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: Pleasant Grove Spartans
Head Coach: Craig Lehman
Classification: AHSAA Class 5A
Area Number: Class 5A, Area 9
2023 Record (Finish): 11-19 (Eliminated in 1st Round)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4
Team Strengths: Talented Younger Players, Team Speed, Small Ball

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• C Andre Watts (2024; uncommitted)
• 1B/RHP Timothy Blue (2026)
• SS/RHP Kaleb Freeman (2027)

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TEAM OUTLOOK 

The Pleasant Grove Spartans continued their streak of reaching the playoffs a season ago, as they finished as the runner-up in Area 9 with John Carroll Catholic, Fairfield, and Wenonah. Although they were defeated in their 1st round matchup against a talented Madison Academy squad, the Spartans once again have their sights set on the playoffs and will look to some experienced returners to get them back there in 2024.

The Spartans should be a fairly experience club this coming spring, as they return more than half of their offensive lineup from a season ago. On the mound, they certainly look to have some pieces returning and will also look to some newer faces to step into larger roles for the upcoming season. C Andrew Watts (2024) is a physical right-handed hitting catcher who is coming off a great junior season and looks poised for another stellar season this spring. Watts should certainly be one of their main contributors on offense and a leader inside their clubhouse. 1B/RHP Timothy Blue (2026) is one of those talented younger prospects that should play a big role both at the plate and on the mound. The sophomore provides a different look on the mound and can be very effective. SS/RHP Kaleb Freeman (2027) is another underclassmen this coaching staff is excited to see develop over the next few years, and he's got a chance to make an impact this spring at the varsity level. He should also see time at the plate on the mound for the Spartans.

Pleasant Grove will compete in Area 9 once again this season with aspirations of reaching the Class 5A playoffs at the end of the spring. Looking at their returners on paper, the Spartans look poised for another solid season with plenty of experience coming back for this program. Look for these returners and more players inside the program to help lead the Spartans to another successful season in 2024.

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Find more information on the 2024 Pleasant Grove High School program below:

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

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FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

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

 

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