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 #12 ranked Battle Ground Tigers. 

 

High School: Battle Ground Tigers    
Head Coach: Seth Johnson
Division: 4A
League/Conference: GSHL
2024 Record (Finish): 15-8
2024 Playoff Finish: 4A state playoffs round of 16

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Key Players Lost: Jackson Hotchkiss, Noah Salyers, Keegan Moffatt, Grayson Gambee

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: James Gill III, Cooper McGowan, Ethan Adams

Uncommitted’26 LHP @james_gill3 (@BG_BaseballClub)

Gill picked up the loss but showed flashes of stuff throughout his 4.1 outing.

FB 85-89 T90 with GS angle
CB 72-75 flashing depth

One of the rising players during the ‘24 season and a player to keep tabs on going into the… pic.twitter.com/QyfauI4S2O

— Prep Baseball Washington (@PrepBaseballWA) May 19, 2024

Bullpen: Noah Newton, Collin McGowan

Top Seniors: Noah Newton, Ethan Nelson, Peyton Sanders

Top Juniors: James Gill III, Jayden Sivits, Ethan Adams

Underclassmen to watch: '27 Cooper McGowan, '28 Collin McGowan

Areas to watch: Depth, outfield

Team Strengths: Top-end talent, infield

Overall Summary

Battle Ground enters 2025 graduating a number of seniors, but should have high expectations heading into the spring. Two-way phenom and Washington commit LHP/1B James Gill III returns after winning GSHL MVP a season ago. The big lefty features a power fastball/slider combination on the mound and a power bat that should only continue to get better. Despite graduating Washington commit OF Jackson Hotchkiss, the Tigers do boast some other talent as well. Brothers Cooper McGowan and Collin McGowan will both be instrumental to Battle Ground's success. Cooper's smooth game at SS and bat-to ball skills allowed him to enter the top-10 state 2027 ranks, while Collin features incredible physicality, defensive versatility, and more pop at the plate. Getting other contributions will be the key to Battle Ground's success in 2025, and Ethan Adams and Noah Newton are two arms that return that can help in this regard. The Tigers will be playing in the Baseballism High School Classic tournament covered by Prep Baseball, and also have matchups against Newport and Skyview that highlight their schedule. Expect Battle Ground to make noise in the 4A state playoffs once again this season.

Find more information on the 2025 Battle Ground program below:

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

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