Alabama High School Team Preview: Hale County Wildcats
February 2, 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: Hale County High School
Classification: AHSAA 3A Area 8
Positional Starters Returning: 8
Pitchers Returning: 6
Team Strengths: Pitching, Defense, Speed
Team Weaknesses: Hitting
Top Returning Players:
2022 RF Aziyah Winn
2022 RHP Matt Swartz
2022 C/RHP Connor Reilly
Top 2021 Prospects:
2021 SS River Sabbagh
2021 RHP/UTIL Stenson McCray
2021 2B Ryland Sabbagh
2021 1B/UTIL Dain Fry
Top 2023 Prospects:
2023 3B/C/RHP Jeremy O'Quinn
2023 OF/RHP Dax Fry
2023 UTIL Kane Ryan
Outlook:
The Hale County Wildcats enter 3A Area 8 play in 2021 with a seasoned group of veterans as 8 of 9 positinal starters return to go along with 6 pitchers that also saw time on the mound during the shortened 2020 season. The Wildcats will be looking for some more offensive output from the offensive lineup this season. One senior that returns is CF Kameron Wilson. He has really been working hard to become a more complete player over the off-season and has really developed into a smooth player in all facets. He hit .357 and led the team in 2B's during the 2020 season. Junior RF Aziyah Winn also returns after a colid sophomore campaign that saw him provide a spark at the top of the lineup with 20 SB's in 12 games. He will again look to help add some spark to the 2021 lineup. One arm the Wildcats will depend on this season is junior RHP Matt Swartz. He came on strong last season on the mound with plus stuff and competitiveness and will look to continue that breakout performance from last year. Junior Connor Reilly (C/RHP) also returns and is an important two way talent for Hale County. He is a workhorse behind the plate and will see extended time on the mound. He will also be counted on to anchor the offensive lineup where he should have plenty of RBI opportunities. There are 5 other seniors that will be counted on in a big way for the coming season. One of those is senior SS River Sabbagh who will be counted on to provide some leadership and stability, both defensively and offensively. He is a 3 year starter that has a ton of baseball ability and moves over from 3B this season. Stenson McCray is another senior that will play a valuable role this season due to his versatility. The 2021grad will be counted on to play a utility role while also being a big part of the team on the mound. Senior Ryland Sabbagh will play on the right side of the 2nd base bag opposite his brother River and the two make a really dynamic DP pair up the middle. Ryland will be relied on to continue solid performance in the field and at the plate from the previous 3 years. Cade Redding is a senior RHP/DH/1B that also returns and can do a lot of good things on the field. He returns as a key piece to the puzzle on the mound and with the bat as he provides a strong bat in the middle of the lineup and a solid arm on the mound. He is expected to continue to improve with additional innings this year. Yet another senior that will contribute in a big way in 2021 is 1B/UTIL Dain Fry. He is a very strong defensive player that has really worked to become stronger offensively over the offseason and the Wildcats hope he is an integral part of the team's offensive success.
A few sophomores that could be factors this season and will be definite factors in the years to come are:
2023 3B/C/RHP Jeremy O'Quinn- A very talented and exciting player who will be relied on to man the hot corner as well as providing depth behind the plate.
2023 OF/RHP Dax Fry- The sophomore will be expected to be a part of the outfield rotation this season.
2023 UTIL Kane Ryan- A youngster that can do a lot of good things on the field which makes him a very valuable part for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats have a legitimate shot to make a lot of noise in 3A in 2021.
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