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By Chris Parker
The 2021 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. Opposing coach nominations carried heavy weight in the decision-making process. Baseball teams play more than 20 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 was an important piece of the 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. At a conservative average of 15 players seeing varsity innings per team means 1,650 players would be eligible for consideration. Narrowing that list down to 50 is a very difficult task.
Below you will find a first, second and third nine with 23 honorable mention players. Names on each team are presented in alphabetical order.
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
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Landon Richards, Hollister
The Hollister Tigers advanced to the final four for the first time since 2006 and just the third time in program history. Our 2021 OzarksSportsZone.com Baseball Player of the Year was a big reason why. Richards was a star for Hollister in every facet of the game. He had a ridiculous 1.474 OPS with 8(!) triples, four home runs, 48 RBI and 33 runs scored. He struck out 102 in 63 innings on the mound with a 1.77 ERA. He will play his college baseball at Johnson County Community College.
STATS: .469 batting average, 1.474 OPS, 14 2B, 8 3B, 4 HR, 48 RBI, 33 runs, 9 SB; 7-3, 63.1 IP, 102 K, 1.77 ERA
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Outfielder
Ryker Harrington, Republic
Republic was one of the surprises of the season. The Tigers won the always tough COC and claimed a district title for the first time in 15 years coming up a couple runs short of the final four. Ryker Harrington helped power the Tigers to that success with a 1.364 OPS and seven home runs on the season. He earned first-team all-state and all-conference honors as an outfielder.
STATS: .417 batting average, 1.364 OPS, 11 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 45 runs
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Outfielder
Jaret Nelson, Nixa
Nixa junior Jaret Nelson was a star behind the plate for Nixa at catcher, and he brought just as much value to the offensive game with an OPS of 1.530 including six home runs and 14 doubles on his way to 37 RBI. Nelson also caused havoc on the base paths with 18 steals on the season. Everybody will know Nelson’s name next season.
STATS: .488 batting average, 1.530 OPS, 6 HR, 3 3B, 14 2B, 37 RBI, 31 runs, 18 SB
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Catcher
Treghan Parker, Webb City
There might not have been a better pure hitter in southwest Missouri than Treghan Parker. Parker, who was the COC Player of the Year, set a school record with 56 RBI while also scoring 43 runs. He has an incredible combination of speed and power with 20 stolen base and seven home runs. Parker was the OzarksSportsZone.com Defensive Player of the Year this past football season.
STATS: .429 batting average, 9 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, 56 RBI, 43 runs, 20 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Infielder; COC Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Infielder
Ty Pinon, Skyline
Ty Pinon is the lone player on the first nine who isn’t a first-team all-state selection, and I just don’t get how he was not a first-team all-stater. Pinon was basically unhittable on the mound with a 10-1 record and 115 strikeouts in 61.2 innings pitched. He posted an ERA (0.91) and WHIP (0.68) below 1. That alone would be enough to claim one of the top 27 spots on this team. He elevated to the First 9 by posting a 1.372 OPS at the plate with five home runs. The most shocking result of the all-state teams to me was Pinon not making a first team.
STATS: 10-1, 61.2 IP, 115 K, 0.91 ERA, 0.68 WHIP; .435 batting average, 1.372 OPS, 5 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 23 runs
HONORS: Class 3 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team Mid-Lakes All-Conference Pitcher; Second-Team Mid-Lakes All-Conference Infielder
Jeremy Rader, Catholic
Catholic senior Jeremy Rader is on the very short list of the best shortstops in southwest Missouri. He was also on the short list for our Player of the Year. Rader played great defense at shortstop while hitting .476 with a 1.437 OPS at the plate with 38 RBI, 45 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. He also had a strong season on the mound with 39 innings, 54 strikeouts and a 2.15 ERA. Rader, who was named the Big 8 East Player of the Year, will play his college baseball at Missouri State.
STATS: .476 batting average, 1.437 OPS, 16 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 45 runs, 15 SB; 4-1, 39 IP, 54 K, 2.15 ERA
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Infielder; Big 8 East Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder
Dalen Stewart, Willard
Dalen Stewart’s pitching performance in the state semifinals will go down as an all-time performance. He threw eight innings with six strikeouts yielding three runs in a Willard win over Ft. Zumwalt South. On the year, Stewart threw 72.1 innings with 96 strikeouts and a 2.13 ERA. He pitched in every Willard post-season game except the state championship. Willard had a lot of question marks coming into this season after graduating an all-time great senior class. Stewart provided leadership, whether he was on the mound or not, to help Willard take a step forward instead of a step back. Willard head coach Scott McGee called Stewart the best pitcher they have had in his 14 years with the Tigers. That high of praise speaks volumes for a program that has had as much success as Willard.
STATS: 8-4, 72.1 IP, 96 K, 2.13 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Pitcher
Zack Stewart, Lebanon
Zack Stewart was a two-way force for Lebanon. The Missouri State commit hit leadoff for the Yellowjackets and found himself on base 55% of the time. He hit seven home runs and drove in 19 runs on his way to a 1.378 OPS out of the top spot in the order. On the mound, Stewart struck out 65 in 39 innings. The junior earned Ozark Conference MVP honors for his efforts.
STATS: .425 batting average, 1.378 OPS, 9 2B, 7 HR, 19 RBI; 4-1, 39 IP, 65 K, 3.38 ERA
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Infielder; Ozark Conference MVP, First-Team All-Ozark Conference Infielder; Second-Team All-Conference Pitcher
Devrin Weathers, Webb City
Devrin Weathers is much more than just the one of the best football players in southwest Missouri. He was also one of the area’s best baseball players. The Kansas State football signee set a school record with 53 hits on his way to a .500 batting average playing against one of the area’s toughest schedules. Once on base, few players in the area created more issues for opposing teams. He turned those 50 hits into 38 stolen bases and 50 runs. Weathers was our All-O-Zone Offensive Player of the Year for football.
STATS: .500 batting average, 53 hits, 6 2B, 3 3B, 50 runs, 38 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Outfielder
SECOND 9
Drew Cornelison, Rogersville
STATS: .392 batting average, 1.119 OPS, 22 2B, 10 3B, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 31 runs; 18.2 IP, 20 K, 1.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Outfielder
Konner Hatfield, Hollister
STATS: .500 batting average, 1.510 OBP, 11 2B, 12 3B, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 48 runs, 16 SB
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Outfielder
Jared Hughes, Republic
STATS: .360 batting average, 1.029 OPS, 11 2B, 3 3B, 40 RBI, 25 runs; 3-1, 30 IP, 46 K
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-COC Infielder
Cole Martin, McDonald County
STATS: .418 batting average, 10 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 31 runs
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West Catcher
Brody McNiel, Hartville
STATS: 3-1, 50 IP, 98 K, 0.56 ERA; .394 batting average, .440 on-base, 38 RBI
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-Summit Conference
Isaac Mitchell, Nixa
STATS: 5-2, 53.2 IP, 77 K, 1.96 ERA
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; COC Pitcher of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Pitcher
Noah Southern, Carl Junction
STATS: .455 batting average, 1.290 OPS, 5 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 34 runs, 22 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Catcher
Isaac Wells, Glendale
STATS: 8-3, 63.1 IP, 63 K, 2.82 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Co-Ozark Conference Pitcher of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Pitcher
Jordan Williams, Marionville
STATS: .458 batting average, 14 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 23 runs, 9 SB; 5-2, 58.2 IP, 68 K, 1.79 ERA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Infielder; Southwest Conference Player of the Year; First-Team All-Southwest Conference Pitcher; Second-Team All-Southwest Conference Position Player
THIRD 9
Kade Biellier, Willard
STATS: .344 batting average, 11 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 39 RBI, 33 runs, 23 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Second-Team All-COC Outfielder
Cale Clark, Marionville
STATS: .419 batting average, 14 2B, 4 3B, 18 RBI, 23 runs, 8 SB; 8-1, 48 IP, 70 K, 1.90 ERA
HONORS: Class 2 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-Southwest Conference Position Player; Second-Team All-Southwest Conference Pitcher
Kam Durnin, Camdenton
STATS: .525 batting average, 1.500 OPS, 34 runs, 23 RBI
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Infielder
Dylan Gallup, Lockwood
STATS: 7-4, 64.1 IP, 115 K, 0.87 ERA, 0.79 WHIP; .397 batting average, .545 on-base, 9 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB
HONORS: Class 1 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-Southwest Conference Pitcher; Second-Team All-Southwest Conference Position Player
Tanner Lumley, Fair Grove
STATS: .494 batting average, .600 on-base, 1.379 OPS, 6 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 35 runs; 30 IP, 4-1, 33 K, 2.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team Mid-Lakes All-Conference Outfielder; Second-Team Mid-Lakes All-Conference Pitcher
Zach McKinnis, Kickapoo
STATS: 7-2, 58.1 IP, 56 K, 1.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
HONORS: Class 6 Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher; Co-Ozark Conference Pitcher of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Pitcher
Isaiah Smith, Crane
STATS: .425 batting average, 1.402 OPS, 12 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 38 runs, 17 SB
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Co-SWCL Player of the Year; First-Team All-SWCL Outfielder
Case Tucker, Lamar
STATS: .481 batting average, 1.501 OPS, 9 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 15 runs, 9 SB; 8-3, 38 IP, 41 K, 6.07 ERA, 1.76 WHIP
HONORS: Class 4 Honorable Mention All-State Infielder; Big 8 West Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West Infielder; Second-Team All-Big 8 West Pitcher
Jackson Vestal, Marshfield
STATS: 4-1, 42 IP, 83 K, 3.33 ERA, 1.38 WHIP; .282 batting average, 1.069 OPS, 8 2B, 4 HR
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher
Honorable Mention
Osiel Aldava, Purdy
STATS: .513 batting average, 10 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 16 SB; 3-1, 23.2 IP, 18K, 1.45 ERA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Infielder; Co-SWCL Player of the Year; First-Team All-SWCL Infielder
Alex Baker, Carl Junction
STATS: .350 batting average, .994 OPS, 2 HR, 32 RBI; 7-2, 53.2 IP, 59 K, 1.95 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-COC Utility
Haidan Barnard, West Plains
STATS: .500 batting average, 1.409 OPS, 13 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 20 runs
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-Ozark Conference Infielder
Blythe Blakely, Rogersville
STATS: .326 batting average, 23 RBI, 20 runs; 5-2, 51.1 IP, 2 SV, 30 K, 2.59 ERA
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-Big 8 East Utility
Dylan Blehm, Morrisville
STATS: .378 batting average, .998 OPS, 10 2B, 1 3B, 26 RBI, 36 runs, 8 SB; 8-0, 53.1 IP, 64 K, 1.18 ERA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State DH/Utility
Chase Caffey, Conway
STATS: 5-1, 35.2 IP, 61 K, 1.96 ERA, 1.18 WHIP; .395 batting average, .910 OPS, 3 2B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 18 runs
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-Summit Conference
Kohl Cooper, Joplin
STATS: .348 batting average, 1.152 OPS, 15 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 27 runs; 2-2, 25.2 IP, 33 K, 3.81 ERA
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; First-Team All-COC Outfielder
Colin Davis, Catholic
STATS: .393 batting average, .514 on-base, 4 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 24 runs, 9 SB; 5-1, 42 K, 4.30 ERA
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; Second-Team All-Big 8 East Outfielder
Jaesik Friggle, Aurora
STATS: .360 batting average, .462 on-base, 12 RBI, 28 runs, 12 SB
HONORS: Class 4 Honorable Mention All-State Infielder; First-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder
Jack Gardner, Warsaw
STATS: .452 batting average, 1.502 OPS, 8 2B, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 32 runs, 18 SB; 38 IP, 49 K, 3.10 ERA
HONORS: Class 3 Second-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-Ozark Highlands Conference
Cole Gayman, Webb City
STATS: 5-3, 54 IP, 67 K, 2.70 ERA; .400 batting average, 6 2B, 2 HR, 34 RBI
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-COC Pitcher
Trey Graves, El Dorado Springs
STATS: .409 batting average, 1.208 OPS, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 18 runs, 26 SB
HONORS: Class 3 Second-Team All-State Catcher; First-Team All-Ozark Highlands Conference
John Greenwood, Lebanon
STATS: .350 batting average, 1.176 OPS, 5 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 26 RBI; 5-2 49 IP, 74 K, 1.57 ERA
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; First-Team All-Ozark Conference Pitcher; First-Team All-Ozark Conference Outfielder
Kyle Hill, Republic
STATS: .361 batting average, 1.086 OPS, 8 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 15 runs
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Catcher
Hayze Hoffman, Aurora
STATS: .432 batting average, .542 on-base, 18 RBI, 23 runs, 10 SB
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder
Jake Leeker, Gainesville
STATS: .490 batting average, 1.558 OPS, 16 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 47 runs, 29 SB; 4-1, 45.2 IP, 62 K, 1.84 ERA
HONORS: First-Team All-Summit Conference
Shane Noel, Webb City
STATS: .448 batting average, 5 2B, 6 3B, 39 RBI, 48 runs, 23 SB; 5-0, 26 IP, 26 K, 1.30 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 Honorable Mention All-State DH/Utility; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Infielder
Zach Richards, Ava
STATS: 8-1, 55.2 IP, 76 K, 1.13 ERA, 0.93 WHIP; .352 batting average, .914 OPS, 4 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 14 runs
HONORS: Class 4 Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher; SCA MVP; First-Team All-SCA Pitcher
Isaac Robinson, Crane
STATS: .463 batting average, 1.295 OPS, 12 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 38 RBI, 31 runs
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Catcher; First-Team All-SWCL Catcher
Holden Sabor, Ozark
STATS: .444 batting average, 1.073 OPS, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 29 runs; 20.1 IP, 19 K, 2.07 ERA
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Infielder
Case Sanderson, Nevada
STATS: .468 batting average, 1.536 OPS, 9 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 44 runs, 12 SB; 4-1, 43 IP, 76 K, 2.76 ERA
HONORS: Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West Outfielder, First-Team All-Big 8 West Pitcher
Jake Twigg, Clever
STATS: .493 batting average, 1.264 OPS, 9 2B, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 34 runs, 27 SB; 2-3, 34.1 IP, 42 K, 5.01 ERA
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team Mid-Lakes All-Conference Infielder
Cooper Wilken, Weaubleau
STATS: 7-2, 45.2 IP, 89 K, 1.69 ERA; .543 batting average, 1.311 OPS, 1 HR, 41 runs, 17 RBI, 16 SB
HONORS: Class 1 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; Polk County League Player of the Year
