Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Opening day for the high school baseball season is officially here.

Monday marks the first day of competition for teams across the state with every team seeking to earn a spot at the 2025 state tournaments set for July 21-25.

Before first pitches are tossed on Monday here is a look at some players to watch this season in the Your Prep Sports area.

Jaxton Schroeder

Senior, City High

Among the top overall players in the state Schroeder is a unique talent with the ability to impact the game as a pitcher, a hitter, a fielder or a base runner.

Schroeder flashed his impressive skillset last season as a junior earning first-team Class 4A all-state honors while leading the Little Hawks to the 4A state semifinals.

A Kirkwood Community College commit, Schroeder was a unanimous Mississippi Valley Conference all-Valley Division first team pick after leading City High in 10 offensive categories.

Schroeder posted team highs in batting average (.379), hits (39), runs (29), doubles (11), home runs (2), extra-base hits (16), walks (26), stolen bases (35), on-base percentage (.508) and slugging percentage (.602).

The left-handed throwing Schroeder was just as impressive on the mound where he went 7-1 with a 1.69 ERA and a .85 WHIP while striking out 54 in 45 2/3 innings.

Mason Waterbury

Senior, Liberty High

One of the top pitchers in the state Waterbury returns to lead the Liberty High rotation after a dominant junior season in which he ranked in the top three in Class 4A in wins, ERA and WHIP.

Waterbury allowed just three earned runs in 61 innings pitched last season while posting a 10-0 record, a .34 ERA and a .79 WHIP.

The left-handed throwing Waterbury was named Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division athlete of the year and first team Class 4A all-state after ranking second in 4A in wins and third in both ERA and WHIP last season.

A Southeastern Community College recruit, Waterbury struck out 68 and walked just 15 in 61 innings last season and owns a 16-2 record and a 1.30 ERA in 103 1/3 innings pitched over the past two seasons.

Talon Young

Senior, City High

A stalwart in the Little Hawk rotation since his freshman season Young has been among the most durable and efficient pitchers in the state over the past three seasons.

Young earned Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division second team honors last season after posting a 6-3 record, 1.85 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in a career-high 64 1/3 innings pitched.

The right-handed throwing Young has thrown at least 33 innings each of the past seasons and owns a career 21-5 record and ERA of 1.58 with 123 strikeouts in 160 career innings pitched.

Last season Young also batted .357 with 11 RBI and a .455 on-base percentage.

Kyle Cherry

Senior, West High

One of the most consistent and dependable pitchers in the state over the past two seasons Cherry had a strong finish to what was a breakthrough junior season.

Cherry led West High in innings pitched for the second consecutive season last summer, posting a 6-5 record with a 2.98 ERA and 1.39 whip in a career-high 65 2/3 innings pitch.

A Bethany Lutheran recruit, Cherry ranked third in 5A with 12 starts and fourth with 65 2/3 innings pitched racking up 56 strikeouts while walking 29.

The left-handed throwing Cherry is 8-8 while throwing 111 1/3 innings over the past two seasons.

Andrew Olthoff

Senior, Liberty High

While teammate Mason Waterbury emerged as the unquestioned ace of the staff last season Olthoff had his own breakthrough season as the number two in the Lightning rotation.

The right-handed throwing Olthoff earned Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division second team honors last summer after posting a 5-2 record, 1.88 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 48 1/3 innings pitched.

An Upper Iowa recruit, Olthoff struck out 34 and walked just 14 last season.

Drake Obermueller

Senior, City High

A versatile piece of the puzzle for City High Obermueller made an impact across the diamond during a breakthrough junior season starting games at 3B, SS, pitcher and outfield.

Obermueller earned Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division second team honors last season after hitting .309 with eight extra-base hits, 22 runs scored, 23 RBI and 22 stolen bases.

The right-handed throwing Obermueller also posted a 4.38 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched.

Maclane Morgan

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

A leader in a talented core of returners for the Clippers Morgan has established himself as one of the top hitters in Class 3A with back-to-back seasons with a batting average over .400.

Morgan hit .445 with 15 extra-base hits and 31 RBI last season on his way to earning WAMAC West Division first team honors.

A Southeastern Community College commit, Morgan led Clear Creek Amana with 52 runs, 25 stolen bases and a .560 on-base percentage last season.

Morgan also went 2-3 on the mound with a 5.50 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.

Nolan Seagren

Senior, Solon

A three-year starter on the Spartan infield Seagren had the best season of his career last summer earning first team all-WAMAC East division honors after ranking second n the team in batting average, hits, runs scored and walks.

Seagren batted a career-best .354 last season with 11 extra-base hits, 44 runs scored, 29 walks and 29 RBI.

The senior shortstop had a .466 on-base percentage and stole a team-high 38 bases and also logged a 2.17 ERA in 9 2/3 innings pitched.

Ty Fuller

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

One of the top middle infielders in Class 3A Fuller is coming off a breakthrough junior season in which he was a unanimous all-WAMAC West Division first team pick after hitting a career-high .445.

Fuller had a team-high 57 hits including 16 doubles while driving in 30 runs and scoring 40 runs.

A Southeastern Community College commit, the senior shortstop posted a .486 on-base percentage and .578 slugging percentage last season.

Connor Nicpon

Senior, Regina

A four-year starter, Nicpon has been a regular in the Regal rotation and lineup since his freshman season.

Nicpon was at his best a year ago earning first team all-River Valley Conference South Division honors as a utility player after starring on the mound and at the plate.

Nicpon hit a career-high 296 with nine doubles, 23 RBI and 27 runs scored last season while posting a .450 on-base percentage.

On the mound Nicpon went 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.51 WHIP while striking out 44 in a career-high 42 1/3 innings pitched.

Nicpon has thrown 35 innings or more in each of his first three varsity seasons and enters his final prep season with a career 12-7 record, 2.95 ERA and 112 career strikeouts.

Declan Bunn

Senior, West High

Bunn returns behind the plate after a strong season last summer in his first year as a full-time starter.

The senior catcher ranked third on the team with a .300 batting average last season and had seven extra-base hits including a home run while driving in 17 runs.

A strong athlete, Bunn tied for the team lead with 11 stolen bases led the Trojans with 31 runs scored and was second on the team with 22 walks and a .358 on-base percentage.

Evan Schmierer

Junior, Liberty High

Schmierer burst onto the scene last season with a stellar debut season in which he ranked second on the team in batting average and runs as a sophomore.

The junior second baseman was a unanimous first team MVC Mississippi Division selection a year ago after batting .356 with 27 runs scored and 18 RBI in his first season as a starter.

Schmierer led the Lightning with 22 stolen bases and posted a .440 on-base percentage and .836 OPS.

Dominic Salibi

Senior, City High

A three-year starter at third base, Salibi will look to bounce back from an injury-shortened junior season.

Salibi starred as a sophomore in 2023, batting .422 with 19 extra-base hits, 34 RBI and 25 runs scored.

Last season an injury limited Salibi to 87 at bats as he hit .241 with 10 extra-base hits and 16 RBI.

An Upper Iowa football recruit, Salibi is an excellent infielder defender and will look to return to the production at the plate from two seasons ago.

Kaden Phan

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

Among the top two-way players in Class 3A Phan is coming off a huge junior season in which he earned unanimous WAMAC West Division honors while staring at the plate and on the mount.

Phan batted .376 while leading Clear Creek Amana in extra-base hits (25), doubles (18), home runs (6), RBI (44) and slugging percentage (.701).

A Wabash Valley College recruit, Phan also excelled on the mount last season posting a 5-1 record with a 1.99 ERA and .98 WHIP while striking out 51 in a team-high 38 2/3 innings pitched.

Cooper Hughes

Senior, Liberty High

A three-year starter for the Lightning, Hughes emerged as a standout in the field, at the plate and on the mound last season during a breakthrough junior season.

Hughes batted a career-high .347 with five extra-base hits, 13 stolen bases, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored last season while posting a .417 on-base percentage.

A Southeastern Community College recruit, Hughes also went 2-3 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 22 innings pitched last season.

Hughes walked 10 and struck out 12 in his 22 innings of work last summer on his way to earning MVC Mississippi Division second team honors as an infielder.

Jackson Link

Senior, Solon

Link returns to anchor the Solon pitching staff following a breakthrough junior season in which he led the Spartans in innings pitched.

The right-handed throwing Link posted a 7-2 record, 2.06 ERA and 1.31 WHIP as a junior while striking out 38 and walking 19 in a team-high 54 1/3 innings pitched.

Link was an honorable mention all-WAMAC East Division pick last season and leads a Spartan staff that must replace four of its top six innings pitched leaders from a season ago.

Maddox Kelley

Sophomore, Solon

Kelley emerged as one of the top young players in the WAMAC Conference last season with a stellar debut campaign in which he ranked third on the team in batting average and RBI.

The sophomore infielder batted .333 and drove in 38 runs last season on his way to earning second team all-WAMAC East Division honors.

Kelley had 12 extra-base hits and scored 18 runs while posting a .455 slugging percentage and .837 OPS.

Alex Paul

Senior, Regina

Paul is coming off a breakthrough junior season in which he emerged as a leader in the Regina lineup while earning all-state honors.

The senior center fielder was a third-team Class 2A all-state selection and first-team River Valley Conference South Division pick last season after batting a career-best .327.

Paul led Regina with 25 stolen bases and 42 runs scored last season as a junior and had nine extra-base hits among his 35 hits.

The speedy Paul drove in 13 runs, drew 22 walks and posted a .451 on-base percentage and .890 OPS.

Robert Meade

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

On a Clipper roster filled with multi-year starters Meade is a candidate for a huge season in his second year as a full-time starter.

Meade is coming off a strong junior season in which he batted .319 with 11 extra-base hits, three home runs and 31 RBI.

The senior first baseman had a team-high 25 walks last season and posted a .476 and .945 OPS last season.

Meade also went 3-4 with a 5.60 ERA and 44 strikeouts while ranking third on the team with 30 innings pitched.

Ian Nelson

Senior, West Branch

A starter since his freshman season Nelson is coming off a breakthrough junior campaign in which he earned River Valley Conference South Division honorable mention honors.

Nelson hit a career-best .345 last season ranking second on the team in hits (29) and runs scored (25).

Nelson led the Bears with 19 stolen bases and had 17 RBI and 11 walks while posting a .462 on-base percentage and a .842 OPS.

On the mound Nelson went 3-1 with a 3.37 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while striking out 24 in 27 innings pitched.

Kyle Henkenius

Sophomore, West High

Henkenius had one of the best seasons in the state for a freshman a year ago when he excelled at the plate as well as on the mound.

The two-way standout batted .284 with three doubles, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored while posting a .388 on-base percentage as a middle infielder.

Henkenius had an equally impressive impact on the mound where he posted a 4-1 record with a pair of saves in 30 innings pitched.

As a freshman Henkenius had a 3.73 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP, striking out 23 in his 30 innings pitched.

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating