By Chris Fuller
PBR Kentucky

It’s that time of year again. The 2017 high school baseball season is upon us, and of course that means it’s time for us to release our Preseason Power 25. We’re going to shake it up a little this year with a preview of all 25 teams broken down into increments of five over a series of articles.

After combing through last year’s stats and factoring in returning players, here is a look at the teams ranked No. 11-15 in our Preseason Power 25.

11. Eastern
Yes, we have a team ranked this high who was 11-22 last year, but something was clearly not right with the Eagles as they certainly had too much talent for that disappointing of a season. With a new coach, and perhaps a new attitude, we’re betting on them to turn things around this spring. You won’t find a better one-two punch on the mound with senior lefty Gavin Sullivan (Louisville) and Junior RHP Brendan Koester (Kentucky commit). Koester’s rise was meteoric as he went from relatively unknown early last fall to touching 92 mph this winter with a nasty slider while claiming the No. 1 spot in the 2018 rankings. Junior RHP’s Luke Fisher and Chase Thomas should contribute heavily on the mound behind Sullivan and Koester. Junior OF Tyler Gabehart, junior C Tanner Head, and senior OF Kyle Nunn should contribute heavily to the offense. Also, keep an eye on sophomore SS Trent Robinson.

12. Warren East
The Raiders flirted with the Power 25 a few times last year, but look for them to be a mainstay this spring as they return two of the top arms in the fourth region in sophomore RHP Ryan Hawks (Louisville commit) and senior OF/LHP Davion Downey (Baylor Univ). Add senior RHP Clay Wagoner (Freed-Hardeman Univ) and you have a pitching staff that will make it difficult on opposing hitters. Downey will lead the offensive attack with plenty of pop from the left side.

13. Bowling Green
Coming off a fourth Region championship and 31-10 record last spring, the Purples will have a very good one-two punch on the mound in senior RHP Logan Bowen and sophomore RHP Jackson Haga. We’ve heard reports of a velocity jump for Bowen this winter, and Haga is one of the top arms in the 2019 class. Junior lefty Ben Ginter will provide some mound depth as well. The offense looks to be led by left-handed hitting senior OF Luke Brown who wreaks havoc on the bases with his speed. Also, keep an eye on sophomore SS Joe Howard who swings it well from the left side of the plate.

14. Caldwell County
Last year’s second Region champs lost just three seniors to graduation, most notably LHP/OF Luke Brown who moved onto Murray State. The Tigers, who finished 31-6 last spring, will be led on the mound by one of the top left-handers in the 2018 class in Shane Burns, 6-foot-6 RHP Ty Ramey and sophomore RHP Gabe East. East and Burns will also contribute to the offense that will be led by a strong junior class in Jase Felker, Bryce Thomas, Dylan Gray, and Noah Brown.

15. Lafayette
In terms of eleventh region teams, the Generals were relatively young in compiling a 21-16 record last spring. Senior RHP/1B Eddie Satisky  (Eastern Kentucky Univ) returns to anchor a pitching staff that will see big contributions from junior RHP Tyler Guilfoil who at 6-foot-4, 195-pounds showed a jump in velocity over the winter. Look for senior right-hander Brady Bowling and junior RHP Jake Morgan to contribute heavily on the mound as well. The offense should be led by junior OF’s Kyle Browning and Luke Taylor along with Satisky and Morgan. Keep an eye on two freshmen, 1B Josh Halterman and MIF/OF Samuel Tackett who will have a chance to see significant playing time.