Michael Mulvey / DMN

Southlake Carroll, junior

Aaron Luna's standout season can be called anything but a surprise. The Southlake Carroll junior has been one of the area's top players for several years. This year, he batted .448 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs.

"Aaron is one of those kids that has a lot of talent and works hard to be good," Southlake Carroll coach Larry Hughes said. "I know I'm biased. But I don't think anyone is better."

As a sophomore, Luna was SportsDay's Newcomer of the Year last season. Last summer, he played with USA Baseball's Youth National Team, which competed in Taiwan.

He was Carroll's only returning starter this season but helped Carroll reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season and the regional quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season. Carroll finished second in District 7-5A to state finalist Flower Mound but handed Flower Mound its only district loss.

Keller ousted Carroll in the regional quarterfinals. Luna helped Carroll advance through the second round with a grand slam against Arlington.

"We were young," Luna said. "But we knew we still had good players to be OK."

Despite Luna's high-profile status, he remains a dedicated team player.

"I'd rather go 0-for-3 and win than 3-for-3 and lose," Luna said.

Fortunately for Carroll, that rarely happens.

Achievements: .448, nine home runs, 30 RBIs, 2003 Newcomer of Year

Why I compete: "The thrill of being part of a team striving for one goal."

Who influenced me: "My parents and two coaches, Bump Wills and Scott Livingstone."

What you don't know: "I love to work with kids."

1999: Shane Wallace, Carr. Newman Smith

2000: Jason Stokes, Coppell

2001: Trey Taylor, Mansfield

2002: Zack Segovia, Forney

2003: Daniel Hamblin, Rowlett

Jesuit

Achievements: Williamson led Jesuit, which was competing in the UIL for the first time, to the third round of playoffs before being eliminated by eventual state qualifier Flower Mound.

Why I compete: "I love working with young, dedicated people."

Who influenced me: "Jim Johns of Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, who taught me what it takes to run a great program."

What you don't know: "I was an extra in the movie Major League, and I was a stunt double for Nolan Ryan in an Advil commercial."

Keller, sophomore

Achievements: .530 batting average, 9 home runs, 32 RBIs.

Why I compete: "It makes me play the best I can."

Who influenced you: "My dad [Kevin], pastor Gary Simons and [Rangers center fielder] Laynce Nix. He's young and just coming out of the shadows to make a name for himself."

What you don't know: "I always ask God to help me be the best I can be before every game."

Carrollton Newman Smith, senior

Achievements: Batted .350 with three home runs and 17 RBIs. 11-0 as a pitcher.

Why I compete: "I love baseball, and there's nothing else I'd rather be doing."

Who influenced me: "My brothers and my coach when I was 13, Don Wyrick, who told me about my talent."

What you don't know: "My girlfriend, Kati Good, is a softball pitcher, and we're both going to play at UT-Tyler."

Mesquite Poteet, senior

Achievements: Batted .448 with two home runs, eight doubles, 12 RBIs. Texas Tech signee.

Why I compete: "I love it; being on top and being able to look the other guy in the face and know you won."

Who influenced me: "Four coaches: Mark Martin, Tommy Hernandez and Heath Autrey, who taught me how to play at a higher level, and [Poteet] coach Ted Nowell, who's always on my butt."

What you don't know: "I go to the driving range and hit golf balls to relax on the afternoon of night games."

Coppell, senior

Achievements: Played in high school All-American game. Batted .400 with four home runs and 22 RBIs.

Why I compete: "Because I love to win, and I want to be the best player to ever play the game."

Who influenced me: "My parents have influenced me the most throughout my life, both on and off the baseball field."

What you don't know: "I ate a Subway sandwich before every game this spring."

Bobby Jones

Flower Mound, senior

Achievements: Batted .489 with three home runs, 16 doubles and 33 RBIs.

Why I compete: "The challenge of being the best against good players."

Who influenced me: "My dad [Robert] and [Flower Mound] coach Derek Matlock, who's taught me how to carry myself on and off the field."

What you don't know: "I wear the same Diesel shoes before every game before changing into cleats."

Rockwall, senior

Achievements: Arizona signee. Batted .370 with five home runs and 32 RBIs.

Why I compete: "It brings out the best in you and makes you work hard to obtain goals you've set."

Who influenced me: "Kirk Wilson and Cecil Espy, two of my early baseball coaches."

What you don't know: "Me and a teammate have to make three over-the-shoulder catches before each game in warmup."

Grand Prairie, senior

Achievements: Catalyst leadoff hitter. Batted .556 and had 14 steals.

Why I compete: "It's fun. You go against other guys, sometimes better than you, and see how you do."

Who influenced me: "My parents. When I'd have a bad game, they'd always tell me I had a lot of talent and to keep going."

What you don't know: "I take 2,000 swings a day, every day."

Denton Ryan, junior

Achievements: Already reached two state tournaments. Batted .440 with 24 RBIs.

Why I compete: "I look up to a lot of people, and the people that I look up to are pretty competitive people. It just drives me to be a competitive person."

Who influenced me: "Probably my parents. They're always there for me every time. They're hard-working people, and they influenced me the most."

What you don't know: "I used to do the long jump and high jump up until ninth grade."

Rockwall, senior

Achievements: Three-year all-area. Batted .360, with eight home runs and 39 RBIs. UT signee, 9-5A MVP.

Why I compete: "To improve every aspect of my game so I can play at the next level."

Who influenced me: "My whole family. They've supported every decision I've made."

What you don't know: "I've kept my head shaved all season. I usually shave it twice a week."

Cedar Hill, senior

Achievements: Batted .442 with 29 RBIs. Arkansas signee.

Why I compete: "Ever since I can remember, it's something that has burned inside me."

Who influenced me: "[Former Baylor and Grand Prairie player] Marty Crawford. I grew up watching him and idolizing him."

What you don't know: "I hit off a tee in my back yard with my dad the night before every district game."

Bryan Adams, senior

Achievements: Batted .594 with seven home runs, 41 RBIs. 9-3 as pitcher.

Why I compete: "I love playing baseball because you get to compete every day. I never get tired of it."

Who influenced me: "My brothers Charlie and Tommy, who always had me out playing catch."

What you don't know: "I'm a nice guy. People think I look mean."

Denton Ryan, senior

Achievements: 0.99 ERA. 8-1 record. Just one loss in two years.

Why I compete: "I love to win at everything."

Who influenced me: "My first coach, Juan Silva, and my summer coach, Omar Washington. I wasn't that good starting out, but they found a way to make me a player."

What you don't know: "I've been wearing a necklace with a cross and baseball that my dad gave me at the start of the playoffs."

Trimble Tech, senior

Achievements: 100 strikeouts in 40 innings.

Why I compete: "I enjoy trying to beat other people."

Who influenced me: "My parents have been there all the time."

What you don't know: "I've used the same glove to pitch with the last couple of years."

Selected by Staff Writer David McNabb in consultation with coaches, professional scouts, and other staff writers, based on regular- season performances.