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Queensland won the Under 18 championships in 2023 but missed out on the medal rounds in 2024. Can they return to the top?

Preparation is at an all-time high with a large chunk of the teams playing in a tournament in Taiwan in December.

Let’s see what the Queenslanders can do in 2025!

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

UNDER 16 ROSTER – QUEENSLAND

Queensland bring an experienced squad to the fray. Fourteen players are aged 15 at the time of the tournament.

You’ll want to remember this name: Alonzo Zaire Griffin.

The 15-year-old was hurt in the first game of last year’s tournament but he is one of the best of his age-group. He won a Little League and Intermediate League World Series with the Brisbane North Vikings and played for Australia’s U16 team.

Griffin is a legitimate two-way star.

Tirrell Waiwai has also helped Brisbane North win a few championships. He’ll be slated to start some important games this tournament.

Thomas White pitched a gutsy effort in the 2024 Junior League Championship game. He has winning experience and can go deep into games.

Outfielder Logan Lokeni has been teammates with Griffin & Waiwai throughout their Little League exploits and is primed to make an impact, too.

“Logan Lokeni, he’s one of the youngest in the team still playing senior league but his attitude and determination is something that everyone in our team should and does admire,” say teammate Bailey Russell.

Blake Pearce, Hunter Ryan and Troy Dean are three more 15-year-olds who are listed as pitchers. The depth should pay off.

The Under 16s have the pitching, they have the stars, and they have players who have championship experience.

Will the stars align for them in Blacktown?

UNDER 18 ROSTER – QUEENSLAND

Queensland should be contenders. They have a nice blend of experience, Team Australia talent, and high-level preparation.

Much of this group played in in an international tournament in Taiwan in December. They also had an exhibition game vs New Zealand in early December, and time vs Perfect Game USA in January. They’re in form.

They also have three position players and a pitcher who represented Australia at last month’s U18 World Cup Qualifiers.

They are: catcher Cooper Teichmann, catcher Wes Wilford, outfielder Liam Kiddle and pitcher Kobi Wise.

The Team Australia catching duo of Teichmann and Wilford should provide great stability.

Of all the names to watch for most Queensland players shoutout 17-year-old middle-infielder / pitcher Caleb Duke.

“He was our captain on the Taiwan trip,” says teammate Andre Chang. “He is a powerful two way who can perform on both the mound and the batter’s box while playing solid defence up the middle when needed.”

Pitcher Kobi Wise moves up from the 16s to the 18s this season. He tossed three innings vs USA 15U in September, allowing just one run.

16-year-olds Cooper Teichmann, Kobi Wise, Thomas Calvert and Paddy McLoughlin all also played for Australia’s U16 team on a USA tour in September.

17-year-old Luka Moore is also gaining attention from teammates.

“He’s a hard worker with a firm fastball I’m hoping he does well this tournament,” says Paddy McLoughlin.

Regional areas of New South Wales have produced some great baseball players.

From the Wells twins, to Rixon Wingrove, to Tim Atherton, the McMillan sisters, to Ryan Rowland Smith and beyond, the country of New South Wales is a baseball hotbed.

Both the U16 and U18 age groups missed out on the medal rounds last year. Can they bounce back?

We’re excited to watch some promising talent this January in Blacktown.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY – UNDER 16

This should be a lively but young team. Ten players on the 20-man squad are aged 14. This year is about developing for the future.

That says, there is a nice leadership core present. Returning players Austin Turner & Archie Sampson, Baxter Nee should lead the charge.

Archie Sampson and Jesse Garnero both represented Australia at the 2024 Junior League World Series after winning a national title with Cronulla in May.

“Achie is a leader who really brings a positive energy to the team,” says fellow teammate Jian Chen.

The national championship experience is there, for sure.

But the rising crop of athletes is the most tantalising.

We’re looking forward to watching the ever developing curve ball of Coffs Harbour’s Denzel Wynne-Primus. Great baseball name too.

Camden’s Owen Hart has been pegged as a pitcher to watch, too.

Many players on Country New South Wales point to 14-year-old Austin Turner as “must watch.”

Turner is a pitcher from Newcastle who has overcome a lot.

“He is the lower end of the age group but you wouldn’t think that due to his size and strength. I have played with Austin for many years and we often train together outside of our club and representative training,” says catcher Baxter Nee. “He challenges me as a catcher but more importantly, I have watched him grow and develop his pitching skills over the years. I know he has struggled each time he had a growth spurt, having to retrain his mechanics. He never gives up and his ability is something you would expect from someone who is older. He has a great sense of humor and is very funny, I am proud to play with him doing what we both love and enjoy.”

What more is there to say?

Turner says his story is one of resilience.

“I am the second youngest person on our team,” he says. “The past 12 months have been hard for me as I have been fighting a disease that we didn’t know about until recently called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. I was feeling really unwell and exhausted all the time and had to keep trying to push through and not let it affect my baseball or schooling which was hard. But after starting on medication I have been feeling a lot better and have had much more fun playing baseball as it was not such a struggle to just get up in the morning.”

We’re cheering for you!

Offensively, Baxter Nee should shoulder some load. He has great command behind the plate and has some pop. The Newcastle-native can also play third base.

14-year-old Liam Gardner, from Belmont Baseball Club in Newcastle, might get an opportunity to shine in the middle-infield too.

We can’t wait to watch this crop of Country Kids do their thing!

NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY – UNDER 18

I wouldn’t sleep on this NSW Country U18s team.

They have a really solid foundation returning for their second year of 18s, a good crop graduating from the Under 16s, and a couple Team Australia stars.

Let’s start with the returning players from last year’s U18 squad. They are: Lachlan O’Sullivan, Sam Davis, Chris Morgan, Connor McArthy, Riley Watson, Riley Cooper, Hamish Weekes, Kallen Barker, Hamish Gleeson

Riley Cooper, from Northern NSW, was lights out for Australia at the recent U18 Qualifiers vs New Zealand. Cooper went 6-for-17 with a double and seven runs batted in. He also played for Australia at the Perfect Game World Series.

“He’s a stud hits for both power and contact also fields well,” says Riley Watson of his teammate, Riley Cooper.

Riley Watson is no slouch himself. He was arguably the star player of NSW Country as a 16-year-old in 2024.

Lachlan O’Sullivan should provide stability on the mound and outfield. We’ll also look at top age players Alex Poole, Chris Morgan, Kallen Barker and Tristan Clapham to provide steady heads as pitcher.

Sam Davis is tipped to be strong behind the plate.

Chris Morgan has been pitching first grade for powerhouse Blacktown Workers.

Up from the 16s are the likes of Will Klein-Schiphorst, Tyler Boggiss, Cormac Boggiss, Ben Frost and Patrick Harrison.

Cam Howay, who won a gold medal with NSW Metro last year, also joins this country side.

Klein-Schiphorst, from Wyong Wildcats, represented Australia at the U16 level this past year.

Gosford’s Kai Pora is intriguing. He’s only 16 and has been playing baseball just for two years. He’ll play both outfield and centrefield.

“My personal trainer encouraged me to play. I got given my very first glove by a player that I didn’t even know and that made me fall in love with the game,” says Pora.

Let’s see how New South Wales Country will roll!

‘Gold Medal’ is part of the vocabulary when it comes to New South Wales baseball.

No state has higher participation, no state has more national junior team players, no state has greater expectations when it comes to tournament baseball.

In 2024, the Under 16s dominated and rolled their way to a Gold Medal. Many of these players have moved up an age bracket.

The Under 18s finished first in the minor rounds in 2024 but bowed out without a medal. Can they turn it around

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

NEW SOUTH WALES – U16

It’s a completely different squad than the group who won Gold in 2024 with a couple players returning.

Don’t be fooled – this team is still loaded with talent. It’s also a largely top age team, with 16 of the 20 players aged 15 at tournament time.

When it comes to players to watch, players like two-way star Jake Shorey and pitcher Will Bonham just travelled with Cronulla to the Junior League World Series, winning an Australian national title along the way.

Bonham in particular was brilliant for Cronulla at Junior League. In one of his starts he struck out all eleven batters he faced.

Other pitchers to watch includes 15-year-olds Tristan Crynes, Kai Harris, Harley Gibson, Kai Ueki, Will Hooper, Christian Morrison, Parker Willard plus 14-year-olds Jack Kelly and Roman Ellis.

The point? New South Wales have a lot of different pitching options.

We asked every NSW player for a teammate to watch. The majority said one name: Draven Fatu.

“His lead up during the season has been great and he is a great teammate,” says Jake Shorey.

“Draven hits well, with both consistency and power,” says Daniel Price.

“He just hits bombs,” says Parker Willard.

You get the idea.

Roman Ellis is an intriguing outfielder. The 14-year-old is in the midst of his first year playing baseball since relocating back to Sydney from New York with his family.

In New York, Ellis played travel ball with New York Gothams for three years, achieving Perfect Game All Tournament Awards twice.

“I’m really excited to have made this NSW state team,” says Ellis.

Shortstop Ryan Reekie returns to the state squad for the first time since 2023. He’s also caused havoc on the base paths with Ryde.

New South Wales has fresh faces, deep pitching, and game changing players. Will it click at home in Blacktown?

NEW SOUTH WALES – U18

Only South Australia had more junior national team members than the Under 18s of New South Wales.

Tahlan Cavill, Christian Lane, Mason Malkoun, Ethan Bickel and Damien Wilson all suited up for Australia at the recent U18 World Cup Qualifiers vs New Zealand.

Add in Lincoln Gruppelaar who played for New Zealand and Josh Nati who missed the tournament due to injury and this team is loaded.

Further, many of the new faces on the team were part of the dominant U16 NSW squad who won Gold in 2024.

Of note, Mason Malkoun, Lachie Vella and Josh Nati return from last year’s squad to help pace the offence.

Malkoun has been playing first grade for powerhouse club Blacktown Workers and was one of the RBI leaders for Australia at the World Cup Qualifiers.

Josh Nati is arguable the biggest name in the tournament. He’s been committed to Oregon State University since 2022, has professional scouts buzzing, and is the reigning Golden Glove winner from last year’s tournament.

But there are others.

Catcher Lachlan West has committed to Wenatchee Valley Community College in Washington State.

Christian Lane played for ACT in 2024 but returns to NSW as the in-form hitter for Team Australia. Lane went 5-for-12 with three doubles, a triple, eight walks and seven runs in the qualifiers vs New Zealand.

“He’s just a pure good hitter and has power,” says pitcher Daniel Thwaites of Lane.

Tahlan Cavill won the Golden Bat Award at the Under 16 nationals last year. He also put up gaudy numbers for Australia at the World Cup Qualifiers.

The 2024 U16 MVP Fletcher Willard also makes the jump to the 18s age bracket.

We get it – NSW can hit.

But how about their pitching?

Damien Wilson was arguably the ace of Team Australia’s U18 squad. Ethan Bickel was also outstanding.

Wilson says he’s been putting in the hard yards over the last 12-months.

“I’ve worked so hard for what I’ve achieved so far and my hard work has gotten me to where I am today,” he says “The endless hours of running and the boring 1%er’s that no one else does like yoga and daily exercise and stretching goes straight under the radar and has helped me to stand out.”

16-year-old Kobe Cusbert won the 2024 U16 Golden Arm.

Hisato Adachi, Max Hagger, Riley Puckett, Daniel Thwaites, Ashton Kennedy, Matt Trainor and Lachie Robinson can all chuck it, too.

This particular writer is keen to watch 17-year-old Matt Trainor and 16-year-old Ashton Kennedy. He was dominant for Cronulla in their run at the Senior League World Series.

Kennedy has already pitched Division 1 for Blacktown.

The defending Under 18 champions look to back up their crown, while a promising group of Under 16s look primed to make a Gold Medal run of their own.

How will things shake out? Here’s what you should know about Victoria at the Australian Youth Championships.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

UNDER 16 – VICTORIA

Victoria’s Under 16 may be young but they have top-end talent who could take them far.

Just six players on the squad have experience at an Australian Youth Championships.

One of those is corner infielder Mitchell Langworthy, a powerful bat playing in his third U16 event. He can also “throw gas” on the mound.

Langworthy starred for Victoria last year, driving in winning runs and making big plays. He was on the Australian U16 trip to the USA in September.

Third baseman Cooper Bush joined Langworthy on that U16 National squad trip.

From the younger generation, pitcher Ned Richards, utility man Parks Halasz and two-way guy Euan Clarkin look to parlay experience with the Aussie Termites squad who played in the 14U Perfect Game tournaments in July. 

On the mound, 15-year-olds Ethan Nakamura and Ned Richards will have to eat key innings to find success.

Keep your eyes peeled for 15-year-old pitcher Alex Smith, too. Smith is a native of Traralgon, a town in country Victoria. He models his game out Team Australia pitcher Blake Townsend who is also from Traralgon.

Break out performances is what makes this tournament so special.

UNDER 18 – VICTORIA

It’s a different look to Victoria’s U18 team, with only six players from last year’s Gold Medal Squad.

But many players who won bronze with the Under 16s move up.

Andrew Land is likely the star of this line-up. The 17-year-old won Gold last year and is committed to Arizona Western College for the 2025-26 academic year.

Land went 8-for-18 with six RBI and 3 BB in five games vs New Zealand at the U18 World Cup Qualifiers in December.

A key strength of Victoria may well be their pitching.

Pitchers Hamish Stone, Zak Stafilis, Jesse Hando, Ned Johnson, Hudson Pallay, Liam Puncher and Windsor Breckenridge are all listed as pitcher only.

Stone played a key role in Victoria’s win last year. He’s reportedly swinging a hot stick in training, so he could be a duel threat. He is hitting .438 in the Division 2 and has a 3.27 ERA.

Stafilis has been producing at Charter Events and will look to parlay that experience into success at the U18 event. He’s been pitching for Waverley in Division 1 and played with Queensland in Taiwan to help prepare.

Ethan Johnston has also been playing Division 1 at Waverley.

Players on Victoria have also noted the potential for a big breakout from Jake Bertucci who is reportedly in red hot form both in season and in training.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has a tight baseball community. Any chance they have to proudly represent interstate is an hour.

It’s a team made up of locals who have been together for ages, complimented by top-tier talent who just missed out on NSW state selection.

How will the group come together in January? Only one way to find out.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

—

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

Of the players on their roster, twelve are from the ACT. The rest are friendship players from NSW.

While ACT will take it one game at a time, a big advantage they have is team unity and experience vs high quality opposition.

This crop of kids from the ACT have played with each other in charter tournaments and all throughout the Australian Youth Championship Ranks.

Elijah Tanouye, Cooper McMaster, Nate Quigg, Dom Hamilton, Nathan Corcoran, Benjamin Nash, Liam Oshyer, Jaden Angelo and Jack Blundell all have experience at the Division 1 level in the Capital. Their experience vs grown men might play into their favour.

Nate Quigg will likely shoulder the load in big games for the Capital.

“He throws the ball hard and has lots of good pitches. Can and will be lights out,” says teammate Cooper McMaster.

McMaster himself is no slouch. He is a first grade pitcher in Canberra and also one of the older guys in the team.

Both will be throwing to ACT catcher Dominic Hamilton who has been situated behind the plate for his state since 2021 at various representative levels.

Amongst the interstate players, there are a few to keep your eyes on.

One just may be Ryan Chou.

The versatile infielder had a big tournament for NSW Metro’s U16 Gold Medal squad in 2024. He was rewarded with selection to Australia’s national U16 team that travelled to the United States. As a younger player, he wasn’t selected to the U18s of his home state but will have a chance to make an impact here.

Let’s give a warm welcome to our newest member of the Australian Youth Championships – the Roos!

Unfortunately, Baseball Canberra is unable to field a team at the 2025 Australian U16 Youth Championships.

Baseball Australia wanted to make sure that the number of teams at the event remained consistent as planned, while also ensuring that opportunities for 140 players were available for players across the country at both age groups.

With BNSW already fielding two teams (Metro and Country), an opportunity presented itself where additional players from the next two largest baseball states, Queensland and Victoria, could be afforded opportunities to players who would ordinarily be friendship players for the Baseball Canberra team.

There are ten players from Queensland and ten players from Victoria on the Roos. Each state will also contribute towards the coaching staff to ensure that opportunities are provided to coaches similar to the opportunity provided to players.

The Roos will be wearing the indigenous artwork of Team Australia continuing the theme of representation of our entire community.

Of the twenty players, thirteen are aged 15 and seven are 14 years-old.

Notably, all of them are experiencing their first national championship.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

What an opportunity to bond together, and show the rest of the country what they’re made of, all while gaining experience as a group.

Ashton Leake, from Queensland, feels primed to break out. He’s also been training with the Brisbane Bandits Development Squad. He travelled to USA to play in the Perfect Game 14U tournament with Australia.

Levi Duke has impressed in recent times for Brisbane Metro in charter competition, he’ll likely also get the ball in big situations.

Nate Lucas can play infield and pitch and should provide some nice versatility.

When it comes to the bat, multiple players have singled out the catcher tandem the Roos possess.

“Watch out for Xavier Huntley, he has good command of the game,” says 15-year-old Reiss McDermott.

“Watch Colbey Ryerson,” says Nate Lucas. “He’s a catcher who hits for power and has a canon of an arm.”

Utility man Jarvis Johanson has been fun to watch with the Rangers at charter tournaments. He has some sneaky power and can play around the field.

14-year-old Victorian Sam Stafilis was one of the top performing players for the Rangers at the last two Junior League championships.

We can’t wait to see how this team bonds together!

Western Australia figures to be a strong contender with each age group.

Can everything come together as Western Australia chases double gold?

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

Despite being one of the smaller states, South Australia always proves to be a thorn in other state’s sides.

Can the Under 16s return to the top four after narrowly missing out last year?

Will the Under 18s go one further after claiming silver in 2024?

Let’s meet the teams.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA – UNDER 16

South Australia just missed out on the top four last year.

They’ll be looking to their age to provide a bit of an advantage. Unlike most other teams, every player on the roster will be 15 by the time first pitch roles around.

This includes eight players returning from last year’s side.

This age group of South Australians have been right around the mark at national events. In 2023, a squad of Adelaide Marlins players (Port Adelaide, Gawler, Kensington, East Torrens, Northern Districts) finished second at the Junior League titles. They finished fourth in 2024.

Many of those talented players are back and ready to make a run.

Among them is pitcher Kyan Tafui who made a name for himself with a 13 strikeout performance vs Cronulla at Junior League.

Catcher Jack Wilton, who caught for SA last year, says Tafui one to watch.

“Kyan is great player with a lot to prove, he only just missed selection last year so I think he’ll give it everything this tournament,” he says.

Luke Kennedy impressed at Little League tournaments on the mound and may have to eat some innings at the AYCs.

Many South Aussie teammates point to return player Tommy Bird as one who could make an impact.

Bird, a pitcher / outfielder, is already playing Division 1 baseball in South Australia and has experience at various national championships and for Team Australia at the recent Perfect Game International tournament in the USA.

Infielder Taj Williams will be looked to for leadership as a three-year AYC player. Williams also played for Team Australia U16.

If you’re looking for a feel good story, look no further than Jett Harris. The 15-year-old broke his back in July 2023, had extended time of no sport at all, and now represents his state.

For the South Aussies to win, they’ll need the sum of their parts to all work together nicely. It’s a team that grew up playing charter and state baseball together with plenty of experience and few arms who can go deep.

Coaches: Andrew Couzner (Manager)….Assistants: Kym Ashworth, Marc Taintey, James Henty…EO: Shanell Bird

SOUTH AUSTRALIA – UNDER 18

South Australia may have lost a little bit of fire power from their silver medal squad of 2024, but they might have the deepest pitching staff of any of the states.

In fact, not state has more players who represented Australia at the recent U18 World Cup Qualifiers.

Last year, Ali Tanner dazzled on the mound while Flynn McKee picked up the Golden Bat award in the line-up.

This year, South Australia will be relying on five pitchers who were on the U18 National Squad at the recent World Cup Qualifiers. No state had more pitchers on that team than South Australia.

They are: Will Couzner, Mitch Evans, Deakin Filko, Tyler Howarth and Tyler Green.

Add in the likes of 16-year-old Josh Altamura, who pitched well at the U16s last year, Division 1 pitcher Zac Tibbits and top-age arm Carter Roe, and South Australia pitching looks formidable.

Teammates are high on the potential of Deakin Filko.

“The kid is a beast,” says Tyler Howard. “Once he gets into a rhythm he becomes insanely hard to hit with his fastball / slider combo.”

The question is will they score enough runs?

There is no doubt infielder Zach Altamura will be a focal point. He was one of Australia’s leading hitters at the U18 Qualifiers and has now been on two MLB International Trips. Altamura recently committed to New Mexico Junior College.

Bailen Thomas and James McFarlane both have Division 1 experience with West Torrens and spent time with Team Australia U18 in September. They may need to provide a spark.

Look out for Toby Kortekaas who moves up from U16s.

Lachlan South is also a bit of a spark plug. He hit a grand slam at the Australian Schoolboys tournament to win the game and secure a bronze medal for SA.

Coaches: Chris Sims (Manager)…Assistants: Nathan Vanderlinden, Justin Clark….EO: Mark Chandler