Here are 10 of the top baseball players at the 2024 Iowa high school state tournament

Dargan Southard, Des Moines Register

We've reached the final leg of the 2024 Iowa high school baseball season, and plenty of elite talent will be on display this week at the state tournament.

The action begins Monday and runs through Friday, with the four classes again split up between two sites. Class 1A and 2A gets underway at Merchants Park in Carroll, while Cedar Rapids' Veterans Memorial Stadium will host Class 3A and 4A.

From dominant hurlers to potent bats, this week is sure to end this baseball campaign on a high note. With that, here are 10 of the top players competing at the state tournament this year. Players are listed in alphabetical order.

More: Iowa high school baseball state tournament 2024: See IHSAA brackets for all four classes

Dowling Catholic's Trever Baumler prepares to pitch during a substate baseball game at Ankeny Centennial High School on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Ankeny.
Dowling Catholic's Trever Baumler prepares to pitch during a substate baseball game at Ankeny Centennial High School on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Ankeny.

Trever Baumler, Dowling Catholic

The TCU signee has been a force all throughout his high school baseball career, and his final season has been no different. Although primarily known for his bat, Baumler on the mound has been a sight to see as well. He heads to Cedar Rapids with a 1.17 ERA over 48 innings, including a masterful seven-inning shutout over Ankeny Centennial in the substate final. Baumler is also hitting .329 with six extra-base hits and 16 RBIs over 82 at-bats.

Jaron Bleeker, Bishop Heelan

Bleeker is another two-way star looking to end his senior season on a high note. The Iowa signee owns a 1.33 ERA over 63 1/3 innings with 85 strikeouts. At the plate, Bleeker is slashing .371/.449/.470 with 11 doubles, 35 RBIs and 37 runs scored over 42 games. Bleeker's Crusaders open the 3A state tournament at 5 p.m. Monday versus Pella.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Nolan Grawe rounds first base during a high school baseball game against Western Dubuque, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Farley Community Park in Farley, Iowa.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Nolan Grawe rounds first base during a high school baseball game against Western Dubuque, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Farley Community Park in Farley, Iowa.

Nolan Grawe, Cedar Rapids Kennedy

The top seed in Class 4A doesn't reach this stage without Grawe's incredible power. The South Dakota State signee leads the state in RBIs (53), homers (14) and total bases (116), while ranking fourth in hits (57). His Cougars open at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday against Pleasant Valley.

Dallas Center-Grimes' Taitn Gray cheers after scoring a home run during a substate game on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Dallas Center.
Dallas Center-Grimes' Taitn Gray cheers after scoring a home run during a substate game on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Dallas Center.

Taitn Gray, Dallas Center-Grimes

This DCG junior phenom has carried the Mustangs all season, leading 4A in batting average (.545) and slugging percentage (1.159), while ranking second in total bases (102) and home runs (13). Gray, a Notre Dame commit, will look to lead DCG to another monumental win at 5 p.m. Tuesday versus Dowling Catholic.

Johnston's Adam Kayko (2) bats during the 3A state baseball championships at Duane Banks Field on Friday, July 21, 2023 in Iowa City.
Johnston's Adam Kayko (2) bats during the 3A state baseball championships at Duane Banks Field on Friday, July 21, 2023 in Iowa City.

Adam Kayko, Johnston

Johnston has been a baseball factory of late, and Kayko is another Dragon looking to end his high school career with a state title. The Nebraska signee is slashing .369/.481/.577 with 37 RBIs, 11 doubles and four homers over 111 at-bats.

Grant Mather, Cedar Rapids Kennedy

The main arm behind Kennedy's success, Mather leads the state in wins (10) with a 2.58 ERA and just a .198 opponents' batting average. Mather has also walked just 12 in 62 1/3 innings. At the plate, Mather is tied for third across all classes with 10 homers.

Braden McShane, New Hampton

Arguably the best bopper in Class 2A, McShane leads the class in total bases (80) and RBIs (43) while ranking third in hits (51) and fourth in batting average (.531). New Hampton gets underway at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Aplington-Parkersburg.

Lucas Sieck, Lynnville-Sully

The main arm behind Lynnville-Sully postseason surge, Sieck has been as reliable as they come this season. Over 59 1/3 innings, Sieck leads Class 1A with 10 wins to go with 83 strikeouts, a 1.30 ERA and a .126 opponents' batting average. The Hawks open up in the 1A tournament at 1:30 p.m. Monday versus Sigourney.

Johnston's Tyne Weeden celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a home run during a Class 4A high school quarterfinal state baseball game against Iowa City Liberty, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa.
Johnston's Tyne Weeden celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a home run during a Class 4A high school quarterfinal state baseball game against Iowa City Liberty, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa.

Tyne Weeden, Johnston

Weeden is right in the middle of a deep Johnston lineup that'll face Waukee Northwest at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The Kirkwood signee is slashing .356/.479/.542 with 11 doubles, four triples, 32 RBIs and a staggering 15 hit by pitches over 118 at-bats.

Reece Wrage, North Polk

Another talented player heading to Kirkwood next season, Wrage has been a reliable force on the mound in guiding North Polk to the state tournament. Across 66 2/3 innings, Wrage has yielded just 10 earned runs with a .132 opponents' batting average and a 1.05 ERA. The Comets get underway at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday against Harlan at the bottom of the 3A bracket.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 10 of the top players at Iowa high school state baseball tournament

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