The crack of the bat is back in Northern Michigan! While the last patches of snow might still be hanging around Otsego County, the 2026 high school baseball season is officially underway. Teams from Gaylord, St. Mary, and Johannesburg-Lewiston are all gearing up for a promising spring, fueled by a talented core of returning players.

We've highlighted the key athletes to watch, and now it's your turn to step up to the plate. Who will dominate the diamond this year? Cast your vote for the Gaylord Herald Times Preseason Baseball Player of the Year and help crown the area's top talent before the first pitch of the regular season.

Let's meet the nominees, a group of standouts who can change a game from the mound, at the plate, or in the field:

**Gaylord's Ace:** The reigning GHT Player of the Year returns after a stellar season boasting a 7-1 pitching record, a microscopic 1.00 ERA with 53 strikeouts, and a .310 batting average. He's the complete package as the Blue Devils' top pitcher and a formidable leadoff hitter.

**The Veteran Leader:** A GHT All-Area Honorable Mention, this Gaylord infielder and pitcher is the glue for his team. With a 2.72 ERA, 17 strikeouts, and a .296 average at the plate last year, his consistency and experience are invaluable.

**The All-Conference Lefty:** An All-GHT and All-Big North First Team selection, this Gaylord outfielder adds serious depth. He posted a 4-2 record with a 2.08 ERA and 39 strikeouts on the mound, providing another reliable arm in a stacked rotation.

**The Consistent Slugger:** For St. Mary, this player was a driving force behind their Division 4 quarterfinal run. An All-GHT First Team hitter, he terrorized pitchers with a .421 average, 38 RBIs, and 2 home runs, all while expertly managing the game behind the plate.

**The Northern Michigan Phenom:** As a freshman at Boyne City last season, he turned heads across the region. Earning All-PNR First Team honors, he dominated with an 1.06 ERA and 85 strikeouts while also hitting .333—a true two-way threat.

**The Power-Hitting Cornerstone:** This St. Mary first baseman brings serious pop to a young Snowbirds lineup. An All-GHT First Team selection, he crushed it last year with a .404 average, 38 hits, and 33 RBIs, providing essential leadership and run production.

**The Strikeout Artist:** Rounding out the list is a pitcher who earned All-GHT Honorable Mention with a powerful arm, recording 81 strikeouts last season. He's a key piece looking to control games from the rubber this spring.

The season is here, and these athletes are ready to perform. Now it's your call—who will you choose as the 2026 Preseason Player of the Year? Make your voice heard and vote now!