As we gear up for the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Baseball Tournament, slated to kick off on July 20 in Cedar Rapids and Carroll, the buzz is all about the midseason baseball player of the year polls. With the High School On SI Iowa Top 25 State Baseball Rankings as a backdrop, the spotlight now shifts to the standout athletes making waves in Class 4A.
Let's dive into the contenders for the High School On SI Iowa Class 4A Baseball Midseason Player of the Year. These young athletes have been lighting up the field, and their stats, verified by Bound, are as impressive as they come.
First up, we have Pauly, who's turning heads with a jaw-dropping .544 batting average. His offensive prowess is underscored by nine home runs, 11 doubles, and 34 RBIs. With 42 runs scored and only six strikeouts over 79 at-bats, Pauly is a force to be reckoned with at the plate.
Next, there's Stedman, a future Iowa Hawkeye, who’s making a dual impact. With a batting average of .327, seven homers, 10 doubles, and two triples, he’s driven in 34 runs.
On the mound, Stedman boasts a stellar 5-1 record, a minuscule 0.59 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in just over 35 innings. Talk about a dual threat!
Blake is another standout, showcasing his versatility with a 6-0 pitching record, 44 strikeouts over 35 innings, and a 2.00 ERA. But that’s not all-he’s also hitting .429 with six homers, 11 doubles, three triples, 22 steals, 31 RBIs, 26 walks, and 43 runs scored. Blake is proving he's a game-changer on both sides of the ball.
Then there's Colling from the Black Raiders, another multi-talented player. He’s hitting .413 with six homers, nine doubles, and 43 RBIs, while also maintaining a perfect 6-0 pitching record, 46 strikeouts, and a 1.52 ERA. Colling is clearly a key player in his team's success.
Finally, McBride, a top football prospect, is making his mark on the baseball field. Leading the state with 11 home runs, he’s also racked up eight doubles, three triples, and maintains a .429 batting average. With 46 RBIs, 40 runs scored, and 22 walks, McBride is having a summer to remember.
These polls are more than just numbers; they’re about celebrating the incredible talent and hard work of these young athletes. Voting is open until Monday, July 6 at 11:59 p.m.
CT, and fans can vote as often as they like. While there are no prizes or official awards, the real victory lies in the recognition and excitement these athletes bring to their communities.
Whether it's through spectacular home runs or clutch strikeouts, each player is contributing to the rich tapestry of Iowa high school baseball.
In Other News...
Kade Pieper Made The Kind Of Choice Iowa Fans Will Love
Kade Pieper already had the kind of season that puts an Iowa offensive lineman on the map. After starting all 13 games at right guard and earning third-team All-Big Ten honors, he could have easily been one of the next Hawkeyes to test the NFL waters, the sort of lineman pro teams look at closely when draft season rolls around.
Instead, Pieper is staying put, and that matters in Iowa City because it says plenty about what the program still sells as well as what it develops. Offensive line coach George Barnett said he talked through Piepers options with him, and the decision fits the culture-first identity Iowa has leaned on for years. Now Pieper is making another move up front, shifting to center and keeping the Hawkeyes interior line tradition in good hands. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawkeye Faces Much Bigger Summer League Test Than The Others
The post-draft shuffle will keep a few familiar Iowa names on the same Summer League stage, with Bennett Stirtz, Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix all landing with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brendan Hausen set to suit up for the Memphis Grizzlies. It gives Hawkeye fans an easy early summer follow, especially with both teams building out their schedules and plenty of crossover between players who spent recent seasons in Iowa City.
Hausens situation makes his month feel a little different from the others, since he is trying to turn this opportunity into something more lasting, while the Thunder side offers a clearer runway for Stirtz, Sandfort and Dix to show what they can do against NBA competition. Their paths will cross right away, too, with all four former Hawkeyes set to be on the floor in the same opener next Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. [Read more 🡒]