Preseason Preview: Chiles High School

January 26, 2015

By Rob Sidwell
Florida Scouting Director

The Florida high school season kicks off on February 9, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on January 19, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team.

Chiles HS

2014 Record: 23-7
2014 Conference Finish: 1st
FHSAA Classification: 8
Head Coach: Dick Steed
2014 Playoff Run: Made it to the final 4 and lost in the semi’s

Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS

RHP Bowden Francis. 2015 R/R 6'5" 230lbs,(Chipola CC commit)
SS Conner Dunbar. 2015 R/R 6'0 155 ibs, (High Point)
OF/RHP Jake Taddeo. 2015 R/R 5'10 165 lbs,
OF Josh McLanahan. 2016 R/L 5'9 145 lbs,
OF Preston Kolke 2015 R/R 5'11 175 lbs,
RHP Stephen Jones. 2015 R/R 6'4" 190lbs,(Samford commit)

OUTLOOK

Chiles High school baseball is coming off of a 23-7 record from 2014. Coach Steed and his club are looking to repeat as Conference champs and get back to the final four in Ft Myers. They will likely have to battle Lincoln High School for that trophy in 2015. Lincoln will also have a very strong club lead by Blake Reece, Bo Soccomb, Willis McDaniel. Chiles expects to be strong on the mound this year with three returning pitchers, lead by Bowden Francis, ranked 55 in Florida, and Samford commit, Stephen Jones. Defensively, Chiles will be strong up the middle lead by SS, Conner Dunbar who will be headed to High Point University next Fall. Coach Steed also returns his top two hitters in Jake Taddeo and Josh McLanahan. The outlook is good for the Chiles High School baseball team this year and baseball in North Florida will be fun to watch this Spring as Chiles, along with Lincoln, North Florida Christian and Wakulla High Schools expect to battle it out for the top team in Tallahassee.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.

Preseason Preview: Chiles High School

Chiles HS

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