SD Class A State Tournament: Players To Watch
May 22, 2025
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SIOUX FALLS, SD - This weekend, the SDHSBA Class A State Tournament will be played this Friday and Saturday at The Birdcage in Sioux Falls. Eight teams from across the state of South Dakota will be battling it out for a piece of hardware, and the glory that comes with winning a state championship. There will be no shortage of talent at Sioux Falls Stadium, here is our list of players to watch going into the tourney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
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Ethan Biggar RHP / Sioux Falls Jefferson, SD / 2025Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 9
Biggar currenty has 87 strikeouts on the season going into this weekend. The future Iowa Central Triton has been blowing the doors off hitters all spring long, look for him to continue that this weekend.
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Eli Kokenge RHP / SS / Harrisburg, SD / 2025Featuring a low 90s fastball, the Minnesota Golden Gopher signee is currently holding a 1.36 ERA this spring with 63 punchies. Kokenge is also has a .427 BA this season with 13 extra base hits.
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Kaden Rylance RHP / C / Watertown, SD / 2025Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 3
In Kaden Rylance's last outing, he struck out 19 batters in a complete game win over Pierre. The future Jackrabbit was up to 90 last summer at the Dakota State Games. |
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Aiden Zerr RHP / SS / Brandon Valley High School, SD / 2025Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 2
The Notre Dame commit has reportedly been in the low 90s this spring. Zerr is coming off an outing versus Roosevelt where he struck out 11 in 5 and 2/3 innings pitched. |
UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS TO WATCH
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Markus Pitkin OF / Watertown High School, SD / 2026Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 2
At the top of the Watertown lineup, Markus Pitkin provides the ability to smoke baseballs all around the yard. With more room for strength, Pitkin will be a name to know this weekend, at the Dakotas State Games, as well as later in the summer.
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Everett Salonen RHP / OF / Sioux Falls Jefferson, SD / 2027Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 5
Jefferson clinching a birth to the state tournament came from an impressive outing from Salonen. The sophomore struck out 10 over 5 innings pitched and earned the win. With a fastball up to 85 last summer, expect the young righty to light it up at The Birdcage this weekend.
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Brady Waddell SS / RHP / Rapid City Stevens, SD / 2027Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1
Waddell has been a presence for the Stevens Raiders both at the plate and on the mound. Hitting between the 3 and 4 spot all year, Waddell has shown the abiliy to drive the ball for extra base hits. Brady has been a staple out of the Raiders bullpen, throwing 2 innings and striking out 4. |
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Grady Gindorff SS / 3B / Brandon Valley, SD / 2026Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1
Gindorff has some of the best postion player metrics in both North and South Dakota. Using his athleticism in the field, and plenty of pop at the dish, the junior infielder from Brandon can impact the game in a variety of ways for the Lynx this weekend. |
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John Lent RHP / OF / Sioux Falls O'Gorman, SD / 2025Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 10
John Lent proved that he has next level stuff, striking out 56 batters in 38 innings pitched this high school season. Featuring a mid-80s fastball and multiple swing/miss offspeed offerings, the uncommitted Senior is a name to watch going into this weekend.
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