GAYLORD ― It’s baseball season, Gaylord fans!
The snow may still be melting (and falling) in Otsego County, but the first baseball games of the season have been played and regular doubleheaders are soon to follow. Gaylord, St. Mary and Johannesburg-Lewiston all enter the 2026 season with high hopes thanks to a great group of returning players.
We’ve talked about the players to watch; now, it’s time to let us know who you think will have the best spring.
Vote now for the Gaylord Herald Times Preseason Baseball Player of the Year.
Josias Ferrett, Gaylord
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.
Gaylord’s ace pitcher and a tough out at the top of the Blue Devils’ lineup.
Finn Miller, Gaylord
Last season: GHT All-Area honorable mention, 2.72 ERA, 17 strikeouts, .296 batting average, 21 hits, 16 runs scored, 13 RBIs.
Starting infielder, reliable pitcher and veteran leader for GHS.
Brady Shepherd, Gaylord
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.
All-Conference outfielder in 2025 and another reliable lefty arm in a stacked GHS rotation.
Logan Greenier, Gaylord St. Mary
Last season: All-GHT First Team, .421 batting average, 38 RBIs, 2 HRs, 11 runners caught stealing.
One of the most consistent hitters for a GSM team that reached the Division 4 quarterfinals last season.
Cal Royce, Gaylord St. Mary
Last season: All-PNR First Team, 1.06 ERA, 85 strikeouts, .144 opposing batting average, .333 batting average,15 RBIs.
One of the top players in Northern Michigan as a freshman for Boyne City last season.
Charlie Cameron, Gaylord St. Mary
Last season: All-GHT First Team, .404 batting average, 38 hits, 33 RBIs, 30 runs scored, 2 home runs.
A power hitter and reliable first baseman for a relatively young Snowbirds roster.
Tanner Basinski, Johannesburg-Lewiston
Last season: All-GHT honorable mention, 3.59 ERA, 81 strikeouts, .217 batting average, 13 hits, 11 runs scored.
Led the area in strikeouts last season and, without Rylan Rosso, will likely be leaned on as a No. 1 pitcher for JL in 2026.
Peyton Basinski, Johannesburg-Lewiston
Last season: .246 batting average, 15 hits, 24 runs scored.
A potential breakout player for the Cardinals, a team breaking in a lot of new starters.
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: Gaylord Herald Times Preseason Baseball Player of the Year, vote now
Reporting by Dylan Jespersen, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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