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2025 James Clemens Jets Team Preview

February 10, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2025 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week, updating the top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: James Clemens Jets
Head Coach: Johnny Johnson
Classification: AHSAA Class 7A
Area Number: Class 7A, Area 9
2024 Record (Finish): 32-13 (Eliminated in Final Four)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 2
No. of Returning Pitchers: 1
Team Strengths: Pitching, Team Athleticism

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2025

Class of 2026

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

After an impressive 2024 season that saw them finish with a 32-13 record and a trip to the Class 7A Final Four, the Jets enter 2025 with aspirations of remaining one of the top contenders in Alabama’s highest classification. While they will look to some new players to step into key roles, the Jets have the talent and depth to make another strong run this season.

Entering the playoffs with a 27-11 record and a runner-up finish in their area behind Bob Jones, the Jets found their stride at the right time. On the road for the first two playoff rounds, they secured impressive sweeps over Grissom and Hoover in tough environments, earning a spot in the state quarterfinals. In a highly anticipated rematch against their area rival, the Jets fell to eventual Class 7A State Champion Bob Jones in a decisive Game 3, closing their season with a 32-13 record. As they shift focus to the 2025 season, the Jets return only two positional starters and one key pitcher, but have a promising group of talented, yet unproven, players ready to step into larger roles. Among the key returners, INF/RHP Matthew Drinkwater (2026) and SS/RHP Jesse Isensee (2026) are primed for expanded roles after making significant contributions as sophomores. Drinkwater will serve as a key middle-of-the-order bat and top arm, while Isensee transitions from second base to shortstop and will be a valuable bullpen piece. On the mound, RHP Cody Hodges (2025) is expected to take on a larger workload in his senior season after providing quality innings late last year. 1B Trip Morgan (2025) is another senior to watch, as he looks to make a major impact after missing much of last season due to injury. RHP Will Votroubek (2026) is a breakout candidate this spring, having added strength in the offseason and now touching the upper-80s with his fastball. In the outfield, OF Brooks Rhodes (2026) and OF/LHP Tyler Lewis (2026) are poised for increased roles. Rhodes is a strong runner and left-handed hitter with all-fields ability, while Lewis is expected to contribute both in the outfield and on the mound. Several underclassmen are also in line to make an impact, including C Hudson Smith (2027), OF/RHP Will Congo (2027), and UTL/RHP Matthew Evers (2027). Smith gained valuable experience late last season and even started a playoff game, while Congo is a highly athletic two-way player with a mid-80s fastball. Evers could also see opportunities at the varsity level. Rounding out the roster, OF/RHP Bryson Hodge (2028) is an exciting young prospect who could compete for a starting outfield job as a freshman. A highly advanced athlete for his age, Hodge has a strong right-handed bat and could play a significant role this season.

With a mix of returning talent and emerging young players, James Clemens enters the 2025 season looking to build on last year’s Final 4 run and remain a contender in Class 7A. They'll compete in Class 7A, Area 8 against Austin, Bob Jones, and Florence for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. While they will rely on several new faces to step into key roles, the Jets have the depth and potential to make another deep postseason push in Class 7A in 2025.

Find more information on the 2025 James Clemens High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @JCJetsBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2025 HS Team Previews

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+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
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