2A Cover Boy: Ryder Starkey, Sr, SS, New Home

 admin  |    Jan 2nd, 2026

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Ryder Starkey is a 6’0” 190 Senior SS for the 4-2A New Home Leopards. He has committed to Blinn College.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

As a junior, Starkey hit .545 with 24 2B, 7 3B, 9 HR, 67 RBI, 65 Runs, 9 SB, a .634 OBP and a 1.136 SLG. He was named the 4-2A MVP. He was selected to the THSBCA 2A All-State Team as a 1st Team SS and to the TSWA 2A All-State Team as a 1st Team SS.

In his sophomore season, Starkey hit .451 with 22 2B, 8 3B, 5 HR, 47 RBI, 55 Runs, 7 SB, a .493 OBP and an .850 SLG. He was named the 4-2A Offensive MVP. He was selected to the THSBCA 2A All-State Team as a 1st Team SS and to the TSWA 2A All-State Team as a 2nd Team SS.

As a freshman, Starkey hit .385 with 11 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 34 Runs and 14 SB. He was named to the 4-2A All-District Team as a 1st Team Infielder.

OTHER BASEBALL RECOGNITION

2025 – Team Texas – High Plains Shootout
2025 – THSCA 2A Slugger of the Year
2025 – ZV-Tee 2A Bi-District Slugger of the Week
2024 – Team Texas – High Plains Shootout

INTERVIEW

At what point did you know you were really good at baseball?

When I was young. I was a big kid, way bigger than anybody else. And I hit my first home run when I was 6. And from then on, I was a big home run hitter. And it was at that point that I knew this was my go-to sport.

Who is one or two people who influenced, encouraged or inspired you to be a good baseball player?

I would say that my dad was one of those. He was always pushing me. We would go hit all the time. He would often say “Let’s go hit. Let’s go throw.” And that got me to where I am now. Now I am the one who says to my teammates “Let’s go hit. Let’s go throw. Let’s practice. Let’s get better.” My dad is no longer with us but he is a person who played a huge role in my life and my baseball career. And then I would say Trent Petry. He’s the owner of Lubbock Baseball Academy. I joined that team when I was 7 or 8 years and I have been with them ever since. Trent is who I hit with every day during the season.

Talk about the ride getting to the State Championship game last year.

We had a really good team. I think at the beginning of the year, not many people thought we would be that good, including us. We struggled early. We lost a lot of seniors from the year before so we were young. But we figured things out and started playing well in district and then rolled in the playoffs.

When did you realize last year that you had a very good team?

When district got here, everything started falling in place. We knew who our main pitchers were, what our lineup would be. When all that worked out, we knew we would be a good team.

Talk about the excitement of being in the championship game.

We were at the state tournament my freshman year. We got beat in the semifinals but it was amazing to be there. So last year, I think I was more relaxed. But it was a big game and for us, it was time for a gold medal. It was different but it was still really fun.

Talk about the championship game.

First of all, it was very hot. We couldn’t get the sticks going. But neither could they. They finally got theirs going in the 4th inning and we just never really got ours going. So we came up short in the game.

What do you like about this year’s team?

We lost only 3 starters from last year, so we have a lot coming back. And our junior class is hungry for a big season. Football has just ended and everybody is ready to go for baseball. I think we will have guys step up for us.

What will it take for you guys to get back to the Championship Game?

I think we will have work together and find our pitching. Finding our pitching will be the main thing for us this year. I think our lineup will be good and we will be good once we figure our pitching out.

How do you see your role on this team?

I think I have to be in that leader role. I have been in a leader role for a couple of years. I just need to help out the younger guys, pushing them to be better and helping them find ways to contribute to the team.

What do you like about Blinn College?

I like the town, I like the place and I like the Coach. What the coach had to say made me want to be there. They have a good track record of helping guys get to the big schools. I think for a guy like me, this is the smarter path to take to get the playing time, get the reps. I think Blinn will be good for me.

PERSONAL

Parents: Tracy Starkey (Passed in 2021), Jodi Starkey
Age: 18
Siblings: Older brother
Current Favorite Goup/Singer: Billy Currington and Travis Scott
Favorite Restaurant: Rosas
Go to Fast Food: Chipotle
Last Movie I Saw: Forrest Gump
If you travel to any place: The Bahamas
What do you like to do outside baseball: Golf, hang with friends, solve rubic cubes
Favorite MLB Player: Jarren Duran
Biggest Game Last Spring Season: Hitting 3 HRs in a playoff game
Summer Baseball Highlight: Meeting and playing with guys from all over