Prep Baseball KY 2025 Player of the Year Watchlist

March 26, 2025
Jamie Tessoff | Wil Hannah | Carter Floyd
KY Scouting Director | KY Assistant Scouting Director | KY Social Media Director

The time has come to preview our 2025 Player of the Year candidates! This award is given to the top offensive performer among the senior class across the Bluegrass State. With yet another stacked class of prospects, it was difficult to choose just five to preview! Check out five seniors below with an opportunity for an incredible KHSAA season. Stay tuned tomorrow for Pitcher of the Year candidates

Brayden Bruner OF/LHP | Pleasure Ridge Park High School

Rankings StateRank: 60 / POS: 11

Perhaps no team went on a more historical tournament run than the Panthers in capturing their 7th State Title. A major key to their success was their standout center fielder Brayden Bruner along with several others went completely bonkers with insane numbers and a path to the title that looked like an impossible task. Arguably the best CF in Kentucky, Bruner brings a skill set and athleticism that one can only dream of. The Bellarmine commit hit a smooth .400 scoring 51 runs, driving in 48 with 9 2Bs, an absurd 9 3Bs, 4 HRs, and 36 SBs. As electric as it gets and just an absolute matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and pitchers as he leaves a path of destruction in his wake. Bruner went 5-10, 5 R, 9 RBI, 2B, HR, 3SB, BB, and a HBP just in the State Tournament alone. The sweet swinging lefty has very little swing and miss, finds barrel after barrel, and don’t let the frame fool you because there is real thunder in the bat. Great first step defensively with tremendous closing speed will certainly allow Bruner to stay at a premium position. Some pieces were lost from last year’s State Title team but with Bruner and our next POTY watchlist feature player, Head Coach Brad Burns has to feel confident in the ability to go on another deep run with Bruner helping lead the way.

Ethan Reynolds OF/3B | South Warren High School

Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 307 / POS: 60

Reynolds comes in as the #4 ranked overall player in Kentucky and #307 currently in the Prep Baseball National rankings. Reynolds has found himself thoroughly in the middle of possibly hearing his name called in July for the MLB amateur draft due to his skill set and off the charts metrics. Two time Team Kentucky Future Games member who stood out both years at Lake Point landed Ethan a commitment to his hometown Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Reynolds possesses elite bat to ball skills with power to all fields. A mainstay in the South Warren lineup since his freshman year, Reynolds has put up astonishing numbers across the board. He has struck out only 25 times in 265 at bats the last three years leading into his senior campaign with 13 of those coming his freshman season. Career numbers show Ethan having 105 hits with 51 going for extra bases, 69 career RBI, 84 runs scored, back to back seasons hitting .455 & .432 respectively, and being relied on to handle some innings on the mound. A 6.85 runner, max exit velocity over 105 mph per Trackman, elite bat speed, and regular distances over 400’ have put Reynolds on the map with some of the elite in the Country. Off to a torrid start already this season going 8-10 in his first week with 2 2B’s and a HR helping the Spartans get off to a 4-0 start. With still some projection left moving forward, Reynolds is a player to keep an eye on this Spring.

Colin Sander SS/RHP | Trinity High School

Rankings StateRank: 28 / POS: 6

The talented two way prospect from Trinity High School lands on our POTY watch list due to his ability to dominate games with his bat, glove, and on the mound. The Indiana State commit is not going to wow you with crazy metrics but he is a quiet assassin between the lines and plays with a slow heartbeat and high IQ. A great first step defensively allows Sander to play quicker than metrics would lead one to believe as he always seems to find himself in a position to make a play. A switch hitter at the dish, Sander is a line drive hitter that works the gaps while possessing some sneaky pop that allows him to drive a mistake pitch out of the yard. Perhaps the biggest upside he possesses is on the mound as he will run a high 80s to low 90s heater up there that generates consistent whiffs up in the zone, flashing an average of over 16.2” of horizontal movement making it a well above average offering. The slider is Sander’s best secondary offering that shows true sweep with some late tilt making it a problem for hitters when landed. The senior righty also does a superb job of tunneling all three pitches consistently keeping hitters off balance and not being able to lock into just one offering. If Shamrocks are going to meet their lofty expectations this season, look for Colin Sander to be an integral part of their success.

Kobie Howard SS/2B | Pleasure Ridge Park High School

Another player from the Pleasure Ridge Park State Title squad returns for his senior campaign after putting up video game numbers last season. One of the top defenders in the Commonwealth for what seems like forever, Howard now brings some real offense to the table as well. Howard hit a ridiculous .447, 64 runs scored, 33 RBI, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 1 home run, and 21 stolen bases during his insane junior season. Talk about kicking it into high gear is what the slick fielding SS during the State Tournament is an understatement! Howard reached base 13 of 19 times scoring 9 runs. The season Howard had last year during the Spring has absolutely propelled him to the top of the Player of the Year watchlist. A true leader on both sides of the ball that players gravitate to that elevates the entire surrounding squad. Look for the Rend Lake College commit to play an immediate role for Coach Chris Moddelmog as he will have a real chance to stick up the middle. Howard is certainly not a household name in Kentucky but our staff has seen enough of this young man in game to know that he is a force to be reckoned with. Look for Howard to continue to show his skill set while leading the defending State Champions on a possible back to back run in Lexington.

Charlie Slabaugh OF | Sayre School

Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2

Two time Future Games participant Charlie Slabaugh is our next player to make our POTY watchlist. The Sayre School senior and Columbia University commit has had himself a High School athletic career that anyone would be proud of. Winning a title with the football team and being a starter for Head Coach Kevin Clary since the 8th grade on the diamond, the physicality really stands out now as Slabaugh is a threat to leave the yard anytime he steps in the box. If not for his 7th grade year being lost to covid, one can only imagine what his final high school career numbers would look like. He has hit .370 in 8th grade, .413 in 9th grade, .420 in 10th grade, .356 in 11th grade, and is currently raking to the tune of .455 through the first seven games this season for the current #3 team in the Commonwealth. A natural leader with an infectious personality that teammates gravitate to is a trait that stands out for the sweet swinging lefty. Playing with a high IQ and motor that is non stop also makes Charlie a much better than average defender in center field. While a move to a corner spot in the outfield might be likely in his future as he continues to add to his already physical frame, make no mistake about this. The Ivy League better be put on notice when this young man gets to New York because he is going to be a real problem for opposing pitchers.