6A All-Idaho baseball team: Meet the top players from the state’s top division
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by each classification’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman hosts the voting process and publishes the results.
IDAHO 6A BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Nathan Keith
Owyhee, sr., C/P
He shut down opponents on the base paths, then shut them down on the mound as the state champs’ closer. He posted the lowest ERA (0.33) across all classifications, recording three saves in 21 innings. He also hit .446 with a .588 on-base percentage, and he led 6A with 25 stolen bases.
IDAHO 6A BASEBALL COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Rasmussen
Owyhee
He led the powerhouse Storm (27-5) to new heights, sweeping conference, district and state titles after losing 13 seniors.
[Related: All-state baseball teams in every classification]
IDAHO 6A BASEBALL ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
Cooper Schneidt
Mountain View, so., SS
The slick fielder and all-class Gatorade player of the year hit .422 and led 6A in hits (46) and runs (42) while driving in 29 runs.
Brody Newbery
Boise, jr., SS/P
He led the 6A SIC in batting average (.453), on-base (.589) and slugging percentages (.722), adding four home runs and 19 stolen bases.
Bam Fenter
Coeur d’Alene, sr., 3B/P
The Lewis-Clark State commit was the Vikings’ two-way weapon, going 4-1 with a 1.81 ERA. He also hit .457 and drove in 28 runs.
Christian Zannitto
Owyhee, jr., P
He led 6A in innings (61), wins (10-0) and strikeouts (71). Only Keith kept his miniscule 0.80 ERA from topping another category.
Christian Waitley
Canyon Ridge, sr., 1B/3B
The Spokane Falls CC commit struck out once all season while leading 6A in average (.578), on-base (.688) and slugging (1.047).
Ryan Yesford
Mountain View, jr., 3B/P
The gap-to-gap threat led 6A in RBIs (42) while hitting .414, stealing 17 bases and stepping up in key situations on the mound.
Jack Hallenbeck
Owyhee, jr., SS/2B
The anchor in the state champs’ defense and an unquestioned leader, he hit .385 with 24 RBIs and just four strikeouts in 32 games.
Gavin Helms
Coeur d’Alene, sr., 1B/RF
A table setter atop the Vikings’ lineup, the Ottawa (Arizona) commit provided a steady glove at first base while hitting .434.
Preston Christianson
Capital, jr., SS/P
After an injury limited his time on the mound, he became a rock-solid shortstop and hit .424, including .560 during conference play.
Stephen Egan
Eagle, sr., P/3B
The NNU commit tied for all-class lead in complete games (nine). He finished 8-2 with a 2.14 ERA and .188 batting average against.
Matt Romero
Centennial, jr., P/RF
The right-hander went 6-2 with a 1.96 ERA, striking out 61 in 50 innings. He held opponents to a .166 average while hitting .306 himself.
