February 28, 2025

By Devon Teeple

The GM’s Perspective

Welcome to the third edition of the All-Indy Team, a celebration of the best talent in independent baseball.

This year marks a conscious shift in focus, as MLB Partner Leagues—the American Association, Atlantic League, Frontier League, and Pioneer League—have been removed from consideration. While these leagues have rightfully earned their partnerships with Major League Baseball and continue to grow through various collaborations, the remaining true independent leagues offer something unique: an unfiltered, grassroots, and deeply competitive environment that showcases raw talent, veteran grinders, and some potential future stars.

For 2024, we turn our attention to five leagues that embody the true essence of independent baseball—the Pecos League, United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL), Empire Baseball League, Mavericks Independent Baseball League, and the Mid-America League. These leagues, both established and newly emerging, continue to thrive on their own, carving out identities through player development, fierce competition, and pure passion for the game.

This year’s list highlights the most dominant players from each of these leagues, carefully selected based on statistical excellence, league rankings, and overall impact. The best hitters and pitchers from each circuit are profiled to ensure that this edition of the All-Indy Team stands as the most comprehensive and authoritative overview of independent baseball today.

Let’s dive into the standout performers who defined independent baseball in 2024.

Pecos League (2024 Season)

The 2024 Pecos League had 16 teams split into Pacific and Mountain divisions​. The Alpine Cowboys (Mountain Division) won the Pecos League championship, sweeping the Pacific Division champion San Rafael Pacifics in the finals​

Robert Morosetti (OF, Garden City Wind) – Batted .343 with 10 home runs, 70 hits, and 55 RBIs over 50 games​. Morosetti was a key middle-of-order bat for Garden City, leading his team in average and RBIs. A Pittsburgh native, he previously played for the Roswell Invaders in 2022.

Brendan Beard (RHP, Garden City Wind) – Emerged as an ace, posting an 8–1 record with a 2.68 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts)​. In 70 1/3 innings, he struck out 85 batters while allowing just 18 walks, yielding a stellar 1.01 WHIP.

Noah McCreary (2B, Bakersfield Train Robbers) – Won the Pecos League batting title with a .420 average, tallying 92 hits in 219 at-bats​. He added seven home runs and 56 RBIs in 52 games​ and was named the Pacific Division Offensive Player of the Year​

Alex Valasek (RHP, San Rafael Pacifics) – Pacific Division Pitcher of the Year after going 7–1 with a 2.07 ERA. Over 11 games​ he logged 69 1/3 innings, fanned 102 hitters (13.2 K/9), and recorded a 1.14 WHIP​. Valasek’s dominance helped San Rafael claim the Pacific Division title​

United Shore Professional Baseball League (2024 Season)

The USPBL is a developmental four-team league based in Utica, Michigan. In 2024, the Westside Woolly Mammoths won the championship (USPBL plays a short season). Key performers included:

Greg Loukinen (LHP, Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers) – Named USPBL Pitcher of the Year in 2024​. Loukinen went 9–5 with a 3.39 ERA, leading the league with 114 strikeouts in 95 2/3 innings. He allowed 80 hits and surrendered 36 walks.

Matthew “Matt” Piotrowski (INF, Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers) – The league’s best of the best hitters. He slashed .327/.390/.553. In 43 games, Piotrowski collected 52 hits, including eight home runs, and 25 RBIs​. His 159 at-bats and 30 runs scored led his team​.

Empire Baseball League (2024 Season)

The Empire League is a small East Coast independent league. In 2024, the North Country Thunderbirds finished first (25–15), with the Tupper Lake Riverpigs close behind (22–18)​.

Luis De Leon (IF, Tupper Lake Riverpigs) – Posted a .397 batting average in 36 games​. De Leon raked 50 hits in 126 at-bats with six home runs, 13 doubles, 33 RBIs, and a .865 slugging percentage​. His .441 OBP and 13 stolen bases highlight his all-around offensive impact across the league.

Jacob Boyd (RHP, Tupper Lake Riverpigs) – Ace of the Riverpigs’ staff, Boyd went 6–3 with a 2.73 ERA over 11 games​. In eight starts, he tossed 59 innings and struck out 49. Boyd allowed 54 hits and 23 walks while holding opponents to a .225 average​. His four complete games led the league.

Mavericks Independent Baseball League (2024 Season)

The Mavericks League (in Oregon) features four teams. The Salem Senators were the top team in 2024. 

Roy Verdejo (OF, Salem Senators) – Led the Mavericks League in home runs and RBIs. Verdejo hit .361 with 11 home runs, 66 hits, and 53 RBIs in 48 games​. He also drew 44 walks, boosting his OBP to .487, with a .612 SLG.

Mid-America League (2024 Season)

2024 marked the inaugural season of the Mid-America League (MAL), a six-team circuit in Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona. The Piney Woods TimberHogs boasted two All-Indy Players.

Juan Murillo (OF/DH, Piney Woods TimberHogs) – MAL Player of the Year. Murillo put up video-game numbers, leading the league in nearly every batting category. He slashed .484/.553/.923 over 61 games, with 109 hits, 24 home runs, and 100 RBIs​. His OPS was a staggering 1.477​. The 22-year-old Murillo is a former San Diego Padres prospect in the ACL (2022-23)​.

Wilton Castillo Franco (RHP, Piney Woods TimberHogs) – MAL All-Star Starting Pitcher. Castillo Franco went 4–2 with a 3.10 ERA in 14 appearances (8 starts)​. In 66 2/3 innings, he allowed 53 hits and 23 earned runs. Franco’s 91 strikeouts were the most in the league​.