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. 16-20 in our Preseason Power 25.

16. Male
Pitching will be a strength  for the Bulldogs this year led by a duo of seniors in Noah Thompson (Lipscomb) and Jack Cameron (Wabash Valley JC). Thompson is one of the top lefties in the 2017 class while Cameron exploded this winter when he showed a fastball that topped in the high-80’s. Add senior RHP Jared Leuthart (Transy) and LHP Hogan Brownley and you have a deep staff that will take the mound this spring. Male’s lineup could be loaded with left-handed hitters as Thompson, Cameron, Brownley, and a pair of juniors, Dylan Wilson and Tristin Garcia all swing it well from the left side. If junior OF John Ullom is healthy following an offseason injury, he will provide some needed pop from the right side.

17. Tates Creek
Gone is the bat of Jaren Shelby, but this team returns plenty of offensive firepower from last year’s 26-7 campaign with three impressive sophomores leading the charge. Look for C Colin Burgess, MIF/OF Noah Blythe, and 1B/RHP Blayne Deaton to have big years for the Commodores. The question mark, and ultimately the success of this team will lie on how much pitching they get. Evan Hall (Transy) looks to lead a staff that will include Blythe and Deaton, and also Cameron Workman, Caleb Neal and Kyle Sherman.

18. Central Hardin
The Bruins lost a lot from last year’s 33-6 squad, but the sophomore class in particular is strong and looks to carry on the program’s winning ways. Catcher Tyler Wood is one of the top players in Kentucky’s 2019 class and provides big power at the plate. Another pair of sophomores, 3B/RHP Dillon Bland and SS Austin Heideman should contribute heavily, and freshman LHP/1B Cooper Jones (Kentucky commit) will be counted on both on the mound and at the plate. Senior side-arm RHP Blake Wheeler returns on the mound for the Bruins.

19. Madison Central
The Indians lost quite a bit to graduation from last year’s 29-7 squad, but there are still some key pieces returning, and the pipeline of good, young players continues in Richmond. Junior RHP Jacob Ferris (Eastern Kentucky Univ) should lead the pitching staff which should see big contributions from senior RHP McKinley Sewell, junior RHP Keegan Naugle, and sophomore RHP Devin Ecklar. Junior OF Trey Eden returns to lead a lineup that could include several talented underclassmen in sophomores Ben Snapp and Cayden Shaver and junior Matt McQuain. Look for senior Logan Black to also provide some punch from the left side of the plate.

20. Elizabethtown
The Panthers went 28-13 last spring and found themselves fifth region champions for the third consecutive year. Hunter Sullivan has moved on to Louisville, and his bat will certainly be tough to replace in the lineup along with the loss of Jack Wilson. Look for seniors Matthew Coolidge and Benjamin Godfrey to lead an offense that will include one of the top players in the 2019 class in C Jackson Webb (Eastern Kentucky commit). Junior RHP Aaron Burden returns to anchor the pitching staff.