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2025 Stanhope Elmore Mustangs Team Preview

February 11, 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: Stanhope Elmore Mustangs
Head Coach: DK Shuman
Classification: AHSAA Class 6A
Area Number: Class 6A, Area 4
2024 Record (Finish): 11-26 (Eliminated in 1st Round)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 8
Team Strengths: Experience, Pitching Staff, Defense

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2025

Class of 2026

  • RHP/1B Jacob Tharpe (2026)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • C/RHP Tristin Wilson (2027)
  • LHP Ed Westrbook (2027)
  • INF Brayden Smith (2028)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Stanhope Elmore Mustangs enter the 2025 season looking to improve upon last year's season, bringing back a strong core of returning players with valuable experience against high-caliber competition. With six positional starters and eight pitchers returning, the Mustangs will look to rely on their pitching depth and defensive consistency to make a deeper postseason run this spring.

Leading the charge is OF/LHP Jackson Stallworth (Pensacola State CC, 2025), who missed most of last season due to a broken wrist but is back healthier, faster, and more athletic. He will transition to center field while bringing a 0.87 ERA on the mound and a .790 OPS to the lineup. LHP/1B Tyler Woodham (Wallace-Hanceville CC, 2025) also returns after limited action in 2024 due to surgery but is back to full health and expected to be a dominant force on the mound. The offense will be powered by SS/RHP Hayden Anderson (2026), who was the team’s best hitter last season with a .343 average, .948 OPS, and 38 stolen bases. OF/RHP Jordan Jones (2026) provides additional firepower after hitting .310 with a .463 OBP while also making strides on the mound, where his velocity has jumped. INF Jackson Hynes (2025) is another quality upperclassmen infielder who drove in 12 runs and scored 13 times last season. The Mustangs also bring back experienced arms in RHP Luke Payne (2025), who showed significant improvement late in the season, and RHP Bryson Wright (2025), who posted a 2.47 ERA in relief and could take on a bigger role this year. RHP/OF Romney Henry (2025) (3.00 ERA, 18 K) and RHP/1B Jacob Tharpe (2026) are other arms to watch, while C Mack Boswell (2025) returns as a steady presence behind the plate after catching 163 innings last season. The Mustangs have several young players poised to make an impact, including C/RHP Tristin Wilson (2027), who earned valuable varsity innings last year and is expected to take a big step forward. LHP Ed Westbrook (2027) returns after posting a 2.80 ERA in relief and should continue to thrive in that role. INF Brayden Smith (2028) is another promising prospect likely to start at third base while filling in at catcher when needed.

With a strong mix of experienced upperclassmen and emerging young talent, the Mustangs are well-positioned to improve upon last year’s season. They'll compete in Class 6A, Area 4 against Percy Julian and Wetumpka for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. Using a strong top-half of their rotation and some notable returners on the offensive side of the ball, Stanhope Elmore has the potential to be a competitive force in Class 6A Area 4 this season.

Find more information on the 2025 Stanhope Elmore program below:

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

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

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

 

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