Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season. Team previews touch on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Oregon Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team Previews are generated through a mixture of coaches' responses gathered through our perennial coaches questionnaires, as well as insight from Prep Baseball Staff. Stay tuned the next several weeks for the unveiling of Team Previews and the complete Power 25.

Today, we spotlight the #16 ranked North Medford Black Tornado. 

 

High School: North Medford Black Tornado    
Head Coach: Kerry Curtis
Division: 6A
League/Conference: Southwest
2024 Record (Finish): 18-9
2024 Playoff Finish: 1st round 6A state

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 2
Key Players Lost: Frankie Rutigliano, Kellen Willer, Jeremiah Robbins, Colton Morgan

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Dominic Daffron, Cade Pettersen, Macen Baker, Calvin Rayburn

Bullpen: Luke Lytle, Zach Decker, Merrick Jonasson

Top Seniors: Easton Curtis, Dominic Daffron, Colton Miller, Jake Payton

Top Juniors: Ben Morgan, Colston Staller

Underclassmen to watch: '27 Cade Pettersen, '27 Brady Patterson

Areas to watch: Pitching depth

Team Strengths: Upperclass experience, underclass athleticism

Coaches Outlook: “We have experienced returners and some good athlete newcomers who know the game. If we can continue to develop on the mound we could surprise some people. ” – Kerry Curtis, Head Coach

Overall Summary

North Medford enters the 2025 season looking to make an extended run in the 6A state playoffs after an appearance last spring. The Black Tornado are headlined by senior RHP/INF and Linn-Benton CC commit Dominic Daffron. Daffron logged a ton of innings on the mound last spring, working his fastball into the mid 80's while also hitting near the top of the lineup. Outfielder Easton Curtis returns after securing all-conference honors in 2024. Seniors Colton Miller and Jake Payton rejoin the lineup as well, both players manning the outfield for large portions of last season. LHP Cade Pettersen is an arm to keep an eye on as a sophomore. Petterson showed off his arsenal at the recent Corvallis Preseason ID, working his fastball into the low 80's with sink. The Black Tornado will have to replace a bulk of their varsity innings lost from a season ago. North Medford faces several intruiging matchups throughout this year, including bouts with Lake Oswego and Grants Pass. Look for North Medford to be one of the powerhouses in southern Oregon again and make a run in 6A playoffs.

Find more information on the 2025 North Medford program below:

+ Follow them on MaxPreps HERE.
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Oregon Preseason Power 25 homepage

RELATED CONTENT