(in alphabetical order)
Taylor Belza, So., Elyria Catholic: Belza was an all-county and GLC honorable mention as a freshman, slashing .329/.407/.513 slashline. He’s currently committed to West Virginia.
Hayden Blosser, Jr., Avon Lake: Committed to the University of Michigan and only a junior, Blosser will be a captain and key cog in a veteran-heavy Avon Lake lineup and on the mound.
Ryan Bors, Sr., Midview: Midview has several interesting position players, but Bors leads the pitching staff and posted a 2.04 ERA last season in 41 innings pitched.
Evan Bottone, Sr., Bay: An Akron signee, Bottone finished 2022 with slash line of .457/.588/.686. after a ridiculous May. He’s got power and a sharp eye that draws him plenty of walks, with some speed to boot.
Jake Boynar, Sr., North Ridgeville: Committed to Gannon University, Boynar leads a solid Rangers rotation, as the Rangers return a lot of varsity experience from last year’s 20-win campaign.
Adam Bright, Sr., North Ridgeville: Bright was a first-team SWC and all-county selection, batting .407 batting average with 12 doubles and 33 RBI. He committed to Glenville State a few months ago.
Nic Chernitsky, Sr., Elyria: Chernitsky was one of the better pitchers in the SWC and county last year, posting a 5-2 record with 46 strikeouts to 21 walks and a 1.83 ERA, along with a no-hitter. He’s committed to Hiram College.
Dominic Costello, Sr., North Olmsted: Signed with Gannon, Costello was an on-base and power machine for the Eagles, walking 22 times to only five strikeouts. He’ll be at the core of Keith Sandy’s lineup.
Gavin Ehrhardt, Sr., Avon: Signing with the University of Cincinnati in December, Ehrhardt pitched 50 2/3 innings in 2022 with a 1.38 ERA, 52 strikeouts and only 23 walks, throwing two-one hitters and one no-hitter. He also swatted two balls over the fence, so he can swing the bat when needed.
Levi Ellis, Sr., Elyria Catholic: The All-Ohio honorable mention is the Panthers’ ace (1.11 ERA) and a run producer with speed (18 stolen bases) to wrack a game plan. Ellis could be in contention for Lorain County Player of the Year along with several other names on this list.
Cam Gendics, Sr., Amherst: Committed to Ohio Northern, Gendics is one of a trio of pitchers who will head up Matt Rositano’s 2023 rotation. If the bats do as well as the pitching, Amherst and Gendics can go far.
CJ Gurule, Sr., Avon Lake: The senior committed to Lake Erie College in the summer and helps front the Shoremen pitching staff that could power a top-four finish in a brutal SWC.
Ryan Nolan, Sr., Bay: Nolan was a hit machine for Bay, and should provide some punch with Bottone near the top of the lineup after posting a.455/.576/.532 slashline in 99 plate appearances.
Jack Lion, Sr., Avon Lake: Lion was a very good outfielder as a junior on a team featuring Dominic Poltrone and Logan Hamilton as its offensive core. The future Ohio Dominican outfielder is another Avon Lake player who could blossom this season.
CJ Polen, Sr., Wellington: Having previously committed to Bluffton, Polen will be the heart and soul of the Dukes’ pitching staff as a first-team all-county and LC8 pitcher in 2022.
Chris Protos, Jr., Westlake: Protos was solid as can be, limiting runs and giving his team chances to win. He should only improve his stock further after an impressive sophomore season.
Issac Ramos, Jr., Elyria: Ramos is one of the better catchers in the SWC and the coverage area. On a team with a new coach and some key senior departures, the battery of Ramos and Chernitsky will be a key part of the Pioneer’s success this season.
Cory Ransom, Sr., Firelands: The All-Ohio honorable mention has some serious speed for a catcher. He’s the last in a line of Ransom brothers to go through Firelands with sterling high school resumes.
Thomas Rossi, Jr., Rocky River: A Morning Journal honorable mention in 2022, the junior is the returning batting average leader for Ed Piazza’s Pirates, hitting .373 a year ago. He’ll also serve as one of Rocky River’s top starting pitchers.
Jack Sivec, Sr., Keystone: Sivec can rake with the bat, as the future Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jacket will be front and center in the Keystone lineup this spring.
Silas Skvor, Sr., Firelands: If you’re looking for Firelands’ potential ace, look no further than Skvor. He wasn’t over-deployed last year and should be able to provide plenty of innings for the Falcons.
Hugh Sullivan, Sr., Westlake: The two-way threat was the GLC Player of the Year and he hit .411/.514/.482 with 23 RBI, 12 stolen bases, 11 runs, and 11 walks to six strikeouts. In five starts on the mound, he had an 0.84 ERA and 29 strikeouts over 33 1/3 IP. While unlikely to not give up an earned run until the end of the year again, the Dennison commit might have a shot at back-to-back conference Player of the Year awards.
Leo Walters, Sr., Avon: Walters was a table setter for Avon, with a .407 batting average and .522 on-base percentage to score 18 runs from the leadoff spot. He should serve in that spot again.
