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 Washington 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 #10 ranked Eastside Catholic Crusaders. 

 

High School: Eastside Catholic Crusaders    
Head Coach: Kyle Larsen
Division: 3A
League/Conference: Metro
2024 Record (Finish): 20-9
2024 Playoff Finish: 4th place 3A state

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Key Players Lost: Rowan O'Connor, Nic Barac, Luke Rhea, Charlie Pennington, Dax Delucci, Nolan Curran

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Will Crain, Adam Hutton, Kai Jambor

Bullpen: Jack Champion, Xavier Padilla, Jay Baxter, Tristan Weigum, Connor Cunningham, August Leinweber

Top Seniors: Will Crain, Micah Bartle, Zack Sieger, Connor Cunningham

Top Juniors: Ryan Long, Kai Jambor, Jay Baxter, Jack Champion, Tristan Weigum

Underclassmen to watch: '28 Kobe Reese, '27 Xavier Padilla, '28 Tyler Long, '28 Hudson Schock, '27 Evan Alexander, '27 Josh Connely-Smith

‘28 OF Kobe Reese (WA) looking the part of a future power-bat in the class.

Triple-digit exits w/ max distance of 3️⃣8️⃣8️⃣ ft.

Athletic mover in the box with present bar speed. 6’3” 195 frame still projects.

N2K. @PrepBaseballWA || @PBR_DanJurik pic.twitter.com/KlEtmN6zeJ

— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) February 17, 2025

Areas to watch: Lack of varsity experience

Team Strengths: Pitching depth, underclassman talent

Coaches Outlook: “We are entering the season with a lot of unknowns and new faces, but we have a ton of talented guys that will be getting and competing for their first varsity time. You mix that with some super talented and experienced returners and I can argue that the top to bottom talent of the roster is as talented and even deeper than last years team that made it to the state semi's. The hope is what we lack in experience will be made up in depth and talented new faces. I'm excited to see what the guys can do this season! ” – Kyle Larsen, Head Coach

Overall Summary

Eastside Catholic enters the 2025 season as a high-upside 3A squad despite losing several key contributors on their run to the state semi's. The Crusaders are led by senior RHP and Washington commit Will Crain. Crain was an absolute workhorse a season ago, logging over 60 innings pitched to an ERA just over 2. '26 grad and Future Games alumni Ryan Long returns behind the plate after leading the team in batting average last spring. Senior SS Zack Sieger is a solid piece both at the top of the lineup and defensively up the middle. Junior Kai Jambor should see a bigger role on both sides of the ball this season, and is a player that improves with each look at Prep Baseball events. Where the Crusaders really get exciting is if their underclassman talent hits. Outfielder Kobe Reese may be entering the spring as arguably the most exciting freshman bat in the state after a breakout performance at PNW Preseason All-State. Players like Tyler Long, Hudson Schock and Josh Connelly-Smith all have potential to contribute as well. Head coach Kyle Larsen is looking forward to matchups with O'Dea and De La Salle from California as the biggest matchups this spring. Eastside Catholic should be poised for an even stronger 2025 season.

Find more information on the 2025 Eastside Catholic program below:

+ Follow them on X: @ECBaseball_Cru
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 homepage

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