Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Alabama HS Team Preview: Alexandria Valley Cubs

February 15, 2024
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2024 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 rankings 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 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Alexandria Valley Cubs
Head Coach: Zac Welch
Classification: AHSAA Class 5A
Area Number: Class 5A, Area 12
2023 Record (Finish): 29-7 (Eliminated in Sweet Sixteen)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6
Team Strengths: Pitching, Defense, Experience

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

RHP Andrew Allen (1/6/24)

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2024

INF Nic Thompson (1/6/24)

Class of 2025

LHP Bray Goode (5/22/22)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • INF Jeremiah Heathcock (2026)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Alexandria Valley Cubs enter the 2024 with the target on their back as one of the top favorites in Class 5A this spring, and are ranked No. 1 in our preseason poll to start the season. They are extremely balanced this season with returners back on the both sides and tons of talent throuughout their roster in 2024.

The Valley Cubs were once again one of the top teams in Class 5A in 2023, as they made a strong run in the playoffs to the Sweet 16, but were ultimately eliminated by Arab in one of the better playoff series of the season. They'll be sure to use that as motivation this spring and should be something that drives them this year, as they possess the talent to make a run towards the Class 5A State Championship series. The Valley Cubs should boast one of the top 1-2 punches in their pitching rotation with RHP Andrew Allen (Arkansas State, 2024) and LHP Tripp Patterson (Monetvallo, 2024) returning for their senior seasons with tons of varsity innings under their belt. Both are different from the other, but compliment each other well. Leading the offense, C Aiden Brunner (Charleston-West Virginia, 2024), OF/RHP Ian Cartwright (Montevallo, 2024), 1B/RHP Samuel Henegar (Wallace-Hanceville CC, 2024) and INF/RHP Evan Snow (Gadsden State CC, 2024) are all major returners to the middle of their order and should drive in plenty of runs once again this season. INF Nic Thompson (2024) will be a strong addition to the lineup and should only boost their offensive upside, while other players luike INF Brodie Slaton (2024), INF Ty Brown (2024), and OF/RHP Zach Baskins (2024) are expected contribute, as well. Behind Allen and Patterson on the mound, LHP/OF Bray Goode (2025) has a chance to step in and make a big impact after missing the majority of last season due to injury, while LHP Brayden Thacker (2024) is another senior returning arm who is another formidable option on their staff. With such an older roster littered with juniors and seniors, INF Jeremiah Heathcock (2026) is an underclassmen who has a chance to fight for playing time and a role this season, as well. 

The Valley Cubs begin the season ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, and it's easy to see why with such a strong amount of returners back from last year's team that finished with a 29-7 record. They'll compete in Area 12 against Lincoln and Southside-Gadsden for a berth in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. Expect Alexandria to build off of last season and be a strong threat to reach the Class 5A State Championship in 2024.

Find more information on the 2024 Alexandria High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @ValleyCubBSBL
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2024 HS Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Facebook

 

Related Content