With Opening Day slated for Monday, March 14, the 2022 high school baseball season is upon us, and that means it’s time to release the PBR Kentucky/Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Preseason Power 25.

After hours of combing through returning players and impactful newcomers, we will release the Preseason Power 25 with an in-depth look at five teams at a time. Today, we release the teams ranked No. 16-20.

CLICK HERE to view the teams ranked No. 20-25

The Power 25 will be updated weekly throughout the season.

16. Hopkinsville

Outlook: Coming off a 22-10 season, and with 4 of their top 5 arms back for this spring, the Tigers will look to win games by shutting down opposing offenses, and have the pitching staff to do just that. After missing some time during the summer, 2022 RHP Preston Chaudoin is back and heatlhy, returning his 4-0 record from 2021 that saw him rack up 92 strikeouts in 53 innings of work. Zach Moss (Kentucky), is one of the top arms in the 2024 class, and a pair of Rend Lake JC commits in RHP Jacob Dilday and LHP Timothy Cansler will round out a very deep and talented mound corps for Hop-Town.

Offensively, Moss returns as the team’s leading hitter from last spring when he posted a .467 average with 5 doubles and 2 home runs.

17. Lawrence County

Outlook: 2022 LHP Bryce Blevins (Marshall) returns for his senior season after being selected the 15^th Region Player of The Year last spring. Blevins was a one-man wrecking crew, posting an 8-0 record on the mound with a 0.30 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 47 innings to go along with just one walk. Blevins also posted a .500 batting average in leading the Bulldogs offensive charge. 2022 RHP Luke Patton (Army), who transferred to Lawrence County, gives them a potent 1-2 punch on the mound and at the plate. Look for 2022 C Blue Fletcher (Transy) to provide plenty of leadership behind the dish with significant offensive contributions as well.

18. Oldham County

Outlook: The Colonels return a trio of senior arms that will undoubtedly have them as one of the favorites in the 8^th Region. RHP Jack Harris (Lincoln Memorial), RHP Drue Osbourne (Indiana SE), and RHP David Hinkle (Indiana SE) should provide plenty of firepower on the mound to shut down opposing offenses.

Osbourne and senior Houston Manning will lead the Oldham County offensive attack. Osbourne hit .340 with 11 doubles and two home runs last spring, while Manning posted a .367 average with 3 doubles and 7 home runs.

19. Sayre

Outlook: The Spartans have been getting plenty of experience for their young talent the last few years, and it began to show last year with a 42^nd District title and 11^th Region semifinal appearance. 2023 RHP Raymond Saatman (Kentucky)will lead Sayre on the mound after posting a 2.37 ERA and racking up 90 strikeouts in 59 innings as a sophomore last season. 2023 LHP Addie Stockham returns his 4 wins from 2021, and 2025 RHP Owen Murphy also won 4 games as an eighth grader.

Saatman will lead the Spartans offensive charge after posting a .393 batting average last spring. Look for big offensive contributions from 2023 SS Grady Johnson, 2023 C Graham Johnson, and 2025 OF Charlie Slabaugh who were all among the team’s offensive leaders in 2021. Keep an eye on transfer Travis Smith, a 2024 3B who could provide some pop in the middle of the lineup.

 20. Central Hardin

Outlook: The Bruins will feature a potent 1-2 punch on the mound in one of the top LHP’s the state has to offer in 2022 LHP Caden Alvey, and one of the top sophomore arms in Kentucky in RHP Zakery Spurrier. Alvey racked up 69 strikeouts in just 35 innings last spring, while Spurrier posted a 5-1 record as a freshman with 45 strikeouts of his own.

Ryan Bibb (John A Logan) returns to lead the offense after posting a .365 batting average with 6 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run while swiping 27 bags in 2021. Look for big offensive contributions from Spurrier and 2025 Kellen Brandenburg after he posted a .400 batting average in 45 AB’s as an 8^th grader last season.