Kansas High School Spring Spotlight: Arkansas City
March 16, 2024
The Kansas high school baseball season kicks off on March 19, opening day for regular season action under KSHSAA 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 Kansas 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: Arkansas City
Head Coach: Aaron Bucher (24 years experience)
Classification: 5A
League: AVCTL Division 2
2023 Record: 11-10, lost in regional semifinal to Newton
2024 SEASON OUTLOOK
No. of Returning Starters:
5 Position Players, 5 Pitchers
Top Returning Players:
Blake Bucher UT, SR, 5-11, 165, L/R, .279, 17 hits, 5 2B and 3 3B, 1-0 on the mound with 3 saves
Joe Thomson, 1B, SR, 6-1, 260, R/R, .322 19 hits, 7 2B, 1 3B, and 1 HR
Mitch Meinen, MINF, SR, 5-9, 155, R/R, .345 with 20 hits
Wyatt Dickey, OF, JR, 5-10, 165, L/L, .362 with 17 hits
Taylor Andrews, MINF, 6-0, 170, R/R, .346 and 16 RBI's
Jordey Pierce, LHP, 6-2, 180, R/L, 5-2 on the mound last season with a 0.76 ERA
Top Newcomers:
Brayden Pinion, RHP, 11, 6-3, 190, R/R
Brody Conklin, RHP, 11, 6-3, 190, R/R
Jake Abrams, UT, 11, 5-10, 150, R/R
Josh Abrams, UT, 10, 6-0, 160, R/R
Coach’s Insight:
“Ark City returns our entire starting infield and our #1 on the mound. Our team speed will be a key offensive factor for us and we will need to compete in the strike zone on the mound. We have 8 guys returning that have varsity experience on the mound, the development of our underclassmen on the staff will be key.” – Aaron Bucher, head coach
Find more information on the 2024 Arkansas City program below:
+ Follow them on X: @arkcitybaseball
+ Visit Prep Baseball Kansas’ 2024 KHSHAA Season Preview page to learn more.