The 2023 All-O-Zone Baseball team has been released.
Many factors were used to decide the players included below.
The biggest factor in narrowing down the players on this list was coach input. I asked coaches to both submit names of their players they thought should be included while also giving me names of players on opposing teams that stood out. TO BE ELIGIBLE, A PLAYER’S OWN COACH MUST HAVE NOMINATED THEM. Opposing coach nominations carried heavy weight in the decision-making process. Baseball teams play more than 25 games a year seeing hundreds of opposing players, so if a player stood out enough for a coach to mention them as one of the best they saw, it carried weight in our decision-making process.
Stats and postseason honors (all-league, all-conference, all-state) were also heavily considered in the process.
While I did not personally see every player in person on this list, someone who covers games for the O-Zone did and I used both my observations and theirs to narrow down the list.
Finally, baseball is the most difficult All-O-Zone team to do based on the sheer number of players in our coverage area and the unpredictability of the sport. There are more than 110 teams in our coverage area and just 50 spots on this team. A conservative average of 15 varsity players per team means roughly 1,650 players would be eligible for consideration. Narrowing that list down to only 50 players is a very difficult task.
Below you will find a first, second, and third nine for a top 27 with 23 honorable mention players. Names on each team are presented in alphabetical order with the exception of player of the year.
2022 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2021 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2019 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2018 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2017 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2016 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
FIRST 9
Kade Durnin, Camdenton (PLAYER OF THE YEAR)
Durnin was named both Class 5 Player of the Year and Ozark Conference Player of the Year and now he is also the O-Zone Player of the Year. The junior was a two-way stud for Camdenton with a 1.330 OPS at the plate including 45 RBI and 34 runs scored to go with his 18 extra-base hits. On the mound, Durnin struck out 90 over 55 innings with a 1.15 ERA on his way to a 7-1 record. In addition to his player of the year honor, he was named first-team all-state as a DH/Utility in Class 5.
STATS: .475 BA, 1.330 OPS, 48 hits, 11 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 34 runs, 21 BB, 45 RBI; 55 IP, 7-1, 90 K, 1.15 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 Player of the Year, Class 5 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; Ozark Conference MVP; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Pitcher & Infielder
Gavyn Beckner, Republic
Beckner helped lead Republic to a share of the COC title bringing both strong hitting and pitching to the Tigers. His efforts earned him Co-COC Player of the Year honors. At the plate, Beckner drove in 39 runs and scored 23 more. On the mound, Beckner went 7-1 against a tough schedule throwing 53 innings and striking out 56 with a 1.84 ERA. Opposing batters hit .217 against him. His versatility led to a first-team all-state selection in Class 6.
STATS: .367 BA, .424 OBP, 44 hits, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 39 RBI, 23 runs, 9 SB; 53 IP, 7-1, 1.84 ERA, 56 K, 17 BB, .217 BAA
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Utility; Co-COC Player of the Year
Kam Durnin, Camdenton
Camdenton won the program’s first Ozark Conference championship and posted a program-record 29 wins. Senior Wichita State signee Kam Durnin was a key reason why. He crushed the ball at the plate to the tune of a 1.377 OPS with 24 of his 43 hits going for extra bases including seven home runs. He scored 47 runs while driving in 31. The Co-Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year earned his third first-team all-state selection on the infield for his efforts.
STATS: .417 BA, 1.377 OPS, 43 hits 13 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 47 runs, 28 BB, 31 RBI
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Infielder; Co-Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Infielder
Brooks Kettering, Glendale
Glendale was a true team top to bottom this season, but Kettering stood out for the Falcons. The Southeast Missouri State signee was named Co-Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year and first-team all-state as an infielder in Class 5. He hit .424 with a .530 on-base percentage scoring 36 runs and driving in 31. He walked 18 times and was a threat to turn those walks into doubles with 23 stolen bases on the season.
STATS: .424 BA, .530 OBP, 39 hits, 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 36 runs, 18 BB, 23 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Infielder; Co-Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Infielder
Rylan Michel, Nixa
Nixa’s potent offensive machine had many players contributing to the cause, and Michel provided a little of everything for the Eagles. He hit .398 with a 1.206 on his way to 51 hits over Nixa’s 40-game schedule. 25 of those 51 hits went for extra bases including 14 doubles, six triples, and five home runs leading to 35 RBI. When Michel wasn’t hitting for extra bases, he went ahead and took the extra base himself with 14 stolen bases. The Class 6 First-Team All-State outfielder also played stellar defense with no errors on the season.
STATS: .398 BA, 1.206 OPS, 51 hits, 14 2B, 6 3B, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 22 BB, 14 SB, 0 errors committed
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team COC Outfielder
Case Sanderson, Nevada
Sanderson was once again a two-way monster for Nevada. The Nebraska signee tore the cover off the ball at the plate hitting .476 with 21 of his 40 hits going for extra bases. He drove in 29 runs and scored 36 more. On the mound, Sanderson struck out 118 over 64.2 innings with a 0.54 ERA. He was named Big 8 East Player of the Year and earned first-team all-state honors as a utility/designated hitter in Class 4.
STATS: .476 BA, 40 hits, 36 runs, 29 RBI, 14 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 26 BB, 11 SB; 64.2 IP, 9-3, 118 K, 0.54 ERA
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; Big 8 West Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 West Pitcher & Infielder
Ben Smith, Springfield Catholic
Smith closed out his decorated high school career with another dynamic two-way performance as a senior. The Mizzou signee earned first-team all-state honors as a pitcher with a 5-2 record including 80 strikeouts and a 2.36 ERA over 50.1 innings pitched. At the plate, Smith hit .341 with a 1.203 OPS. Half of his 28 hits went for extra bases including eight home runs which helped lead to his 24 RBI. He also walked 19 times on his way to scoring 28 runs. Smith was one of only two area players (Lebanon’s Payton Wehner in Class 6) to be named first-team all-state as a pitcher in the state’s three biggest classes.
STATS: .341 BA, .495 OBP, 1.203 OPS, 28 hits, 6 2B, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 28 runs, 19 BB; 50.1 IP, 5-2, 80 K, 2.36 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team Big 8 East Pitcher; Second-Team Big 8 East Infielder
Curry Sutherland, Rogersville
Sutherland was one of, if not the, best pure hitters in the area. His sweet swing led to a 1.381 OPS with 29 RBI and 27 runs scored. He was also electric on the mound throwing 34.2 innings and striking out 71 with a 2.62 ERA. The Missouri State signee was named Big 8 East Player of the Year in a loaded conference featuring a host of all-state players. He also earned first-team all-state honors as an infielder in Class 4.
STATS: 34.2 IP, 3-2, 2 SV, 71 K, 2.62 ERA; .440 BA, 1.381 OPS, 40 hits, 9 2B, 4 3B, 29 RBI, 27 runs
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Infielder; Big 8 East Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East Infielder; Second-Team Big 8 East Pitcher
Payton Wehner, Lebanon
Southwest Missouri had one player named first-team all-state pitcher in the state’s two biggest classes and Wehner was it. He was electric every time he took the mound. The Ozark Conference Pitcher of the Year went 11-0 in 11 starts for the Yellowjackets. He threw 70.1 innings and struck out 80 posting an ERA of 0.80. Opposing hitters posted a .142 batting average against Wehner. One of his best performances of the year was throwing 6.2 innings of shutout baseball against Glendale in a 1-0 win for his team.
STATS: 70.1 IP, 11-0, 1 SV, 0.80 ERA, 80 K, .142 BAA, 11 total starts
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Ozark Conference Pitcher of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Pitcher
SECOND 9
Parker Crow, Ash Grove
STATS: .505 BA, .552 OBP, 1.268 OPS, 5 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 41 runs, 27 SB; 24.1 IP, 4-0, 51 K, 2.30 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, .149 BAA
HONORS: Class 2 Player of the Year, Class 2 First-Team All-State Outfielder; First-Team Southwest Conference Outfielder
Bryce Davis, Ash Grove
STATS: .494 BA, .577 OBP, 1.227 OPS, 10 2B, 1 3B, 34 RBI, 36 runs; 52.1 IP, 10-0, 79 K, 0.94 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, .162 BAA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; Southwest Conference Player of the Year; First-Team Southwest Conference Pitcher
Tristan Hunter, Forsyth
STATS: 7-2, 55 IP, 112 K, 1.26 ERA; .363 BA, 33 hits, 32 runs, 27 RBI, 7 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 7 SB
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team Mid-Lakes Pitcher & Outfielder
Klayton Kiser, Willard
STATS: .392 BA, 12 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 10 SB; 3-1, 2 SV, 1.56 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; Co-COC Player of the Year
Brody McNiel, Rogersville
STATS: 33.1 IP, 7-0, 0.84 ERA, 73 K; .385 BA, 1.023 OPS, 20 hits, 14 RBI
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team Big 8 East Pitcher; Second-Team Big 8 East Utility
Coleman Morrison, Catholic
STATS: .330 BA, .417 OBP, .927 OPS, 31 hits, 9 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 17 runs; 47.2 IP, 5-2, 67 K, 2.06 ERA, 1.66 WHIP
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team Big 8 East Pitcher; Second-Team Big 8 East Infielder
Chade Noble, Seymour
STATS: 6-1, 63.2 IP, 134 K, 1.43 ERA, 0.85 WHIP; .380 BA, .479 OBP, 1.125 OPS, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 30 runs
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team Summit Conference
Tank Sims, West Plains
STATS: .419 BA, 10 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 23 BB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Catcher
Ethan Taylor, Nixa
STATS: 9-1, 54.1 IP, 75 K, 2.06 ERA, .200 BAA
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team COC Pitcher
THIRD 9
Malachi Antle, Licking
STATS: .394 BA, .521 OBP, 1.074 OPS, 9 2B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 24 BB
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Catcher; Frisco League MVP
Kaylor Darnell, Webb City
STATS: 9-3, 77 K, 1.34 ERA; .226 BA, 26 hits, 4 2B, 2 HR, 19 RBI
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team COC Pitcher
Garyn Hall, Houston
STATS: .519 BA, 42 hits, 7 2B, 3 3B, .589 OBP, 1.244 OPS, 15 RBI, 31 runs, 51 SB; 7-1, 0.51 ERA, 97 K
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Infielder; Co-SCA Player of the Year; First-Team All-SCA Pitcher
Hayze Hoffman, Aurora
STATS: .493 BA, .581 OBP, 1.321 OPS, 34 hits, 6 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 15 BB, 19 RBI; 28.2 IP, 1.99 ERA; 28% CS
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East Infielder
Brock Mooneyham, Ash Grove
STATS: .400 BA, .535 OBP, 1.122 OPS, 7 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 39 runs, 20 BB; 43.1 IP, 9-0, 85 K, 1.94 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, .127 BAA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team Southwest Conference Pitcher
Drew Vaughan, Mountain Grove
STATS: .458 BA, .555 OBP, 1.265 OPS, 49 hits, 51 runs, 29 RBI, 16 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 30 SB
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Infielder; Co-SCA Player of the Year; First-Team All-SCA Infielder
Drew Wedgeworth, Glendale
STATS: 7-3, 67.1 IP, 43 K, 1.14 ERA
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; Second-Team Ozark Conference Pitcher
Cooper Wilken, Willard
STATS: .416 BA; 4-3, 2.66 ERA, 50 IP, 48 K
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; Unanimous First-Team COC Utility
Bret Yarger, Rolla
STATS: .355 BA, 39 hits, 28 runs, 35 RBI, 12 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 16 BB, 7 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Outfielder
HONORABLE MENTION
Carson Adams, Marshfield
STATS: .471 BA, .621 OBP, 1.196 OPS, 41 hits, 6 2B, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 26 runs, 28 BB, 8 HBP
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team Big 8 East Utility
Nick Bagley, Warsaw
STATS: .393 BA, .495 OBP, .959 OPS, 33 hits, 4 2B, 28 RBI, 15 runs, 15 caught stealing
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Catcher; Ozark Highlands Player of the Year
Wyatt Brockman, Marshfield
STATS: .344 BA, .504 OBP, 1.093 OPS, 31 hits, 5 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 24 BB, 6 HBP
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Catcher; Honorable Mention Big 8 East Catcher
Triston Bruegman, Morrisville
STATS: .400 BA, .530 OBP, 1.274 OPS, 9 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 43 runs, 26 SB; 59.2 IP, 6-2, 2 SV, 1.88 ERA, 106 K
HONORS: Class 2 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility
Rusty Buckner, Licking
STATS: .475 BA, .565 OBP, 1.366 OPS, 12 2B, 7 HR, 55 RBI; 22.1 IP, 2-2, 4 SV, 35 K, 3.13 ERA
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team Frisco League
Noah Carrow, Rogersville
STATS: .368 BA, 1.185 OPS, 26 hits, 9 2B, 4 HR, 34 RBI
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East Catcher
Caeden Cloud, Nixa
STATS: .390 BA, 1.080 OPS, 48 hits, 16 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 30 BB, 17 SB
HONORS: Unanimous First-Team COC Infielder
Cy Darnell, Webb City
STATS: .328 BA, .379 OBP, 6 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team COC Infielder
Hank Eggerman, Lockwood
STATS: .468 BA, .538 OBP, 1.095 OPS, 21 RBI, 28 runs, 37 hits; 4 2B, 38 SB in 41 attempts
HONORS: Class 1 First-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team Southwest Conference Infielder
Ezequiel Garcia, Purdy
STATS: .384 BA, 28 hits, 28 runs, 31 RBI, 5 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 12 SB; 37.1 IP, 5-0, 50 K, 1.31 ERA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team SWCL Infielder
Garin Geitz, Fair Grove
STATS: 6-3, 55.1 IP, 77 K, 1.89 ERA; .326 BA, 31 hits, 14 2B, 1 3B, 20 RBI, 30 runs, 5 SB
HONORS: Unanimous First-Team Mid-Lakes Pitcher & Infielder
Cale Johnson, Stockton
STATS: .481 BA, 38 hits, 41 runs, 29 RBI, 5 2B, 3 3B, 22 BB
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Catcher; First-Team Southwest Conference Catcher
Ross Lawrence, Rogersville
STATS: 37 IP, 5-2, 55 K, 3.02 ERA; .333 BA, .842 OPS, 24 hits, 18 RBI, 12 runs
HONORS: First-Team Big 8 East Infielder; Second-Team Big 8 East Pitcher
Connor Lynde, Lincoln
STATS: .385 BA, 30 hits, 7 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 30 runs, 29 RBI, 38 SB; 5-2, 61.1 IP, 112 K, 1.70 ERA, .132 BAA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State DH/Utility
Chris Massey, Willard
STATS: 3-1, 2.02 ERA, 38 K, 28 IP
HONORS: Class 5 Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team COC Pitcher
Trent Pinon, Skyline
STATS: 64.1 IP, 8-1, 95 K, 1.09 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, .155 BAA; .477 BA, .531 OBP, 1.148 OPS, 41 hits, 8 2B, 2 3B, 18 RBI, 30 runs, 29 SB
HONORS: Unanimous First-Team Mid-Lakes Pitcher & Outfielder
Logan Ripper, Catholic
STATS: .364 BA, .495 OBP, 1.079 OPS, 28 hits, 8 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 8 runs
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Catcher; Second-Team Big 8 East Catcher
Ben Ruter, Catholic
STATS: .333 BA, .413 OBP, 1.004 OPS, 31 hits, 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 18 runs, 11 BB
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East Outfielder
Davin Sawyer, Wheatland
STATS: 4-4, 40.1 IP, 71 K, 1.74 ERA; .457 BA, 40 runs, 31 RBI, 5 2B, 6 HR, 31 BB, 19 SB
HONORS: Class 1 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; Polk County League MVP
Cam Stratton, Glendale
STATS: .361 BA, .481 OBP, 30 hits, 4 2B, 1 HR, 18 Rbi, 19 runs, 20 BB, 7 SB
HONORS: Class 5 Honorable Mention All-State Infielder; First-Team Ozark Conference Infielder
Evan Vienhage, Kickapoo
STATS: .411 BA, 39 hits, 26 runs, 22 RBI, 9 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 22 BB
HONORS: Class 6 Honorable Mention All-State Infielder; First-Team Ozark Conference Infielder
Wyatt Woods, Republic
STATS: .342 BA, .509 OBP, 27 hits, 4 2B, 2 3B, 17 RBI, 19 runs, 23 BB, 6 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team COC Catcher
Marcus Young, Monett
STATS: 64.1 IP, 5-2, 1 SV, 100 K, 2.17 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 8-inning no-hitter in district title game; .300 BA, .786 OPS, 24 hits, 7 2B, 1 3B, 14 RBI, 14 runs
HONORS: Class 4 Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher; First-Team Big 8 West Pitcher; Second-Team Big 8 West Infielder
