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Baseball's back: 15 Fort Collins-area players to watch on the diamond this spring

Chris Abshire, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·7 min read
Fort Collins' Sean Togher (13) pitches during a high school baseball game against Fossil Ridge at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023. The Lambkins won 2-1.
Fort Collins' Sean Togher (13) pitches during a high school baseball game against Fossil Ridge at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023. The Lambkins won 2-1.

Spring's arrival means baseball is back.

And 2024 has a good chance to be one of the most exciting and competitive seasons on the local diamond in recent years.

Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge and Rocky Mountain are all stocked with collegiate-level talent and will stake strong claims to city supremacy.

Meanwhile, Poudre is on an upward trajectory, Windsor is a tough out again in Class 4A and Wellington could make a jump after an impressive first season.

Some teams already have a game under their belt, but baseball also features the latest finish of any Colorado high school sport's season, with state championship weekend May 31 to June 1.

Here are 16 local baseball players to watch this year, plus more bonus names to know:

Sean Togher, Fort Collins

Fort Collins' Sean Togher (13) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Fossil Ridge at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023. The Lambkins won 2-1.
Fort Collins' Sean Togher (13) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Fossil Ridge at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023. The Lambkins won 2-1.

The Lambkins' senior right-hander does it all, filling up the stat sheet no matter where he plays.

His numbers last season were eye-popping and earned him Class 5A second-team all-state honors. Togher hit .538 with four homers and 28 RBIs while going 5-1 on the mound with a 2.04 ERA and 80 strikeouts in just 48 innings.

The California Baptist signee is a consensus top-10 Colorado prospect who has great feel with the bat and a devastating wipeout curveball that helps him dominate as a pitcher.

Easton Miller, Fossil Ridge

Fossil Ridge's Easton Miller (11) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Fort Collins at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023.
Fossil Ridge's Easton Miller (11) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Fort Collins at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023.

Miller is a mainstay by now, his talent and potential (especially on the mound) evident throughout his high school career. The Air Force signee leads an ultra-talented SaberCats' squad in coach Marc Wagner's first season at Fossil.

Miller can hit the mid-90s with an electric fastball that blows by hitters. He had a 3-2 record last year with a 2.04 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 44 innings while also hitting .338 with 20 RBIs.

Ross Frank, Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain's Ross Frank (14) takes a swing during a high school baseball game against Poudre at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins on April 20, 2023.
Rocky Mountain's Ross Frank (14) takes a swing during a high school baseball game against Poudre at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins on April 20, 2023.

As a sophomore, Frank already led the Lobos in innings pitched on a state tournament team, striking out 65 with a 2.48 ERA while contributing at the plate.

The junior will be Rocky's anchor on the mound this season, as Frank can baffle hitters with a tough mix of offspeed pitches and good location. Expect Frank to lead a bevy of good Lobos' arms this spring.

Ethan Fillinger, Windsor

Windsor High School baseball player Ethan Fillinger slides into home plate during a game against Rocky Mountain in Fort Collins on March 23, 2022.
Windsor High School baseball player Ethan Fillinger slides into home plate during a game against Rocky Mountain in Fort Collins on March 23, 2022.

The middle infielder/pitcher was a two-way standout for the Wizards as a sophomore last year, helping Windsor host a home regional.

He raked at the plate, hitting .423 with four homers, seven doubles and 29 RBIs. On the mound, he went 6-2 with 66 strikeouts and no home runs allowed in just 35 innings.

Fillinger and a talented crop of Windsor upperclassmen should be able to replace a handful of key senior losses without missing a beat.

Ryan Vandever, Poudre

Poudre baseball player Ryan Vandever throws to first during a game against Fort Collins on April 14, 2022. Poudre won 8-5.
Poudre baseball player Ryan Vandever throws to first during a game against Fort Collins on April 14, 2022. Poudre won 8-5.

The Impalas' catcher/infielder uses his adept football instincts on the baseball field, with a quick-twitch eye at the plate and a strong arm behind the dish.

Vandever had an impressive junior season, hitting .394 with 19 RBI, seven extra-base hits and a .959 fielding percentage that included 151 putouts and 14 assists. He leads a pesky Poudre squad that has regional aspirations this spring.

Owen Morgan, Fossil Ridge

Fossil Ridge's Owen Morgan (22) sprints to second base during a high school baseball game against Fort Collins at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023.
Fossil Ridge's Owen Morgan (22) sprints to second base during a high school baseball game against Fort Collins at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023.

Morgan has one of the highest ceilings in Northern Colorado and is already an Oregon commit and top-10 Colorado 2025 prospect entering his junior year.

The talented shortstop doesn't hit for a ton of home-run power, but he drives the ball in the gaps with a sound approach. Plus, he has all-around tools at shortstop, stealing base hits along with eight bases and a .409 batting average last season.

Cole Honick, Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain's Cole Honick (5) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Poudre at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins on April 20, 2023.
Rocky Mountain's Cole Honick (5) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Poudre at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins on April 20, 2023.

Honick will get more run on the mound and at the plate this year.

That's probably bad news for Lobos' foes, because the senior righty can hit the upper-80s with his fastball and come back with a high spin-rate breaking ball that buckles knees.

Honick struck out 15 batters in 18 innings while hitting .378 in limited plate appearances last season. Expect the Northeast Community College commit's numbers to shoot up this spring.

Dylan Rubenstein, Fort Collins

Fort Collins baseball player Dylan Rubenstein fields a ball during a game against Rocky Mountain at City Park in Fort Collins on May 6, 2023. Fort Collins won 12-1.
Fort Collins baseball player Dylan Rubenstein fields a ball during a game against Rocky Mountain at City Park in Fort Collins on May 6, 2023. Fort Collins won 12-1.

The Fort Collins sophomore is versatile as they come, playing anything from catcher to middle infield and outfield.

As a freshman, he batted .329 with 13 RBIs and six doubles, cementing himself as an everyday starter and strong recruiting prospect. He'll be a key cog in everything the Lambkins do as they chase a sixth straight postseason appearance.

Rylan Renton, Windsor

The Windsor senior is a slugger who creates plenty of pop with his bat. Renton will slot neatly into the middle of a potent Wizards' lineup and provides protection behind the top of the order.

The catcher/infielder hit .338 with five homers and 31 RBIs last season, while also catching three of six baserunners stealing.

Parker Jimenez, Wellington

Wellington's Parker Jimenez (17) plays first base during a high school baseball game against Timnath at Timnath Middle-High School on April 12, 2023.
Wellington's Parker Jimenez (17) plays first base during a high school baseball game against Timnath at Timnath Middle-High School on April 12, 2023.

Jimenez is an imposing figure on the diamond and he plays like it, wielding a big bat and powerful southpaw arm.

The first baseman/pitcher is Wellington's unquestioned top hitter after batting .414 with three homers and 14 RBIs for an Eagles team that made the playoffs in its first season. If Jimenez and a young lineup improves, this spring could be a fun encore.

Drake Jenkins, Timnath

Timnath's Drake Jenkins (23) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Wellington at Timnath Middle-High School on April 12, 2023.
Timnath's Drake Jenkins (23) delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Wellington at Timnath Middle-High School on April 12, 2023.

The Cubs' sophomore is Timnath's power arm on the mound and one of its top hitters, a two-way standout in the program's second season.

Jenkins can reach the mid-80s with his fastball and is a rangy, athletic outfielder with good hands. He already struck out 50 in 39 innings while hitting .367 as a freshman but expect a step forward that helps Timnath improve on its two-win debut.

Brayden Bay, Poudre

Poudre's Brayden Bay (2) loses his hat as he delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Rocky Mountain at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins on April 20, 2023.
Poudre's Brayden Bay (2) loses his hat as he delivers a pitch during a high school baseball game against Rocky Mountain at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins on April 20, 2023.

The Impalas' hurler is a fierce competitor, especially on the mound, where he challenges hitters in the zone.

The junior right-hander went 4-1 with a 4.34 ERA and 70 strikeouts in just 40 innings of work last season, also hitting .277 with 10 RBIs and eight extra-base hits. Bay will be a much-needed utility player for the improving Impalas.

Kirin Lawing, Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain High School's Kirin Lawing rounds third base to score a run against Fort Collins High School during their baseball game at City Park in Fort Collins on April 28, 2022.
Rocky Mountain High School's Kirin Lawing rounds third base to score a run against Fort Collins High School during their baseball game at City Park in Fort Collins on April 28, 2022.

Lawing is an uber-athletic outfielder and will be a senior leader for this Lobos squad.

He blankets the centerfield area and has a strong arm, capable of gunning runners out at any base. With the bat, he's an excellent pull hitter who drives the ball and finds his way on base.

Lawing hit .353 with five doubles and 10 RBIs last season and can also hold down innings as a pitcher.

Ethan Moran, Fossil Ridge

Fossil Ridge's Ethan Moran (1) dives for a weak popup during a high school baseball game against Fort Collins at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023.
Fossil Ridge's Ethan Moran (1) dives for a weak popup during a high school baseball game against Fort Collins at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023.

Moran forms a dynamic infield duo with Owen Morgan, making Fossil Ridge's up-the-middle defense among the best in the state.

Despite a smaller stature, the SaberCats' senior covers plenty of ground with blazing speed that also helped him steal 14 bases last year. He also led Fossil with a .411 average that included six triples and four doubles. Moran is a tone-setter for this SaberCats' lineup.

Jude Miller, Fort Collins

Fort Collins' Jude Miller (15) smiles after reaching third base during a high school baseball game against Fossil Ridge at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023. The Lambkins won 2-1.
Fort Collins' Jude Miller (15) smiles after reaching third base during a high school baseball game against Fossil Ridge at Fort Collins High School on April 18, 2023. The Lambkins won 2-1.

The two-sport standout transitions from the wrestling mat to the diamond quickly. Unlike wrestling, it's less about strength for Miller, who is a crafty left-hander on the mound and a savvy hitter at the dish.

He went 4-4 with 38 strikeouts and just eight walks in 34 innings last season while also hitting .294 with 13 RBIs. Miller is a great complement to Togher, also possessing strong breaking pitches and good control.

Bonus names to know:

  • Shane Crough, Fossil Ridge

  • Bradley Mallette, Rocky Mountain

  • Eastin Hubbard, Windsor

  • Gino Maccarini, Fort Collins

  • Brady Santillanes, Poudre

  • Wyatt Gustafson, Windsor

  • Bryson Weibler, Liberty Common

  • Luca Gaca-Thiele, Fossil Ridge

  • Cade Keller, Wellington

  • Dane Wyman, Timnath

  • Xander Duran, Rocky Mountain

  • Brek Benedict, Fossil Ridge

  • Kaden Baete, Fort Collins

  • Wrigley Cox, Rocky Mountain

  • Jensen Planansky, Fossil Ridge

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado baseball: Fort Collins-area players to watch this spring