IHSAA baseball preseason Fab 15: These are Central Indiana's best teams heading into 2024

The IHSAA baseball season starts Monday. Here is a first swing at this year's Central Indiana Fab 15 rankings.

1. Noblesville (23-7)

The reigning Hoosier Crossroads Conference champions return a strong core. Junior Trevor Corbett and sophomore Aiden Reynolds (Indiana) form an elite infield. Senior Nolan Decker (Troy) leads the pitching stuff with nasty stuff as a lefty. Seniors Lucas Stephen (DePauw), Quinton Black (Manchester) and junior Joe Glander (Notre Dame) fill out the rotation. Glander is a talented arm who did not play last season due to injury. A healthy Glander could be the X-factor for the Millers.

2. Carmel (20-9)

Carmel has enough pitching depth to make some Division I college teams blush. The Greyhounds are led by senior right-handers Adam Buczkowski (Cincinnati) and Max Winders (Western Kentucky) and senior southpaws James Charland (Southern Indiana) and Theo Nagy (Purdue Fort Wayne). That pitching depth is a great weapon and allows for fresh arms once the postseason arrives. Up the middle, J.D. Stein is an athletic shortstop, while Hunter Snow (Baylor) is one of the most athletic outfielders in the state.

3. Zionsville (18-11)

Zionsville has the pitching depth to compete with any team in the state. Chase Wagner (Ball State) and Nash Wagner (Alabama) form a dominant 1-2 punch as a reliever and starter, respectively. Simon Wilkinson (Xavier) and Mateo Wells (High Point) round out the rotation. Nash Wagner brings power to the middle of the lineup, while senior shortstop Josh Girvan (Wabash Valley), senior outfielder Wrigley Bumgardner and junior outfielder Riley Agbonhese are strong defenders with speed to cause havoc on the basepaths. Sophomore lefty Jackson Gilley (TCU), junior lefty Braden Shaw and Bumgardner will provide pitching depth as well.

4. Mt. Vernon (22-8)

You may be sensing a theme — Indiana is loaded with high-end pitching talent and Mt. Vernon has two of the top pitchers in the state in seniors Cameron Sullivan (Notre Dame) and Nick Heitman (Iowa). The dominant duo along with senior Jack Peine (Marian) will give the Marauders a chance to hang with any team in the state. Heitman doubles as the team's top hitter while seniors D.J. Scheumann (Ball State) and Nathan Criss (Wabash) are solid run producers.

5. Fishers (19-12)

Fishers may have the best hitter and pitcher in the state, it just so happens those skills are found in one player senior OF/P Jack Brown (Louisville). Brown has been a dominant two-way force since his freshman season and looks to end his high school career with a bang. Gavin Kuzniewski (Ohio State) forms a strong 1-2 combination with Brown on the mound. Caulin Brown (uncommitted) is entering his fourth year starting at catcher. Huston Dunn (Ball State) is a highly athletic shortstop. Noah McPeek batted .400 in his first year as a starter. Senior Owen Backofen (UIndy) and junior Owen Sander (St. Xavier) supply quality depth on the mound.

6. Mooresville (23-5)

Senior Hogan Denny's (Indiana) future is at catcher, but he excels at multiple positions for Mooresville. He's a dominant two-way player who shines in the clutch. The Pioneers return a deep and talented squad. Senior Brendin Oliver (Cincinnati) and Sophomore Hudson Devaughan (Alabama) are two talented arms behind Denny. Hogan's younger brother Tyler will catch and serve in a utility role. Seniors Bryce Brabender (Lincoln Trail), Levi Dorn (uncommitted) and Deklan Thompson (Huntington) are experienced players with pop.

7. Cathedral (22-5)

Cathedral returns a talented group of players capable of making noise come tournament time. The Fighting Irish offense has substantial firepower with seniors J.T. Stiner (UNC-Wilmington) Patrick Mazur (Marshall) and junior Eli Bennett (Indiana) in the heart of the lineup. Bennett doubles as a hard-throwing lefty on the mound. Sophomore Eli Sinsabaugh and junior Zander Carnahan are strong athletes who should build on solid varsity debuts.

8. Center Grove (29-4)

Center Grove's depth will be tested but the cupboard is not bare. Senior Noah Coy (Notre Dame) shifts from third base to shortstop to solidify the middle of the infield. Sophomore Gannon Grant is an emerging player and should be next in the long line of talented Trojans infielders. Senior A.J. Beggs (Southwestern Illinois JC) is an experienced catcher and Sophomore Kobe Cherry should build on a strong two-way debut. Seniors Brendan Ealy (Lindenwood), and Conner Vander Luitgaren (Evansville) will provide quality pitching depth.

9. Guerin Catholic (25-3-2)

Guerin is looking to build off its strong 25-win campaign. Two-way standout Davis Wagner (Augusta) leads the way for the Golden Eagles and is closing on on the school's all-time hits record. Sophomore Tate Troxell (Alabama) is one of the top underclassmen in the state. Seniors Nate Gremelspacher (Anderson), Cuinn Morrow (DePauw) junior A.J. Nunley and sophomore Ian Taylor are all key returnees from last year's team.

10. Westfield (17-11)

Westfield is led by senior ace Ty Anderson (Eastern Illinois) and he gives the Shamrocks a chance to hang with any team in the state. Senior Brayden Hibbler (Central Missouri) brings speed to the top of the lineup. Junior Matt Drozlek is tall righty with power. Juniors Ian Wilson and Caden Lindsey are two players who can cause havoc on the basepaths. Senior Preston Tamm (Manhattan) is returning from injury, but he's regaining his pre-injury form and will be a key piece of the Westfield pitching staff.

11. New Palestine (23-10)

Sophomore Jacob Morris is New Pal's top returning offensive player. Senior Mike Thorpe finished second in innings pitched and had a team-low 1.17 ERA last season. Seniors Ben Hirshey (St. Xavier), Adam Rickey and Nic Deering and junior Jackson Kamp are experienced returners.

12. Tri-West (23-7)

Tri-West showed it can win with offense, pitching and defense en route to its Class 3A regional title. Senior pitcher Isaac Pierson returns as the staff ace. Senior Chase Hardman is always a threat to swipe a bag and Chase Holland is solid two-way player. Junior Jackson Catt is the Bruins top power hitter, and senior Brady White will be the top option out of the bullpen.

13. Park Tudor (22-8)

Park Tudor averaged 12.7 runs per game in 2023, and Panthers return a majority of their offensive firepower from last season. Junior M.J. Gaines in an athletic outfielder and offensive sparkplug. Seniors Carter Hall (Niagara), Brady Redman and Cole Burkman are talented two-way players. Senior Nolan Whitehead is an experienced catcher. Sophomore Desmond Francis is another player capable of impacting the game with his athletic ability.

14. Roncalli (20-9)

Roncalli is looking to build off a strong 20-win 2023 season. Dylan Henry (Marian) returns as Roncalli's top run producer. J.J. Prendergast (Taylor) and Charlie Baker (Marian) are the Royals top returning arms. Junior Nico Amodeo (Dayton) is a power-hitter catcher/pitcher who should have a bigger role this season. Junior Luke Greene and sophomore Collin Ash will get the call when the team wants to throw lefties.

15. North Central (18-7)

The reigning MIC champions return the high-end talent capable of making a postseason run. The Panthers are led by uber-athletic outfielder Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (Kent State). The senior is a five-tool player in the field and a hard-throwing hurler on the mound. Senior Michael Fliss (Cincinnati) is another hard-throwing righty, giving North Central a strong 1-2 punch. Seniors Stryker Swenson and Heath Kizer, along with junior Garrit Ullom are all capable run producers. Junior Tristan Wilson gives North Central another talent arm.

Just Missed: Avon, Greenfield-Central, Lutheran, Hamilton Southern, University, Whiteland

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA baseball preseason Fab 15 rankings for Central Indiana teams