Dell Rapids will look to continue the dynasty in 2026. DR continued its dominance on the diamond, winning its fourth high school baseball championship in the past five seasons, and fifth since 2017.

But the Class B field has plenty of talent throughout to challenge the defending champs.

And a new playoff format could change the dynamic of the postseason in the state’s smaller high school baseball class.

Storylines to watch

Can Dell Rapids continue the dynasty?: The Quarriers have established a dynasty in Class B high school baseball, winning four of the past five state championships with two player of the year award winners (Tad Tjaden and Jack Henry). With two graduating all-staters, DR will be up to the test for a potential three-peat in Class B.

New playoff format in 2026: The 2026 season will feature a newly structured playoff format. Instead of four regions, the 46 Class B squads will be divided into four “super regionals” with two districts in each. The top-4 teams in each district will play for a spot in the state tournament, opposing the old format of four regions with the top-8 seeded teams in each playing for a spot in the tournament.

Who else will emerge?: Many teams will have something to prove in 2026. State finalist Dakota Valley returns its southpaw ace on the mound, while other teams such as Madison/Chester/Oldham-Ramona/Rutland, Sioux Falls Christian/Sioux Falls Lutheran, Vermillion and Parkston could all be contenders in late May.

Players to watch

Note: These are returning all-staters from the 2025 season. Stats were collected through available GameChanger team profiles.

Drake Eastman, Dell Rapids: Eastman, a shortstop/pitcher, was a first team all-state selection last season. Eastman batted .360 with 10 doubles, a triple and 24 RBIs in 29 games last season. He also had a 3.1 ERA in 39 innings last season for the state champion Quarriers with 66 strikeouts. Eastman will play baseball at Iowa Western Community College next season.

Grady Ramos, Dakota Valley: Ramos, a centerfielder/pitcher, was a first team all-state selection last season. Ramos helped guide the Panthers to the Class B state championship game last season. Ramos tossed a complete game shutout with 13 strikeouts in the region championship against Parkston a year ago, following it with another 6.1 innings allowing just two runs on six hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts against Madison/Chester in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Ramos will play college baseball at Dakota State next season.

Isaiah Crownover, Bon Homme: Crownover, a third baseman/pitcher, was a first team all-state selection last year. Crownover batted .361 with five doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs in 11 games last year. He also led the Cavaliers in innings pitched (36) with 21 strikeouts and a 0.78 ERA.

JD Prorok, Madison/Chester/Oldham-Ramona/Rutland: Prorok, a third baseman/pitcher, was an all-state first team selection last season. Prorok helped guide Madison/Chester to the Class B state tournament. He struck out 11 batters in five innings in the region championship against Groton Area, adding another seven strikeouts in five innings against Dakota Valley in the opening round of the state tournament last season. Prorok will play college baseball at Northwestern College next season.

Quincy Phillips, Winner/Colome: Phillips, a catcher, was an all-state first team selection last season. Phillips helped lead the Royals to an undefeated regular season before falling in the semifinals of the Class B state tournament.

Talen Eich, Lennox: Eich, a third baseman, guided Lennox to an 11-8 season last year.

Gunnar Alfson, West Central: Alfson, a shortstop/pitcher, was an all-state second team honoree last season. Alfson batted .431 with five doubles and 14 RBIs. He also led the team in innings pitched (23.1) with a 1.5 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

Kenyon Kuiper, Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian/White Lake: Kuiper, a catcher/ first baseman, helped guide the Honkers to a 9-5 season with an appearance in the Class B state tournament a year ago.

Logan Fischbach, Warner/Ipswich/Northwestern/Frederick: Fischbach, an outfielder/pitcher, was a second team all-state selection last year. Fischbach was a key part in W.I.N’s 9-2 season last year, batting .286 with two doubles last year, tossing 27 innings on the mound with a 1.82 ERA and 36 strikeouts.

Nik Cruz, Hot Springs: Cruz, a utility player, was a second team all-state selection last season. Cruz batted .423 with three doubles, a triple and two homers along with 13 RBIs in 20 games last season. Cruz also pitched in 33 innings on the mound with a 5.94 ERA and 53 strikeouts.

Trey Hansen, Vermillion: Hansen, a second baseman, was a second team all-state selection last year. Hansen helped the Tanagers to a 13-4 record last season.

Nolan Nygren, Vermillion: Nygren, a utility player, was a second team all-stater last year. Nygren helped guide Vermillion to a 13-4 record last season.