Introducing the 2019 All-Iowa baseball team
The 2019 Iowa high school baseball season featured another action-packed summer, where familiar names and new stars captured the attention of fans across the state.
When the year ended, Urbandale, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Van Meter, and Mason City’s Newman Catholic all won state titles. The J-Hawks went back-to-back in Class 4A. The Knights won a third straight in 1A. The Saints and Bulldogs both won for the first time in more than a decade.
Players from each of those teams, and many others, are represented on this year’s 2019 All-Iowa baseball teams.
The Elite team is made up of the state’s best baseball players at their respective positions. We selected the team based on Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen staff observations, as well as consultations with high school, college, and recruiting contacts.
We’ve also included here are our 2019 class-by-class All-Iowa picks, plus our honorable mentions list at the bottom. All athletes named are invited to attend the 2020 All-Iowa Sports Awards.
Without further ado …
2019 Elite Team
Marcus Morgan
Pitcher | Iowa City West | Sophomore
Pitching ace for a state semifinal squad. Went 10-0 and posted a 0.71 ERA over 59.1 innings. Allowed an opponent batting average of .148, allowed just 18 runs in 13 appearances, and struck out 105. Also hit .404 with 32 RBIs and 3 homeruns.
Calvin Harris
Catcher | Junior | Western Dubuque
A two-time Elite selection. One of the country’s best catchers. Hit .408 with 40 RBIs and 7 homers. Also posted a 1.07 ERA over 32.2 innings pitched on the mound, allowing just nine runs. Ole Miss commit.
Peyton Williams
Infield | Senior | Johnston
One of the state’s best bats. Hit .473 with 57 RBIs and a state-leading 16 homeruns. Voted Player of the Year by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Iowa signee.
Brett Sears
Infield | Senior | Harlan
One of the state’s most versatile players. Hit .454 with 45 RBIs and 4 homeruns. Posted a 1.17 ERA over 54 innings pitched. Played various infield positions throughout the year. Western Illinois signee.
Jake Hilmer
Infield | Senior | North Linn
Record-setting hitter, baserunner, and stellar pitcher for a state finalist team. Hit .559 with 42 RBIs and 2 homers. Successfully stole 55-of-55 bases. Also posted a 0.74 ERA over 85.1 innings pitched. Upper Iowa signee.
Evan Paulus
Infield | Senior | Newman Catholic
Ultra-productive bat and pitcher on a team that three-peated. Hit .416 with 60 RBIs and 13 homers. Also posted a 1.67 ERA over 58.2 innings pitched. Won two games at the 2019 state tournament. Kirkwood CC signee.
Josh Fitzgerald
Outfield | Senior | Newman Catholic
Another two-time Elite selection. The best bat on a state championship team. Hit .451 with 44 RBIs and a state-leading 16 homeruns, including a towering two-run shot in the state final. Also a Kirkwood signee.
Brook Heinen
Outfield | Senior | Urbandale
Superb outfielder for the back-to-back state champion J-Hawks. Hit .394 with 28 RBIs and 1 homer. Successfully stole 36 bases, the fourth-most in Class 4A. Yet another Kirkwood signee.
Andrew Nord
Outfield | Senior | Johnston
Another strong bat and defensive outfielder for a state finalist. Hit .462 with 59 RBIs and 6 homers. Didn’t register an error all year. Iowa signee.
All-Iowa First Teams
Class 4A
P: Marcus Morgan, soph., Iowa City West
C: Calvin Harris, jr., Western Dubuque
IF: Peyton Williams, sr., Johnston
IF: Sam Link, sr,. Dubuque Senior
IF: Sam Goodman, sr., Western Dubuque
IF: Alex Pentergast, jr., Des Moines Roosevelt
OF: Ty Cowley, sr., Urbandale
OF: Brook Heinen, sr., Urbandale
OF: Andrew Nord, sr., Johnston
Class 3A
P: Rick Atkins, sr., Marion
C: Garrett Finley, sr., Central DeWitt
IF: Austin Simpson, sr., Fairfield
IF: Brett Sears, sr., Harlan
IF: Devin Hurdle, sr., Central DeWitt
IF: Kyle Moeder, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier
OF: Nick Gottilla, sr., Davenport Assumption
OF: Bryson Bastian, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier
OF: Colten Parkins, sr., North Polk
Class 2A
P: Jared Townsend, sr., Wilton
C: Conner Lange, sr., Missouri Valley
IF: Brett Berg, jr., Van Meter
IF: Trevor Boge, sr., North Linn
IF: Jake Hilmer, sr., North Linn
IF: Colin McCrabb, sr., Wilton
OF: Hunter Dekkers, jr., West Sioux
OF: Briar Rowley, sr., Estherville Lincoln Central
OF: Kaden Davis, soph., West Marshall
Class 1A
P: Blaine Harpenau, soph., Remsen St. Mary’s
C: Colby Page, sr., Southeast Warren
IF: Reed Stallman, soph., Alburnett
IF: Bryce Hall, jr., Southeast Warren
IF: Tanner Bainbridge, sr., Pekin
IF: Evan Paulus, sr., Newman Catholic
OF: Josh Fitzgerald, sr., Newman Catholic
OF: Keaton Parker, sr., Alburnett
OF: Kendall Becker, sr., Don Bosco
Honorable Mention
- Nick Crandell, jr., Johnston
- Ryan Cooper, sr., Iowa City West
- Cade Moss, sr., Johnston
- Lincoln Riley, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington
- Ty Langenberg, jr., Urbandale
- Garrett Ries, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier
- Luke Schaben, sr., Harlan
- Nile Foss, jr., Carlisle
- Casey Young, jr., Winterset
- Isaiah Henrichs, sr., Carlisle
- Zach Pleggenkuhle, soph., Van Meter
- Austin Hilmer, fr., North Linn
- Anthony Potthoff, jr., Van Meter
- David Seber, sr., North Linn
- Brady Lukavsky, sr., West Branch
- Doug Taylor, eighth, Newman Catholic
- Bryce Schares, sr., Don Bosco
- Cael Frost, soph., Don Bosco
- Cole Cassady, jr., Martensdale-St. Mary’s
- Collin Kramer, sr., St. Ansgar
Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.
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