All-Deck Team: All-Star Break Preseason 2026 Squad

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the age of nine, baseball has pretty much been my favorite professional sport, and the Major League Baseball All-Star game was an important date on the MLB calendar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After covering a World Series as a sports writer and the difficult COVID years, the shine on baseball faded a little for me, and I became a big hockey fan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, this MLB season has reinvigorated my love for the game and defined what the All-Star Game still represents. The 2025 All-Star Game, which will be played in Atlanta, Georgia, tomorrow, remains an event where baseball fans can see some of the most successful players in the game compete on one stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Inspired by the All-Star Break, I have decided to create an All-Deck team made up of incoming seniors that I hope to get to see play this fall. My schedule is always flexible, but I don't intend to travel as much as in past seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are eight athletes I think I have a good chance of seeing play this fall, and certainly hope to do so. Each of them is an All-Star in my book.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier this morning, I posted a similar report on Prep Dig Kansas, and later today, I will have one on Prep Girls Hoops Kansas. I hope you will check them out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330c9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shawnee Heights is a program I watch at least once every season, and they have a quarterback worth making special plans to see play in person. Scott is ranked No. 17 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 and is the No. 2-ranked quarterback in Kansas. He can beat teams with the deep ball and with his accuracy. My schedule can flip on a dime, but right now I have the Thunderbirds' game against Basehor-Linwood on my short list of games to scout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["986134"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330d05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another local team I tend to see at least once each fall is Seaman. Last year, I caught one of the Vikings' pre-season practices, but missed them in competition. Kobusszewski is ranked No. 21 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He is a natural athlete who popped up on my radar two seasons ago. He has been getting a ton of interest from college coaches. Right now, two Seaman games I have on my short list are games against Shawnee Mission East and Topeka West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780500"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330d4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have watched Nemaha Central compete in summer scrimmages, but never in a high school regular-season game. Seneca is almost an hour away, but seeing Hajek play is high on my wish list this fall. He is ranked No. 24 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. Everything I have heard and read about Hajek makes him worth the price of admission. A home game in Seneca against Silver Lake during week two is on my short list of possible games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780335"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330d92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Litton might be the most difficult All-Star to see on this list this fall. Beloit is one of the furthest western teams I will attempt to watch play this fall. I went to Gypsum last fall to see the battle of the Trojans, but that game got rained out, and I scouted volleyball on during the rescheduled game. Litton is ranked No. 33 overall and has verbally committed to play for New Mexico. He is transitioning to the offensive tackle position after mostly playing tight end last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["595717"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330e09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My respect for the Junction City football program goes back to my days with the Topeka Capital Journal. I covered a ton of Junction City games since I was the only stringer who had a reliable vehicle. The Blue Jays usually play Washburn Rural and Topeka High, so I should get a chance to see them play this fall. Vornes is ranked No. 52 overall. He is a fast athlete in a program known for producing tough-nosed fast athletes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1363887"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330e54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have yet to see the Piper Pirates play. They are in an area mostly scouted by Prep Redzone Scout Santino Bernal. The Pirates come to Topeka in Week One to face the Seaman Vikings, and that game is on my short list. Emmanuel is ranked No. 81 overall and is one of the top defensive players for Piper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1113445"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330e95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Basehor-Linwood is one of my top five programs to scout. The Bobcats' head coach works extra hard to help get his players recruited. Martin is an athlete who has posted top-level performances when I have seen him play in the past. He is ranked No. 87 overall and is a player I would like to see at least one more time before he graduates and moves on. Basehor's September 19, game against Shawnee Heights is currently the front-runner game to scout that week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1431941"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6873bf7330ed4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I saw Wetter this summer as he participated in a combine at McPherson College, but I have yet to see him or the Bulldogs play in person. He is ranked No. 235 by Prep Redzone Kansas. He is a solid prospect at running back and linebacker. I will have to drive North and East to find a Marysville matchup to scout, but it is very doable if I feel froggy and want to take a road trip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->