Alabama High School Team Preview: Arab Knights
January 11, 2021
The 2021 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. That excitement may be at an all- time high entering this high school season as the 2020 high school baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season during an offseason unlike any other and as always, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Montgomery 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 note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.
High School: Arab High School
Classification: AHSAA 6A Area 15
Positional Starters Returning: 3
Pitchers Returning: 5
Team Strengths: Pitching depth and experience . Lost 2 quality arms from last year but return 2 guys who really emerged last year as starting pitchers while also returning 4 guys who have pitched a lot in relief. Have some good young guys ready to step in.
Team Weaknesses: Offensive question marks. Several returners will be counted on in an increased offensive role this year
Top Returning Players:
2021 RHP Gavin McBride
2021 MIF Landon Law
2021 RHP Tyler Benson
Top 2023 Prospects:
2023 C Weslee Staton
Outlook:
The Arab Knights lost several key contributors from last year's team but there are several returning players with varsity experience. 6A Area 15 should be an intriguing race and the Knights should be in the thick of things. Five returneees should be leaders this season. Those fine are:
2021 RHP Gavin McBride: McBride had a huge year last year, really emerged in the short season. His stats from last year were impressive. (21 2/3 IP, 27 Ks, 6 BBs, 2 earned runs, 15 hits allowed) He features a fastball in the low 80's and the big difference for him a year ago was command as he drastically cut down on walks from his sophomore year.
2021 INF Sam Jackson: The 6'1 180 lb. senior has started most of the past 2 seasons and will play 3B this year. He had a very good offensive year as a junior hitting .360 in the short season and will be a middle of the order bat this year. He will also be a relief pitcher this year.
2021 MIF Landon Law: Another player that has started the past 2 seasons and will step into a leadership role this season. He will play both middle infield positions and also pitch some. Law is a gritty player that shows great leadership. He has done a nice job adding strength since last year.
2022 MIF Hayden Turner: Turner is also a 2 year retunring starter and is a very talented player with a high work ethic. He has added size and strength since last year and will also be used out of the bullpen this year.
2021 RHP Tyler Benson: The 6'2 196 lb. Benson worked his way into the rotation last year and has had a great offseason. He has improved velocity and command and shows a fastball in the mid 80's. He will also start at 1B and is a very important part of the team.
Some of those young guys that will be counted on in an increased role this year are RHP Brody McCain, infielder Dakota NeSmith and catcher Weslee Staton. McCain commands 3 pitches very well and has improved velocity on the fastball. He is a plus runner and will also play CF this season. NeSmith is a physical 3B (6'0 200 lbs.) that has a big bat and will hit in the middle of the order and be a run producer for the Knights. The sophomore will also log some innings on the mound this year as well. Slaton, also a sophomore, will be called on to handle the pitching staff as he served as the backup catcher in 2020 but will step into a starting role in 2021. Staton handles the bat well also. There is a nice collection of returnees and newcomers in 2021 for the Arab Knights.
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