GAYLORD ― Soon enough, the sounds of leather popping and metal bats ringing will fill the air of Otsego County. Baseball season is nearly upon us.
This spring has been highly anticipated after a major run from Gaylord St. Mary in last year’s Division 4 postseason, a breakout year on the mound for GHT Player of the Year Josias Ferrett and up-and-down results out of Johannesburg in 2025. Now, it’s time to meet the players we think will be worth looking out for in 2026.
Let’s meet the top diamond cutters for GHS, GSM and JLHS this season:
Josias Ferrett, Gaylord, P/1B
Last season: GHT Player of the Year, 7-1 pitching record,1.00 earned run average, 53 strikeouts, .310 batting average, 23 hits, 19 runs scored,14 RBIs.
Ferrett was the area’s breakout player last season, taking over as Gaylord’s ace as a sophomore while also asserting himself as a top-of-the-lineup hitter. This season, Ferrett will be relied on even more heavily as he begins his junior season.
Finn Miller, Gaylord, P/3B
Last season: GHT All-Area honorable mention, 2.72 ERA, 17 strikeouts, .296 batting average, 21 hits, 16 runs scored, 13 RBIs.
Miller was an everyday player at third base last season and made a big impact on the mound in the latter half of the season, logging 12.2 of his total 18 innings pitched in the final 14 games of the season.
Brady Shepherd, Gaylord, P/OF
Last season: All-GHT and All-Big North First Team, 4-2 pitching record, 2.08 ERA, 39 strikeouts, .242 batting average, 15 hits, 14 runs scored, 6 RBIs.
An elite defensive outfielder and GHS’s second lefty on the mound, Shepherd will play at Mid Michigan Community College next season.
Cal Royce, St. Mary, P/OF
Last season: All-PNR First Team, 1.06 ERA, 85 strikeouts, .144 opposing batting average, .333 batting average,15 RBIs.
A transfer from Boyne City, Royce will become GSM’s top option on the mound after advancing to the Division 4 quarterfinals in 2025.
Logan Greenier, St. Mary, C
Last season: All-GHT First Team, .421 batting average, 38 RBIs, 2 HRs, 11 runners caught stealing.
The only returning area catcher was also possibly the best last season. Greenier may be the most consistent hitter returning on any of the three area teams.
Charlie Cameron, St. Mary, 1B
Last season: All-GHT First Team, .404 batting average, 38 hits, 33 RBIs, 30 runs scored, 2 home runs.
Maybe the best power hitter returning, Cameron hitting behind Greenier in the lineup feels like early 2010’s Miguel Cabrera-Prince Fielder for the Detroit Tigers.
Tanner Basinski, JoBurg, P/SS
Last season: All-GHT honorable mention, 3.59 ERA, 81 strikeouts, .217 batting average, 13 hits, 11 runs scored.
The area leader in strikeouts last season, Basinski could be the best returning pitcher if he can keep that ERA down in 2026.
Peyton Basinski, JoBurg, INF
Last season: .246 batting average, 15 hits, 24 runs scored
One of the few returning starters, the youngest Basinski should see an increased role for JoBurg this season.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Here are the Gaylord-area baseball players to watch in 2026 season
Reporting by Dylan Jespersen, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
