By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting


With the 2013 high school season kicking off this week, it is time that we reveal our statewide Top 25 Power Rankings.  

The Top 25 is comprised of schools regardless of division from across the state.  These rankings are based on teams that have a high level of talent who look to compete at a high level this season and make a deep run into the state tournament.

As we started to look at the top teams, a consistent theme continued to emerge: strength up the middle.  Here is a quick look at some of the players who will make impacts on the mound, behind the plate, and up the middle for the Top 5.

Lake Orion has unparalleled pitching depth in Nick Deeg, Brad Schaenzer, and Josh Bays. They also return three year starting shortstop Nick Vogelmeier and second baseman Ryan Lambrecht and catchers Connor Grant and Roman Kuster. The question will be not how many runs Lake Orion will allow but how many can they score.  They may play in several close games early.

Sterling Heights Stevenson has eight pitcher who will all be 80+ on the mound.  In addition to that they have the Riley McCauley, Joey Wolf, and Dean Emanuele who will all anchor the middle infield. Behind the plate, Bobby Griffin has come on late in the offseason performing well at a number of wrokouts and significantly raising his stock.

Brother Rice has two pitchers already committed to SEC schools in Matt Ruppenthal and Josh Smith.  But they have plenty more talent on the mound in Class of 2016: No. 1 Karl Kauffmann, Tommy Lentz, and Randy Righter. Behind the plate, Sammy Stevens and Jeff Timko provide good depth.

Rockford has talent and leadership from juniors Brent Showers at catcher and shortstop Kory Young. Tyler Pellerito is a rising sophomore who can play both in the infield and in the outfield.  The Kelley brothers, Reid and Bryce, should anchor the rotation. Bryce throws from the left side and Reid from the right.   

Hudsonville is the defending state champion, and it all starts with Robbie Greenman behind the plate.  After that, Keegan Baar should be the ace for the Eagles. Shortstop Logan Magsig will make an impact not only as an infielder but also as the team's closer. Magsig posted back to back saves in the state championships in June.


Here is a look at the rest of the Top 10.

Rank	School	Record
1	Lake Orion	0-0
2	Sterling HTs. Stevenson	0-0
3	Brother Rice	0-0
4	Rockford	0-0
5	Hudsonville	0-0
6	Bay City John Glenn	0-0
7	Bishop Foley	0-0
8	St. Joseph	0-0
9	U of D Jesuit	0-0
10	Divine Child	1-0

 CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COMPLETE TOP 25