Prep Baseball Report

GHSA Class 1A-Private Preseason Top-10


Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

The 2022 GHSA baseball season is less than a week away. Which means it is time to unveil our class-by-class top-10 rankings.


+ No. 1 - Mt. Paran

The reigning 2021 State Champions, Mt. Paran enters the 2022 season as the preseason No. 1 in Class 1A-Private, and for good reason. The Eagles return a wealth of talent across the board, despite losing 3B/RHP Cam Collier (Chipola) to early graduation. Replacing Collier’s production won’t be easy, but the Eagles are equipped with outstanding depth.

The offense should be just as explosive as last season. SS Alex Adams (2022; Uncommitted), MIF Josh Fitzpatrick (2022; Piedmont College), C Tyler Minnick (2023; Georgia Tech), and 1B/LHP Jake Tucker (2023; Uncommitted) are all back to lead the charge after big seasons. Every day starter OF Nicholas Germain (2023; Uncommitted) also returns. A year older and a year wiser, C/3B Kyle Crisp (2024; Uncommitted) and OF Garrett Droege (2024; Uncommitted) are poised to take on larger roles this season, and could prove pivotal in helping the Eagles fill the gaps left by Collier.

Tyler Minnick

The pitching staff will be in good hands with LHP Luke Dotson (2023; Florida State), RHP Tate McKee (2023; Georgia Tech), and RHP Paul Farley (2023; Georgia) at the helm. Dotson was a big game pitcher for the Eagles last season in route to their state championship. McKee and Farley held roles largely out of the bullpen, but look for them to eat more innings this season in the absence of Collier. All three arms are capable of running it into the 90s.

Luke Dotson

The Eagles are primed and ready for another deep postseason run.

+ No. 2 Wesleyan

After falling in the state championship to end 2021, Wesleyan looks ready to challenge for the title once again. The Wolves will need some pitching to step up after losing the staff to graduation, but they will be in more than good hands at the plate.

OF/RHP Druw Jones (Vanderbilt; 2022) will draw plenty of attention, as one of the top MLB Draft prospects in the country. But the Wesleyan offense goes beyond Jones. SS Cooper Blauser (2022; Clemson) and C Bryce Hubbard (2022; Mississippi State) will bring additional firepower. 3B/OF Schley Gordy (2023; Uncommitted) had a big summer and fall, and could be ready to take the next step forward.

Druw Jones

Look for SS/RHP Dominick Scalese (2023; Tulane) top step up in a big way. Scalese will provide another major bat in the lineup, in addition to being one of the primary arms for the Wolves. Similarly, RHP/OF Carson Ballard (2022; Georgia Tech) and RHP/INF Nate Kerpics (2022; Kennesaw State) will be looked at to step up into the rotation and provide valuable innings.

+ No. 3 Fellowship Christian

The Paladins could be the one to upset the “status quo” in 1A-Private this season. Fellowship Chrsitian returns its top arms in RHP Jason Gilley (2022; Spring Hill), RHP Grant Hudson (2022; Uncommitted) and RHP Wilson Long (2022; Uncommitted). Add in the emergence of C/RHP Will Phipps (2023; Uncommitted) and RHP/3B Daniel Powell (2023; Uncommitted) on the mound, and that creates a formidable pitching staff.

Powell and Phipps will be counted on offensively, but much of the production will fall on the athletic duo of OF Cooper Davidson (2023; Uncommitted) and SS Jack Rickheim (2023; Uncommitted). Davidson and Rickheim can cause problems all over the diamond wit their bats and speed. If these two get going, and can carry the offense, keep an eye on the Paladins in May.

Cooper Davidson

+ No. 4 Tattnall Square

You can’t discuss the top of the Class without mentioning Tattnall Square. The Trojans have a tradition of winning, and will be back in the mix once more in 2022.

A core group of seniors in SS Clay Rowland (2022; Uncommitted), LHP/OF Ben Stubbs (2022; Flagler College), SS Russ Miller (20222; Uncommitted), 2B DJ Willis (2022; Mississippi Valley State) and 1B Charlie Morris (2022; Uncommitted) all return. The rest of the Trojans will be young, but not without talent and promise.

One of the state’s top prospects, OF/RHP Cooper McMullen (2024; Alabama) was an every day starter last season, and could potentially be the breakout player in the Class. McMullen can get it done on the mound and at the plate. He looks to be a dominant force with an upper 80s fastball and an emerging power bat.

Cooper McMullen

+ No. 5 Savannah Christian

The Red Raiders have a strong junior class that will take the reins this year and beyond. OF/LHP Ely Brown (2023; Mercer) had a breakout summer and will look to carry that momentum into the spring. SS/RHP Trenton Lanier (2023; Uncommitted) returns to man the middle of the infielder and take up a spot in the middle of the order.

Ely Brown

Savannah Christian will be strongest behind the dish with three highly capable backstops. C/RHP Daegan Strickland (2023; Savannah Christian) and C/RHP Josh Gates (2023; Uncommitted) split time last year and round out a talented group of juniors for the Red Raiders. C/RHP Jayden White (2024; Uncommitted) made the move to catcher over the summer, and looks very promising. Whether or not he sees time there this season remains to be seen, but nonetheless, look for his power bat to be a big factor this spring.

+ No. 6 Hebron Christian

The Lions will be a challenge for any team in the class, especially if RHP Parker Marlatt (2023; South Carolina) is on the mound. Marlatt takes up his position as staff ace once more, and will give Hebron Christian a chance to win any game he throws. The right-hander can work his fastball up to 90 and has great feel for the strike zone.

The offense will rest in the hands of an experienced group of seniors. SS Luke Starling (2022; North Georgia), C Tyler Jay Sciavicco (2022; Southern Wesleyan), OF/2B Bradley Ihm (2022; Limestone) and C Bennett Waters (2022; Uncommitted) will propel the offense. OF Nate Coker (2023; Uncommitted) is back as well, and should have a larger and more productive role.

+ No. 7 Calvary Day

Calvary Day got hot at the right time last season and used that momentum to make a deep run. Entering 2022, nearly the entire team is back. If the Cavaliers can recapture the magic, watch out. While they are a senior heavy team, the straw that stirs the drink is LHP/1B Will Hampton (2024; Calvary Day).

Hampton saw big innings on the mound as a freshman and was a big run producing bat in the top of the order. This season will be no different. The Cavaliers will go as Hampton goes. He will not be alone though, as we said earlier this is a team full of experience. C/OF Brooks Dawson (2022; Uncommitted) will be a big contributor on the offensive side of things, while 3B/RHP Brandon Exley (2022; East Georgia State) will be counted on on the mound.

Brooks Dawson

Keep an eye on SS Caden Arnold (2024; Uncommitted) to have a breakout year. Arnold’s contributions could be just what the Cavaliers need to go over the top. 

+ No. 8 Athens Christian

The Eagles made a run to the state semifinals last season and look poised to build on that success. SS Caleb Williams (2022; Uncommitted) will provide senior leadership and production, but look to the junior class to carry this team.

C Russell Clifton (2023; Uncommitted), OF Gant Guest (2023; Uncommitted), 1B/OF Evan Ivester (2023; Uncommitted), and 1B/RHP Abhi Shah (2023; Uncommitted) form a strong core that will power the Eagles.

Grant Guest

+ No. 9 St. Anne-Pacelli

The Vikings finished the 2021 under-500, but they will enter 2022 with one of the top pitching staffs in the class. LHP Jackson Hilton (2022; Auburn) and SS/RHP Austin Stephenson (2022; UAB) will form a strong one-two punch. The addition of RHP Fisher Cantrell (2024; Uncommitted) via transfer is a huge addition to the staff. Cantrell provides another high level arm that is capable of eating innings. 

Some questions will have to be answered on offense, but the pitching staff is good enough to keep the Vikings in any game.

+ No. 10 Trinity Christian

Trinity Christian is coming off an 11-19 year in 2021, but do not let that fool you, the Lions are loaded with firepower. The lineup is filled with players who can change a game with one swing. OF Jayce Blalock (2022; Georgia Tech) and 3B/RHP Tai Peete (2023; Georgia Tech) are two of the most explosive bats in the state. OF Jimbo Batchelor (2022; Miami (OH)) and 1B Amari Collins (2023; Uncommitted) will also provide some offensive production, alongside RHP/3B Aedan Cates (2022; Uncommitted).

The addition of RHP Adrian Roman (2022; Northwest Florida State) immediately raises the Lions to contender status. RHP Andrew Martin (2022; East Georgia State) will also lend his services, along with Peete and Cates. All together, this will be a staff not short on talent.

Keep an eye on SS/OF Tucker Mask (2024; Uncommitted) and OF/RHP Nathan Huff (2024; Uncommitted) to step up and make an impact this season.
Nathan Huff