The Kansas high school baseball season kicks off on Mar. 20, opening day for regular season action under KSHSAA regulations. Leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down to the official Prep Baseball Kansas Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

 

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2025 SEASON OUTLOOK

No. of Returning Position Players: 3
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Top Returners:

• 3B/SS/P Carsen Nickelson (2025) - 6'0", 190, R/R
  • Returning SIK All-State selection, primed for a big senior season
• SS/2B/P Jett Burgess (2025) - 5'10", 170, R/R
  • Looking to rebound from mid-season injury last year, was having a great season
• P/C/1B Beck Fern (2026) - 6'2", 220, L/R
  • Primed for a breakout junior season on the mound and at the plate
• P/3B Cole Hayden (2026) - 6'2", 210, R/R
  • Has a chance to be dominant on the mound during his senior season

Top Newcomers:

• UTL Alex Johnston (2025)
• 1B Conner King (2025)
• LF Cooper Vaughn (2025)
• RF Caleb Miller (2025)
  • would say the same thing about all four of these previously-listed players - all excellent players who have been waiting their turn to play
• C Max Busch (2027)
  • Chance to make a real impact behind the plate as a sophomore
• P Alex Hinspeter (2027)
  • Has a chance to make an impact on the mound as a sophomore
• P Christian Krogen (2027)
  • Has a chance to make a real impact on the mound as a sophomore

Key Players Lost:

• Tucker Akins (Neosho County)
• Webb Fern (Coffeyville CC)
• Beau Pasteur (Hutchinson CC)
• Quinten Fears (Central Christian)

Coach’s Insight: “The top end of our rotation should be outstanding, and we should be able to compete well at the plate. Lack of experience [is a weakness]. Many of the kids that will play for us this year, although outstanding players, have been waiting until this year to play. Now it's their turn.” – Eric Miller, head coach

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Find more information on the 2025 Pittsburg program below:

+ Visit Prep Baseball Kansas’ 2025 KSHSAA Team Previews page to learn more.

+ If you are a high school coach and didn’t receive our questionnaire, please click HERE to fill out the form

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