{"id":1367,"date":"2026-06-11T13:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T13:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=1367"},"modified":"2026-06-11T13:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T13:38:00","slug":"high-school-baseball-deseret-news-2026-players-of-the-year-powered-their-teams-with-all-around-excellence-and-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=1367","title":{"rendered":"High school baseball: Deseret News 2026 Players of the Year powered their teams with all-around excellence and leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Regardless of the obstacles and challenges they faced throughout the course of the season, the 2026 Deseret News Baseball Players of the Year played pivotal roles in their teams\u2019 overall success. Whether it be clutch hitting or game-changing plays in the field, these athletes more than rose to the occasion game-in and game-out.<\/p>\n

Read more Desert Hills\u2019 powerhouse, Harmon Skeen, named Deseret News 2026 Mr. Baseball<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at the 2026 Deseret News Baseball Players of the Year.<\/p>\n

6A Player of the Year<\/h3>\n

Kenny Johnson, American Fork, P\/1B, Sr.<\/h4>\n

It was business as usual for American Fork this year, winning yet another 6A state championship, which has become the standard year in and year out for the program.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s success was due in large part to the performance and leadership of senior Kenny Johnson.<\/p>\n

Johnson was virtually un-hittable for opposing batters, going 8-0 from the mound with 38 strikeouts and a commanding 1.35 ERA.<\/p>\n

While Johnson has always been known for his arm and his pitching, he also took his offensive numbers up a notch this year.<\/p>\n

At the plate, Johnson had a .394 average with 19 RBIs and 13 doubles.<\/p>\n

Throughout the year, Johnson proved he was more than a talented pitcher, excelling offensively while demonstrating outstanding leadership and work ethic.<\/p>\n

American Fork head coach Jarod Ingersoll said that the all-around play from Johnson is what really stood out to him this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always knew he was a good pitcher, but Kenny had a great year offensively for us. He was superb on the mound all year. He is an incredible young man with great leadership qualities. Hard worker in practice, games, and the weight room,\u201d Ingersoll said.<\/p>\n

5A Player of the Year<\/h3>\n

Jeremiah Hall, Maple Mountain, SS\/RHP, Soph.<\/h4>\n

Maple Mountain\u2019s Jeremiah Hall was a key contributor to Maple Mountain\u2019s success this year. He impacted the games with not only his hitting, but also his play on the mound and his competitive mindset. <\/p>\n

Hall had an astounding .465 batting average to go along with eight home runs and a .763 slugging percentage.<\/p>\n

An elite two-way player in the Maple Mountain system, the play of Hall helped drive and push his team towards the 5A state championship series, where the group eventually fell to Spanish Fork. Throughout the year, Hall was able to earn the respect of his coaches and peers through his consistency, work ethic and leadership.<\/p>\n

\u201cJeremiah Hall was a huge part of everything we accomplished this season at Maple Mountain. He is the type of player who can impact a game in so many different ways, whether it is with his bat, on the mound or simply by the way he competes every day,\u201d said Maple Mountain head coach Jeremy Thomas.<\/p>\n

Even though Hall is still in the beginning of his high school baseball career, he has already shown his team the type of leadership that is needed if it wants to have continued success within the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat stood out most about Jeremiah was his consistency and the confidence his teammates and coaches had in him. Even though Jeremiah was only a sophomore, he earned the respect of his coaches, teammates and opponents through his work ethic and results on and off the field,\u201d added Thomas.<\/p>\n

4A Player of the Year<\/h3>\n

Trey Vaughn, Snow Canyon, OF\/P, Sr.<\/h4>\n

In his senior season, Snow Canyon\u2019s Trey Vaughn had a season to remember for the Warriors, helping to lead Snow Canyon to a 4A state title over Deseret Hills.<\/p>\n

Vaughn proved to be one of the most explosive offensive hitters in the region this season, having a .505 average with 10 home runs to go along with 60 RBIs and 10 doubles. In addition to his ability to consistently put the bat on the ball, Vaughn also showed incredible patience at the plate, drawing 13 walks throughout the season.<\/p>\n

According to Snow Canyon head coach Reed Secrist, Trey\u2019s leadership, work ethic and dedication helped lead his team to a state championship while his constant improvement made him an exceptional player and teammate.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrey has been one of the easiest players I\u2019ve ever had the opportunity to coach. With his leadership, work ethic and his dedication to his teammates, he helped lead us to the 2026 state championship,\u201d Secrist said.<\/p>\n

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Vaughn\u2019s continued drive and desire to improve particularly stuck out to his coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis commitment to improving was evident as he continued to build on his success each season. He was a warrior for four short years and I\u2019m looking forward to him doing well at USUE,\u201d Secrist said.<\/p>\n

3A Player of the Year<\/h3>\n

Gannon Labrum, Union, OF\/P, Sr.<\/h4>\n

Union\u2019s Gannon Labrum has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates alike, having been voted captain the past two seasons in both football and baseball.<\/p>\n

The four-year starter had an on-base percentage of 1.237 and constantly showed his speed on the bases, scoring 42 runs while stealing 11 bases on the year.<\/p>\n

Gannon has proven to his coaches and teammates to be a driven leader, a fierce competitor and a teammate his peers can count on. His work ethic and commitment to helping others succeed have earned widespread respect on and off the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cGannon is the ultimate competitor and teammate. He loves his teammates and wants them to succeed. He loves the process of what it takes to make oneself elite. He leads by example, he loves the grind in the cages in season and offseason alike,\u201d said Union head coach Mike Labrum. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just about what Gannon showcases on the diamond that has made him stand out, but how he conducts himself away from the sport as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a fire inside to win and be successful not only on the field, but more importantly in life. He has a caring heart for others and cheers for the underdog. It\u2019s been an honor to coach him,\u201d Labrum said.<\/p>\n

2A Player of the Year<\/h3>\n

Kanon Virostko, Kanab, C, Jr.<\/h4>\n

There were many players and moments throughout the course of the year that contributed to the success and ultimately a 2A state championship for Kanab.<\/p>\n

One of the main contributors and catalysts to that success was the play of junior catcher Kanon Virostko.<\/p>\n

Virostko was able to easily hold things down behind the plate, allowing just nine stolen bases on the season.<\/p>\n

Virostko more than did his part with the bat as well. He filled up the stat sheet with a .495 batting average to go along with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs.<\/p>\n

For Kanab head coach Craig Brinkerhoff, Virostko\u2019s leadership, work ethic, mental toughness and passion for the game helped push his teammates to be better.<\/p>\n

\u201cKanon is a great teammate and makes his other teammates better with how he leads on the field. Kanon puts in the work on and off the field to make himself a tremendous player. Kanon\u2019s work ethic shows what type of player he is,\u201d Brinkerhoff said.<\/p>\n

Brinkerhoff added that the passion and focus that Virostko has for the game is what makes him stand out above everybody else.<\/p>\n

\u201cKanon is mentally tough, resilient and a true leader on and off the field. His ability to be a great catcher and hitter in the box comes down to his drive and love for the game,\u201d he said. \u201cKanon\u2019s plate discipline and barrel control is proof of his stats through the year as he led the team to a state championship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Do Maine results signal a Trumpish turn among Democratic voters? Three analysts weigh in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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