By Nick Gerhardt
Class A is back for 2025! With reclassification taking place following the 2024 season, the MBA is back to operating a three-class system. The new Class A will look similar to Class B the past two seasons after the former Class A teams merged into Class B.
That being said, there are a number of teams that have elevated to Class A for a variety of reasons. The defending Class C champion Waconia is one of those teams to make the jump. League rival St. Boni also makes the leap from Class C to Class A. Meanwhile Section 8 this year is represented by an amalgam of teams from six different leagues that have entered the fray of Class A.
We asked our pollsters to decipher all of the movement, including analyzing one of the big shakeups with St. Louis Park folding. Many from the Pirates’ roster have found a home with Baseball 365 this season, which will make them a team to watch in 2025.
The preseason rankings didn’t provide many head turns as 2024 defending Class B champion Miesville garnered each first-place vote for a unanimous decision for the No. 1 spot.
Champlin Park landed at the No. 2 spot over last year’s Class B runner-up Air Freight, but the LoGators have added some big-name talent, as they tend to do each year.
Air Freight locked down the No. 3 slot in the rankings and with ace Graham Laubscher, it’ll remain near the top of the rankings for much of the year.
Lyon’s Pub has held a residency in the top five for much of the past two seasons and the Warriors will begin the year at No. 4, followed closely by another perennial power in Minnetonka at No. 5.
The bottom half of the rankings turned out less decisive. Upstart Burnsville turned some heads last year and led to the Bobcats claiming the No.1 spot in last year’s poll. The Kitties will start this year at No. 6. The St. Paul Mudhens acquitted themselves well in last year’s state tournament and have an ace in Brady Drkula. The Mudhens will start at No. 7 in the preseason poll while the Rochester Royals claimed the No. 8 spot.
The aforementioned Baseball 365 start the season with the No. 9 ranking while Stockmen’s Irish and the Sartell Muskies share the No. 10 spot.
Matt Marek — Champlin Park LoGators
1. Miesville Mudhens — They’re the champs until they’re not.
2. Air Freight Unlimited — I would say they’re one arm away, but they’ve proven in the past one arm away isn’t really necessary
3. Baseball 365 — When you add half the roster of a top-8 team from the year prior, and get your ace back, it’s a good mix for success
4. Minnetonka Monarchs — It’s Tonka.
5. Champlin Park LoGators — Trent Palmer back from the minors, Logan Jordan in and a third Puder brother added with the whole roster back from a year ago, is it the year?
6. Lyon’s Pub Warriors — Is it the year, part deux. A walk-off home run in the semis last year should have them hungry for more in ‘25.
7. Minneapolis Cobras — BEHOLD!
8. Burnsville Bobcats — Maybe a little low for the Bobcats, but a team that is solid 1-9 with good arms to pair with them.
9. Rochester Royals — Bad draw at state last year, but the talent is undeniable.
10. St. Paul Mudhens — One strike away from knocking off Miesville at the state tournament. Always talented, but what do they retain from last year?
Tom Kolar — Air Freight Unlimited
1. Miesville Mudhens — Defending champs always get the No. 1 spot here and I would not be shocked if they stuck around here for most of the year. Doesn’t look like they have had many signings/releases so far, so I am assuming they have most of their squad coming back.
2. Air Freight Unlimited — Got smoked in the championship last year so I am sure some other pollsters may have us lower here, but the track record over the last four years speaks for itself.
3. Champlin Park LoGators — Third-place finish last year and looks like they got better this offseason. 2025 could be their year.
4. Rochester Royals — No. 1 seed out of Section 1 last year. Lineup is dangerous and Pilla is a true ace. Expect them to go deep in state.
5. Lyon’s Pub Warriors — Final 4 last year, always seem to do well in the P-Nash.
6. Burnsville Bobcats — Made it to the second weekend.
7. Minnetonka Monarchs — Always dangerous in state and have a good mix of younger talent with some great vets (assuming they are still around). Will be tough to make it out of their section with two bids, but, if so, don’t count them out from being there on the final weekend.
8. St. Paul Mudhens — First place in the St. Paul League last year. I’m guessing they have most of their squad back and probably a few new guys as well. Young team but showed their talent by giving Miesville a scare in the second round last year.
9. Eagan Bandits — Don’t know a ton about them but their section is solid. If Kruzan is back they should be a tough out in state.
10. Baseball 365 — First-round exit last year, but they picked up some St. Louis Park guys, which should definitely help. If attendance is high and Danner is back to ‘22-’23 health then they definitely have the makings to make a run. Two state bids out of their section though will make it tough.
Honorable Mention: Minneapolis Cobras, Hopkins Berries, Highland Park Beavers, St. Anthony Hogs, Victoria Vics and St. Paul Hops.
Nate Jackson — St. Boni Saints
It’s that time of the year again. The 2025 MBA season is upon us as some teams have already started. The ever-changing landscape of the MBA has brought back the three-class structure.
Class A teams this year will provide us with the notion that population points really don’t matter. You can be from a town which practically has no population but a beautiful (Bonin) field, all the way to Parade Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, where baseball recruits are scarce. Reigning Class C Champs are thrown into the mix. A marquee team in St. Louis Park goes from final 8 in the state tourney last year to vanishing into thin air. The River Valley looks like the toughest league this year based on realignment. The Metro Minny was snubbed by the Skyline for tourney bids. Section 8 is going to put miles on their vehicles. It’s going to be an interesting year.
With that being said, here’s a look at the teams that will fight to stay in the top 10 throughout the season.
1. Miesville Mudhens — The defending champs are the greatest show on turf. The only team in the MBA who can tell an ump in the state tourney to go fly a kite and not get ejected. Their level of prestige cannot be tested. Unmatched 30-mile radius pipeline. The only team that can beat them is themselves. Look for a repeat performance from the Mudhens this year. They’ll be there at the end.
2. Champlin Park LoGators — Not an easy team to beat when it comes to playoff time. Your traditional team full of dirtbags. Marek is good at finding the talent in the Champlin area. They’re fun to play early in the schedule but not so much toward the end. Win or lose, they enjoy adult beverages at the concession stand when available or in the lot. Although the Metro Minny is competitive, look for the kings of the swamp to be a force.
3. Lyon’s Pub Warriors — The tribe always finds a way to be competitive. The Park National League is not as strong as it has been in the past years. The Warriors do not lose many league games. The townball team that’s trapped in the city likes to travel. Parade might have a nice backdrop, but it doesn’t offer the experience of concessions, unruly fans and manicured fields. The Warriors have a rich tradition and it will continue this year.
4. Minnetonka Monarchs — Looks like the monarchy has a new rival in Baseball365. The St. Louis Park Pirates vanished from the scene but the majority of them are heading to Round Lake Stadium or off to townball retirement in the Federal League. Monarchs still have what it takes to win a title. Will Shally return? Mike Davis is primed to have a good year and could be the new leader in the clubhouse. Riverview is theirs to lose.
5. St. Paul Mudhens — They were a couple of outs away last year from becoming the Head Hen. This team is on the rise and will defend their St. Paul title. A good mix of ball players that are going to be a pain in the back side for many teams this year.
6. Burnsville Bobcats — River Valley super team that is difficult to beat. They’re good in all facets of the game. Pitching is strong, which is needed in the River Valley to compete. Spray the ball all over the yard with speed on the base paths. Teams will need to capitalize on mistakes to beat the Kitties.
7. Air Freight Unlimited — A couple arms and a couple bats can get this team to the end. Blown out by their Tommie friends in the final last year, which amounted to the least entertaining championship in recent memory. They’re a 9 to 5 team who doesn’t work overtime. Play league games and travel when necessary. This formula is successful for the Lao Che’s Plane. They shouldn’t have a problem getting to state, where the format is ideal for their success.
8. Stockmen’s Irish — The lads from South St. Paul are the front runners in the Skyline. Rumor Teddy is returning to bolster the pitching staff. Guys can hit but their defense can be suspect. One of a few Class A teams who host a tourney, which is competitive on and off the field.
9. Rochester Royals — A couple of good arms and some bats to support should have the Royals in contention. If Meyer returns, this team is going to be a problem. Competitive league will have to make sure they’re bringing their best when they play the Royals.
10. Waconia Lakers — Nothing like jumping a class from C to A. Defending champs will have some work to do. The River Valley has much more parity than the Crow. The Lakers might have one of the toughest schedules in the state, mixing in some dominant Crow teams. This team might not have the record it had last year but it’ll be battle tested when it comes time for the section playoffs.
Honorable mention: Baseball 365, Minneapolis Cobras, St. Anthony Hogs, Andover Aces and Shakopee Indians.
Jon Sands — Victoria Vics
1. Miesville Mudhens
2. Air Freight Unlimited
3. Champlin Park LoGators
4. Lyon’s Pub Warriors
5. Minnetonka Monarchs
6. Hopkins Berries
7. Burnsville Bobcats
8. Victoria Vics
9. St. Paul Mudhens
10. Waconia Lakers
Jordan Wiggins — St. Anthony Hogs
Another year and another new class system! A revamped Class A now looks to be loaded up with the additions of a lot of old school Class B power houses as well as seeing the Sartell Muskies added to Section 8. I’m looking forward to a fun, new season and a gauntlet of a state tournament in a few months! Without much research on player movement from team to team, here is my 2024 recency bias preseason rankings:
1. Miesville Mudhens
2. Champlin Park LoGators
3. Air Freight Unlimited
4. Sartell Muskies
5. Minnetonka Monarchs
6. Macs Industrial Warriors
7. Stockmen’s Irish
8. Dundas Dukes
9. Shakopee Indians
10. Baseball 365
Class A preseason rankings (As of April 24)(Pts)
1. Miesville Mudhens (50)
2. Champlin Park LoGators (40)
3. Air Freight Unlimited (39)
4. Lyon’s Pub Warriors (31)
5. Minnetonka Monarchs (30)
6. Burnsville Bobcats (17)
7. St. Paul Mudhens (12)
8. Rochester Royals (11)
9. Baseball 365 (10)
10. Stockmen’s Irish (7)
10. Sartell Muskies (7)
Also receiving votes: Minneapolis Cobras, Eagan Bandits, Waconia Lakers, Hopkins Berries, Victoria Vics, Dundas Dukes, Shakopee Indians, St. Anthony Hogs, Andover Aces, Highland Park Beavers.
