Fab 50: The Arizona Republic's top high school baseball players for 2024 season

With the Arizona high school baseball season beginning Feb. 21, The Arizona Republic looks at its 50 best players to see in 2024, regardless of conference. Arizona has always been loaded with great baseball talent.

Former Hamilton star Cody Bellinger and Sandra Day O'Connor standout Nolan Gorman are among some of the best to come through in recent years and make an impact in Major League Baseball. Who's next?

Here is this year's big wave a great talent that will hit the Arizona high school baseball diamonds.

Fab 50 baseball player rankings

1. Cam Caminiti, Scottsdale Saguaro, OF/LHP, Sr.

He's as good a two-way high school baseball player in America. He reclassified from the 2025 class and could end up a top-20 pick in the Major League Baseball draft this summer. A left-hander, he might be a pitcher in the majors. But he hit .486 last season for the Sabercats, who came up short of Canyon del Oro in the 4A state championship game. He is signed with LSU. But he could have big money at his doorstep with the draft. Baseball America has Caminiti as first-team preseason high school All-American as a starting pitcher. But he hardly pitched last season for the Sabercats. It will be interesting to see how much coach Joe Muecke pitches him.

2. Gunnar Penzkover, Phoenix Northwest Christian, RHP/OF, Sr.

He made The Republic's All-Arizona team last season when he led the Crusaders to the 3A state championship. Great hitter, but he'll be pitching at Grand Canyon University next year. He hit .440 with nine triples and was 12-1 with 108 strikeouts and 24 walks last season.

3. Hustyn Wheeler, Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor, OF, Sr.

He's committed to Oregon State. Fast, covers lots of ground in the outfield, great glove, always finds contact at the plate. He hit .426 with 31 runs scored and 18 walks last season. Played in the GEICO National Championship Series in Dallas.

4. Ryan Harwood, Queen Creek Casteel, INF/RHP, So.

This kid is on a fast-rising trajectory. He's a man-child at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. He bats left and throws right. He hit .426 as a freshman on 5A championship team. Played in the World Baseball 15U Cup. Was a closer on the USA team that beat Cuba in the championship game. He was invited to play in the Area Codes Underclassmen Games.

5. Chris Newstrom, Scottsdale Chaparral, C, Sr.

He is committed to Tennessee. Played in the Area Code Games last summer. He hit .379 last season for the Firebirds. He had 20 walks and 20 RBIs. He missed most of the 2022 season due to an injury.

6. Gavin Smith, Chandler Basha, INF, Sr.

Incredible student in the classroom, he's a leader on the field. He played in the 2023 GEICO High School National Championship Series in Texas. He hit .435 last season at Basha. He 47 hits and 19 RBIs and had a .638 slugging percentage.

7. Drew Rogers, Chandler Hamilton, C/RHP, Sr.

Moved in from Minnesota, where he was the MaxPreps Player of the Year and a MaxPreps preseason All-American this year. He hit .429 with 25 RBI and had a 2.81 ERA in 37 innings. Signed with Georgia Tech.

8. Joe Forbes, Glendale Mountain Ridge, C, Jr.

He also played in the GEICO series in Texas. He hit .343 with five home runs and 23 RBIs last season. He also stole 11 bases. He's 6-2, 195.

9. Sal Valenzuela, Nogales, LHP/OF, Sr.

The Arizona commit had a 1.53 ERA in 46 innings pitched last season. He struck out 80 and walked 25. Will contribute at the plate, but he's a lights-out pitcher from the left side.

10, Ethan Trahan, Horizon, LHP/OF, So.

Already committed to Arizona State, he hit .446 win 29 games on varsity as a freshman, He's part of a tremendous 2026 class in Arizona. His .580 on-base percentage showed what a great eye he had at the plate. He will also be a strong asset on the mound for the Huskies.

11, Landon Hairston, Casteel, OF/LHP, Sr.

Committed to ASU. Played in the Area Code Games last August. In 32 games last year, he hit .500 with 34 RBIs and 48 hits. He was the 5A San Tan Region Player of the Year.

12. Liam Wilson, Hamilton, C, Sr.

He will be a fourth-year varsity starter and a reason for the Huskies' current 6A baseball dynasty. Last year, he hammered six home runs and drove in 33 runs. He's committed to Harvard. His abilities behind the plate is a pitcher's dream.

13. Smith Bailey, Mountain Ridge, RHP, Sr.

The San Diego State signee has commanding mound presence at 6-6, 195 pounds. He throws between 90-94 mph. In 65 innings, he had a 1.41 ERA. He struck out 72 batters and walked 17, posting a 10-1 record.

14. Tait Reynolds, Queen Creek, OF, So.

Great athlete, one of the top quarterbacks in football in Arizona. He is 6-2, 195. In 32 games last year, as a freshman, he hit .355 with 22 runs, 24 hits, 12 RBIs, five doubles, two triples and three home runs. He had 14 stolen bases.

15. Reece VanDevander, Chaparral, INF/RHP, Sr.

He hit .404 last season, driving in 22 runs and hitting four home runs. A solid pitcher with a 4-1 record and 44 strikeouts in 44 innings.

16. Brett Crossland, Mountain Pointe, RHP, Jr.

He is committed to Texas. He is imposing on the mound at 6-4, 225. In 32 innings, he struck out 52 batters. Throws in the low 90s.

17. Boston Kellner, Hamilton, INF/RHP, Jr.

He moved in from Colorado, where he starred at Pine Creek as a sophomore, hitting .514 with 29 RBI and was 7-0 on the mound with a 1.87 ERA. Committed to Louisville.

18. Ryker Waite, Queen Creek, INF, Jr.

A switch-hitter, he played on the GEICO High School National Championship Series. He was the 6A Central Region Defensive POY last season when he hit .407 with 35 runs scored, 33 hits, 18 RBIs, 12 doubles.

19, Nathan Huie, Sahuarita, INF/RHP, Sr.

Signed with San Diego State. He bats left and throws right. Hit .410 in 30 games. Drove in 28 runs, had 10 doubles, five home runs.

20. Jaylen Payne, Hamilton, OF, Jr.

He hit .420 on last year's 6A championship team, driving in 23 runs. He had eight doubles. Committed to Utah.

21. Todd Stottlemyre Jr., Scottsdale Notre Dame, SS, Sr.

Signed with Rice, he's a versatile middle infielder who has power at the plate. The son of former MLB pitcher Todd Stottlemyer, this should be his breakout year.

22. Nathan LeBron, Gilbert Mesquite, C, Sr.

He is 6-foot, 215 pounds. Hits for average and power. Batted .365 with five doubles and 27 RBIs. Walked 16 times. Comes from one of the best programs in the state.

23. Jackson Forbes, Mountain Ridge, INF/RHP, Sr.

Signed with Arizona, he played in the GEICO national series. He hit .309 wit 20 runs, 29 hits, six home runs, 23 RBIs in 30 games last year.

24. A.J. Diaz, Hamilton, INF, Sr.

He played most of last season at third base for the state champs. Great fielder, great eye at the plate. Played in the Area Code Games. Hit .389 for the Huskies last season in 25 games.

25. Jake Sanko, Sandra Day O'Connor, INF, Sr.

Signed with Grand Canyon, he hit .336 in 32 games, driving in 31 runs. He had seven homers and nine doubles.

26. Connor Russell, Casteel, OF, So.

He has committed to ASU. He bats left and throws right. He hit .418 last year with 30 runs, 23 hits, 22 RBIs, six doubles.

27. Nico Linville, Hamilton, OF/INF, Jr.

Another out-of-state transfer, he starred last year at Cypress Bay in Florida, hitting .435 with 36 runs scored.

28. Carter Macanas, Mesa Desert Ridge, INF, So.

The middle infielder who is committed to ASU is among seven returning starters. Had big offseason, showing major improvements.

29. Ganon Dwyer, Tucson Catalina Foothills, INF/LHP, Jr.

He is committed to Arizona. He hit .344 with 33 hits, 26 RBIs, nine doubles, three homers and 20 runs scored.

30. Jet Berry, Queen Creek, SS, So.

A multi-sport athlete, he has a great feel at shortstop. Good glove, strong arm. Should take off as a sophomore.

31. Cody Barnes, Tucson Mica Mountain, 1B/RHP, So.

Huge potential at 6-4, 185 pounds, Big bat. Solid two-way player who had 15 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched on varsity as a freshman.

32. Eli Cramer-Cronin, Basha, C/INF, So.

A linebacker in football at 6-2, 205, he's got a bright future in either football or baseball. Versatile on the field. Packs power at the plate.

33. Benjamin Ball, Hamilton, OF, Sr.

Signed with Arizona, he'll play a significant role, making big offseason gains.

34. Connor Crossland, Mountain Pointe, INF/RHP, Sr.

He is 6-2, 210. He hit .270 with 20 runs and 12 RBIs last year. He also walked 20 times. Has strong potential as a pitcher.

35. Kade Thompson, Casteel, C, Sr.

He's got a chance to be the best catcher in the state this year. Rock solid behind the plate. Great leader. Signed with Arizona. He hit .358 with 34 hits and 16 RBIs on 5A championship team last year.

36. Mason Russell, Casteel, LHP, Sr.

He has signed with Arizona. He'll emerge as an ace on the mound this year, after going 3-1 with 22 strikeouts last season.

37. Tyler Russell, Casteel, OF, Sr.

This is Mason Russell's twin brother. He also has signed with Arizona. He hit .321 last year with 17 RBIs.

38. Bubba Mustain, Tucson Pusch Ridge, INF/RHP, Sr.

One of the best small-school athletes in the state. Starred on football team at quarterback and linebacker. He hit .400 last year with 38 hits and 15 RBIs.

39. Gennaro Brito, Tucson, LHP/OF, Jr.

A switch-hitter, he threw 53 innings his sophomore year, striking out 63, going 5-1. He hit .274 with 32 runs scored and 26 hits and 17 walks.

40. Hagen Wright, Mesa Red Mountain, OF, Jr.

Committed to ASU, he is 6-3, 195. Throws and bats right. In 29 games his sophomore year, he hit .314 with 29 runs, 27 hits, 29 RBIs, five doubles and nine home runs.

41. Caleb Danzeisen, Chandler Valley Christian, OF, Jr.

Has committed to Arizona. He bats left and can throw with both hands. He's a three sport athlete playing football and basketball, as well. He hit .460 last season with 40 hits, 33 RBIs, eight double and 25 runs scored, along with 14 stolen bases.

42. Cole Rogers, Mountain Pointe, INF, Sr.

He had 30 stolen bases last season. Great base runner who has a knack of getting on bases. Makes great plays in the infield.

43. Noah Andersen, Phoenix Thunderbird, OF/RHP, Sr.

Had a tremendous junior season, hitting .402 with 36 hits, 25 runs,18 RBIs, 13 doubles, three triples and three homeruns. He also struck out 90 batters on the mound, walking 28.

44. Carson Grier, Valley Christian, INF/P, Jr.

He is a top basketball player for the best team in 3A. His college sport might be in baseball. Last year, he hit .397 with 21 RBIs. A top two-way player, the 6-foot-6 Grier went 4-0 in nine pitching appearances.

45. Kyle Grier, Valley Christian, 1B/OF/RHP, Jr.

He is 6-4, 190, the twin brother of Carson Grier. Another talented basketball player who might have a college future in baseball. He was 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA in 11 pitching appearances as a sophomore. He struck out 34 in 37 innings.

46, Sebastian Hidrogo, Casa Grande Vista Grande, LHP, Sr.

He is one of the top two-way players in the state. Struck out 75 and walked nine in 50 innings last year, when he also hit ,410 with 32 hits and 12 RBIs.

47. Quintin Hennesy, Horizon, OF/INF/RHP, Sr.

One of the top utility players in the state, he'll be a main cog to what could be one of the most potent offenses in the state. He hit .382 with 29 RBIs last year to go with a .457 on-base average.

48. Ky McGary, Sandra Day O'Connor, OF, Sr.

He signed with ASU. Great speed, covers tremendous ground in the outfield. He hit close to .400 on the club circuit. He hit .380 at SDO last year.

49. Jackson Sanders, Peoria Liberty, RHP, Sr.

He is a power pitcher at 6-2, 195. Expected to have a big season after winning four games with a 2.73 ERA last year.

50. Trey Markham, Brophy Prep, OF, Sr.

An injury last spring limited him to 14 at-bats over 10 games. An all-region defensive lineman, he decided to walk away from football to work towards his senior season in baseball. Watch for a breakout season from the Rice signee.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fab 50: The Arizona Republic's top HS baseball players for 2024