Finally, after what seems like an eternity, high school baseball is upon us in the Bluegrass State as scrimmages have been in full force around the state in preparation for the March 29 regular season start. Thus, the time has come for us to release our Preseason Power 25. Beginning today, and continuing through Sunday, we will release five teams at a time in the countdown to our preseason No. 1 team in the state.

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.

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

For now, here is a look at No. 21-25 in this year’s Preseason Power 25.

preseason power 25 (No. 21-25)

21. Boyd County – The Lions return Walters State commit Jonathon Stevens on the mound whose high-80’s fastball and sharp curveball make him one of the top arms in the 2021 class. Uncommitted 2022 RHP Luke Patton will team with Stevens to provide a good 1-2 punch on the mound with his mid-80’s fastball and ability to throw three pitches for strikes. Freshman Alex Martin is a top-10 player in the 2024 class, and look for sophomore Peyton Jackson to provide quality innings on the mound as well as some offensive firepower along with 2022 IF Luke Preston. The Lions’ pitching staff will make them a tough out come tournament time.

22. Paducah Tilghman – Tilghman lost just one player from last year’s squad that was ranked No. 5 in our preseason Power 25, but that loss was a big one in RHP Jackson Fristoe who is off to a hot start as a weekend starter at Mississippi State this spring. Returning, however, is the No. 2 ranked player in the 2022 class in LHP Justin West, a Louisville commit, who features a fastball ticking the high 80’s and excellent pitchability. Tilghman picked up a big transfer this year one of the top MIF’s in the 2022 class, Gage Griggs, will now man the SS position for the Blue Tornado. Look for big offensive contributions from Griggs, 2023 C Gunner Massey, 2021 OF Leyton Patterson, and 2022 C Devin Kiebler.

23. Tates Creek – Back to lead the Commodores on the mound is senior RHP Grant Stone, a Roane State commit with a fastball that touches the high 80’s and a sharp curveball for strikes on any count. Stone was a key contributor in 2019 for the defending State champions. 2022 RHP Hayden Dunham should see plenty of innings on the mound behind Stone with a fastball touching the mid 80’s. Sophomore RHP Braxton Brinegar, a Xavier commit, appears to be on the shelf for the spring after having Tommy John surgery last fall. Key offensive performers will include seniors Patrick Hill, Hudson Hawkins, and Trenton Taylor, and sophomore Isaac Tencza.

24. George Rogers Clark – With two D1 committed arms on the mound, the Cardinals will pitch with anyone. Senior lefty Aaron Abner, an Eastern Kentucky recruit, runs his fastball up to the high 80’s with a big-breaking curveball for strikes. Freshman Brady Davis is the only player in Kentucky’s 2024 class to commit thus far when he issued his commitment to Louisville last fall. Davis features a high 80’s fastball with a sharp slider that generates swing and miss. Look for both Abner and Davis to contribute major offensive production as well as both have good power at the plate.

25. Central Hardin – The Bruins will be led on the mound by a pair of juniors in RHP Alex Bridgewaters and LHP Caden Alvey. Bridgewaters, ran his fastball up to 90 mph at the PBR Future Games and features a late-breaking 77-81 mph slider that can be a big time offering at the college level. Alvey runs his fastball into the mid-80’s with an ability to throw the curveball for strikes.