KHSAA baseball standouts: Meet top 5 Player of the Year candidates from Louisville area

Jason Frakes, Louisville Courier Journal

With the high school baseball season now complete, it’s time to look back at some of the top players from the Louisville area.

Listed below are five standouts from the 2024 season. Players from the following counties were eligible: Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer.

Starting June 24, readers will be able to use our online poll to make their pick for Player of the Year.

Coen Ball, Oldham County

Oldham County High School's Coen Ball has signed with Cedarville University.
Oldham County High School's Coen Ball has signed with Cedarville University.

Senior pitcher/infielder was 4-2 with a 1.71 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. He batted .471 with four home runs, eight doubles, 34 RBIs and 26 runs scored. Second-team All-State selection has signed with Cedarville University.

Brayden Bruner, Pleasure Ridge Park

Pleasure Ridge Park's Brayden Bruner (14) bunts during their game against Trinity on Friday, June 14, 2024 in Lexington, Ky. at Kentucky Proud Park for the state baseball semifinals.
Pleasure Ridge Park's Brayden Bruner (14) bunts during their game against Trinity on Friday, June 14, 2024 in Lexington, Ky. at Kentucky Proud Park for the state baseball semifinals.

Junior center fielder batted .400 with four home runs, nine doubles, nine triples, 46 RBIs, 49 runs scored and 33 stolen bases while helping the Panthers win their seventh state championship. Named Sixth Region Player of the Year and first-team All-State.

Dane Morrow, Trinity

Trinity’s Dane Morrow grabbed the ball and threw him out at first against St. X.April 26, 2023
Trinity’s Dane Morrow grabbed the ball and threw him out at first against St. X.April 26, 2023

Senior infielder batted .363 with four doubles, six triples, 31 RBIs and 35 runs scored. Received first-team All-State honors. Signed with University of Tennessee.

Kaine Samuels, Ballard

Ballard's Kaine Samuels (22) embraced teammate Lucas Niemeyer (18) after they defeated Eastern to win the 28th District finals at the Christian Academy of Louisville ballfield in Louisville, Ky. on May. 20, 2024. They won 9-4.
Ballard's Kaine Samuels (22) embraced teammate Lucas Niemeyer (18) after they defeated Eastern to win the 28th District finals at the Christian Academy of Louisville ballfield in Louisville, Ky. on May. 20, 2024. They won 9-4.

Junior pitcher/first baseman was 9-1 with one save, a 1.75 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. Also batted .439 with five home runs, 11 doubles, 36 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Named Seventh Region Player of the Year and first-team All-State. Committed to Western Kentucky University.

Jake Schweitzer, Trinity

Trinity's Jakob Schweitzer (8) grabs the ground ball and throws to first base during their game against Pleasure Ridge Park on Friday, June 14, 2024 in Lexington, Ky. at Kentucky Proud Park for the state baseball semifinals.
Trinity's Jakob Schweitzer (8) grabs the ground ball and throws to first base during their game against Pleasure Ridge Park on Friday, June 14, 2024 in Lexington, Ky. at Kentucky Proud Park for the state baseball semifinals.

Senior picher/shortstop was 10-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings. Also batted .295 with two home runs, five doubles, 31 RBIs and 27 runs scored. Received first-team All-State honors. Signed with University of Louisville.

All-State honors: Kentucky Mr. Baseball announced; 4 from Louisville on KHSBCA first team

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA baseball Player of the Year 2024: Louisville, KY-area nominees

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