Prep Baseball Report

KSHSAA Team Preview: Blue Valley Southwest


Andy Urban
KS/OK/MO/AR/Creekside Scouting Supervisor

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: Blue Valley Southwest Timberwolves
League: EKL

2022 Record: 19-6 EKL and 5A State Champions
Classification: 5A 
Head Coach: Tyler Kincaid (National High School Coach of the Year)
Years at the Helm: 4

OUTLOOK

The Blue Valley Southwest Timberwolves will look to make it three 5A state championships in a row and they are built to do it. The Timberwolves will rely on a dynamic offense that will be able to score in a number of ways including with power, speed, and the short game. Only two of their projected starters are not advanced runners. Along with a well rounded offense, BVSW returns the core of their defense and will be especially strong up the middle. If the Timberwolves did have an area of concern, it would be pitching depth. Their top 2-3 arms will be just as good as years past, which is to say, as good as any in the country, but how the rest of the staff steps up this year could be the difference in the end.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Bo Shinkle, OF, 2023
PBR Notes: Not many players had a more impressive state tournament performance than the Kent State commit did last year for BVNW. The left-handed hitter shows off a sweet swing with high baseball IQ and speed to do damage on the basepaths and patrol a large portion of the outfield. 

Anson Seibert, RHP, 2024
PBR Notes: Currently the 3rd ranked RHP in the country, an easy argument could be made that Seibert could fill the top spot. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has been into the mid 90s, holds velo, throws consistent strikes, and spins a breaking ball with serious depth. Currently committed to Tennessee, Seirbert will have options when his draft day comes, but in the mean time, he will lead the Timberwolves pitching staff. 

TJ Coats, 3B/DH/RHP, 2023
PBR Notes: A two way-prospect that has made a huge jump on the mound, Coats will impact both sides of the ball consistently for BVSW. The Johnson County commit was up into the upper 80s with regularity at the end of the fall. Offensively, the right-handed hitter shows advanced pop at the plate making him a dangerous middle of the order bat.

Mason Pangborn, SS, 2024
PBR Notes: Though more than capable left-handed hitter with projection left, Wichita State commit's calling card is what he can do with his glove. The slick fielding short stop will anchor the Timberwolf defensed this spring as not only one of the better SS in the state, but in entire region. 

Jackson Bell, 1B/3B, 2023
PBR Notes: A physical right-handed bat that just committed to Illinois State, Bell is a extra base threat each and every time he enters the box. 

Seth Dandridge, OF, 2023
PBR Notes: The Cowley County commit simply has a knack for finding barrel thanks to a simple and compact swing that will continue to play at the next level. Dandridge adds yet another dangerous left-handed bat in this Timberwolves lineup. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brody Shinkle, 2B, 2025
PBR Notes: Another talented Shinkle brother will likely see time for BVSW this spring. Brody is a quality defender in the middle infield with quick hands and feet. Offensively, the right-handed hitter handles the barrel well and has some sneaky juice. 

Max Flowers, OF, 2025
PBR Notes: On of the top young hitters in the state, Flowers shows advanced polish to his left-handed swing with and plenty or room to add size and strength on his frame. 

Gage Ilges, OF, 2024
PBR Notes: Ilges is an all around athlete that will effect the game on both sides of the ball. The right-handed hitter has always shown a short and compact swing and with added size and strength, he could be poised to make a big impact this spring. 

Will Clark, INF, 2023
PBR Notes: The right-handed hitting corner infielder could add leadership and another right-handed bat to the lineup against lefties. Clark recently committed to North Iowa Area CC

Tanner Giltner, RHP, 2023
PBR Notes: The Kansas City Kansas County commit made a jump this fall and could end up being major contributor and difference maker on the mound this spring as he continues to attack the zone with an upper 80s fastball.  

 

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

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