​Grain Valley baseball aims for similar success experienced in 2024 season

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News


The Grain Valley boys baseball team had a chance to do something it hadn’t accomplished since 2021 last season.

The Eagles made it to the Class 6 District 5 championship game in 2024 and came within two runs of winning the tournament in their game against Blue Springs. Grain Valley fell 3-2, coming up just short of knocking of the eventual Class 6 state champions.

It was a strong end to the season for Coach Brian Driskell’s Eagles, who finished the season 21-15 overall. The veteran coach said he hopes he his squad to have similar success in 2025.

“We were down a couple offensive guys,” Driskell said. “We were hurting at the end of the year last year, I think we will surprise some people. I feel like that group last year really overachieved. They got the best out of themselves.

“I think we should have a similar year, and we should compete for a district championship and who knows, it’s baseball, you could go out in the first round and lose to someone you shouldn’t, or you could go out there and beat someone you weren’t supposed to beat,” Driskell said.

Grain Valley will attempt to win a district championship through the strength of their pitching staff as the Eagles have multiple players at the position who return with varsity experience.

Seniors Dennis Leonard III, Aaron Barr, Carter Harmsen; and juniors John Malicoat, Bryce Meyer and junior Carter Gooch among the Eagles who will be featured in a strong starting rotation.

“I think we are going to have a really solid rotation,” Leonard said. “We have some guys who can throw hard and put it in a good spot. We have a lot of potential and we just have to figure out how to maximize it and win ball games.”

Leonard, who is a Crowder College commit and the grandson of former Kansas City Royals pitcher Dennis Leonard, will be the team’s ace.  He had an outstanding season in 2024 as he was 5-1 with a 0.81 earned-run average. He added 48 strikeouts, seven walks, a .981 walks-and-hits-per-inning pitched and a ,209 opponents’ batting average in 34 2/3 innings.

The senior’s fastball velocity is between 89-92 mph, and he also has a change up and curve ball in his arsenal.
“Dennis is very intellectual, and he commands very well,” Driskell said. “He isn’t going to give up many free passes. He’s a bulldog out there. He’s different than most guys.”

Barr is another important part of the rotation. Last year, he was used as a starter and relief pitcher. He said he’s felt confident about his ability on the mound going into the season.

“Sophomore year, I struggled a lot on the mound. Last year, was a good turn the page moment and I want to continue that into this year. We have a pretty good rotation,” Barr said.

Offense will be the biggest question mark for Grain Valley. The team returns a power hitter at first base in junior Logan Bennett. Barr, Malicoat and senior Caden Crandall return with some varsity experience at the plate and all three will be playing somewhere in the infield. Senior Max Snyder will once again play third base and he brings solid contact with the bat in his hands.

At catcher, the Eagles will platoon junior Brody Wilp and freshman Brady Meyer at catcher, as both will be getting their first taste of varsity action in 2024.

In the outfield, Bryce Meyer will likely claim one of the three spots at the position. There are several other players competing for the other two vacant spots.

On defense, the Eagles strength will be in the infield. In the outfield, Grain Valley has capable fielders but those who fill the starting positions will come down who can hit well at the plate.

“It will take some getting used to figure out who’s going to be out there,” Driskell said of his outfield. “There could be different guys out there at the end of the year from the beginning of the year.”

Time will tell if Grain Valley’s offense can make strides throughout the season.

The Eagles will be in a three-team jamboree at 11 a.m. Saturday at home against Truman and Lee’s Summit West.
 

Seniors, Aaron Barr, left, and Dennis Leonard III are two of six pitchers on the Grain Valley baseball team returning with varsity experience in 2025. Photo credit: Michael Smith