A milestone in Montana baseball history
Paxton Prill, a junior at Billings Central High School, has been selected as the 2026 Gatorade Montana baseball player of the year, a recognition that underscores his standout performance on the mound and at the plate.
He finished the season with a flawless 5‑0 record and a 0.00 earned run average, striking out 50 batters while tossing three no‑hitters in 18 appearances. At the plate he batted .417, drove in 19 runs and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Billings West coach Kyler Thomson praised Prill’s meticulous preparation, noting that the pitcher’s work ethic and focus were evident in every game.
Beyond athletics, Prill maintains an A‑plus average in the classroom and participates in HOSA Bowl, Special Olympics, and youth baseball camps, while also serving in the school’s Vision Club that organizes community service projects.
His commitment to both sport and service has already secured a spot at the University of Notre Dame, where he will continue his baseball career next season.
Prill joins an elite group as the third Gatorade Montana baseball player of the year in the state’s brief history, following Cayde Stajcar of Butte, who won in 2024, and Cash Lawrence of Hamilton, the 2025 honoree.