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Timpanogos lefty Billy Bird delivers a pitch during a 5A baseball state tournament game against Orem at BYU's Miller Park on Monday, May 22, 2023.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Tyler Ball of Skyridge (right) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in a Region 4 baseball game against American Fork on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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American Fork's Ryder Robinson (left) is congratulated by coach Jarod Ingersoll after hitting a home run against Lone Peak in a Region 4 baseball game on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Kam Coburn of Salem Hills delivers a pitch during a 5A baseball state tournament game against Jordan at BYU's Miller Park on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Timpanogos baseball coach Kim Nelson reacts after getting an ice bath at the conclusion of his team's 8-1 victory against Lehi in the 5A state championship game at UVU's UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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American Fork players pose for a photo with their head coach, Jarod Ingersoll, and the state title trophy after winning the 6A championship series against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Springville's Junior Lauaki delivers a pitch during a 5A Regional round state playoff baseball game at Maple Mountain on Monday, May 15, 2023.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Here are the top baseball players in the Utah Valley area in 2023:

Player of the Year: Billy Bird, Sr. 1B/P, Timpanogos 

The lefty ace of the Timberwolves staff posted a perfect 10-0 record with a minuscule 1.19 ERA and 71 strikeouts. Three of those wins came during Timpanogos’ nine-game state tournament run. Bird played first base when he wasn’t pitching and hit .343, scoring 35 runs, totaling 38 hits and driving in 36 runs, which led the team. He also finished with eight doubles, two triples and three home runs. Bird will play baseball next year at the University of Utah. 

Offensive MVP: Ryder Robinson, Sr., American Fork 

Robinson’s batting average hovered around .500 for most of the season before finishing at .466. He scored 50 runs, notched 48 hits and drove in 27 runs. What Robinson did best was hit for power, finishing with 14 doubles, three triples and eight home runs for a ridiculous slugging percentage of .893 against the state’s top competition. He also managed to steal 12 bases. Robinson has committed to play at TCU with former American Fork teammate Fisher Ingersoll. 

Defensive MVP: Tyler Ball, Sr. Skyridge 

The Falcons were ranked No. 1 most of the season and Ball was the team’s best player. He played shortstop, third base and in the outfield and had a fielding percentage of .902. He finished with an 8-0 record as a pitcher with a 2.27 ERA and 94 strikeouts. At the plate, Ball hit .439, scoring 29 runs with 43 hits and 43 RBI. He hit nine doubles, three triples and 11 home runs. He’s headed to BYU on a baseball scholarship. 

Co-Coaches of the Year: Kim Nelson, Timpanogos and Jarod Ingersoll, American Fork 

Nelson is the dean of high school baseball in Utah with more than 30 years and eight state titles to his credit. The T-Wolves survived a difficult 5A state tournament, avenging losses to Uintah, Salem Hills and Lehi to win the 2023 state title with a 28-7 record. 

Ingersoll has won four previous state titles (including an unofficial crown during the COVID spring of 2020) but this one was special. The Cavemen suffered key injuries and went through an unprecedented six-game losing streak at the end of the regular season. Ingersoll’s boys came together and made a great run through the state tournament to win the 6A title. 

ALL-VALLEY FIRST TEAM 

(listed in alphabetical order)

Merrick Bostock, So. 3B, Orem 

A newcomer to the Tigers varsity squad, Bostock carried a big stick and hit .430 with 28 runs, 34 hits, 32 RBI, 10 doubles, one triple and four home runs. 

Jackson Brousseau, Sr. P/1B, Lehi 

The future Colorado State quarterback did OK with the little white ball as well. He hit .417 with 26 runs, 40 hits, 36 RBI, 13 doubles, three triples and six home runs while posting an 8-2 mark on the mound with a 1.93 ERA. 

Kyle Coburn, Sr. IF/P, Salem Hills 

Coburn had a terrific senior season. At the plate, he had a .423 average with 20 runs, 47 hits, 30 RBI, 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs. On the mound, Coburn was 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA and 51 strikeouts. 

Charlie Cushing, Sr. IF, Salem Hills 

Cushing made opponents pay when he came to the plate with a .404 average along with 25 runs, 42 hits, 30 RBI, seven doubles and two home runs. 

Ashton Holbrook, Sr. 1B/DH, Lehi 

Holbrook can’t be overlooked on a team of great hitters. He hit .478 with 25 runs, 31 hits, 33 RBI, 11 doubles and four home runs. 

Luke Kimmel, Sr. P/OF, Orem 

Kimmel posted a 6-2 pitching mark with a 2.46 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He also led off for the Tigers and hit .300 with 30 runs scored, 24 hits, 16 RBI, one double, one triple, three home runs and 11 stolen bases. 

Junior Lauaki, Jr. OF/P, Springville 

Lauaki was one of the most dangerous power hitters in the state. He hit an otherworldly .586 with 26 runs, 41 hits, 29 RBI, 15 doubles, nine home runs and 14 stolen bases. He finished with a stunning slugging percentage of 1.185. 

Tate MacGillivray, Sr. SS/P, Timpanogos 

The shortstop keyed the T-Wolves defense and was also a threat at the plate, hitting .436 with 45 runs scored, 48 hits, 32 RBI, 12 doubles, five triples and two home runs while stealing 10 bases. On the mound, MacGillivray was 5-1 with a 2.13 ERA and 54 strikeouts. 

McGwire Madsen, Sr. 2B/C, Lehi 

Madsen hit .468 while scoring a whopping 47 runs and totaling 52 hits. He also drove in 35 runs with 12 doubles, three triples, one home run and nabbed 24 stolen bases. 

Crew McChesney, Sr. OF, Lone Peak 

The leadoff man for the Knights hit .389 and scored 32 runs, to go along with 23 RBI, eight doubles and six home runs while roaming center field with style. 

Alex Martinez, Sr. C, Provo 

Martinez was a tough out for the Bulldogs, hitting .393 with 33 hits, 21 RBI, eight doubles and two home runs. 

Bryce Marvin, Sr. IF/P, Payson 

Marvin was a marvel for the Lions, finishing with a .507 batting average to go along with 25 runs, 36 hits, 29 RBI, eight doubles, four triples and three home runs. He also posted a 4-0 mark on the mound with a 2.33 ERA. 

Nolan Miller, Sr. OF/P, Salem Hills 

Miller was in the middle of just about every Skyhawks scoring binge, hitting .397 with 28 runs, 48 hits, 21 RBI, eight doubles, two triples, a home run and 11 stolen bases. As a pitcher, Miller was 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA. 

Jake Olsen, Sr. SS/2B, Lehi 

Olsen makes every defensive play look easy while anchoring the Pioneers stingy defense. He finished at the plate with a .384 average along with 33 runs scored, 43 hits, 29 RBI, 12 doubles, three triples and two home runs. 

Ike Pickle, Jr. IF, Skyridge 

Pickle hit an amazing .523 this season, scoring 29 runs, totaling 46 hits and driving in 29 runs with nine doubles, five triples and three home runs. His unfortunate injury in Game 1 of the 6A championship series was a huge blow to the Falcons title chances. 

Josh Rojas, Sr. C/P, American Fork 

The power combo of Rojas and Robinson in the lineup gave opponents fits all season. He hit .398 with 45 runs scored, 38 hits and 23 RBI to go along with six doubles and three home runs. 

Sawyer Slade, Sr. C, Orem 

Slade was money behind and at the plate for the Tigers in 2023. He finished with a .366 batting average, scoring 30 runs to go along with 34 hits, 28 RBI, 12 doubles, two triples and three home runs. 

Sage Strayer, Sr. OF/P, Westlake 

The Thunder pulled off upsets in the regional and super regional rounds as the No. 15 seed and Strayer was a key component of that run. He hit .442 with 21 runs, 42 hits and 26 RBI, posting seven doubles and four home runs. 

Brighton Tate, Jr. 3B/P, Timpanogos 

Tate was steady at the plate, hitting .400 with 44 hits and 31 RBI while notching three doubles, three triples and a home run. 

Mason Thompson, Sr. P/DH, Skyridge 

Thompson might be the most improved player in the Valley after hitting .462 with 15 runs scored, 37 hits, 31 RBI, 13 doubles, one triple and three home runs. Thompson also made nine appearances on the mound and posted a 3.78 ERA. 

Dax Watts, Jr. OF/P, American Fork 

Watts was a catalyst for the explosive Caveman offense, finishing with a .430 batting average along with 27 runs, 46 hits, 30 RBI, 14 doubles and two home runs. He was also 3-1 with a 2.50 ERA as a pitcher. 

Tua Wolfgramm, Jr. OF/C/P, Pleasant Grove 

Wolfgramm, who has committed to BYU, hit .411 with 25 runs, 39 hits and 29 RBI, totaling eight doubles, five triples and five home runs. He also finished 4-2 as a pitcher for the Vikings. 

ALL-VALLEY SECOND TEAM 

(listed in alphabetical order)

Corbin Bailey, Sr. SS/P, Maple Mountain 

Bailey anchored the defense while hitting .306 with 26 hits, 15 RBI and four doubles. He was also 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA as a pitcher. 

Porter Beckstead, Jr. 1B/3B, Payson 

Beckstead hit .384 with 28 hits, 29 RBI, seven doubles, four triples and five home runs. 

Memphis Butler, So. American Leadership Academy 

The Eagles will be glad to get Butler back next year after he hit .468 with 23 runs, 36 hits, 30 RBI, five doubles, one triple and one home run. 

Brandon Cathey, Sr. IF, Lone Peak  

Cathey made his senior year count by hitting .410 with 32 hits, 11 RBI and two doubles while playing strong at shortstop for the Knights. 

Easton Davies, Jr. P/OF, Orem 

Davies was 4-1 as a pitcher with a 2.60 ERA. At the plate, he hit .350 with 17 runs, 21 hits, 15 RBI, eight doubles and three home runs. 

Maddux DeGraffenried, So. OF, Payson 

DeGraffenried finished the season hitting .421 with 12 runs and 19 RBI. 

Tysen Elswood, Sr. OF/DH, Lehi 

Elswood was key for the Pioneers with a .398 batting average, 32 runs, 39 hits, 20 RBI, 13 double and 14 stolen bases. 

Zach Engemann, So. IF, Orem 

Engemman made a strong varsity debut with a .434 batting average, 21 runs, 23 hits, 20 RBI, three doubles and two home runs. 

Crew Erickson, Sr., Wasatch 

Erickson finished with a .444 batting average along with 25 runs, 28 hits, 10 RBI, nine doubles, two triples and a home run. 

Cam Ford, Sr. SS, Payson 

Ford hit .372 with 27 runs, 32 hits, 29 RBI, seven doubles, three triples and two home runs. 

Mason Hartle, Sr. P/IF, Westlake 

Hartle finished his career strong with a .420 batting average, 14 runs, 29 hits, 18 RBI, 10 doubles, one triple and two home runs. He was also 2-2 on the mound. 

Kaden Hodson, Sr. IF/P, Lone Peak 

Hodson ended up hitting .410 with 34 hits, 28 RBI, nine doubles, two triples and four home runs. 

Kaleb Holman, Jr. P, Salem Hills 

Holman did his job on the mound with a 6-2 pitching record, a 1.56 ERA and 64 strikeouts. 

Tyler Hunter, Jr. IF/OF, Timpanogos 

Hunter’s first full varsity year was a success with a .382 batting average, 19 runs, 21 hits, 16 RBI, two doubles and a triple at the plate. 

Bowen Ingersoll, Sr. OF, Lehi 

Ingersoll finished with a .382 batting average and 28 runs, 29 hits, 20 RBI, six doubles and a triple. 

Isaac Johnansen, Jr. SS/P, Skyridge 

Johansen was an versatile unsung hero for the talented Falcons, hitting .351 with 30 runs, 33 hits, 14 RBI, seven doubles, one triple and one home run. 

Chase Johnston, So. P/IF, Maple Mountain 

Johnston struck out 86 batters and was 5-1 with a 1.28 ERA for the Golden Eagles. He also hit .292 with 20 RBI and six doubles. 

Roper Kay, Jr. C, Salem Hills 

Kay handled the pitching staff while hitting .358 along with 24 hits, 25 RBI, five doubles, two triples and two home runs. 

Riley Lambson, Jr. OF/P, Spanish Fork 

Lambson hit .333 with 22 hits and 13 RBI for the Dons. 

Luke Livingston, Jr. OF, Timpanogos 

Livingston hit leadoff for the T-Wolves and complied a .304 batting average, 37 runs, 31 hits, 23 RBI, five doubles, one triple and four home runs. His speed allowed him to chase down just about everything in center field as well. 

Mays Madsen, So. SS/C, Lehi 

Madsen hit .380 with 32 runs, 41 hits, 30 RBI, eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and totaled ten stoles bases. 

CJ Mascaro, So. OF, American Fork 

The future is bright for the Cavemen and Mascaro, who hit .376 with 45 runs, 38 hits, 23 RBI, eight doubles, three triples, three home runs and 15 stolen bases. 

Frandi Mosquea, Sr. OF, Maple Mountain 

A newcomer to the Golden Eagles, Mosquea hit .357 with 21 runs, 30 hits, 28 RBI, seven doubles, 1 triple and four home runs. 

Zach Nelson, Sr. 1B, Salem Hills 

Nelson finished with a .370 batting average, 29 runs, 40 hits, 14 RBI, six doubles and 11 stolen bases. 

Chase Riggs, Jr. P, Timpanogos 

Riggs was 8-0 for the T-Wolves with a 1.31 ERA and 43 strikeouts, polishing off the season with a terrific complete game performance in Game 3 of the 5A championship series. 

Dawson Rodak, Sr. P, Lehi 

Rodak took the ball at key times for the Pioneers and finished with an 8-1 record, a 1.94 ERA and 78 strikeouts. 

Ryker Schow, Jr. SS/OF, Pleasant Grove 

Schow was a real leader for the Vikings and hit .363 with 27 runs, 33 hits, 16 RBI, eight doubles, two triples, a home run and 11 stolen bases. 

Cohen Strickland, Sr. 2B, Orem 

Strickland posted a .371 batting average with 31 runs, 33 hits, 21 RBI, five doubles, one home run and 14 stolen bases. 

Chett Wilson, Sr., Wasatch 

Wilson hit .451 for the Wasps with 32 hits, 16 RBI, seven doubles, one triple and one home run. 

Dalton Young, Sr. OF, Skyridge 

The Falcons leadoff hitter finished with a .410 batting average along with 31 runs, 41 hits, 21 RBI, nine doubles, three triples and three home runs. 

Landon Young, Sr. OF, Timpanogos 

Young had a great senior campaign, hitting .366 with 23 runs, 26 hits, 15 RBI, three doubles, two triples and a home run. 

Honorable Mention

American Fork: Dawson Adamson, Cooper Jones, Austin Laycock, Isaac Murdoch, Davin Pace, Coleman Parry, Gavin Schoonover, Jett Walker 

ALA: Alec Corona, Cameron Resch, Carter Ruch, Karsen Steele, Andrew Ward 

Cedar Valley: Brody Blodgett, Patric Bride, Parker Cluff, Ethan Johnson, Brandon Lowe, Broden Mortensen, Dillon Perkins 

Lehi: Brandon Manookin, Braden Willes 

Lone Peak: Max Bateman, Josh Heaton, Isaac Roberts 

Maple Mountain: Cy Christman, Cooper Rollins, Cooper Seamons, AJ Thomas 

Mountain View: Charlie Hill, Zyon Johnson, Dirso Melendez, Braiden Roberts, Damien Roberts, Zach Stone, Elian Tortoledo 

Orem: Maddox Lamoreaux, Owen Miller, Landon Nix 

Payson: Maddox Jarvis, Heston Laird, Nic Neves 

Pleasant Grove: Hudson Banks, Tanner Christensen, Brayden Marx, Slater Schow, RJ Wilson, Hayden Zamboni 

Provo: Cy Berge, Drew Deucher, Kampton Fuller, Keegan Gingras, Kasen Torres 

Salem Hills: Kason Averett, Chase DeGraffenried, Boston Gardner, Garrett Holt, Trey Smith 

Skyridge: Gavin Bauer. Ty Evans, Crew Schenk, Chase Youngberg 

Spanish Fork: Ian Abplanalp, Seth Argyle, Will Dart, Britt Nielsen, Kaden Robertson 

Springville: Trent Ash, Easton Barrett, Reid Deede, Hunter Perrero, Brooks Thorpe 

Timpanogos: Kayden Harding, Collin Morgan, Tanner Morgan, Jax Yakiwchuk 

Timpview: Dalon Beavers, Isaac Raines 

Wasatch: Carter Bucad, Landon Carter, Alex Gutierrez, Gage Schiess, Max Walker, Cole Zimmerman 

Westlake: Harrison Brainard, Ryker Daniels, Boston Drakulich, Crew Savage, Drew Smith, Jensen Smith