Michigan’s top high school baseball players: Meet the state’s best infielders (Pt. 1)

Over the next week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top players across the Michigan boy’s baseball scene this season.

Vote now: Who is the top pitcher in Michigan high school baseball?

This list will begin to cover some of the state’s premiere infielders.

There are hundreds of standout baseball players in Michigan and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

The following athletes will be included in our Michigan baseball top infielder poll to be posted on Wednesday.

Note: Some statistics have been updated more recently than others by nature of variance in games played.

Denny Belmonte, senior, North Muskegon

Belmonte, the North Muskegon shortstop, batted .396 with a .580 OBP, 40 hits, three runs and 17 RBIs. In the field, he had 70 assists with a .918 fielding percentage. Belmonte is a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball.

“Denny could fit into any program anywhere from a physicality standpoint,” coach Garret Moyer said. “He is one of the hardest working kids I have ever been around who takes pride in taking care of himself and his nutrition.”

Moyer said Belmonte plays not only a huge role in causing havoc as a hitter early in the lineup and anchoring the infield, but helping develop the program’s youth and underclassmen.

Benjamin Peterson, senior, Fennville

Peterson is Fennville’s shortstop as well as a right-handed pitcher. Hitting out of the three spot, he’s batting .615 with a OBP of .737 early in the season. He has 3 doubles, 7 RBI, 14 runs scored and 12 stolen bases on 12 attempts.

He’s also 2-0 on the mound with an ERA of 0.00. In 22 games as Fennville’s leadoff hitter last season, Peterson batted .400 with an OBP of .583. He has been an all-conference player every season of his career.

“Benjamin impacts the game in every aspect: Pitching, fielding, hitting, base running and the mental game,” coach Steve Peterson said. “He is fearless at the plate and on the base paths. He often gets intentionally walked when the game is on the line, but he doesn’t pout about it, he just looks for an opportunity to impact the game on the base paths.”

Wyatt Epple, junior, Watervliet

Epple is a three-year starter for Watervliet and “arguably (the team’s) best player/hitter,” according to coach Josh Tremblay.

Last season the shortstop was all-conference, district, region and an honorable mention all-state player. Epple is a three-sport athlete and top academic award winner, as well.

Alex Hicks, junior, Watervliet

Hicks locks down third-base for Tremblay’s Watervliet program. He was an all-conference, district and region player last season.

A two-year starter, Hicks is “one of the best third-basemen in the area,” according to Tremblay. He also serves as Watervliet’s number three hitter.

“(He’s) very smart — baseball IQ — and a leader for us in the dugout,” Tremblay said.

Josef Weertz, senior, Plymouth Christian

Weertz is both a third baseman and right-handed pitcher for Plymouth Chrstian. Last season he batted .369 with a .569 OBP and was named first team all-conference. He’s a senior leader and the team’s leadoff hitter.

“(He) sets the tone for the team and the game,” coach Joe Bottorff said. (He has a) great baseball IQ and outstanding effort on every play. Solid/reliable glove in the field and strong arm form at third base.”

Ty Tomlinson, junior, Portage Northern

Last season Tomlinson batted .430 with eight doubles, five runs, 28 RBIs and 41 runs scored. He also boasted a .948 fielding percentage.

“Ty is a solid defender with a plus arm,” coach Adam Cordona said. “He has great plate discipline, can drive the baseball, and his leadership and knowledge is a bonus, especially with some youth at the varsity level.”

Braden Welke, junior Portage Northern

Welke, a catcher, is batting .333 and boasts a 1.000 fielding percentage early in the season. Welke is a two-year starter who not only patrols the outfield with athletic grace, but has been a key part of the hitting rotation.

“He receives the ball well, and has the ability to shut down a running game,” coach Cordona said,

Jacob Major, junior, Paw Paw

Major is a defensive specialist and catcher for Paw Paw who caught all but one inning last season. Offensively, he hits in the clean up spot.

“Jacob is like having another coach on the field,” coach Derek Vanderburg said. “He is responsible for calling pitches.” He was the team’s MVP as a sophomore last year.

Solomon Hiatt, sophomore, Adrian

Hiatt, a second baseman, shortstop, and pitcher is currently batting .526 with 7 RBIs and a double this season.

“He is a very flashy player with an outstanding glove and great speed,” coach Kyle Johnson said. “He can hit for power but his speed is his greatest attribute. He can fly. He has great instincts on the base paths and does a lot to get our team more runs. He steps up in big situations and closes as a pitcher for our team.”

As a pitcher, Hiatt sits in the 82-84 mile per hour range with his fastball.

Joelden Griffin, sophomore, Adrian

Another standout sophomore for the Adrian program, Griffin is currently batting .350 with three doubles and 11 RBIs. He mans first base and also serves as a pitcher, with a 2.4 ERA and 10 strikeouts in eight innings. Last year as a freshman he had a 2.0 ERA with 47 strikeouts and was 6-2 on the mound.

“As a freshman he shutout one of our school rivalries against their senior ace,” coach Johnson said. “He has a great glove at first base and is a solid leader. He loves baseball and continually does everything he can to improve at the game. He is usually the first one to arrive and one of the last to leave.”

Sean Parker, junior, Adrian

Parker, Adrian’s shortstop, is batting .389 with 10 RBIs. On the mound he holds a 1.7 ERA with nine strikeouts in eight innings pitched. Last year, he finished with a 2.2 ERA and 52 strikeouts.

“I cannot say enough positives about this kid,” Johnson said. “He has worked his butt off year in and year out for our program. He is the bulldog every team needs. He's willing to play whatever position he is asked despite being one of the most talented players we have. He is an outstanding kid as well. He always does what is asked of him and is willing to put the team before himself.”

Parker is a two-time team MVP and captain.

Andrew Ryan, freshman, Dearborn Divine Child

Ryan has burst onto the scene at Dearborn Divine Child, batting .375 with a pair of RBIs and stolen bases early in the season. He earned a starting spot at shortstop due to his innate talent.

“He has some of the best hands in the league right now…,” coach Jeremy Shay said. “Not many freshmen come into this program and start right from game one, especially as the shortstop. We’re looking for him to be the leader of the infield for the next four years.”

Ben Meyers, junior, North Muskegon

Meyers is a three-sport athlete out of North Muskegon who, according to coach Garret Moyer is “just built different.” Last season he batted .450 with a .538 OBP, 59 hits, 12 doubles, two triples, five homers and 33 RBIs. Meyers plays catcher boasting a 43-54 SB-ATT and caught 11 stealing.

“His everyday work ethic of putting in purposeful intent work on getting better at all of his craft for the game is second to none,” Moyer said. “For the special talent that he is, he is extremely humble and carries himself the right way, plays the game the right way, and is just a grinder… He's a havoc on the bases who hits with power and speed. Extremely coachable, he doesn't make the same mistake twice and is a selfless leader.”

Peyton Rich, junior, Davison

Rich was an all-conference third baseman who batted .440 last season, who will be looking for an all-state nod this season, according to coach Steve Stimson. He’s starting off this season strong, going 5/6 with three RBIs and a walk-off double in the season opener.

“Peyton is an awesome kid on and off the field,” Stimson said.

Nick Moss, senior, Montague

Moss, a middle infielder, led the team with a .358 BA from the lead off spot last year with a .870 OPS, 34 runs scored and 40 stolen bases and a .920 fielding percentage. He also ate up 30 innings on the mound, leading to a 4-2 record and ERA of 1.87. He was named all-district and was a member of the 2022 Dream Team.

Brendan Monville, senior, Imlay

Monville plays pitcher, catcher and shortstop for Imlay.

“Brendan is a team leader and is a mentor for the freshman on our team,” coach Ryan Nolin said. “He can truly play any position very well and has over the last three years on varsity. He caught his first game of the year (early this season) and threw out five kids stealing which is only one shy of the state record.”