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>The starting pitching match-up between Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes would be worth the price of admission for this year's event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The four-day break during the regular season also gives me a chance to catch my breath, look back at the season, and look ahead to the fall football and volleyball seasons.</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 nine 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>I plan on having two more All-Deck team reports on Prep Redzone Kansas and Prep Girls Hoops today, so check them out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also plan to have similar reports on Prep Dig for the Classes of 2027 and 2028 this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maybe this will become an annual tradition that means as much to the athletes featured in the reports as the announcement of MLB All-Star Game rosters meant to me as a kid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["489775"],"_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-6873bc7c96913"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rock Creek is a team I usually manage to see play in my local area. Zoeller is a gifted team leader and an excellent setter. She is ranked No. 14 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 and has verbally committed to play for Pittsburg State University after graduation. I hope to see her play in person at least one more time before she rides off to Southeast Kansas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["474147"],"_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-6873bc7c9697f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hastert is a power hitter, whom I hope to see play this fall. Cair Paravel is a team I sometimes get a chance to catch during the prep season. I have said this before, but if Hastert played for the likes of Seaman or Washburn Rural she would be more well-known in college coaching circles. She is ranked No. 15 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["553835"],"_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-6873bc7c969d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beloit is usually one of the furthest Western Kansas schools that I see regularly. The Torjans have been a perennial power the past few years and are a well-coached team that is always fun to watch. Boudreaux has been a secondary attacker on this team for two years, and now will get the chance to carry the offensive load for a young Trojans team. Seeing Beloit play is never a certainty, but it's a program that always shares its schedule with me early, and I try to plan a trip to see them compete. Boudreaux is ranked No. 19 overall and is still uncommitted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["222091"],"_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-6873bc7c96a1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have seen Lansing play a ton of matches over the past few seasons. I have seen Sands evolve as a player and a leader for the Lions. She is ranked No. 21 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 and has verbally committed to play for Missouri State University. I have seen often enough that I feel like a distant uncle. Her game has improved, and she is a court leader. I wish her the best of luck when she moves to Springfield, Missouri.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["551804"],"_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-6873bc7c96a6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jefferson West is a team I usually see play at least one game during the fall. The Tigers have been at two summer events that I have been to, so I have become familiar with the program and its athletes. Schwinn, ranked No. 22 overall, is another athlete I hope to see play at least one more time before her high school career is over. I usually see the Tigers play against Holton, but I already have their matches scheduled for September 2 and September 4 penciled in as possible matches to scout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["554328"],"_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-6873bc7c96ab5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wamego is one of those teams I always mean to see play, but sometimes miss. I have seen the football play at least once in the past two seasons, but keep missing their volleyball squad. I usually catch them at the Abilene Tournament in the summer, but I was in St. Louis catching the Cubs and COVID during that tournament in June. The big-time hitter for the Red Raiders is on the short list of athletes I will attempt to see play this fall. Langvardt is ranked No. 23 overall and is still uncommitted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["460352"],"_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-6873bc7c96b00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I almost always see the Wildcats play multiple times during the season. Although the Hayden gym is one of the hottest in the state, it's the closest high school to my house. Foster is a defensive whiz that I have seen play a ton over the past two seasons, both for her prep team and her club team. I look forward to seeing her play at least one more time before her high school journey is over. She is ranked No. 30 overall in the Prep Dig Kansas Rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["222087"],"_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-6873bc7c96b4c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is always a question of which KC Area teams I get to watch. I don't love driving to Kansas City, although I have gotten better at it over the years. This small-town kid was scared to death of driving in KC when I was in my 20s. Pandjaris is one athlete I would plan a trip to KC to try to watch. I first saw her play a couple of seasons ago at a club match in Lawrence. I saw her last year at the State Tournament in Salina. I would like to see her play for the Jaguars one more time. She is ranked No. 31 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["571405"],"_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-6873bc7c96bab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mill Valley is one team I like to try to see play in the KC area. Last season was the first time I took a trip to their school, but I usually see the team compete at the State Tournament. Nzioki is an athlete I have seen play in person, but I have watched her game closely from the social media sideline. She is an aggressive athlete who posts videos of her prep and club play regularly on social media. That played a big role in her landing an offer to play for Northwestern State in Louisiana, where she has verbally committed to play after graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->