By Chris Fuller
PBR Kentucky

It’s that time of year again. The 2017 high school baseball season is upon us, and of course that means it’s time for us to release our Preseason Power 25. We’re going to shake it up a little this year with a preview of all 25 teams broken down into increments of five over a series of articles.

After combing through last year’s stats and factoring in returning players, here is a look at the teams ranked No. 21-25 in our Preseason Power 25.

21. LaRue County
Despite having just three seniors on the roster last year, the Hawks finished 29-9, and at one point were one of the hottest teams in the state with 14 consecutive victories. In a region that has been dominated by Central Hardin and Elizabethtown, LaRue owned victories over both last spring and should find themselves in the hunt for a 5^th Region title with Jaxon Boley and Matheo Lynn leading the charge. The key to their season may lie with the health of Boley who had some arm soreness late in the summer and fall, but if healthy, will be one of the top arms in the region.

22. Campbell County
The 2016 version of the Camels epitomized how getting hot at the right time can take you on a deep postseason run. The Camels won 10 consecutive games in making an improbable run to the State Championship game where they lost a hard-fought 1-0 game to St. Xavier. They will have to replace the 80+ innings from the graduated Alex Franzen which won’t be an easy task. Cory Franzen, Collin Teegarden (Lake Sumpter State), and Ethan Kremer, and Matt Reynolds (Kentucky Wesleyan) return to lead the offensive attack while Colton Hartig would appear to be the staff ace heading into the season. Look for junior right-hander Carson Werrmann (6-foot-6, 160-pounds) to provide some much needed mound depth as well.

23. Somerset
Coming off a 28-12 season that saw them fall in the 12^th Region semifinals, the Jumpers return several key pieces that makes them arguably the 12^th Region favorite heading into the season. Junior 3B/RHP Trae Harmon (Kentucky commit) has big time power at the plate to go along with a fastball that reaches into the low 90’s. Junior OF Kross Grundy and senior MIF Austin Dick look to lead the offense along with Harmon and sophomore Chance Stayton. Keep an eye on eighth grader Kade Grundy. The young son of head coach Phil Grundy should provide plenty of offense and help on the mound as well.

24. Sayre
The Spartans have the arms to be a serious contender in the 11^th Region following a 22-14 campaign last spring. Senior RHP James DuPree and junior RHP Cameron Stiglich will lead the pitching staff with mid to upper 80’s velocity, and a very intriguing lefty, 6-foot-3, 180-pound Marshall Nielsen should fall into the No. 3 spot nicely. Sayre only lost four seniors from last year’s squad, and if they can score runs with an offense led by Josh Morgan (Wabsh Valley JC), they will be a force to be reckoned with in the always tough region.

25. North Bullitt
The Eagles reeled off 30 wins last season before falling in the Regional Semis to a hot Bullitt East team that ended up making a run to the State Semifinals. Gone is All-State performer Logan Wyatt and his power left-handed bat (Univ of Louisville) which will be tough to replace in the middle of the lineup, but North Bullitt should be fine on the mound where senior RHP Dylan Kleitz and junior lefty Alec Lush look poised to lead the team. Senior Blake Benz (Kentucky Wesleyan) returns to lead the offense, and keep an eye on left-handed hitting catcher Evan Mooney with big arm strength behind the plate and pop in the bat.