Prep Baseball 2012: Players To Watch

Robbie Anstoetter (Dyersville Beckman): First-team all-state outfielder by Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association in Class 2A. Had terrific 2011 season that included .487 batting average, 43 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

Louis Cain (Williamsburg) - Senior pitcher was first-team Class 3A all-state pick by the IHSBCA after going 9-2 last season with 0.91 earned run average. Struck out 62 in 61 1/3 innings.

Brayton Carlson (Cedar Rapids Prairie): Senior second baseman hit .429 with eight home runs last season. A second-team all-stater in Class 4A. Will play Juco baseball with brother, Dustin, at Southeastern C.C. in Burlington.

Jake Greco (North Fayette): Helped Hawks to state tournament in 2011 on strength of season that included .544 batting average, 12 homers, 64 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. First-team all-state outfielder in 2A.

Nate Greve (Linn-Mar): Was the Lions' pitching staff ace last season as a sophomore, earning second-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference division honors. Had 6-1 record, striking out 61 in 47 2/3 innings. Walked 46, so that number will have to improve.

Alex Hayden (Cedar Rapids Kennedy): Should anchor the Cougars pitching staff. Went 8-1 with 3.22 earned run average. First-team all-district pick in 4A.

Tyler Hedtke (Marion): Senior stringbean pitched Indians to quarterfinal victory at Class 3A state tournament last season. Ended up fashioning 11-3 record and 2.69 ERA in 86 innings.

Devon Jacobus (Cedar Rapids Kennedy): First-team all-state third baseman in 4A hit .377 last season with 10 home runs. Will play collegiately at Grand View in Des Moines.

Ryan Lehmann (Western Dubuque): First-team all-state pick in 4A last season. Senior outfielder hit .417 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs.

Mack Mattke (Cedar Rapids Xavier): Solid two-way player is a three-year letterman for Saints. Hit .413 last season with 33 RBIs and went 5-2 as a pitcher.

Marshall Morgan (Lisbon): Won 10 games last season for Lions, throwing 82 2/3 innings. Allowed only 59 hits and had fine ERA of 1.95. Good enough to be named second-team all-state in Class 1A.

Danny Pacha (Iowa City Regina): Ace senior pitcher went 12-0 with 1.49 ERA last season, good enough to be named first-team all-state in 2A. Threw 61 innings, striking out 77.

A.J. Puk (Cedar Rapids Washington): Junior first baseman-pitcher could end up being a rare five-year letterwinner. Only a second-team all-district selection last season (.436 average) but made significant name for himself in offseason showcases, so much so that he has committed to play college ball at Florida.

George Sehl (Iowa City Regina): Named to the 2A all-state second team as a first baseman last season. Hit .436 with 25 RBIs.