Kansas High School Spring Spotlight: Blue Valley Northwest
March 13, 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: Blue Valley Northwest
Head Coach: Mike Pangborn (3 years experience)
Classification: 6A
League: Eastern Kansas
2023 Record: 13-8
2024 SEASON OUTLOOK
No. of Returning Starters:
4
Top Returning Players:
Carter Beach - OF/P/2B - 2024 - R/R - A true utility player who will see action at almost every position on the field. KCKCC commit
Keaton Humphrey - INF/P - 2025 - R/R - Saw meaningful innings as a SO, and should be the anchor to the defense.
Dax Howard - P/1B/OF - 2024 - L/L - Can play multiple positions, but has the potential to be a top LH arm in the area. Colorado State Pueblo commit.
Chase Bradbury - C/1B - 2025 - R/R - Saw meaningful innings at C last year. Will be looking to continue his development as a big bodied backstop. Tons of upside at the plate.
Top Newcomers:
Logan Waldorf - OF - 2026 - L/R - Saw innings as a true FR last year. Will have a much bigger role this year.
Luke Wolverton - OF - 2025 - R/R - Saw innings as a SO last year. Will have a much bigger role this year. Tons of upside, as he has physically developed.
Chase Martin - OF - 2024 - R/R - Not many innings, but will have a big role this year. Brings speed to the OF and to the plate.
Brayden Jones - INF/P - 2026 - R/R - Saw a few innings as a true FR last year. Will have a much bigger role this year. Lots of talent.
Will Pikus - INF/P - 2026 - L/L - Has an opportunity to make an impact this spring.
Maddox Whitrock - P - 2026 - L/L - Has an opportunity to make an impact this spring.
Coach’s Insight:
“The strengths going into the spring of 2024 are our team speed, and team defense. Opportunity is a great word for this group. We graduated 7 starters from 2023, and have some talent that will be given the opportunity this year. Our areas of concern include losing 82% of the innings on the mound, and 74% of the AB's from 2023. We lack a dominant arm in 2024, after graduating the 6A Pitcher of the Year. A lack of experience will be perceived as a concern. ” – Mike Pangborn, head coach
Find more information on the 2024 Blue Valley Northwest program below:
+ Follow them on X: @skiesbaseball
+ Visit Prep Baseball Kansas’ 2024 KHSHAA Season Preview page to learn more.