Prep Baseball Report

AL HS Team Preview: Springville Tigers


PBR Alabama Staff

The 2023 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 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 in each AHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. One thing that you especially don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state as well as recaps and previews of big games across the state.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.


High School Name: Springville Tigers 

Coach’s Name: Jonathan Ford 

Classification: AHSAA 5A 

2022 Record: 17-13

Area Number: Class 5A, Area 11 

No. of Returning Positional Starters:

No. of Returning Pitchers:

Team Strengths: Playing with Energy, Competitiveness, Team Chemistry 

Top Returning Players:

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

  • RHP/UTL Carter Samuelson (2025)
  • 1B/RHP Brody Frederick (2025)

Team Outlook

The Springville Tigers enter the the new year of 2023 looking for success after just missing out on the playoffs last spring. After spending the last few years in Class 6A, the Tigers have now been moved down to Class 5A and placed in Area 11 with Fairview, Hayden and St. Clair County. They'll look to make a big impact on their new classification in 2023.

The Tigers experienced some success last season in Class 6A going 17-13 overall, but finished in third place in their tough area with Oxford, Pell City and Southside. While still in a tough area this year in Class 5A, there's still plenty to be excited about this year with some key positional players and pitchers returning with more experience now under their belt. Two of those big pieces in C/RHP Asa Morrison (2023) and SS/RHP Zach Brown (2023) will both be relied on to lead the offensive and pitch in some important innings on the mound, as well. Morrison was a standout performer at this summer's Top Prospect Games, where he flashed some power from the right side with a strong arm from behind the plate. He really came on at the plate last year, and will be one of the leaders for this team.

C/RHP Asa Morrison (6/21/22)

Brown is one of the unquestioned leaders and is a steady defender up the middle and effective on the mound, too. Anchoring the pitching staff once again this year will be LHP/OF Brady Gillespie (2023), who has been either the No. 1 or No. 2 in the rotation over the past two years. The senior southpaw fills up the zone with multiple pitches and works comfortably in the low-80's. He'll also play outfield and hit when he's not pitching.

Brady Gillespie (9/18/20)

A lot will be asked of these returners, but the Tigers will no doubt have to rely on some new faces this spring. RHP/UTL Carter Samuelson (2025) has a live arm on the mound and has plenty of athleticism that allows him to play multiple positions defensively. 1B/RHP Brody Frederick (2025) is another sophomore that has good stuff on the mound and will also play a huge role at 1st base.

Springville will be fairly young this year with only six upperclassmen on the roster and three returning starters, but there's plenty to be excited about with a fresh slate in Class 5A. It'll be another tough area once again for the Tigers, but they'll definitely be a tough and competitive ball club that will play with a lot of energy. Keep an eye on the Tigers once the end of the year comes around in Class 5A.

 

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Upcoming Events

 

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Huntsville Preseason ID 1/3/23 Clutch Performance (Huntsville, AL) 
Birmingham Preseason ID 1/4/23 GeauxPlay Sports (Pelham, AL)
North Alabama Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) 1/7/23 Hartselle HS Indoor (Hartselle, AL)
South Alabama Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) 1/8/23 Saraland HS (Saraland, AL)