“Drew Kaplan has been a coach’s dream this year with his display of character, sportsmanship, determination, dedication and leadership for our team. The intensity that he brought to the ballpark every single day was beyond measurable. There is no way we would have won a state championship without him.”

Dustin Romero

Head Coach - Palo Verde head coach

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior third baseman and right-handed pitcher led the Panthers to a 28-11 record and the Class 5A state title this past season. A 2024 First Team All-State selection, Kaplan batted .483 with seven home runs, 43 RBI and 43 runs, compiling a .574 on-base percentage and an OPS of 1.362. He was at his best when the pressure was greatest, mashing out a .565 batting average during the postseason along with a home run and nine RBI while reaching base in better than 60 percent of his plate appearances.

Academic Achievement

Kaplan has maintained a 4.28 weighted GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at the College of Southern Nevada this fall.

Exemplary Character

Kaplan has volunteered locally on behalf of the Salvation Army and as a youth baseball instructor.