R/R. 66.1 IP, 8-3, 78 Ks, 0.74 ERA.
Andy Marzheuser, RHP/1B, 2015, R/R. 38 IP, 5-1, 50 Ks, 1.66 ERA.
Ben Speer, RHP, 2016, R/R. 5.1 IP, 1-0, 9 Ks, 0.00 ERA.
Vince Vannelle, SS/RHP, 2016, R/R. 5.0 IP, 1 SV, 6 Ks.

Young Talent:

Ron Engelman, SS/RHP, 2016, R/R
Nick Northcut, RHP/3B, 2018, R/R

Strengths of Team:

Pitching Depth
Leadership

Key Losses from the Class of 2014:

Chris Martin, RHP, Kent State Commit
Joey Thomas, C, Cincinnati Commit
T.J. Dunn, OF

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:

Austin Allinger, RHP/3B, 2015, Evansville commit.
Dallas Hall, OF, 2015. Miami (OH) commit.
Alsaan Ramsby, OF, 2017.
Brandon Giltrow, C, 2015, Wright State commit.
Jeremiah Johnson, 1B, 2015.
Justin Moyer, IF/P, 2016.
Andrew Huser, P/OF, 2015, Seton Hill commit.
Alex Smith, 2B, 2016.
Jacob Kates, P/3B, 2017

Projected Rotation:

Austin Allinger, RHP/3B, 2015.
Alex Wagner, 2015.
Zach Bush, 2017.
Eric Hooper, 2017.
Alex Dodson, 2017.
Andrew Huser, P/OF, 2015.
Justin Moyer, IF/P, 2016.
Jacob Kates, P/3B, 2017

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:

Riley Campbell, SS, 5'9"-170 R-R, Toledo recruit
Alex Laikos, C, 6' - 200, R-R, Kent State recruit
Adam Dennison, IF, 5'10"-160, R-R
Kyle Pennington, IF, 6'1"-175, R-R
Nick Bebout (pictured right), P, 6'2"-195, R-R
Rory Finegan, IF/RHP, 6'1"-190, R-R
Aaron George, LHP, 6'3"-195, L-L, Tiffin recruit

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

Cam Deemer, IF/RHP
Chris Byers, P

Young Talent:

A.J. Robinson, OF
Craig Palidar, C

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:

Mason Groves, 2016, P/OF, 5'11", 170, R/R, good movement, mid-upper 80s
Spencer Yankle, C, 2016, 5'11, 175, R/R, 1.9 pop, good defense, good hitter
Zackery Arnold, IF
Jonathan Popham, 1B/RHP
Jordan Seich, C

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

Chase Gresock, INF, 2017, 5'11", 175, R/R... started in 2014 as a freshman, AAA Hockey, Athlete D-1 guy, Special hitter
Mason Holbert, 3B/RHP
Preston Stanley, RHP
Hunter Voorhess, C

Top Prospects in Class of 2018:

Corey Mayer, INF, 2018, 6', 160, R/R, Great hands defense and offense
Carson Comer, INF, 2018, 5'10", 150, L/R, Great approach at the plate, great hands
Mitch Milheim, LHP
Jake Miller, OF/3B

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:

Nick Margevicius (Rider University)
Nick Fabian (West Virginia)
Nick Longo (Miami, OH)

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:

Brent Solinger, RHP - Cedarville
Zach Meese, LHP/OF - Lakeland CC
Cody Eder, RHP/3B - Lakeland CC
Nate Rearick, 2B/SS
Jake Kempt, OF - Dayton (football)

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

Sam Miller (pictured right), RHP/SS - 9-0 record in 49 innings w/ wins against Moeller, Mentor, and North Royalton
Jake Pallotta, SS - Standout three-sport athlete
Zach Mottice, 2B/SS
Christian Specht, RHP
Glen Richardson, RHP

Top Prospects in Class of 2017: