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 #4 ranked Lake Washington Kangaroos. 

 

High School: Lake Washington Kangaroos    
Head Coach: Derek Bingham
Division: 3A
League/Conference: KingCo
2024 Record (Finish): 20-6
2024 Playoff Finish: 3A state quarterfinalists

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Key Players Lost: Zack Hudson, Vance Phipps. Aaron Kaufman, Reilly Jones

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Shane Johnson, Mason Smithwick, Asher Crossley

Bullpen: Kane Nishikawa, Marcello Giusti, Matthew Milinkovic

Top Seniors: Shane Johnson, Brady O'Cain, Mason Smithwick, Aidan Mehlberg, Marcello Giusti

Top Juniors: Will Cooley, Kane Nishikawa, Asher Crossley

Underclassmen to watch: '27 Noah Kwon, '28 Matthew Milinkovic

Areas to watch: Underclass contributions

Team Strengths: Lineup depth, top-end talent, pitching

Overall Summary

Lake Washington enters the 2025 spring as one of the teams to beat in 3A baseball after an impressive 2024 season. The Kangs are headlined by the 7th ranked senior in the state, LHP and Oregon commit Shane Johnson. Johnson has a bulldog mentality on the mound, a fastball up into the mid 80's, and one of the best breaking ball combinations in the class. Lake Washington also returns senior RHP Mason Smithwick. The righty led the Kangs with over 45 innings pitched last spring, to an impressive 1.85 ERA. Several other quality arms can step in to help cover innings, and Prep Baseball is circling junior RHP Asher Crossley to have a big spring on the mound after some big jumps in velocity in a recent look. Offensively, 2026 OF and Gonzaga commit Will Cooley returns to the lineup after leading the team hitting .366 last spring. Cooley is a plus athlete that can impact the game in a variety of ways. Sophomore SS Noah Kwon has one of the smoother games around and junior Kane Nishikawa should man third base, creating one of the more exciting left sides of the infield in the state. Senior Brady O'Cain is another returner that will slot in to the middle of the order as a potent bat. The Kangs have several great matchups throughout the spring, including games with Bainbridge, Eastlake, and North Creek. Expect Lake Washington to once again be one of the best 3A teams in Washington and push for a state title.

Find more information on the 2025 Lake Washington program below:

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

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