The Kansas high school season is nearing quickly, and we're here to cover it. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2023 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Kansas Preseason Power 20 Rankings.

We’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

 

Team: Washburn Rural Junior Blues
League: Centennial League
2022 Record: 19-6
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Jay Mastin
Years at the Helm: 10

OUTLOOK

The strength of Washburn Rural will lie in the experience they bring back to the field this season. Even with a high number of returners, Rural will need to replace a small, but very talented and productive senior class from last season. Coach Mastin is looking forward to seeing how their returning players and newcomers respond.

 

IMPACT PLAYERS

Kyle Walker IF, JR (Barton County Commit)
.474, 37H, 0 HR, 15 RBI, 11 SB, 41 R
Sam Bettis P, SO 6-5, 205, RHP (Kansas State Commit)
3.635 ERA, 1-0. 18Ks, 17.1 IP
Max Bettis P, SO, 6-5, 200, RHP (Kansas State Commit)
6.300 ERA, 2-1, 18 K, 13.1 IP
Zach Sharshel P, SR, 6-3, 185, RHP (Cloud County Commit)
3.769 ERA, 3-2, 35 K, 26 IP

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ty Weber: 1B, SR
.447, 17H, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 19R
Colin Redeker: OF/P, JR
.373, 25H, 21 RBI, 8 SB, 24 R, 3.88 ERA, 1-0
Adam Johnson: C, SR
.342, 13H, 10 RBI,
Dayten Smoot: IF, SR
.282, 20 H, 12 RBI, 29 R, 4 SB
Kaleb Wellshear: P/IF, SR
.273, 12H, 12 RBI, 15 R, 2 SB, 3.00 ERA, 3-0, 29K, 16.1 IP

 

Make sure to follow @PBRKansas on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.

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