The Colorado high school baseball season kicks off on March 7, opening day for regular season action under CHSAA regulations. Leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2024 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Colorado Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today:

High School: Eaton
Head Coach: Todd Hernandez (8 years)
Classification: 3A
League: Patriot
2023 Record: 29-0

Top Seniors:
Mitch Haythorn, P/1B (Oklahoma): 51.1 IP, 113 Ks, 0.82 ERA, .397 BA, 1 HR, 1.005 OPS in ‘23
Gunnar Duncan, C (Butler): .506 BA, 2 HR, 1.333 OPS, 18 SB in ‘23
Lucas Stone, P/OF (Northern Colorado): .470 BA, 1.277 OPS, 26.2 IP, 45 Ks, 2.62 ERA in ‘23
Garrett Garrison, P/1B/DH: .403 BA, 2 HR, 1.124 OPS, 36 IP, 64 Ks, 1.75 ERA in ‘23
Kade Gentry, OF: .472 BA, 1.192 OPS, 11 SB in ‘23
Joey Blaskowski, INF/P: .329 BA, 1 HR, .969 OPS in ‘23

Top Juniors:
Cooper Nider, OF/INF
Cash Rinker, INF: .667 BA, 1.611 OPS in ‘23

Impact Underclassmen:
Gunnar Garrison, P (2026): 8 IP, 1 BB, 12 Ks, 1.75 ERA in ‘23
Liam Whalen, UTIL (2026)
Malaki Dalpra, 1B (2026)

2024 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The Eaton Reds have now won three straight 3A state championships and have the personnel to win it all again in 2024. Coach Hernandez has three Division I commits as seniors this year who will likely take things over all season long. Mitch Haythorn is considered as one of the top pitchers in the nation thanks to his advanced slider and fastball he’s able to ramp into the low 90s. Haythorn will be throwing to catcher Gunnar Duncan who has also earned his spot at a Division I program, while being a higher-level hitter with strong athleticism. Lucas Stone does a little bit of everything for the Reds, and should help this team plenty along with some younger prospects like; Cooper Nider, Cash Rinker, and Gunnar Garrison. The Reds are coming off an undefeated season and are likely the favorite to win it all in 3A once again. 

Find more information on the 2024 Eaton Reds’ program below:

+ Follow them on X: @eatonbbcoach

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Denver Preseason ID	CO	02/18	Marucci Clubhouse

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