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: Lee High School

Classification: AHSAA 5A Area 16

Positional Starters Returning: 4

Pitchers Returning: 2

Team Strengths: Team unity and desire

Team Weaknesses: Lack of expierce at the varsity level

 

Top Returning Players:

2022 SS Xavier O'Neal 

2021 C/1B Ethan Reeves 

2021 OF/C Mykal Larry 

2022 RHP/1B Xavier Wallace 

 

Top 2021 Prospects:

2021 RHP Nate Esquibel 

 

Top 2022 Prospects:

2022 3B/OF Collin Thomas 

2022 C/INF/OF Dominic Tucker 

2022 RHP/OF Braden Hampton 

 

Top 2023 and 2024 Prospects:

2023 2B/SS Reed Hunkapillar 

2023 INF Robert Smith 

2024 LHP/OF Jamie Tatum

 

Outlook: 

The Lee Generals enter the 2021 high school season having to replace several starters with some younger players that only lack varsity experience. This group of Generals is a tight knit group and seem to have a desire to be successful this season. Junior SS Xavier O'Neal is a very solid player that shows advanced actions with the glove and also has a solid approach with the bat. Unfortunately the returning starter will miss the season with an injury. Another returner is senior C/1B Ethan Reeves. The 6'0 180 pounder returns this season after serving as the team's starting catcher a year ago. Reeves can also play 1B as well. Another starter from the shortened 2020 season is senior OF/C Mykal Larry. Larry started in the outfield a year ago and can also give the team some depth at catcher behind Reeves. Junior RHP/1B Xavier Wallace (6'2 225) has some experience on mound and will be looked on to increase his role on the mound this season. Speaking of pitchers to look for on the mound, senior RHP Nate Esquibel is an arm that Generals will also rely on this season. Esquibel does a nice job of locating the fastball while inducing a large number of groundballs. Three additional juniors to keep an eye on are 3B/OF Collin Thomas, C/INF/OF Dominic Tucker and RHP/OF Braden Hampton. Thomas can playe either position equally while showing good hands at the hot corner while also be counted on as a run producer in the offensive lineup. Tucker is a very versatile player that can play just about anywhere on the field and is an ultra competitive player. Hampton has two way potential in the outfield and on the mound and hopes to help as a pitcher in 2021. Two sophomores and a freshman will also be counted on during the 2021 season. They are:

2023 2B/SS Reed Hunkapillar- The sophomore shows very solid fundamentals with sure hands with the glove.  He also shows high knowledge of the game.

2023 INF Robert Smith- Athletic infielder that has been set to start at one of the infield spots this year but will know more than likely be the shortstop with the injury to O'Neal. 

2024 LHP/OF Jamie Tatum- Young two player that moves well and has solid "feel" on the mound from the left side. Fastball shows some late arm side action. 

The Generals have a solid mix of upperclassmen and uderclassmen that will contribute in 2021. 

 

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