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High School  | General  | 6/24/2016

High School Players of the Year

Jordan Stroschein      Kevin Schuver     
Photo: Perfect Game




Listed below are the 50 players honored as the Perfect Game/Rawlings Players of the Year in their respective states. We have also named a National Player of the Year.


2016 Perfect Game/Rawlings National High School Player of the Year

Kyle Muller, Dallas Jesuit College Prep
Dallas Jesuit, who won the 6A High School Baseball Championship in the state of Texas, was led both on the mound and at the plate by Muller who posted ridiculous overall numbers. On the mound he went 8-0 and allowed only one earned run in 60 innings and also hit .412 with 15 home runs. Muller, ranked 22nd overall by Perfect Game in the high school class of 2016 rankings, saw an increase in fastball velocity this spring, throwing 93-94 mph, and with his already solid command the Braves selected with him the third pick in the second round, 44th overall, in this year’s draft.


2016 Perfect Game/Rawlings High School Players of the Year


STATE NAME
ALABAMA Braxton Garrett
It's possible that no player improved their draft stock (Pick No. 7, Miami Marlins) more in the past year than Braxton Garrett.  This season he has put up a 0.56 ERA in 62.1 innings pitches surrendering just 15 walks to a monstrous 125 strikeouts. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound lefthanded pitcher with a 92-94 mph fastball and one of the best curveballs in not just the 2016 high school class, but the overall 2016 draft class as well.   
ALASKA Nathan Bonck
Bonck has been sought out as the best high school player in Alaska over the past two seasons bringing in multiple accolades last year including the 2015 Gatorade Player of the Year.  The tall lefty does it all from hitting in the three hole for Ketchikan High School while also pitching and playing first base.  The Seattle University commit is as projectable as they come with and has the raw stuff continue to become an impact player at the next level.  
ARIZONA Sam Huff
Sam Huff led the state of Arizona with 14 home runs which is no surprise for those who have seen what kind of raw power he can bring to the table.  What is even more impressive is what leverage he gets with how simple he keeps his swing.  Huff had a slash line of .554/.656/1.195 and drove in 49 guys in the two hole for the  Titans.  Huff was drafted in the seventh round to the Texas Rangers and is committed to Grand Canyon University. 
ARKANSAS Harrison Heffley
The highly projectable Razorback commit made a big splash this year both on the mound and with the stick.  Although it looks like his future is more promising on the mound, Heffley was at the top of the 7A batting stats hitting .452 with 42 hits and 21 runs scored.  On the mound he compiled 55 1/3 innings leading his team to a 7-2 record while posting a 2.65 ERA.  On the mound, Heffley has a three-pitch mix with great feel for his curveball.
CALIFORNIA Mickey Moniak
The 2015 Perfect Game All-American is considered to have the best pure hitting tools in the country. Moniak’s top tier speed, hitting and defensive skills landed him as the No. 1 overall pick to the Phillies. This spring, Moniak hit .471 with an on-base percentage well over .500. The power is developing as well driving in 44 runners with six home runs. Moniak can flat out hit and proved to be to at the top of the class in California. 
COLORADO Paul Tillotson
The righthanded flamethrower had an 8-1 record on the mound with 87 strikeouts in only 55 innings ending the season with a 1.02 ERA.  The Nebraska signee has also made a reputation for being tough to get out slashing a line of .562/.678/1.015 in batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage respectively.  His physical strength produces tons of power.  While down at Perfect Game’s Coach Bob National Invitational in Arizona, he took a hanging curveball into the next area code over the left field fence for a grand slam.  
CONNECTICUT Jimmy Titus
Jimmy Titus is an awesome athlete in the field with great arm strength and tools at the dish.  He is hitting .581 on the year with a .652 on base percentage.  He already has six home runs on the season.  The two-way prospect has also impressed on the mound in his eight innings surrendering just one earned run running his fastball up to 90 miles per hour in the past.
DELAWARE Brandon Fraley
The Tulane commit  and 77th overall pick in the MLB draft had a very impressive spring for the Caravel Academy Buccaneers hitting .357 with an on-base percentage of .451. Fraley has a very athletic, projectable frame and showed impressive tools at the 2015 National Showcase that translated into his hitting success this spring. Fraley also contributed on the mound for the Bucs with a 4-0 record, a 0.31 earned run average and 32 strikeouts over 22 1/3 innings. The Middletown native was also named a 2016 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and is currently ranked as the top 2016 prospect in Delaware
FLORIDA Bo Bichette
The Arizona State commit is among the best bats from the state of Florida. Son of four-time MLB All-Star Dante Bichette, Bo is certainly living up to the name slashing an incredible .574/.707/1.424 including 13 home runs, 41 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases in 61 at-bats. Bo displayed outstanding hitting tools throughout the spring with big-time power potential as he continues to mature. Bichette was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays as the 66th overall pick.
GEORGIA Joshua Lowe
Josh Lowe, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior, was hitting .400 with nine homers, 33 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 80 at-bats going into Georgia's AAAAAA quarterfinal opener against South Cobb (Austell). He is also Pope’s closer and has a 1.71 ERA with 28 strikeouts and six saves in 16 1/3 innings pitches. The Florida State commit was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays.
HAWAII Daylen Calicdan
The 5-foot-11 middle infielder had a fantastic season on the island of Hawaii. Daylen tore the cover off the baseball with 13 extra-base hits in 63 at-bats while batting .444. Calicdan had 28 hits on the year while driving in 28 runs as well. Daylen was valuable on the mound as well shutting down opposing hitters with an earned run average of 0.85 and a 3-0 record.
IDAHO Eli Shubert
The Washington State commit is ranked as the top righthanded pitching prospect in Idaho for the 2016 class and backed up that ranking this spring. Eli started 10 games compiling a 4-2 record with a 0.80 earned run average. He also racked up 76 strikeouts, featuring his fastball in the upper-80s to low-90s with a WHIP of 0.82.
ILLINOIS Tyler Fitzgerald
The 2015 Perfect Game All-American and Louisville Cardinal commit put together a stellar 2016 campaign. Tyler flashed exceptional hitting tools and top tier speed throughout the spring. At the plate, Tyler compiled a batting average of .482, driving in 23 runs and scoring 48 runs of his own. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound shortstop also proved to be a terror on the bases, tallying 36 stolen bases over 30 games. Tyler is ranked as the top 2016 shortstop in the state of Illinois and was drafted in the 30th round by the Boston Red Sox.
INDIANA Zack Thompson
The future Kentucky Wildcat may have had one of the most impressive springs throughout the country. Zack, the top ranked lefthander in Indiana, recorded an outstanding 94 strikeouts over 44 2/3 innings in six starts. Over those innings, Zack allowed only seven earned runs (1.10 ERA) to cross the plate. At the plate, he was just as impressive with a .449 batting average, 23 extra-base hits (5 home runs), 28 runs batted in and 30 runs scored. The 6-foot-2 lefthander/outfielder has big upside and will be a great addition for the Wildcats. Thompson was also drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 11th round of the MLB draft.
IOWA Spencer Van Scoyoc
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound lefthander has continued to show why he is one of the top prospects in all of Iowa. The Arizona State commit and 19th round draft pick (Blue Jays) has already been up the 92 mph this spring and still has the frame to support a lot of additional strength. Van Scoyoc posted a 5-1 record for the Cedar Rapids Jefferson J-Hawks with a 0.64 earned run average. He sat down 44 hitters via strikeout over 33 innings while walking only 15. At the plate, Spencer posted a slash line of .407/.500/.670 with 19 extra-base hits and 17 runs batted in. The lefthander is currently ranked as the top prospect in the state of Iowa and was named a 2016 Perfect Game 2nd Team All-American.
KANSAS Riley Pint
When you can throw over 100 mph and hit close to .600 for your team, you are are bound to be one of the most impactful players in the state.  The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Pint packs the stands in each of his outstandings with his electric stuff.  He and the rest of the St. Thomas Aquinas High School team recently clinched his team a 5A state tournament berth.  A big part of that was because of Pint’s on field success showing a 0.50 ERA and striking out 75 opposing hitters in 42 innings pitched. Pint was selected as the fourth overall pick to the Colorado Rockies in the June MLB draft.
KENTUCKY Jaren Shelby
The Lexington native and Kentucky Wildcats commit reminded everyone why he was a Perfect Game All-American this season. Shelby showed excellent raw power throughout the spring, hammering 12 home runs while driving in 34 runs with a .385 batting average. Jaren also had a sensational season on the basepaths   scoring 38 runs and stealing 31 bases on 32 attempts
LOUISIANA Mason Templet
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound infielder swung it well this spring, posting a .455 batting average, hitting nine home runs and driving in 27.  He also had an on base percentage of .571 and an .863 slugging percentage.  He has tons of raw bat speed at the plate and hits the ball hard consistently.  He is committed to attend Louisiana State University in the fall
MARYLAND Nick Pantos
The Maryland commit through 19 games is hitting .413 with five home runs and 26 RBI, and 15 of his 26 hits are for extra-bases.  He currently has a 0.95 ERA on the mound with a 7-0 record.  He has also struck out 58 batters in 36 2/3 innings and has surrendered just five earned runs.  He should make a good addition to the Terps staff come fall.  
MASSACHUSETTS Jake Goodreau
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound catcher shows outstanding strength and hitting tools at the plate with polished defensive skills. Goodreau slashed an impressive .441/.554/.729 with five doubles, four home runs and 33 runs batted in 18 games. The Boston College commit shows plus projection behind the plate and was also named a Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American in 2016.
MICHIGAN Jake Lipetzky
Jake Lipetzky is one of the more under-the-radar players in the state of Michigan but shouldn’t be for long after the year he has had.  Lipetzky has tossed 43 1/3 innings compiling a 4-1 record and a 1.13 ERA.  He has also struck out 72 hitters and given up just 19 hits.  At the plate he also produced, having a slash of .339/.443/.508 with 11 extra-base hits and 21 RBI leading his team to a league championship.
MINNESOTA Nick Hanson
Hanson has made a great name for himself after being drafted in the third round by the Cincinnati Reds.  The 6-foot-6 senior sat down 73 hitters this year in just 50 1/3 innings with an ERA just around 1.00.  Hanson has been known to run his fastball up to 96 miles per hour and throw a power curve that very well could be his best pitch.  On top of all this projection, he is still only 17 years old making him one of the younger prospects in the 2016 class.  Hanson has signed with the University of Kentucky
MISSISSIPPI Thomas Dillard
The Oxford native and Ole Miss commit had an outstanding year sitting at the top of the nation in home runs with 16 while also hitting .438 with 49 RBI.  He has shown tremendous improvement to an already impressive high school hit and power accomplishments.  Dillard and his Oxford High School teammates were able to bring home the state title this year.
MISSOURI Jacob Matheny
The Westminster Christian Academy and Indiana commit has showing plus hitting and defensive tools much like father and former 13-year major leaguer Mike Matheny. Jacob’s bat speed and barrel skills have produced a .414 batting average, 11 home runs and 43 runs batted in this season. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Matheny is currently ranked as the top catching prospect in the state of Missouri.
MONTANA Cade Warren
The 6-foot, 160-pound righthanded pitcher/outfielder put up impressive numbers on both sides of the plate in the state of Montana this year. On the mound, Warren posted a 4-0 record with 41 strikeouts allowing only two earned runs (0.58 ERA) over 24 innings pitched. At the plate the Salt Lake Community College commit slashed .481/.586/1.264 with 10 extra-base hits (2 home runs) and 28 runs batted in. Warren's two-way tools stood out in the state of Montana and should fit nicely for the Salt Lake Bruins next year
NEBRASKA Cole Stobbe
Cole Stobbe, a 2015 PG All-American was a clear standout player in the State of Nebraska and carries one of the better hit tools in the midwest in the 2016 grad class.  The shortstop hit .437 this year with seven doubles, four triples, and 14 home runs.  He is committed to play at the University of Arkansas next season but did hear his name called by the Phillies in the third round of this year's MLB draft.   
NEVADA Nicholas Quintana
Quintana’s name has been floating around the baseball world for years now and has been known for his raw tool set and offensive potential.  He has had a very strong season at the dish hitting 15 home runs and 58 RBI.  Out of his 40 hits on the season, 27 of them are extra-base hits showing just what kind of raw power he’s working with.  A PG All-American last summer, Quintana is committed to the University of Arizona and was selected in the 11th round by the Boston Red Sox.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Grant Lavigne
The now listed 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore is the guy in the lineup that everyone fears each time he steps up to the plate.  He was a first team all state selection as a freshman and looks as though he should continue on that pace with impressive offensive numbers.  The Wake Forest Commit out of Bedford, New Hampshire has all the makings to be a great player in the Northeast for years to come.
NEW JERSEY Gianluca Dalatri
Dalatri won his final 30 decisions of his career, dating back to the start of the 2014 season. He posted a 10-0 record this season with a 0.42 earned run average. In 67 innings, Dalatri struck out 118 batters while walking only four, building a ridiculous 29.5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He also only allowed only 33 hits over those 67 innings pitched as well. Luca was recently selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 40th round of the MLB draft.
NEW MEXICO Nathaniel Garley
Nathaniel was dominate at the plate and on the mound in the state of New Mexico. The 2016 grad posted a slash of .500/.588/.963 including 20 extra-base hits, eight of which were home runs with 30 runs batted in for the Eldorado Eagles. Nathaniel has a very projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 225-pound while posting a 7-1 record in 10 starts with a 1.45 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 58 innings pitched on the mound.
NEW YORK Daniel Bakst
Daniel Bakst is hitting .441 with a .545 on-base percentage this season through May 16 and has gotten on base in all but one of his games this season.  On top of that, his team hasn’t lost since the first game of the season and since has been allowing less than one run a game.  Bakst leads the Poly Prep County Day Blue Devils in runs, hits, and RBI.  The infielder is committed to play baseball at Stanford this fall and was drafted in the 27th round by the Baltimore Orioles.
NORTH CAROLINA Bryse Wilson
Bryse Wilson had a stellar year on the mound going 10-2 with a 0.75 ERA.  He threw 11 complete games, two of which were no hitters.  In the 84 total innings he threw, he was able to strike out an incredible 133 batters.  Wilson has really come on the radars strong over the past few months and was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round in this year's draft.  He is signed to play for the Tar Heels this upcoming fall
NORTH DAKOTA Dalton Feeney
Feeney stands 6-foot-3, 210-pounds and is by all accounts one of the most athletic pitchers in the 2016 grad class being a three-sport standout.  Feeney has been known to run his fastball up to 96 mph with a sharp breaking curveball that could be playing for Mizzou next spring after being taken in the 40th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
OHIO Christopher Machamer
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Machamer has great stuff on the mound featuring a fastball in the low- to mid-90s. The Kentucky Wildcat commit overwhelmed the competition in Ohio this spring posting a record of 5-1 with a 0.19 earned run average over 36 1/3 innings pitched. Machamer also produced 60 strikeouts over those 36 plus innings of work. Machamer made an impact at the plate as well for the Washington Tigers hitting .523 with an on-base percentage of .644. He was also named a 2016 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American, and is the top 2016 righthanded pitching prospect in the state of Ohio.
OKLAHOMA Conner Uselton
Uselton is currently one of the highest ranked players in the high school 2017 class and has put up impressive numbers this year hitting nine home runs with a .514 batting average and a .615 on base percentage. He has also drove in 39 runers while scoring 41 runs.  
OREGON Mitchell Verburg
The Oregon State commit has been getting tons of attention with how projectable he is and how dominant he's been with just a two-pitch mix.  Verburg tossed 47 1/3 innings showing a 4-1 record on the hill with a 0.59 ERA with 54 strikeouts.  
PENNSYLVANIA Nolan Jones
Jones has really come on the national scene strong since the 2015 National Showcase, Perfect Game All-American Classic and especially the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Florida.  His fluid swing and recent physical growth have made him an attractive asset and was recently selected by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the MLB draft.  The Virginia commit hit a ridiculous .636 so this season with five home runs and and 26 runs scored.
SOUTH CAROLINA Thomas Jones
Jones, a Vanderbilt commit, is a tremendous athlete with a large physical presence at the plate with plus hitting tools. Jones hit .420 with five home runs, 38 runs scored and 19 runs batted in. Not only does Jones hit, he runs, and runs very well. Jones recorded 16 stolen bases this spring thanks to his top shelf speed and instincts. He represents South Carolina as the top 2016 prospect and was also selected as a 2016 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American. Jones was drafted in the third round by the Miami Marlins this June.
SOUTH DAKOTA Nolan Burchill
The Sioux Falls native and Minnesota Gopher commit has led his team on the mound this year with five wins in five starts allowing only two earned runs (0.44 era) while striking out 45 batters in 32 innings pitched. Nolan also threw a complete game no hitter in the South Dakota Regional Championship to send Lincoln High School to the state playoffs
TENNESSEE Zach Linginfelter
The Tennessee Volunteer commit had a tremendous spring on the mound and at the plate. Zach was 7-2 with a 1.60 earned run average in 56 innings. Zach also recorded 113 strikeouts featuring a fastball in the mid-90s. Offensively, he was a core piece of the Sevier County line up raking in 17 doubles, one triple and nine home runs while hitting for a .455 batting average and 51 RBI. Zach was also recently named IMAC District 2 AAA player of the year, was an All-Tournament selection and a Tennessee Mr. Baseball award finalist. Linginfelter was taken in the 16th round by the New York Yankees in the MLB draft this June.
TEXAS Kyle Muller
Muller would make a case for having the best high school season over anyone on this list after posting an 8-0 record surrendering just one earned run in 60 innings.  He also struck out 115 batters, 36 of them in a row at one point.  Muller sits in the 93-94 mph range, up from his previous upper-80s to low-90s fastball.  He also swung the bat well hitting .412 with 15 home runs. Muller was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the MLB draft and was also named the Perfect Game/Rawlings National Player of the Year.
UTAH Payton Henry
The Brigham Young commit proved to be a large power threat for the Pleasant Grove Vikings collecting 13 extra-bases hits, seven of which were home runs, and 31 runs batted in. Payton slashed a remarkable .519/.682/1.038 with a 1.720 OPS in 2016 and also proved to be an effective arm out of the bullpen with two saves, 33 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.91 over 21 2/3 innings. Henry was drafted by the Brewers in the sixth round of the MLB draft.
VIRGINIA Khalil Lee
The Perfect Game All-American had a 7-0 record on the mound in 43 innings pitched with a 0.33 ERA and striking out an exceptional 87 batters.  At the plate he hit .471 with six home runs.  He is committed to play at Liberty next season and has tremendous upside as a two-way guy. Lee was recently selected as a third round pick by the Dodgers in the MLB Draft.
WASHINGTON Christian Jones
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound first baseman dominated the state of Washington this spring posting a .446 batting average with five home runs and 23 runs batted in. The top ranked Washington prospect and 2016 Perfect Game 2nd Team All-American is a Washington Huskies commit and should be a powerful lefthanded bat in the Huskies lineup. Jones was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 31st round of the MLB Draft.
WEST VIRGINIA Paul Witt
The VCU commit hammered West Virginia pitching all spring, batting .505 with 33 runs batted in and 19 extra-base hits in 36 games. Witt also scored 54 runs of his own and finished with a .581 on-base percentage. Paul’s hitting tools and defensive ability at shortstop also earned the 2016 grad a West Virginia First Team All-State Selection.
WISCONSIN Gavin Lux
The 2016 Perfect Game All-American and Arizona State commit had a stellar spring for the Indian Trail Hawks. Gavin posted a slash of .545/.659/1.030 with six home runs, 23 runs batted in and 34 runs scored leading his team to a No. 1 ranking in Wisconsin. Lux was the 20th overall pick in the first round, selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers.