The 2024 All-O-Zone Baseball team has been released.
Many factors were used to decide the players listed below.
The biggest factor in narrowing down the players on this list was coach input. I asked coaches to submit names of their own 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.
2023 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
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
Drew Wedgeworth – Glendale (PLAYER OF THE YEAR)
Wedgeworth was once again a steady force on the mound in Glendale’s biggest games of the year going 8-2 with a 2.11 ERA including 60 strikeouts over 72.2 innings pitched. This season, he expanded his role at the plate making him an even more valuable player as a senior with a .458 on-base percentage and 26 RBI. He was named the Ozark Conference MVP and Pitcher of the Year for his efforts on one of the area’s best teams.
STATS: 72.2 IP, 8-2, 71 hits, 60 K, 14 BB, 2.11 ERA; .318 BA .458 OBP, 7 2B, 26 RBI, 11 runs, 22 BB
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Ozark Conference MVP; Ozark Conference Pitcher of the Year; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Pitcher; HM Ozark Conference Infield
Trace Harrington – Republic
The COC is an incredibly tough baseball conference and SIUE signee Trace Harrington tore it up to the tune of nine home runs and 43 RBI. He was a versatile piece for the Tigers posting a 0.71 ERA on the mound over 29 innings. Harrington was named Class 6 Second-Team All-State as a Utility/DH.
STATS: 29 IP, 3-2, 4 S, 21 H, 33 K, 0.71 ERA; .252 BA, .331 OBP, 4 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 26 R
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team COC Utility
Tristan Hunter – Forsyth
Tristan Hunter was a cheat code for Forsyth this year. The University of Kentucky signee was a perfect 8-0 on the mound with a minuscule 0.28 ERA with an absurd 98 strikeouts in 49.1 innings. His impact went well beyond the mound, as he hit .494 with 20 extra-base hits including 37 runs scored and 35 more driven in. He was the only area player to earn state player of the year honors as the Class 3 Player of the Year.
STATS: 8-0, 0.28 ERA, 49.1 IP, 98 K; .494 BA, 35 RBI, 37 runs, 10 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR
HONORS: Class 3 Player of the Year; Class 3 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team Mid-Lakes Pitcher
Cameron Jennings – Willard
Willard was a force all season on the way to the Class 5 state title, and having a guy like Cameron Jennings take the ball for 54.2 innings was a big reason. Jennings was a perfect 10-0 on the mound. He got the start in three straight playoff games going six innings in each of the district championship and state quarterfinal games to get the win. He threw 3.2 innings in the state semifinal against Ft. Zumwalt South to start the game. All-together, Jennings posted a 0.64 ERA with 66 strikeouts over his almost 55 innings pitched. He also hit .292 with three home runs and 11 stolen bases. Jennings was named COC Pitcher of the Year and Class 5 First-Team All-State as a DH/Utility.
STATS: 10-0, 0.64 ERA, 54.2 IP, 66 K; .292, 3 HR, 11 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; COC Pitcher of the Year
Hayden Larson – Willard
Hayden Larson was one-half of the best 1-2 pitching punch in the Ozarks this season. He posted a 6-2 record with a 1.30 ERA over 53.2 innings with 60 strikeouts. He closed out a 1-0 win over St. Francis Borgia in the state quarterfinal round. In the state semifinal round, Larson relieved Jennings going 3.1 innings giving up no earned runs on the way to a win in the game. Larson was named Class 5 First-Team All-State as a pitcher and First-Team COC pitcher.
STATS: 6-2, 1 SV, 1.30 ERA, 53.2 IP, 60 K
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team COC Pitcher
Ross Lawrence – Logan-Rogersville
Ross Lawrence capped off a stellar high school career with a strong season at both the plate and on the mound. The Missouri State signee was 9-2 with a 1.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP on the mound. At the plate, the Big 8 East Player of the Year, had a .303 average with a .453 on-base percentage including 10 doubles and four home runs. He was named Class 4 First-Team All-State as a pitcher, which made him one of only two area players to earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4.
STATS: 9-2, 49 IP, 79 K, 1.13 ERA, 0.96 WHIP; .303 BA, .453 OPB, 10 2B, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 28 runs
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Big 8 East Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East DH
Mark Ross – Glendale
Mark Ross was a strong blend of power and speed for the Glendale Falcons this season. The University of Central Arkansas signee used 10 doubles, two triples and four home runs to help him to a 1.201 OPS. If he wasn’t getting extra bases out of the box, Ross was capable of taking the extra bag himself with 16 stolen bases on the season. He was named Class 6 First-Team All-State on the infield.
STATS: .444 BA, .516 OBP, 1,201 OPS, 10 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 21 runs, 16 BB, 16 SB
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Infield; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Infield
Tank Sims – West Plains
Tank Sims, a SEMO signee, was the area’s best hitter. Full-stop. He absolutely mashed at the Class 5 level to the tune of a 1.789 OPS with nine home runs and 60 RBI. Of his 51 total hits this season, 26 went for extra bases. The first-team all-state catcher and Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year was an uncommonly powerful force at the plate.
STATS: .593 BA, .685 OPB, 1.789 OPS, 17 2B, 9 HR, 60 RBI, 27 BB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Catcher; Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Catcher
Drew Vonder Haar – Webb City
Drew Vonder Haar was the COC Player of the Year for good reason. He was a menace to opposing pitchers at the plate. Vonder Haar posted a 1.260 OPS with a .538 on-base percentage on the way to earning that top COC honor. He was a doubles machine with 19 on the season. He also was 2-1 on the mound. He earned Class 5 First-Team All-State honors in the outfield.
STATS: .474 BA, .538 OBP, 1.260 OPS, 19 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 32 RBI, 21 runs, 9 SB; 2-1 pitching
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Outfield; COC Player of the Year
SECOND 9
Matthew Angel – Willard
STATS: .328 BA, .451 OBP, .960 OPS, 36 runs, 26 RBI
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Infield; First-Team COC Infield
Luke Beverlin – Webb City
STATS: 9-1, .84 ERA, 73 K, 10 BB, 7 ER
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team COC Pitcher
Shaun Hunt – Webb City
STATS: .371 BA, .511 OBP, 1.058 OPS, 12 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 28 RBI, 24 runs, 25 BB
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Infield; First-Team COC Infield
Wyatt Hughes – Houston
STATS: 7-3, 1.13 ERA, 68 IP, 111 K; .388 BA, 1.133 OPS, 20 RBI, 1 HR, 8 SB
HONORS: Class 3 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; SCA Player of the Year
Rylan Michel – Nixa
STATS: .321 BA, .473 OBP, .932 OPS, 8 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 32 runs, 32 BB
HONORS: First-Team COC Outfield
Collin Ross – Branson
STATS: .322 BA, 9 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 36 runs, 16 SB; 6-2, 2 SV, 1.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 52 IP, 53 K
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team COC Utility
Wyatt Vincent – Nixa
STATS: .333 BA, .455 OBP, 1.156 OPS, 6 2B, 8 3B, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 38 runs, 22 BB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Outfield; First-Team COC Outfield
Wyatt Woods – Republic
STATS: .327 BA, .384 OBP, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 14-15 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Catcher; First-Team COC Catcher
Brett Yarger – Rolla
STATS: .369 BA, .440 OBP, 1.095 OPS, 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 17 runs, 35 RBI, 8 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Outfield; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Outfield
THIRD 9
Jackson Basham – Camdenton
STATS: .417 BA, .476 OBP, 1.106 OPS, 8 2B, 6 3B, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 40 runs; 5-1, 3.20 ERA, 50.1 IP, 63 K
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Outfield; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Outfield; Honorable Mention Ozark Conference Pitcher
Rusty Buckner – Licking
STATS: .474 BA, 1.474 OPS, 12 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 52 RBI, 42 runs; 4-1, 2.17 ERA, 29 IP, 41 K
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Outfield
Kaden Coble – Mansfield
STATS: .427 BA, .549 OBP, 1.082 OPS, 14 RBI. 25 runs, 8 2B, 14 SB; 9-0, 1.15 ERA, 48.2 IP, 70 K
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team Summit Conference Baseball
Caeden Cloud – Nixa
STATS:Â .314 BA, 13 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 20 R, 12 SB
HONORS:Â First-Team All-COC Infield
Braden Dodson – Mt. Vernon
STATS: .475 BA, .527 OBP, 7 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 20 runs, 13 SB; 8-1, 2.15 ERA, 61.2 IP, 61 K
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East Catcher; First-Team Big 8 East Pitcher
Colin Kelley – Nixa
STATS: 6-1, 0.87 ERA, 55.1 IP, 64 K, 1.05 WHIP
HONORS: Class 6 Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher; First-Team COC Pitcher
Garrett Lester – Republic
STATS: .427 BA, .573 OBP, 6 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 42 R, 13 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Outfield; First-Team COC Outfield
Chase Robertson – Galena
STATS: .500 BA, .673 OBP, 1.438 OPS, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 30 BB, 43 runs, 14 SB; 7-1, 2.47 ERA, 51 IP, 78 K
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Infield; SWCL POY; First-Team SWCL Infield
Brady Yates – Glendale
STATS: .411 BA, .445 OBP, 1.182 OPS, 7 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 25 runs
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State Outfield; Unanimous First-Team Ozark Conference Infield
