Top 10 storylines to watch this season in Georgia high school baseball
By David Friedlander | Photo by Willie Prince
The current impasse between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association threatens the scheduled beginning of spring training this week.
However, high school baseball teams throughout Georgia are already in action, as the 2022 season officially began Monday.
And while there figure to be many storylines throughout the state this spring, here's a look at what could be some of the most prominent and intriguing ones.
TOP 10 STORYLINES IN GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Star-studded senior class takes the stage
Georgia has long been considered one of the top states for amateur baseball talent in the country, but the senior class of 2022 may be among one of the best yet — and certainly the best in recent years. Six seniors from state schools are among mlb.com's Top 100 prospects for the 2022 MLB Draft in June, including three — Wesleyan center fielder Druw Jones at No. 1, Mays middle infielder Termarr Johnson at No. 2 and Buford right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko at No. 9 — in the top 10. And Georgia is also well represented in the Prospects Live Top 300 with a dozen current high school seniors.
Will Cam Collier's departure change the equation in Class A Private?
Cam Collier was supposed to be one of the nation's top prospects from the Class of 2023 and looking to help Mount Paran Christian to a repeat for the Class A Private state title this spring. However, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound third baseman/right-handed pitcher had other plans. He earned his GED, enrolled to attend and play junior college ball at Chipola College and reclassified himself to be eligible for the for 2022 MLB Draft. So how big a blow will this be for Mount Paran? Well, maybe not much, as the Eagles are still loaded, returning as many as 11 full- or part-time starters from last season. But Collier's departure could still open the door, at least a crack, for other talented challengers like Wesleyan, Tattnall Square, Fellowship Christian or Hebron Christian.
Four-bagger for Parkview in 7A?
Winners of the past three consecutive championships contested in the state's largest classification (none were awarded in 2020 due to COVID-19), Gwinnett County powerhouse Parkview will try for a rare feat by going for a fourth straight title this spring. How rare? It's been done only once, and that streak began 70 years ago, when Richmond Academy in Augusta began its run of seven straight titles in 2A and 3A. If the Panthers can pull it off, they will also become just the third team to reach double digits in state titles, trailing only Marist (see below) and Columbus, though Lovett, currently tied with Parkview at nine titles, can also achieve that feat.
Can Loganville take its crown back in 5A?
Loganville took a streak of three straight state titles into last year's Class 5A championships, but Starr's Mill put an end to that run with a two-game sweep. The Red Devils are back with eight returning starters, plus the addition of transfer infielder Kyle Shiver, and are extra motivated for 2022. That could be bad news for a lot of other contenders like St. Pius X, Greenbrier and Blessed Trinity.
Will Buford's super team finally reach the top in 6A?
If there's any team with more of a chip on its collective shoulder than Loganville, it's probably Buford. Expectations were sky high for the Wolves this time last year, and they almost lived up to them by winning their first 31 games and earning a top-five national ranking before being shocked by Pope in a three-game, second-round playoff series. Much of that 2021 team is back this spring, including defending Gatorade National Player of the Year Dylan Lesko and other highly ranked seniors. Those include two-way stars and fellow draft prospects Riley Stanford and Jackson Gaspard and infielder Brant Baughcum, plus the addition of two-sport star and draft prospect in transfer outfielder Kaden Martin. And now, the Wolves are hungrier than ever.
Can Marist claim title No. 15?
While Richmond Academy owns the aforementioned record for most consecutive state championships, the standard for most overall titles belongs to Marist, which claimed banner No. 14 in Class 4A last spring. The War Eagles are looking to add to the school's trophy case and record book with a 15th title this year, and have a pretty strong pitching staff, led by preseason All-State selections Ryan McTighe, Preston Larmore and Isaac Coronado, and strong bats to try to fend off challengers like North Oconee, Cedartown and Troup County.
Where will the wheel stop be in Class 4A this year?
One factor that might not be in Marist's favor is that reclassification and other factors have made it very difficult for teams to repeat in Class 4A in recent years. In fact, while the War Eagles became the first team to win multiple titles over the past decade, no single team has won back-to-back titles in that class since Marist did so in 2010 and 2011. So, can the War Eagles reestablish their domination, or will another new face emerge in 2022?
Can Jeff Davis and Metter continue to carry the flag for South Georgia?
Given the population of Georgia, it's not a surprise that a lot of attention is paid to teams around North Georgia in general, and the metro Atlanta area specifically. However, South Georgia teams have accorded themselves quite well over the years, especially in the smaller classifications. Such was the case with Jeff Davis, which won its third Class 2A title in four years in 2021, and Metter, the reigning Class A Public champion. The Yellow Jackets will have their hands full with Region 2-Class 2A rival Vidalia and Atlanta private school power Pace Academy on their heels this spring, while the Tigers will be challenged by North Georgia power Gordon Lee, which they dethroned as two-time champion a year ago.
Triple threat “Snow” storm forecast for Mary Persons?
Statistically speaking, the triple is the most difficult hit to achieve for any batter. However, Mary Persons All-State infielder Eric Snow made them look easy last year, shattering the state's single-season record with 18. Just that one season alone moved him past the career state mark shared by former major leaguer and Harrison grad Corey Patterson and Jon Brackett of Wheeler. Can Snow keep his penchant for trifectas up this spring?
Coaching milestones imminent
While most focus is on the players in Georgia this season, several coaches will be in the spotlight for approaching some impressive milestones. St. Anne-Pacelli coach Bobby Howard will continue to pile up wins and build on his seemingly insurmountable state record of 1,020 (which also includes stints at Columbus-area schools Columbus and Kendrick and just across the river in Phenix City, Alabama). And several others should reach other round numbers: Westside-Augusta's Gerald Barnes, who is six away from 950; Buford's Stuart Chester, who is just one away from 660 and could make a significant jump to approach 700; Tommy Knight of Jefferson and LaGrange's Donnie Branch, who could each reach 600 with a monster season; Mike Power of King's Ridge and Dennis Jordan of North Paulding, who each have 550 in their sights; and Parkview's Chan Brown, who is back after undergoing thyroid cancer surgery just days after last year's state title series, Marist's Mike Strickland and Mill Creek's Doug Jones all eyeing win No. 500.
