Whenever Marcus Ragan was involved in the action, a confident buzz went through Warren Central’s dugout.

If the ball was hit to him in center field, there was little doubt he’d track it down. If he was at the plate, his teammates expected him to get a hit. When he was on first base, it was rarely more than a couple of pitches before he was sliding safely into second with a steal.

Ragan did it all, and did it all extremely well. His steady all-around game and ability in the clutch made him Warren Central’s best player ­— and the best in Warren County, as well. The senior center fielder is the 2015 Vicksburg Post baseball Player of the Year.

It’s the fifth consecutive year that a Warren Central player has won the award.

“He was gap to gap, a guy who could cover the whole field for you. And he was our leader. When he went, we went. Guys followed him. He is that X-factor,” Warren Central coach Conner Douglas said. “He is the best I’ve ever seen as far as changing the game, from all standpoints. When he got on first he was going to score. I think he led our team in every category.”

Ragan, who has signed with East Mississippi Community College for both football and baseball, was a three-year starter for Warren Central. He finished his high school career with a .383 batting average, and in 87 games over three years had 105 hits, 97 runs scored and 62 stolen bases.

Even with all that success, however, he was never better than he was this year.

Ragan’s .414 batting average was nearly 100 points better than the next-best hitter on the team. He hit safely in 29 out of 34 games, and in six playoff games hit .412 to help the Vikings reach the third round for the first time since 2004.

In the postseason, five of Ragan’s seven hits went for extra bases. He also scored five runs, drove in six, and had five stolen bases — one of which was a straight steal of home against Grenada.

“Knowing that the postseason was coming up, and just trying to do anything to help the team win,” Ragan said of his late surge. “Whether it was getting on base, or scoring runs, or just playing good defense. You realize it’s postseason time and you want to play your best, and I caught it at the right time.”

Douglas said Ragan didn’t just get hot at the right time. He put in the work to make it happen.

“You’d see him up here on Sundays when nobody else is here. I’d come to cut grass, and Marcus is in the cages,” Douglas said. “He started turning that gear on, and I think that’s when he started to realize he’s got a future in this game.”

While Ragan was Warren Central’s biggest offensive threat, he also turned almost any ball hit to center field into an out. Blessed with great speed, he supplemented his natural physical ability with a superb knowledge of the game to become one of the best defensive outfielders in Mississippi.

Over the past two seasons, Ragan made a total of three errors on nearly 100 chances. He had one this season.

It’s a skill he takes great pride in, even more than hitting or baserunning.

“Defense is what helps you win games. Of course you have to score runs, but keeping the other team from scoring is a big deal, too,” said Ragan, who played in the MHSAA All-Star Game and was a first-team Class 6A All-State pick. “To keep them from getting the big hit or advancing to the next base, I take great pride in it. That’s how you win games.”

Like a lot of great players, Ragan was more substance than style. His defense looked effortless, and he got as many hits with hustle as he did with skill.

In a playoff series against Desoto Central, Ragan hit a sharp grounder to the first baseman, who was playing deep. Seeing an opportunity, Ragan sprinted down the line and beat it out for an infield hit. He then stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored on another ground out.

Like his defense, it’s a finely-honed skill he takes pride in.

“You watch Pete Rose, how he was just getting the job done, and I’m like that,” Ragan said. “I try to go out there and do a job and not be real flashy, just do what the coach asks me to do and try to help the team win.”

Ragan will give up his spot at the top of the batting order and in center field to another player next season. Douglas, however, said it’ll be a while before anyone comes close to replacing him.

“You can’t replace Marcus Ragan. Never will,” Douglas said. “He’s the best I’ve ever seen out there.”

Vicksburg Post Players of the Year

2015 – Marcus Ragan, Warren Central

2014 – Carlisle Koestler, Warren Central

2013 – Hunter Austin, Warren Central

2012 – Cody Waddell, Warren Central

2011 – Beau Wallace, Warren Central

2010 – Stephen Evans, St. Aloysius

2009 – Stephen Evans, St. Aloysius and Montana McDaniel, Porters Chapel

2008 – Stanton Price, Vicksburg

2007 – Michael Busby, Porters Chapel

2006 – Jordan Henry, Vicksburg

2005 – Michael Busby, Porters Chapel

2004 – Mark Different, Warren Central

2003 – Justin Henry, Vicksburg and Ryan Hoben, Porters Chapel

2002 – Brian Pettway, Warren Central

2001 – Taylor Tankersley, Warren Central

2000 – Robby Goodson, Vicksburg

1999 – Shea Douglas, Warren Central

1998 – Shea Douglas, Warren Central

1997 – Cody McCain, St. Aloysius

1996 – Stacy Williams, St. Aloysius

1995 – Stacy Williams, St. Aloysius

1994 – Jason Wilbanks, St. Aloysius