FIRST TEAM

NICK HANSON |P/1B, Prior Lake, sr.

The Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year is "dominant," according to Eagan coach Rob Walsh. "An outstanding pitcher, and excellent hitter." Picked by the Cincinnati Reds with the second selection of the third round (79th overall) in the Major League Baseball draft. College: Kentucky.

SAM BRIDGES | P/OF, South St. Paul, sr.

Outstanding lefthander who developed elbow soreness late in the season. Went 4-0 with one save and 0.44 ERA. Fanned 133 while walking 12 over the past two seasons. "A dominating presence on the mound," Packers coach Dan Cosgrove said. College: Minnesota.

MICHAEL BUSCH | SS/P, Simley, sr.

Slick fielder, three-sport athlete (football, hockey) who batted .486. "Talk about all of his athletic achievements all day, but what really stands out about the young man is his character," Simley coach Mark Dornfeld said. College: North Carolina.

SAM CARLSON| P/OF, Burnsville, jr.

Quickly learning how to deal with pressure. At his best on the mound in his past three outings, with the South Suburban Conference championship on the line and two section tournament games including the championship. Hitting .423. College: Florida.

ISAAC COLLINS| SS/P, Maple Grove, sr.

Five-year starter, a switch-hitting senior batting .480 with an on-base percentage of .576. Dynamic defensively. "A smooth defensive shortstop," Crimson coach Darby Carlson said. College: Creighton.

TYLER ECKBERG| Edina, sr., P/3B

Among the state's top two-way players, with a fastball that reaches the upper 80s and a biting slider. The Hornets' cleanup hitter can beat you at the plate. "A tireless worker and a student of the game," Edina coach Carter Freeman said. College: Kansas State.

LUKE ROSKAM| C/P, Chaska, sr.

Switched to catcher this year and shut down the opposition's running games. "Only the second catcher in my 19 years I let call pitches, and he did a fantastic job," Hawks coach Craig Baumann said. College: Nebraska.

TOMMY SKORO | P/1B, Wayzata, sr.

The lefty had a breakout season in the tough Lake Conference. He is 7-1 with a 1.09 ERA. Allowed only 31 hits, struck out 83 in 58 innings. "Shines in the tough situations," Wayzata coach Bobby DeWitt said. "He is always calm." College: Kansas State.

MATT WALLNER | P/OF, Forest Lake, sr.

Led the Rangers to a 20-win season, went 7-1 with a 0.95 ERA. Hit .382 with 10 home runs. "A dynamic player on the mound, in the field and at the plate," Forest Lake coach Tal Gravelle said. College: Southern Mississippi.

RON HAGGSTROM