We’ve entered the final stretch of Iowa’s 2024 high school baseball season, and this week’s state tournament will feature a ton of top talent.
The action begins Monday and runs through Friday, with the four classes again split between two sites. Classes 1A and 2A will begin at Merchants Park in Carroll, while Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids will host Classes 3A and 4A.
From dominant hurlers to potent bats, this week is sure to end this baseball campaign on a high note. Here are 10 of the best players competing in this year’s state tournament. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
More: Iowa high school baseball state tournament 2024: See IHSAA schedules for all four classes
Trever Baumler, Dowling Catholic
The TCU signee has been a force throughout his high school baseball career, and his senior season was no different. While he’s best known for his bat, Baumler is also a sight on the mound. He heads to Cedar Rapids with a 1.17 ERA over 48 innings, including a masterful seven-inning shutout of Ankeny Centennial in the substate final. Baumler is also hitting .329 with six extra-base hits and 16 RBIs over 82 at-bats.
Jaron Bleeker, Bishop Heelan
Bleeker is another two-way star looking to end his senior season on a high note. The Iowa recruit has a 1.33 ERA in 63 1/3 innings with 85 strikeouts. At bat, Bleeker is slashing .371/.449/.470 with 11 doubles, 35 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 42 games. Bleeker’s Crusaders open the 3A state tournament at 5 p.m. Monday against Pella.
Nolan Grawe, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
The top seed in Class 4A doesn’t reach this stage without Grawe’s incredible power. The South Dakota State signee leads the state in RBIs (53), homers (14) and total bases (116), while ranking fourth in hits (57). His Cougars open at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday against Pleasant Valley.
Taitn Gray, Dallas Center-Grimes
The DCG junior phenom has carried the Mustangs all season, leading 4A in batting average (.545) and slugging percentage (1.159), while ranking second in total bases (102) and home runs (13). Gray, a Notre Dame commit, will look to lead DCG to another monumental victory on Tuesday at 5 p.m. against Dowling Catholic.
Adam Kayko, Johnston
Johnston has been a baseball factory of late, and Kayko is another Dragon looking to cap his high school career with a state title. The Nebraska recruit is hitting .369/.481/.577 with 37 RBIs, 11 doubles and four homers in 111 plate appearances.
Grant Mather, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
The primary arm behind Kennedy’s success, Mather leads the state in wins (10) with a 2.58 ERA and just a .198 opponents batting average. Mather also has just 12 walks in 62 1/3 innings. At the plate, Mather is tied for third all-time in leagues with 10 homers.
Braden McShane, New Hampton
McShane is arguably the best bopper in Class 2A, leading the class in total bases (80) and RBIs (43), while ranking third in hits (51) and fourth in batting average (.531). New Hampton opens Tuesday against Aplington-Parkersburg at 7 p.m.
Lucas Sieck, Lynnville-Sully
Sieck, the key arm behind the Lynnville-Sully postseason resurgence, has been as reliable as they come this season. Through 59 1/3 innings, Sieck leads Class 1A with 10 wins, 83 strikeouts, a 1.30 ERA and a .126 batting average against opponents. The Hawks open the Class 1A tournament at 1:30 p.m. Monday against Sigourney.
Tyne Weeden, Johnston
Weeden is in the middle of a deep Johnston lineup that takes on Waukee Northwest on Tuesday at 2 p.m. The Kirkwood addition is hitting .356/.479/.542 with 11 doubles, four triples, 32 RBIs and an astonishing 15 hit by pitches over 118 plate appearances.
Reece Wrage, North Polk
Wrage is another talented player headed to Kirkwood next season. He’s been a reliable force on the mound to lead North Polk to the state tournament. In 66 2/3 innings, Wrage has allowed just 10 earned runs with a .132 batting average and 1.05 ERA. The Comets open Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. against Harlan at the bottom of the 3A pool.
