25 Austin-area baseball players having breakout seasons
With the high school baseball season entering the final days of district play, here are 25 Austin-area players who are having breakout performances this spring:
(Players listed alphabetically)
Jordan Andrews, sophomore, Liberty Hill: The outfielder and southpaw pitcher is hitting .371 with eight doubles, 16 RBIs and an OBP of .535. On the mound, he’s 3-0 with two saves, a 1.41 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 20 innings for the Panthers, who are in the thick of the District 25-5A title race.
Rhema Benjamin, freshman, Weiss: Playing second base and the team's Friday night starter, he's hitting an impressive .377 and is 5-1 on the mound with a 2.28 ERA for a Wolves squad that is on the verge of a playoff berth out of District 12-6A.
Christian Carrillo, freshman, Pflugerville: Has 35 strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA in 28 innings, which includes a complete-game shutout, for the Panthers.
Jonah Cihock, sophomore, LASA: A stellar relief pitcher who closed out wins over McCallum and Navarro, he’s also batting .395 and already has 23 hits on the year for a Raptors squad that is one win away from a playoff berth out of District 24-5A.
Connor Comeau, sophomore, Anderson: Is 3-3 with a 2.30 ERA and hitting .344 while helping the Trojans to 19 wins and be a part of the District 26-6A playoff race.
Hudson Cuevas, freshman, Cedar Park: Hitting .378 with nine doubles, three triples and 15 RBIs for the Timberwolves, who are in the thick of the District 25-5A race. Also has an OBP of .510 and has scored 26 runs. Plays third base.
Brody Davis, senior, Vista Ridge: The first baseman has been a rock on defense while hitting .355 with four doubles and six stolen bases for a Rangers squad that is in the middle of the heated District 25-6A playoff race.
David Fluitt, junior, Georgetown: Is 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched for the Eagles, while at the plate he’s hitting .316 with an OBP of .426.
Selvin Garrett, freshman, Johnson: Solid with the glove at third base, he’s also hitting .333 with 11 RBIs and has five stolen bases.
Dylan Goddard, senior, Round Rock: Near perfect at second base with a .941 fielding percentage, he also has a .416 OBP, five stolen bases and has scored 18 runs.
Josh Gonzales, junior, Bowie: A middle infielder and leadoff hitter for the Bulldogs, he’s hitting .333 with three doubles, a triple, one home run and 20 RBIs. Has also scored 31 runs while being part of a team that seems poised for a playoff spot out of a loaded District 26-6A.
Cooper Jen, senior, Hays: Is hitting an astounding .460 with 12 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 27 RBIs and 28 runs scored for the Hawks, who are in playoff contention in a loaded District 25-5A.
Kelton Klemcke, senior, Vista Ridge: Has helped the Rangers be in position for another playoff spot by hitting .333 with 17 runs and eight stolen bases.
Anthony Landaverde, senior, Stony Point: The shortstop has been strong all season in the field and has 29 hits on the year to date with a .330 batting average.
Gavin McCullough, senior, Lake Travis: A big reason why the Cavs lead District 26-6A, McCullough has a wildly impressive 0.26 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 38 innings so far. He’s 3-0 with two saves and has only walked three batters.
Tommy McIntyre, freshman, McCallum: The Knights’ new starting catcher has 18 hits, including five doubles and a home run, has driven in 18 runs and has an OBP of .422 while helping McCallum to first place in District 24-5A.
Justice Moore, sophomore, Westwood: Holding down the hot corner for the Warriors, he’s hitting .351 with five doubles, 13 RBIs and an OBP of .407.
Logan Niederhauser, senior, East View: A key figure for the Patriots' playoff push in District 23-5A, he’s hitting .342 and has been a gem defensively in the outfield.
Jalen Owens, junior, Elgin: After missing most of 2023 with an injury, he has 58 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings with an ERA of 2.58 and is a big reason the Wildcats seemed poised to return to the playoffs. At the plate has a .406 OBP and 20 scored runs.
Derek Paiz, sophomore, Anderson: Hitting an impressive .373 and has been a key contributor to the Trojans’ pitching staff.
Traigh Perry, junior, Dripping Springs: One of the reasons the Tigers are on the verge of a playoff spot out of a loaded District 26-6A, the second baseman is batting .317 with five extra-base hits.
Mark Ramirez, junior, Hays: Has bolstered a Hawks pitching staff with a 5-2 record, 1.12 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.
Carson Reeves, senior, Cedar Ridge: The go-to guy out of the Raiders’ bullpen, he is 6-0 with 21 strikeouts and a 0.362 ERA.
Miles Teodecki, sophomore, Vandegrift: Bounced back impressively from an injury by hitting .391 with an OBP of .583 while playing left field. Has also driven in 11 runs.
Connor Willie, freshman, LASA: The second baseman has 25 hits on the year and has shown an impressive glove on defense with a .915 fielding percentage.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 25 Austin-area baseball players having breakout seasons
