Oregon high school baseball players to watch: 50 names to know in 2024
The Oregon high school baseball season got underway this month. Here are 50 of the state's top stars entering 2024.
Note: There are hundreds of standout baseball players in Oregon this season, and this is not meant to be a "top 50" list. Feel free to let us know about some of the other players you're expecting to star in the months ahead.
Ryan VandenBrink (West Linn) photo by Leon Neuschwander
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OF Adam Elliott, Thurston, senior
As a junior, Elliott was a first-team all-state selection who helped lead the Colts to their first state championship in the past 14 seasons. The speedster manned center field and batted .465 with 19 stolen bases, 41 runs and 18 RBIs.
P/SS Alex Via, Summit, junior
The University of Portland commit has been one of the state’s top class of 2025 prospects since bursting on the scene for the Storm as a freshman. Last season, the right-hander went 8-1 with an 0.87 ERA, striking out 77 and walking 13 in 56⅓ innings while allowing opponents to hit .188. He batted .389 in 20 plate appearances. “Alex has been a dominant pitcher in his first two seasons, and we expect him to continue to lead us on the mound,” said Summit assistant coach Justin Huckins.
1B/P Alexander Pearson, Tigard, junior
Pearson has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Tigers, playing first base and right field and occasionally pitching. The University of Washington commit, who batted .304 with 12 RBIs as a sophomore, is the No. 1 first base prospect (No. 9 overall) among juniors in the state according to Baseball Northwest. “Alex has been a cornerstone of this program since he arrived his freshman year,” Tigard coach James Leach said. “Last year, Alex contributed on and off the field as a leader and demonstrated a high baseball IQ.”
P Blake Crawford, West Linn, senior
Crawford made only seven appearances (two starts) for the two-time defending 6A state champion Lions last year, stuck behind three Division I prospects, but he flashed the talent (2-0, three saves, 1.29 ERA, 29 strikeouts in 16⅓ innings) that drew the attention of the University of Oregon, where the lefty will pitch next year. “Blake has been a quiet but hard-working athlete his entire career,” West Linn coach Joe Monahan said. “He really blossomed in the second half of last year, and his future this year and beyond is very bright.”
OF Cade Gehlen, Central Catholic, senior
Gehlen stars in two sports for the Rams as an all-state safety for the 6A state football champion and a University of Portland commit in center field for the baseball program. Last year, he batted .377 (1.042 OPS) in the leadoff spot, scoring 38 runs, stealing 21 bases and driving in 12 runs. He made the all-Mt. Hood Conference first team for the third time. “His leadership on and off the field has been a cornerstone of the culture we’ve tried to build this program around,” Central Catholic coach Justin Barchus said. “He’s a run generator for us and plays great defense in center field.”
P/OF Caden Kuhnert, Hidden Valley, junior
Kuhnert made the 4A all-state first team last spring after leading the Mustangs to the state playoffs, hitting .461 (1.168 OPS) with 10 doubles, 20 RBIs, 25 runs and nine stolen bases. He went 4-1 on the mound with a 1.67 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 29⅓ innings. “Caden has had a tremendous impact on our program,” Hidden Valley coach Justin Spinner said. “He is always the first to practice and last to leave, is always first in line for drills, and always giving his all.”
P Carter Nelson, South Salem, senior
Nelson, an honorable mention 6A all-state selection as a junior, is on pace to break the school record for innings pitched for the Saxons. The righty committed to the University of Oregon after a junior season in which he went 7-1 with a 2.77 ERA, striking out 62 and walking 34 in 53 innings. “He can both pitch to contact and strike out opposing hitters,” South Salem coach Jesse Price said. “He will be pivotal in the success of our season.”
P/OF Chase Garland, West Salem, junior
The right-hander made the all-Central Valley Conference team as an outfielder last season, but his future is on the mound, where the University of Oregon commit (the state’s No. 8 prospect in the class of 2025 according to Baseball Northwest) regularly hits 88 miles per hour on the radar gun, maxing out at 91.
3B/P Cole Katayama-Stall, Westview, senior
Katayama-Stall helped lead the Wildcats to the 6A state playoffs last spring, earning second-team all-state honors as an infielder after batting .405 with three home runs, 13 doubles, four triples, 29 RBIs and 18 runs. The University of Portland commit went 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA on the mound, striking out 62 and walking 24 in 53⅓ innings. “Cole will be the leader of our pitching staff and a key component of our offense,” Westview coach Matt Bailie said. “He brings quiet leadership to our team.”
P/1B Connor Molony, Thurston, junior
The right-hander doesn’t cut an imposing figure on the mound at 6-1, 175 pounds, but he garnered 5A pitcher of the year and SBLive Oregon first-team all-state honors last season and pitched a complete-game four-hitter in the OSAA state final to defeat West Albany and deliver the Colts their second title. The University of Oregon commit finished the season 11-0 with a 1.02 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 68⅓ innings. He batted .456 with 10 doubles, a home run and 26 RBIs.
OF Danny Wideman, West Linn, junior
After a breakthrough season on the gridiron to help West Linn reach the 6A state semifinals, Wideman will look to continue his ascent on the diamond, where he was a second-team SBLive Oregon all-state pick last year (.447, 22 RBIs, 31 runs, seven stolen bases) as the Lions won a second consecutive title. He’ll move from right field to center this season and fill in at second and third base. “Danny has been a strong vocal leader even as an underclassman,” West Linn coach Joe Monahan said. “He fears no pitcher. He believes in himself and also has a great personality and ability to keep the team loose, even in pressure moments.”
P/3B Drew Beachy, Wallowa Valley, senior
Beachy was a 3A first-team all-state selection last year for the Eagles — comprised of Joseph (which he attends), Enterprise and Wallowa — going 8-2 with a 1.90 ERA, striking out 89 in 52⅔ innings and allowing just a .153 batting average to help the team win its first outright league title. Wallowa Valley coach Zack Grover said Beachy worked in the offseason on his command and improving his mental approach. “Being able to read a batter, learn from past at-bats, and always trying to keep the hitter off-balance,” Grover said. “It’s always great to have senior leadership and experience.”
3B/P Eli Crist, Thurston, senior
Crist played alongside 5A co-player of the year Maddox Molony in the infield last season, earning first-team all-state honors after hitting .358 with three home runs, 12 doubles and 38 RBIs for the state champion Colts. He was a workhorse in the bullpen, going 4-1 with four saves.
2B/SS Ervin Dorsett III, Tualatin, senior
Dorsett moved up the recruiting rankings over the summer (No. 20 in Oregon according to Baseball Northwest) thanks to a smooth glove in the middle of the diamond and an improving bat — the Sacramento State commit hit .280 (.725 OPS) with five doubles and 17 runs last season. “Ervin truly loves the game of baseball,” Timberwolves coach Jake Austin said. “He thinks about the game 365 days a year. He models consistency every day for the players and coaches in the program. Because of this, he has the respect of his teammates and coaches.”
3B Ethan Matsuoka, Tualatin, senior
Matsuoka, like his infield mate Dorsett, made big strides over the summer to shoot up the recruiting rankings — Baseball Northwest has him No. 1 among third base prospects in the state and No. 15 overall. The University of Portland commit drove in 13 runs and scored 10 during his junior season and will be a four-year starter for the Timberwolves. “He is a very unselfish player who always puts the team ahead of himself,” Tualatin coach Jake Austin said. “We also rely on him as our vocal leader on the field, quarterbacking our defense.”
P Evan Rhoden, South Medford, junior
Rhoden was a first-team 5A all-state selection last year for Ashland, where he was 8-3 with a 1.58 ERA, striking out 82 and walking 19 in 70⅔ innings. He transferred to South Medford, which reached the second round of the 6A playoffs, over the summer.
P/IF Finn Edwards, Summit, senior
Edwards shot up the recruiting rankings last summer (No. 2 on Baseball Northwest’s state rankings; No. 5 on Prep Baseball Report), when the 6-foot-6, 210-pounder threw consistently in the low 90s, getting up to 93 mph, and received a scholarship with Oregon State. He struck out 30 and allowed just a .150 opponent batting average in 18 innings for the Storm last season.
P/3B Fischer Barber, Bend, junior
Barber is all about potential at the moment as he harnesses the ability that earned him an offer from Oregon State over the summer and moved him to No. 7 in Baseball Northwest’s class of 2025 state rankings. He went 0-1 with an 8.50 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 14 innings last year. “Fischer is a great Lava Bear and has brought an enthusiastic attitude and attention to detail,” Bend coach Quinn Clair said. “He treats the little things like big things, cares about baseball and is a sponge when it comes to feedback.”
SS/P Frankie Rutigilano, North Medford, senior
Rutigliano is a four-year starter for the Black Tornado who last spring led them to the 6A state semifinals for the first time since their 2014 championship season. The University of Portland commit and first-team all-state selection batted .407 (1.045 OPS) with 15 doubles, 25 RBIs, 19 runs and 10 stolen bases. He went 3-2 with a 4.20 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 28⅓ innings. “Frankie is a student of the game and sets the tone for our team,” North Medford coach Kerry Curtis said. “We are looking forward to his final season with us and expect great things from him this season and in the future at UP.”
P Gabe Howard, West Linn, senior
Howard was a co-ace with Drake Gabel for last year’s 6A state champions, earning SBLive Oregon second-team all-state honors after going 9-0 with three shutouts, a save, a 1.48 ERA, 78 strikeouts and 14 walks in 56⅔ innings. The University of Oregon signee is the state’s top prospect according to Baseball Northwest and No. 2 in Prep Baseball Report’s state rankings. “Gabe is a fierce competitor who works year-round to get bigger, better and stronger,” Lions coach Joe Monahan said.
P/1B Gavin Derr, Mountain View, senior
The left-hander committed to Washington State over the summer, rising to No. 5 on Baseball Northwest’s state rankings and No. 8 on Prep Baseball Report, which raved about his “elastic arm” and “combination of present arm talent with remaining upside.” As a junior, he was 3-1 with a 6.86 ERA, 35 strikeouts and 24 walks in 16⅓ innings. He batted .286 with a home run and 12 RBIs.
P/IF Grady Saunders, Thurston, sophomore
Saunders had a fabulous freshman season for the 5A state champion Colts on the mound (9-0, 1.74 ERA, 84 strikeouts in 60⅓ innings) and at the plate (.455, 10 doubles, four triples, 35 RBIs). He has committed to Oregon State and is No. 2 in Baseball Northwest’s state class of 2026 rankings.
OF/3B Griffen Mucken, Blanchet Catholic, senior
Mucken will anchor the lineup for the reigning 2A/1A runner-up Cavaliers this spring after hitting .385 (.556 OBP) with 21 RBIs and 13 stolen bases as a junior, earning the team’s Most Improved Player award and receiving first-team all-state honors. “Griffen had a breakout year last season,” Blanchet Catholic coach David Winstead said. “He is all about 100% hustle in games and practices, and he pushed others to do the same. He is a natural leader and has high expectations of himself and others.”
P/1B Griffin Scott, Ida B. Wells, senior
Scott was a PIL co-pitcher of the year and a 6A all-state honorable mention selection last season, when he went 5-1 with a save, striking out 66 and walking 32 in 42 innings with a 2.00 ERA and .168 opponent batting average. The University of Utah signee batted .324 (.484 OBP) in the leadoff spot, scoring 21 runs, walking 19 times and stealing 14 bases.
C/P Isaac Pfeifer, Tualatin, junior
Pfeifer is one of the top catching prospects in the state, climbing to No. 3 on Prep Baseball Report’s class of 2025 state rankings and No. 4 in Baseball Northwest after a junior season in which the Arizona State commit batted .391 (1.124 OPS) with four homers, 14 RBIs and 23 runs. “He brings an unmatched energy and enthusiasm to practices and games,” Timberwolves coach Jake Austin said of the three-year starter. “I haven’t been around a player who loves to compete as much as he does.”
P Jaxson Bowen, Sherwood, senior
Bowen is a swingman on the Bowmen’s staff, working as a No. 3 starter in a series or as their main reliever out of the bullpen. Last year, he went 5-2 with a save and an 0.18 ERA, striking out 41 and walking eight in 38⅓ innings. He’ll pitch at Centralia College next season. “Jaxson was a tremendous surprise for us last year and has only gotten better in the offseason,” Sherwood coach Nathan Hickok said. “He’s going to lock down several big games for us throughout the year. He’s a force out of the bullpen.”
SS Joe Fagan, Scappoose, junior
As a sophomore, Fagan was a 4A co-player of the year in leading Scappoose to its first state title since 2015, hitting .408 with two home runs, 19 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and 28 runs. In 76 at-bats, the University of Portland commit struck out only five times.
P/1B Jonah Barkoff, Lake Oswego, senior
The Lakers ace had almost a perfect season for a 6A semifinalist as a junior, going 11-0 with an 0.90 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 38 hits allowed and 11 walks (0.70 WHIP) in 69⅔ innings. The lefty will pitch at the University of Oregon next year. “Jonah is one of the best pitchers ever at Lake Oswego with a very high pitching IQ,” Lakers coach Jake Anders said. “He is as competitive as anyone out there, and we look forward to him leading us this year.”
P/3B Justin Schramm, Wilsonville, senior
Schramm was a first-team 5A all-state pitcher as a sophomore and a first-team all-state infielder last season, when the Colorado State Mesa commit batted .391 with 17 RBIs, 18 runs and 11 stolen bases and went 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 23 walks in 44⅔ innings.
CF/P Kainoa Santiago, Jesuit, junior
Santiago is the only regular from the Crusaders lineup to return this season as they look to return to the 6A state final. The Gonzaga commit batted .286 with a .408 on-base percentage and 13 runs last year. “He will be a big contributor on offense,” Jesuit assistant coach Jeffrey Jensen said.
1B/P Kayle Pisano, Clackamas, senior
Pisano was a potent bat in the middle of the Cavaliers lineup last season, when he hit .397 (1.233 OPS) with nine doubles, four home runs and 22 RBIs. The University of Oregon commit and 4.0 student has been “an absolute pleasure to coach,” Clackamas coach JJ Winkle said. “One of the hardest-working athletes I have ever been around. He works extremely hard in the classroom as well.”
2B Kiyoshi Kiyokawa, Barlow, junior
Kiyokawa earned second-team 6A all-state honors last season, helping the Bruins reach the second round of the state playoffs for the first time since 2010 by hitting .438 (1.191 OPS) with eight doubles, six triples, 21 RBIs, 32 runs and 20 stolen bases. “Kiyo helps set the tone for our team,” Barlow coach Brady Burdick said.
P Luke Haener, Wilsonville, senior
Last year’s NWOC pitcher of the year and a first-team 5A all-state selection went 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA during the regular season, striking out 31 and walking just four batters in 31 innings. He has signed with Regis University.
2B Maddox Montoya, Sunset, senior
Montoya, a second-team 6A all-state selection a year ago, forms one of the top double-play combinations in the state with shortstop Max Ellerbrook. Montoya batted .412 last year (.830 slugging) with 29 RBIs and a .961 fielding percentage. “Maddox hits for both power and average and will be a tough out for pitchers this year,” Apollos coach John Barnes said.
SS/P Marcos Ulla-Ford, Mazama, senior
Ulla-Ford was the Skyline Conference player of the year and a first-team 4A all-state selection for the Vikings as a junior, hitting .410 with a 1.069 OPS and striking out 68 in 44 innings with a 2.39 ERA. “Marcos has been a leader for our program the last two seasons,” Mazama coach Michael Edwards said. “He is a hard-working, dependable student-athlete that is always wanting to improve his skills along with the players around him.”
P/OF Matt Kosderka, Sandy, senior
Kosderka was one of the most dominant pitchers in 6A last season, tossing three no-hitters (including two in a row in early May) in earning Mt. Hood Conference pitcher of the year and second-team all-state honors. He struck out 91 and walked 25 in 63⅓ innings with a 1.41 ERA, and he batted .392 (1.087 OPS) with 16 stolen bases, walking 19 times and striking out just seven times in 98 plate appearances.
P Mickey McClaskey, Jesuit, senior
The Crusaders have produced two MLB Top 100 prospects in the past four years — Mick Abel (No. 49 with the Phillies) and Noble Meyer (No. 57 with the Marlins). They graduated Meyer and 6A all-state right-hander Ty Alleman from the staff that led Jesuit to the 2023 state final. McClaskey (1.23 ERA in spot duty as a junior), a La Verne University commit, becomes the staff ace this season and is the state’s No. 17 prospect according to Baseball Northwest.
SS/OF Nigel Fahland, Sherwood, senior
Fahland was a second-team 6A all-state selection last season as a utility player who primarily mans shortstop and leads off the Bowmen lineup. He filled up the scorebook as a junior, hitting .407 (1.102 OPS) with eight doubles, four triples, 18 RBIs, 18 walks, 29 runs and nine stolen bases. “Nigel sets the tone for our offense and plays lockdown defense at short,” Sherwood coach Nathan Hickok said. “He’s going to have an incredible year this year.”
CF/P Noah Scharer, South Salem, junior
Scharer has been a starter since Day 1 with the Saxons, helping them win a share of the Central Valley Conference title last spring by hitting .435 (1.212 OPS) with two home runs, nine doubles, 20 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and 45 runs in earning second-team 6A all-state honors. He went 3-1 with a save and a 1.56 ERA in nine relief appearances on the mound. “He’s everything you’re looking for in terms of culture-building, work ethic and talent,” South Salem coach Jesse Price said.
OF/P Nolan Miller, Sheldon, senior
Miller joined Scharer on the 6A all-state second team as an outfielder last season, when he batted .363 with nine doubles, three triples, two home runs and 27 RBIs for the Irish. He went 5-5 on the mound, striking out 75 batters. He signed with the University of Portland as a pitcher and outfielder. “Nolan has meant a lot to the program,” Sheldon coach Brian Vogel said. “He is an incredibly hard worker with a high baseball IQ who loves just being around the yard.”
P/IF Nolan Umlandt, Sherwood, senior
Umlandt will join Miller next season as part of the Pilots pitching staff. As a junior, he was 10-0 with an 0.78 ERA, 99 strikeouts and 13 walks in 54 innings. He also will spend time playing shortstop and first base this spring after hitting .457 (1.244 OPS) with 22 doubles, 25 runs, 17 RBIs and seven stolen bases last year. “Nolan has made a tremendous impact on our program over the past four years,” Bowmen coach Nathan Hickok said. “He’s our leader on and off the field and sets the tone with his play.”
P/OF Quin Dufort, Ida B. Wells, senior
Dufort followed a sophomore season in which he won PIL pitcher of the year honors by going 5-3 with a save, a 2.37 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 44⅓ innings. He made the all-PIL first team in the outfield (.333, 21 RBIs, 20 runs, 12 stolen bases). He is another member of the University of Portland’s strong in-state recruiting class.
P/1B River Hamilton, Barlow, junior
Hamilton last season gave Bruins fans a glimpse of the talent that made him Prep Baseball Report’s No. 1 in-state recruit in the class of 2025, going 2-0 in five May appearances, including a dominant start in a first-round 6A playoff victory over Lakeridge in which he allowed just three hits and struck out nine. In 19 innings, he struck out 36, walked six and did not allow an earned run (0.58 WHIP). He batted .403 (1.089 OPS) with eight doubles, four triples, 22 RBIs, 20 runs and nine stolen bases. “(River’s) work ethic and talent encouraged the work and development of other players on our team,” Barlow coach Brady Burdick said.
C Ryan VandenBrink, West Linn, senior
VandenBrink has been the backbone of the Lions’ back-to-back 6A state championships, with the Oregon State commit making the SBLive Oregon all-state first team after hitting .434 (.521 OBP) with eight doubles, six home runs, 35 RBIs and 19 runs as a junior. “Ryan has been a leader here for all four years,” West Linn coach Joe Monahan said. “He is a coach on and off the field and leads by example. He is a complete winner in the game of life.”
SS Sawyer Nelson, South Salem, sophomore
Nelson is part of the Saxons’ young core that has them well-positioned to contend for their first state title since 1991. The University of Washington commit batted .292 with a .495 on-base percentage, 25 runs, 13 RBIs and 12 stolen bases as a freshman. South Salem coach Jesse Price called him “a smooth defender up the middle of the field with great awareness of the strike zone at the plate. He can reach base a number of different ways and, once aboard, has the ability to wreak havoc.”
CF/P Slater DeBrun, Summit, junior
DeBrun has locked down the center field job with the Storm as one of the state’s top prospects in the class of 2025 (No. 2 by Prep Baseball Report, No. 3 by Baseball Northwest). The Vanderbilt commit was a first-team 5A all-state pick last season, when he batted .425 (.538 OBP), scoring 30 runs and stealing 19 bases in 91 plate appearances. “Slater leads by example on the field and plays the game with the highest intensity,” Summit assistant coach Justin Huckins said.
C Teagan Scott, South Salem, sophomore
Scott is the state’s consensus top prospect in the class of 2026 after a banner freshman season in which he made the 6A all-state second team after hitting .393 (1.037 OPS) with nine doubles, 31 RBIs and 17 runs. The Oregon State commit stole six bases and had a .984 fielding percentage, picking off three runners and throwing out five trying to steal. “He calls pitches for our staff, controls the running game and hits extremely well in the middle of the lineup,” Saxons coach Jesse Price said.
C Troy Osborne, Grants Pass, senior
Osborne committed to Sacramento State as a sophomore and made the 6A all-state team each of the past two seasons — including the first team last spring, when he was named Southwest Conference player of the year.
SS Will Goodman, Bend, junior
Goodman earned 5A all-state honorable mention and an offer from the University of Washington after a sophomore season in which he won the leadoff job for the Lava Bears, hitting .300 with nine RBIs, eight stolen bases and 23 runs. “Will is a smooth infielder who has a consistent stick at the plate,” Bend coach Quinn Clair said. “We’re looking forward to him having a big year this year. He is one of the hardest workers we have had in our program.”
IF/P Wyatt Hesselman, Banks, senior
Hesselman was a first-team 3A all-state selection as an infielder last season, when he batted .493 with 34 RBIs. He also was a co-ace of the Banks staff, pitching a three-hit shutout with nine strikeouts in the state championship game against Cascade Christian and finishing the season 7-2 with a 1.44 ERA.
