Alabama High School Team Preview: West Morgan Rebels
February 9, 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: West Morgan High School
Classification: AHSAA 4A Area 13
Positional Starters Returning: 4
Pitchers Returning: 6
Team Strengths: Pitching, 6 pitchers returning that have logged a lot of innings.
Team Weaknesses: Overall team experience, have to replace 5 full time starters.
Top Returning Players:
2022 LHP/1B Daniel LaPorte
2022 OF/3B/RHP Kaden Cook
Top 2022 Prospects:
2022 RHP/3B Dylan Owens
Outlook:
The West Morgan Rebels enter the 2021 season expecting a lot from their pitching staff. There are 6 pitchers that will be relied on this season that have previously logged a lot of innings. The Rebels will be looking to replace 5 starters in the field from last year's team. Senior SS/RHP Colby Hutto is an experienced player and pitcher that returns and should be one of the leaders of the team. In the shortened season last year, the University of Tennessee Martin signee hit .388 with 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored. He was also 2-0 on the mound. Colby's younger brother, 2022 SS/RHP Skyler Hutto, also returns after a dominant performance in last year's short season. Skyler hit .391 with 4 2B's, 2 3B's, 12 RBI's while scoring 10 runs. He was also 2-0 on the mound and struck out 22 batters in 11 innings pitched while accumulating a 0.636 ERA. The junior is a University of Alabama commit. Daniel LaPorte is a junior LHP/1B that also enjoyed a ton of success a year ago. The 6'5 210 pounder hit .411 with 2 HR's and 11 RBI's a year ago. On the mound LaPorte was also 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA. Kaden Cook is a very versatile player than can in the outfield or at 3B, while also seeing time on the mound as well. A year ago he hit .386 while also recording one win and one save on the mound. Two more juniors have been integral parts of the Rebels success in the past and should see their roles increase even more in 2021. RHP/3B Dylan Owens has been a key reliever out of the bullpen previously but should see his role expand even more this spring. Logan Maples is a very athletic OF/RHP that looks to have a solid season in 2021. He figures to be a starter in the outfield and should see more innings on the mound this year for the Rebels. The Rebels have the pieces in place to have success in the 4A classification this season.
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