Finally, after what seems like an eternity, high school baseball is upon us in the Bluegrass State as scrimmages have been in full force in preparation for the March 29 regular season start. Thus, the time has come for us to release our Preseason Power 25.

In 2019, the last season played in Kentucky, 3 of the 4 teams that made the State Final Four were ranked in the top 6 in our preseason Power 25 that year.

Yesterday we released No. 21-25 in our preseason rankings.

As we get into the season, we will update the Power 25 each Monday.

For now, here is a look at No. 16-20 in this year’s Preseason Power 25.

16. Rowan County – The Vikings will roll out two D1 arms at the top of their pitching rotation in senior RHP Mason Moore, a Kentucky recruit, and junior RHP Chase Alderman, who committed to Eastern Kentucky back in the fall. Look for 2023 OF/RHP Hayden Mains to provide help offensively and on the mound, and 2021 2B Aiden Leuenberger to do some damage offensively as well. If Rowan can get some consistent offense to complement their pitching, they could be a team to rise the rankings later this spring.

17. Oldham County – Strong junior and senior classes will lead the Colonels this spring, led by senior RHP Deaton Oak, a West Virginia recruit. Oak features a high-80’s fastball and sharp swing-and-miss breaking ball, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see another velocity jump into the low-90’s. Two juniors should join Oak in the rotation in RHP Jack Harris with his mid-80’s fastball and nasty slider, and Drue Osborne who also works his fastball into the mid-80’s. All the aforementioned should also provide some offense along with OF Nicholas Willey and catcher Carsyn Sheller.

18. Paintsville – There is no shortage of talent at Paintsville as they will field several higher-ranked players in both the 2022 and 2023 classes. Junior 3B Gunner Collins will anchor the middle of the lineup with his power bat, and junior SS/RHP Zach Taylor, and OF Baron Ratliff will also provide plenty of offensive firepower for the Tigers offense. Watch for sophomore IF Jonah Porter to also provide plenty of offensive highlights. Taylor and Ratliff will also contribute heavily on the mound, and sophomore RHP Connor Fugate is one of the top arms in the 2023 class. It would not be surprising to see Paintsville climb the rankings throughout the season.

19. Hopkinsville – The Tigers have no shortage of pitching and three talent juniors will lead the staff starting with RHP Preston Chaudoin. Chaudoin runs his fastball up to the high-80’s with the secondary stuff to go along with it. Junior Jacob Dilday uses a three-pitch mix and mid-80’s fastball, and Timothy Cansler will provide quality innings from the left side. Watch for a breakout varsity season from 2024 RHP Zach Moss who is one of the top arms in the freshman class. If Hop-Town can hit, their pitching will give them an opportunity to win a lot of games.

20. Boyle County – The Rebels will combine strong pitching and offense that should make them a threat in what will be a tough 12^th Region this spring. A pair of seniors will anchor the pitching staff in Jack Briese, a Trinity University (TX) recruit, and Eli Glasscock, a Frontier CC recruit. Briese’s fastball should reach the high 80’s paired with a sharp mid-70’s slider, and Glasscock pounds the zone with a mid-80’s fastball and feel for secondary pitches. The offense will be led by 2022 Catcher Luke Gaffney, a Purdue commit with big power to all fields, and should see significant contributions from both Briese and Glasscock as well as a solid sophomore class led by 3B/RHP Cole Sims.