Ohio's top high school baseball players: Meet the state’s best second basemen

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top baseball players in Ohio.

We started with the top first basemen, next up were the catchers, then shortstops, and now it's the second basemen's turn.

There are hundreds of outstanding second basemen in Ohio, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveOH and let us know about other athletes worthy of fans’ attention.

Note: Many high school baseball players excel at multiple positions. Don't be alarmed to see a slick-fielding shortstop listed here as a second baseman, for example.

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Billy Adams, St. Ignatius, senior

A middle infielder who can play second or shortstop, Adams was named the offensive and defensive player of the year for St. Ignatius last season. He hit .361 and had a fielding percentage of .960. He has committed to Ohio University.

Griffin Ailes, Field, senior

He hit .422 with 10 doubles and 25 RBIs last season. A two-way player, he was also a force on the mound, throwing 50.1 innings with 74 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA. He is a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Falcons and is a returning first-team all-Portage Trail Conference selection. His coach says “he is definitely one of the hardest-working players that we have had. His confidence and next-pitch mentality really benefits him. He believes in his abilities and does a tremendous job at being able to block things out and adapt as needed. He is a silent leader that works tirelessly.”

Holden Blankenship, Jackson, senior

A Mount Vernon commit, he hit .492 last season with 10 doubles, five triples and 21 RBIs. He was named first-team all-Southeast District.

Joey Canzoni, Walsh Jesuit, junior

He hit .355 with 18 RBIs and 26 runs scored last season and can play either second base, shortstop or third base. The University of Cincinnati commit showed he can be a clutch hitter already this season with a walk-off RBI single in a win over NDCL.

Josh Dezenzo, Marlington, senior

A versatile fielder who can play multiple infield spots, he hit .384 with 12 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs last year. According to coach Cody Jones, the 6-foot-3 Dezenzo is an “experienced leader that can handle any pressure situation both offensively and defensively.”

Logan Fyffe, Kenton Ridge, sophomore

As a freshman, he hit .389 with five doubles and 16 RBIs. The 5-foot-11 sophomore can play either middle infield position or pitch.

Kyle Garber, Lancaster, senior

He hit .384 with 20 RBIs last season. He drew 22 walks to help lead to a .484 on-base percentage, and he knew what to do once on the bases, swiping 16 bases and scoring 36 runs.

Lincoln Garlock, Liberty-Benton, junior

He can be used all over the field, including middle infield, pitcher and catcher. He hit .483 with 16 RBIs and 29 runs last season, while setting a school record with 27 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 2-0 in 24.2 IP with a 0.85 ERA and six saves. Coach Matt Rader says it's “very tough to get him out even when the ball isn't hit very well. Anytime we have a close game and need someone to close it out, Lincoln will come in and shut the game down.”

Gus Gregory, Strongsville, senior

Earned honorable mention all-state honors last season when he hit .348 with four homers and 13 extra-base hits. His .570 on-base percentage was helped by drawing 24 walks and he was hit by a pitch 13 times. The left-handed-hitting middle infielder is committed to Wright State.

Matt Hartness, St. Xavier, senior

He hit .375 last season in 15 games. In the field, he has the ability to play either second base or shortstop with soft hands.

Brandon Hire, Olentangy, senior

The Walsh University commit hit .344 last season with 11 doubles and 16 RBIs, while scoring 27 times. Coach Ryan Lucas says Hire might be the best player on the team, and the versatile senior who also plays shortstop started off the season hitting .583 on a trip to Myrtle Beach.

Aaron Horak, Little Miami, senior

Horak hit .350 with 24 RBIs last season and was second-team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference. The 6-foot right-handed hitter can play either middle infield position and can also patrol the outfield.

Mason Kurtz, Buckeye Valley, senior

He hit .451 last season with six doubles, five triples and four homers, while driving in 29 runs for the Barons. The Ohio Dominican commit also had an on-base percentage of .578 and stole 25 bases.

Marquise Loring-Svarda, Central Crossing, senior

Can play either second base or shortstop when he isn’t on the mound for the Comets. He hit .418 with 20 RBIs, 12 doubles, 23 runs scored and 14 stolen bases last season while also going 6-3 with a 3.56 ERA. He was named the Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye co-player of the year.

Andy Nemunaitis, Ottawa Hills, senior

He hit .375 with 24 RBIs and 27 runs scored last season. He and his brother Alex make up the middle infield and will be attending Wittenberg University to play baseball. Coach Christopher Hardman says the Nemunaitis brothers “are pillars in our program, work tirelessly in the offseason and aspire to be great.”

Dillon Overmyer, Clyde, senior

Will be a four-year letter winner and hit .440 with 11 doubles and 24 RBIs last season. The 5-foot-10 senior hits for power and can play either position on the right side of the infield.

Blake Puckett, Talawanda, senior

He hit .409 with 15 runs scored last season in earning a first-team all-Southwest Ohio Conference nod. One of five starters who return as seniors for Talawanda this season, Puckett can also pitch for the Braves.

Kyle Ransom, Firelands, senior

Earned second-team all-Ohio honors last season by hitting .438 with an on-base percentage of .556. He scored 32 runs and stole 28 bases. The 6-foot-1 middle infielder is committed to Lake Erie College.

Sam Seidel, South Central, senior

He hit .488 last season and took advantage of his time on the base paths with 28 stolen bases and 45 runs scored. The 5-foot-10 Bowling Green University commit can play either middle infield spot and is a top-of-the-lineup hitter.

Jack Wells, Vermilion, senior

Named first-team all-Sandusky Bay Conference, first-team all-Lorain County and honorable mention all-Northwest District last season. In his two seasons of high school baseball, he has hit.348 with 33 RBIs, 60 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. The University of Akron commit can play the outfield or second base.