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With 2023 now in the past, PBR Michigan is eagerly anticipating bringing the state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2024. Starting in February, we began releasing team previews for squads across the state. Ahead, we will have Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings coming your way.

To view the full list of 2024 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2024 Team Preview, click here.

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Detroit Catholic Central

NOVI - The last time Detroit Catholic Central won a Catholic League title was 2001, Ryan Rogowski’s junior year of high school. The fourth-year head coach has high hopes that the drought will end this season.

“I think this will be our year,” explained Rogowski, whose teams have improved from 19-21 in his first year as mentor, to 20-21 in 2022 to 26-15 last season. “We were ready last year, we just ran into the best team.”

The Shamrocks lost 4-2 in the district semifinals in 2023 to Novi, which went on to claim the state title.

“We were rolling at the end," Rogowski noted. “That is gonna make us stronger.”

Strong pitching will be the strength of the Shamrocks this year according to Rogowski.

“We have a ton back,” the head coach said. “We have 12 that throw 85 and above and six or seven that are 80-84 we have to decide what to do with. We can pitch three or four guys one day and three or four the next.”

Braylon Laroo, Ryan Torok and Cal Rutherford are seniors being counted on to pitch. Laroo is the 46th-rated 2024 RHP in Michigan while Torok is a 6-4 210-pounder who transferred in as a sophomore and has hit 90 on the radar according to Rogowski. Rutherford, a football standout committed to play baseball at Eastern Michigan, is a 6-3 230-pounder who could also play first base.

Hard-throwing junior Ben Asmussen is another “possible ace” in the eyes of Rogowski. The 24th-ranked 2025 RHP in the state has also touched 90 for Rogowski, who is looking at junior center fielder Jaden Pyden as a potential closer.

Bennett Thompson, the second-rated 2026 catcher in the state, pitched as a freshman and adds depth along with fellow 10th graders Dylan Fairchild and Andrew Mahoney, the top-ranked sophomore left-hander in Michigan. Fairchild is the sixth-rated 2026 shortstop in the state.

“We have so much pitching,” Rogowski said. “We have seven pitchers fighting to start, it’s such a good problem to have.”

Is it the deepest staff Rogowski has ever had?

“Hands down,” the CC mentor said.

But it will be necessary in a conference like the Catholic League.

“We know what we’re facing - Division I guys,” Rogowski said. “We have to find ways to push runs across the plate.”

Matt Ineich, the sixth-rated senior shortstop in Michigan and an Ohio University commit who was first-team All-State a year ago, will be at short and also play third, with Thompson and Fairchild other potential shortstops.

Oakland commit Aiden Schuck, who split time at catcher as a sophomore before missing most of last year with an injury, will replace Trey Cassidy, now at Ohio University, behind the plate.

“We’re very blessed to have another Division I catcher,” Rogowski pointed out about the eighth-ranked 2024 backstop in the state.

As for first base, “competition is at an all-time high” according to the head coach. Senior Jack McIntosh, an Alma College commit ranked sixth in the state among seniors at the position, Rutherford, Brooks Rogowski (nephew of the head coach) and Nick Garnick are battling for the position.

Thompson, a third baseman last year, is a possibility at second base along with juniors Colin Lloyd and Will Miller with those three and Fairchild potential third basemen.

Pydyn, the fourth-rated 2025 outfielder in Michigan, will be in center replacing Evan Haeger, who is now at Alabama, with Joe Treder, ranked 14th among junior outfielders in the state, also penciled in to see time in the outfield. Miller, junior Jack Murphy and sophomore Lincoln Thompson, Bennett’s brother are others being looked at with Rogowski also touting freshman Jaxon Gatt, a 6-1 190-pounder, as “a diamond in the rough” in the outfield.

“Our opponent this year is the Shamrocks,” explained Rogowski, whose team must replace five graduates in Haeger, Cassidy, second baseman Brady Blakita (Wayne State) and pitchers Trey Langan and Tyler Wolstone. “If we can stay out of our own way and be mentally tough and be unselfish … if we can do those things, we can win every game we play.

“I like that they’re hungry,” Rogowski continued. “We have 20 guys returning with varsity experience and we’re not keeping 20. We have decisions to make. We’re looking for guys that are coachable and will do their job. There are a lot of guys I haven’t even named that are trying out that are good at baseball and want to be part of this. We love it.”

Ryan’s brother Casey Rogowski is part of a staff that includes Mike Wadowski and Mitch Sykes along with newly acquired Tommy Carion.

“Everyone is hungry and ready to go,” Rogowski concluded. “It’s a different feeling this year.”

2024 Spring Team Preview: Detroit Catholic Central

Team Name: Detroit Catholic Central
Head Coach: Ryan Rogowski
Division: 1
2023 Record: 26-15
2023 Tourney Finish: District Finals loss to Novi
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 9/9

Coach Outlook: "We are returning over 15 guys from last years team. The Shamrocks are motivated to win the Catholic League and make a run for a state title. Tons of Sophomores in the lineup."

2024 Team Strengths:

• Senior leadership
• One of the best pitching staffs in the state
• Defense

Top Returning Players:

• Matt Ineich: Senior SS
• Aidan Schuck: Senior C
• Braylon Laroo Senior P
• Cal Rutherford Senior P/DH
• Ryan Torok Senior P
• Jack McIntosh Senior IF/OF
• Ben Asmussen Junior P
• Carson Wyrybkowski Junior C
• Jaden Pydyn Junor OF
• Will Miller Junior OF
• Bennett Thompson Sophomore IF/P
• Dylan Fairchild Sophomore IF/OF/P
• Andrew Mahoney Sophomore P
• Brooks Rogowski Sophomore 1B
• Nolan Bendall Sophomore P
• Blake Kolb Junior P

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Braylon Laroo
• Ryan Torok
• Cal Rutherford
• Matt Ineich
• Aidan Schuck

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Ben Asmussen
• Jaden Pydyn (Video Below)

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Bennett Thompson
• Dylan Fairchild
• Andrew Mahoney
• Brooks Rogowski
• Nick Garnick

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Jaxon Gatt

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