Class B rankings: Delano eyes a repeat run

By Nick Gerhardt
nickgerhardt@mnbaseball.org

Class B seems to have a stable of perennial state title contenders and the state title can come down to the team that gets hot at the right time, a la Delano last season. The Athletics came out of District 7 as the No. 3 seed, snuck by Northfield in the first round with a 2-1 victory and rode the arm of Watertown draftee Jackson Hunter as the bats heated up the rest of the way.

Delano lost its ace from last season, Nick Hays, who signed with Glencoe, but a return of their previous ace Max Otto looms, which can put the A’s in a strong position to make a repeat run to a state title — a rare feat in any Class B iteration.

Of course, last year’s runner-up Nisswa will have something to say about that with ace and former Detroit Tiger Blaine Hardy and a signing of former Bemidji Blue Ox shortstop Isaiah Biehn, a Bemidji State product.

Throw in Buffalo, which is returning to Class B after a year in Class A and the landscape turns extra interesting. Foley put on a hitting display at last year’s state tournament and has high-quality arms to make another run after falling 1-0 in 10 innings to New Ulm, which has moved to Class A this season.

We welcome two new experts this year to the Class B rankings with Justin Plein and Nate Jackson (aka Townball Jesus) while bringing back the inimitable Kip Kovar and Tom Elliott. Here’s how they broke down Class B as we start the year.

Justin Plein — Red Wing Aces

1. Delano Athletics — State champs and rumors of the return of Max Otto. They will start at No. 1 until proven otherwise
2. Nisswa Lightning — Feels like we could put any team from District 4 here and feel confident. We will start the season with a veteran group that has had plenty of state tournament success.
3. Young America Cardinals — Another loaded district, but the Cardinals seem like the top of this district.
4. Buffalo Bulldogs — Welcome back to Class B. Now it’s time to back it up.
5. Foley Lumberjacks — Will give them the slight nod over Jordan as they defeated them last August. This team is dangerous. They can climb the rankings quickly.
6. Jordan Brewers — Perennial Class B power. A team no one wants to see on their side of the bracket when the state tournament begins.
7. Bird Island Bullfrogs — Another team that has made the state tournament year after year. No worries about running into New Ulm (and Ethan Stade) with New Ulm moving to Class A.
8. Maple Lake Lakers — Death, Taxes, and state tournament appearances.
9. Hutchinson Huskies — Hosting a state tournament and playing are tough. 100% focus on just playing this year.
10. Le Sueur Braves — If you make the finals in state you get ranked. A run to the Class C finals was fun, this year the Braves move up to Class B.

Nate Jackson — St. Boni Saints
The 2026 season is upon us. There have been a few changes in the respective classes but for the most part, the contenders remain the same. A lesson learned from last year is winning the district might be too much of a break to remain in the groove. Only three of the district winners advanced but two of them made the final four. After 25 years in A, I’m new to B so I’ll tread lightly on who the top teams are to start the season. Expect things to change as college guys return, high school players and coaches become available, all while some players have shifted to different rosters.

1. Delano Athletics
2. Nisswa Lightning
3. Young America Cardinals
4. Cold Spring Springers
5. Raymond Rockets
6. Foley Lumberjacks
7. Princeton Panthers
8. Maple Lake Lakers
9. Hutchinson Huskies
10. Jordan Brewers

On Deck: Red Wing Aces, Bird Island Bullfrogs, Plato Blue Jays, Northfield Knights, Fergus Falls Hurricanes

Kip Kovar — Herald Journal

1. Delano Athletic’s — I usually don’t automatically make the defending champion the No. 1-ranked team heading into the next year, but Delano is the expedition. They are the champs, and you have to go through them. The strong core of guys is still there, with some younger guys eager to join in on the success. It looks to be another fun summer for baseball in Delano.
2. Bird Island Bullfrogs — A perennial state tournament team and one of my teams that could break through this year. In the past few years, we’ve seen teams break through. In 2023, it was Maple Lake. In 2024, it was Waconia. Last year it was Delano, and in 2026, could it be Bird Island?
3. Young America Cardinals — Everything I said about Bird Island can be said about Young America. The success has been there year in and year out. They’ve done everything but win it all. Is this the year the Cardinals deliver?
4. Nisswa Lightning — Nobody really talked about them all year long and all they did was finish as the runners-up. Expect another big season from Nisswa.
5. Buckman Billygoats — A surprise, they didn’t reach the state tournament a year ago and getting back this year will be anything but easy. The Billygoats still have a ton of talent and will be a team to watch once again.
6. Jordan Brewers — An early exit from the state tournament last year surprised many. There’s still a lot of talent and a lot to like about this team.
7. Buffalo Bulldogs — They’re back. After being in Class A a year ago, the Bulldogs are back where they belong. It could be a revenge tour for an already talented team that will be fun to watch.
8. Bluffton Braves — Another team that missed out on the state tournament a year ago. I expect that not to happen again for the Braves.
9. Raymond Rockets — A perennial top 10 team. The Rockets are always a fun group to watch as they feature a ton of talent and experience.
10. Cold Spring Springers — Could be many teams in this spot, but I’ll give the nod to the Springers.

Teams I’m keeping an eye on: St. Boni, Plato, Hutchinson, Northfield, Union Hill, Maple Lake, Kimball, Bemidji and Watertown.

Tom Elliott — West Central Tribune
This is always such a crapshoot. Class B has changed a lot, making it more difficult to pick out a top 10. Guessing who that might be in April is difficult. But here goes nothing.

1. Delano Athletics — The Athletics are state champs until proven otherwise.
2. Nisswa Lightning — The Lightning are in District 4, which is so strong the state board has given the eight-team district five state berths. All the teams are out of the Victory League, by the way.
3. Young America Cardinals — Another District 7 team that put on an impressive display in last year’s state tournament, reaching the final four.
4. Hutchinson Huskies — The Huskies were host to a great state tournament last year and made an impressive run themselves.
5. Raymond Rockets — The Rockets have a good mix of veterans and young, talented college-age players. They’re going to be tough in District 8 and in the Corn Belt League.
6. Foley Lumberjacks — Here’s another District 4 and Victory team to watch. The Lumberjacks should be very good.
7. Jordan Brewers — This feels a little low for the Brewers, who will be the District 3 favorites.
8. Red Wing Aces — The Aces are one of the teams to beat in District 2.
9. Cold Spring Springers — This team has some talent and some veterans that should make them one of the teams to beat in District 1.
10. Fergus Falls Hurricanes — The Hurricanes made some noise last year at state from District 5.

Class B rankings (As of May 2)(Pts)

1. Delano Athletics (40)
2. Nisswa Lightning (34)
3. Young America Cardinals (32)
4. Foley Lumberjacks (16)
5. Jordan Brewers (15)
6. Raymond Rockets (14)
7. Bird Island Bullfrogs (13)
8. Buffalo Bulldogs (11)
9. Hutchinson Huskies (11)
10. Cold Spring Springers (10)

Also receiving votes: Princeton Panthers, Buckman Billygoats, Red Wing Aces, Fergus Falls Hurricanes, Maple Lake Lakers, Le Sueur Braves, St. Boni Saints, Plato Blue Jays, Northfield Knights, Union Hill Bulldogs, Kimball Express, Bemidji Blue Ox and Watertown Red Devils.