Sioux Falls, South Dakota - On Saturday, February 24th, Prep Baseball travels to Sioux Falls' Avera Sports Institute to host the Preseason ID-South Dakota. This will be our first event of the spring and will feature over 80 prospects from the class of 2024 through 2027s. This collection of players will include plenty of fresh faces as well as returning faces. 

EVENT HISTORY

Last year’s Preseason ID saw over 70 players come through the doors of Avera Sports Institute with multiple notable performances.

Dell Rapids’ Jackson Henry (2024) showed well all around with a 6.87 sixty time to go with a 97.4 mph max exit velocity in his bp. His simple approach translated to solid gap-to-gap line drives sprayed around the dome and he flashed athleticism in all his endeavors. On the mound, the six-foot-three right-hander reached 88.6, showing a loose arm from a three-quarter slot and the fastball featured some cut/carry properties while his curve spun at over 2,600 rpms. Henry committed to South Dakota State in May 2023.

LOOKING AHEAD TO SUNDAY

This year’s Preseason ID roster looks to match and exceed last year’s performers.

On the mound, Eli Kokenge (Harrisburg, 2025) is one to watch. The right-hander first appeared in the Prep Baseball circuit at the 2022 Summer ID-Mankato where he topped out at 79 mph. The following spring at last year’s Preseason ID in Sioux Falls, he was up to 85 and then surpassed that by maxing out at 88 mph in the Summer ID at the Sioux Falls Canaries stadium. His short, quick arm that produces plenty of spin has earned him the 23rd spot on Prep Baseball Minnesota’s rankings in the class of 2025. Kokenge has been reportedly in the low 90s during his offseason work, making his appearance at the Preseason ID, one to watch.

Another high-ranked 2025 to watch who will be in attendance is Darren Safranski (Harrisburg). Safranski’s first foray into Prep Baseball was at the 2021 Top Prospect Showcase-Great Plains event where he topped out at 74 mph on the mound. This past year he attended the 2023 Top Underclass Games in Minnetonka and was up to 85 as a sophomore. His offseason bullpens have reportedly seen him in the upper 80s.

These are just 2 of the over 80 exciting prospects that will be in attendance in Sioux Falls. For the most up-to-date roster, please click here.

ITINERARY

Date: February 24th, 2024
Location: Avera Sports Institute
Check-in Time (Positioin & Two-Way Players): 8:00 AM
Start Time (Position & Two-Way Players): 8:45 AM
Check-in Time (Pitcher Onlys): 12:30 PM-12:45 PM

MORE EVENT DETAILS