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For the next two weeks we will roll out our Preseason Power 25. We will release three teams per day for the first week and then move to two teams per day once we reach the Top 10 next week. Voting for preseason teams centers more around the depth of talent on that team, as well as where it stacks up within their region/area, as opposed to strictly predicting schedule outcomes. Our staff weighs ten different categories (i.e. offensive depth, impact players, frontline arm, pitching staff depth, sustained program success, etc). 

Generally, larger schools and classifications have a greater depth of player talent on roster. However, once the season begins and records begin to take shape, the Power 25 will be adjusted as needed. In addition to that, we will debut our Private School Top 10 around the beginning of April and the Small School Top 10 around mid-April. This will allow teams to settle in and schedule to begin to shake out. Our first overall Power 25 update, due to the VHSL season being pushed back a week, will come Monday, March 31st. 

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#17: Independence Tigers

         

Season Preview: 

A 2-5 start to 2024 was certainly a new experience for the Tigers. While only being around a handful of years, Indy is a program that has been littered with winning and good players. While the roster was talented in 2024, it was very young and inexperienced. The Tigers turned it around, winning five of the last six and advancing to the Class 5 State tournament. There is a lot to be excited about for 2025. Indy returns essentially everything from last season, including two do it all upperclassmen in Chase Obstgarten and Colton Hicks. Michael Bowden, Brady Yates, Shane Howie, Quinn Pak, Aidan Spagna, and Joe Joe McDonald are just a few of the big contributors from last season. The lineup is deep with versatility and athleticism. While the staff does not necessarily have a shutdown, frontline arm, they do have experience and depth. Carter Schuster (Wingate), McDonald, Zach Brennan (Tufts), and Edward Ridolfi are a few names that should join Obstgarten and Hicks on the mound. They have as much returning as just about any team in Regions C & D and will be a very tough out come late May and early June.

2026 Colton Hicks gives @indytigers the lead here in the bottom of the 5th with a 2 run double

2027 Joe Joe McDonald followed this up with a 3 run double of his own to give Independence a 6-2 lead#CommonwealthClassic @PrepBaseballVA pic.twitter.com/0JAIyK4LbZ

— Cameron Eck (@CameronEck) April 2, 2024

Final Thoughts: 

"This team is returning as much, or more, than any other team in the state. They have lineup depth and production from top to bottom with some pitching depth to go with it. If I had to give one or two things they are potentially missing, an elite starter on the mound and just a true difference maker or game changer in the box. With that being said, this team was very young/inexperienced last year and had to figure out a way to win, which they did. This program knows how to win and they have the roster to continue that once again this year."

- Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)