By Chris Fuller
PBR Kentucky

After a long off season, baseball is finally kicking off around the state. After much consideration, including looking at last season’s records and players returning to their respective teams, here is a look at our 2016 preseason top five.

1. Ballard – The Bruins occupy the top spot on the strength of one of the top pitching rotations in the state. Couple that with an explosive offense, and Ballard should find themselves contending for a State title. The pitching rotation consists of Louisville recruit Jordon Adell, Murray State recruit Tyler Horsley, and unsigned senior Blake Frost who returns after a one year stint at North Oldham. Frost will supply some pop in the lineup along with the big time power of Adell, and Louisville recruit Jake Snider, a transfer from Illinois, will be a difference maker in the lineup for the Bruins. Ballard returns several other starters from last year’s 7^th Region championship squad including Broc Kuerzi, Payton Bledsoe, Nicholas Lee, Matt Lewis, and Haynes Routt.

2. Lexington Catholic – Like Ballard, the Knights boast one of the top and deepest pitching staffs the state has to offer. Cincinnati recruit Carson Coleman has electric stuff, and junior Trip Lockhart is one of the top 2017 arms in the state. Sam Armstrong, Steven Bender, CJ Bush, and Eric Sottile will see plenty of innings for the Knights. Offensively, Bush returns in the middle of the lineup, and returning starters Chris Thompson, Andy Thompson, Landon Moberly, Austin Madry, and Tyler Grigalis will provide plenty of firepower for the Knights.

3. St. Xavier – Like most years, the Tigers simply reload and may be on a collision course with Ballard in the 7^th Region championship game again this spring. A pair of Louisville recruits, Daniel Fischer and Adam Elliott will anchor a deep and talented pitching staff that will also include the high-80’s fastball of Connor Holden, senior Sam Porta, and juniors Matthew Logsdon, Sam Mudd, and Sam Wilson. Lincoln Memorial recruit Dalton Dedas returns behind the plate, and Elliott, Nick Nelson, and a host of juniors will contribute heavily to the Tigers offense.

4. McCracken County – The Mustangs held the No. 1 spot in our rankings most of the 2015 season, but they ran into a buzz saw in the first round of the State Tournament in Highlands. That being said, McCracken returns plenty of offense and should score runs in bunches this spring led by Murray State recruit Keegan Breese and John Logan recruit Reid Pope. Seniors Isaac Lineberry (Spalding recruit) and Derek Schneider return behind the plate, and returning starter Trent Shelby will provide some pop in the middle of the lineup. Sophomores Rook Ellington and Cameron Langston are two of the top players in Kentucky’s 2018 class, and another sophomore, James Dodd, will likely see significant playing time. Look for Pope, junior Mason Vinyard, and  senior Chad Williams to anchor a solid pitching staff.

5. West Jessamine – The reigning state champs lost some key pieces from last year’s squad but return plenty to occupy the No. 5 spot. Seniors Tucker Greer (Lincoln Trail recruit)and Ryan Layne (Wabash Valley recruit), and junior Kendall Peters all return to anchor an offense that scored runs at will last season. Look for big offensive contributions from juniors Braden Lee and Jack Ockerman as well, and Asbury recruit Jonathan Jackson returns his solid defense behind the plate. On the mound, seniors Mark Leonard (Florence-Darlington recruit) and Hunter Noble return 15 wins from last season to lead the pitching staff.

Here is a look at the complete Preseason Power 25. These rankings will be updated each Monday throughout the season and will undoubtedly change as new teams emerge and others make their case to move up or down.

Kentucky Power 25 Team Rankings

On The Bubble: Daviess Co, Apollo, Owensboro Catholic, Logan Co, Franklin Simpson, PRP, Bullitt East, Male, CAL, Oldham Co, North Oldham, Covington Catholic, Ryle, Boone Co, Harrison Co, Scott Co, North Laurel, South Laurel, Hazard.