With the 2024 prep baseball season wrapped up, Natural State Sports compiled some of the top performers from every area – and classification – statewide.
This list represents players with outstanding talent and character, some who won state championships and many of them will get the chance to play at the next level.
The Player of the Year is Jackson Kircher from Little Rock Christian. No one else dominated like Jack did this season on the mound and at the plate. He led the state with 14 home runs to go along with a .495 batting average. In 9 starts on the mound, he went 7-0 with a 0.50 ERA and 90 strikeouts over 55 1/3 innings. Jackson will attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall.
Matt Weigand is the Coach of the Year after overcoming the odds with Lake Hamilton. Weigand led the Wolves to the 5A semifinals and set a school record for most wins in a season, finishing 25-5. Lake Hamilton also won the 5A-South conference championship for the first time in school history.
Last but certainly not least, Russellville’s Trystan Newberry is the Underclassman of the Year. Newberry went 9-2 on the mound with a save and struck out 76 batters in 56.2 innings, compiling a 1.23 ERA while throwing two no-hitters. At the plate, he batted .322 with 7 doubles, 30 RBI and a home run.
“Trystan’s year is the most impressive season I’ve seen in 13 years of coaching,” said Russellville Skipper Will McCrotty, who was tabbed the 5A-West Coach of the Year.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jackson Kircher, Little Rock Christian
(Photo by Patrick Kircher.)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Weigand, Lake Hamilton
(Photo by Shana Thompson)
UNDERCLASSMAN OF THE YEAR
Trystan Newberry, Russellville
(Photo by Lauren Martin/Sunny Soul Creative)
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers
Cohen Bumbaugh | Marion | JR
Eli Crecelius | Valley View | SR
Lance Davis | Valley View | SR
Steele Eaves | Lonoke | SR
Easton Hurley | Lake Hamilton | SR
Infielders
Jacob Carlton | West Side (Greers Ferry) | SR
Luke Carner | Morrilton | SR
Hudson Hosman | Valley View | SR
Caleb Johnson | Harmony Grove (OC) | SR
Landon Schaefer | Fayetteville | JR
Outfielders
Slade Caldwell | Valley View | SR
Bennett Crafton | Rogers Heritage | SR
Jackson Kircher | Little Rock Christian | SR
Jaxson Ingle | Lonoke | SR
Catcher
Nolan Belcher | Walnut Ridge | SR
Utility
Connor Hobbs | Prairie Grove | SR
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers
Dalton Adair | Benton | SR
Tag Andrews | Maumelle | SR
Ross Felder | Springdale Har-Ber | SR
Nicholas French | St. Joseph | SR
Trystan Newberry | Russellville | SO
Infielders
Peyton Coffman | Russellville | SR
Conner Cunningham | Batesville | SR
Grant Karnes | Greenwood | JR
Gideon Motes | Bryant | SR
Waylon Woodell | Taylor | SR
Outfielders
Alex Downing | Bentonville West | SR
Peyton Lee | Maumelle | JR
Trent Middleton | Gosnell | SR
Webb Watson | Central Arkansas Christian | SR
Catcher
Isaac Baker | Harding Academy | JR
Utility
Dax Goff | Booneville | SR
