GHSA Class 3A Preseason Top-10
February 11, 2022
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 North Hall
The bar is set high for the Trojans as they return the bulk of their roster from a 2021 state champion team. It is tough to pinpoint a weakness in the lineup. If North Hall can manage the weight of expectations and keep the surprises at a minimum, they should see themselves competing for another state title come May.
The pitching staff will be headed up by a very successful one-two punch: RHP/3B Jaret Bales (2022; Uncommitted) and RHP Eli Reece (2022; Uncommitted). The depth of talent on the mound does not stop there. In total, the Torjans return seven arms who saw innings on the mound. Keep an eye on 3B/RHP Hunter Brooks (2022; Uncommitted) and RHP Landon Lee (2023; Uncommitted) to have a big impact on the success of the staff.
North Hall’s offense deserves just as much credit as their return pitching staff. They return nearly the entire lineup. SS Jace Bowen (2022; Uncommitted), C Tate Brooks (2022; Uncommitted), OF Bradford Puryear (2022; Uncommitted), plus Bales and Hunter Brooks formed the core of an offense that put up big numbers last season. It should be no different in 2022. Look for OF Ajay Jones (2024; Uncommitted) to step up and have a larger role this season.
+ No. 2 Franklin County
The Lions gave everything they had in the 2021 State Championship, but fell short to North Hall in three games. With what Franklin County is returning, we just might see a rematch in 2022. The pitching rotation and offensive capabilities make the Lions a front runner.
RHP Lawson Gailey (2022; South Florida) and 3B/RHP Kayne Jinks (2022; Tennessee Tech) were simply dominant last season. There is no reason to believe the duo won’t pick up where they left off. LHP/OF Miles Dodd (2022; Emmanuel College) gives the Lions a third reliable arm.
C AJ Peeples (2022; Uncommitted), OF Garrett Garner (2023; Western Carolina), and SS Dee Oliver (2023; Uncommitted) will retake their spots at the top of the order in addition to Jinks, Dodd and Gailey.
+ No. 3 Cherokee Bluff
Don’t look now, but the Bears might just be the team to upend North Hall this season. Cherokee Bluff returns a young core of talented players and greatly benefited from some big time transfers.
C Bryce England (2023; Uncommitted) returns to lead the offense after being a major run producer in 2021. Much of the offensive success will fall on the shoulders of a strong group of sophomores. SS Jacob Vokal (2024; Uncommitted), C/OF Caleb Miele (2024; Uncommitted), and C/OF Ty Corbin (2024; Uncommitted) will have greater expectations this season. The arrival of OF Brett House (2023; Mississippi State) adds another run producing power bat to the lineup. 3B/RHP Caleb Piland (2022; Georgia Highlands) and OF Max Eubanks (2023; Uncommitted) will also see prominent roles in the offense.
RHP Braxton Beal (2023; Georgia Southern) had a breakout 2021 and will look to build upon it in 2022. The Bears were able to pick up two impact arms in the offseason, LHP Austin Cantrell (2022; Georgia Tech) and RHP/OF Ben Crumpton (2023; Uncommitted). RHP Chandler Shope (2022; Uncommitted) and 3B/RHP Lucas Truitt (2022; Piedmont) will also bolster the pitching staff.
+ No. 4 Greater Atlanta Christian
The Spartans had an early exit in the 2021 postseason, at the hands of Cherokee Bluff, but look for them to be in the mix late in 2022. A strong senior class will carry the load.
The bats of OF Ford Hallock (2022; Uncommitted), C Collin Helms (2022; Harding), and SS Tyler Holsworth (2022; Western Kentucky) lead the way for the Spartans. SS Aaron Hobson (2023; Uncommitted) will look to build on a successful sophomore campaign.
The high powered arm of LHP/OF Rhett Wells (2022; Gulf Coast CC) and RHP/1B Graham Stogner (2022; Chapman) has the pitching staff in good hands. It will be heavily experienced staff overall.
The X-factor for GAC will be two-way standout SS/RHP Conrad Cason (2024; Mississippi State). Cason was an impact player as a freshman, and as his tools continue to develop, he will only have a greater effect on the game. An exceptional defender up the middle, Cason also has an upper 80s fastball and a strong right-handed swing.
+ No. 5 Oconee County
Oconee County will challenge Franklin County for the Region 8 title behind an experienced pitching staff. LHP Sam Carter (2022; Columbus State) and RHP/OF Banks Arnold (2023; Uncommitted) headline the rotation. The addition of RHP Hudson Mullins (2022; Uncommitted) is a big get as he brings with him a strong arm and added depth.
The offense looks poised to take the next step forward as they are a year older and wiser. The big bat of 1B TL Saxon (2022; Uncommitted) will provide the bang in the lineup. OF Kyle Strickland (2023; Uncommitted), SS Landon Tate (2023;Kennesaw State), 3B Logan Taylor (2023; Uncommitted) and OF Dylan Manders (2023; Uncommitted) headline a talented group of junior position players for the Warriors.
+ No. 6 Pierce County
A trio of seniors have the Bears heading in the right direction in 2022 as the Region 1 favorites.
OF/SS Davis Green (2022; Georgia Tech) and 3B Knox Bennett (2022; Uncommitted) are two of the most dangerous bats in the classification. They will be heavily relied upon, especially early in the season. The Bears will need some underclassmen to grow up quickly and contribute.
RHP Hoke Skipper (2022; Uncommitted) will headline the pitching staff once again. The right-hander is more than capable of going toe-to-toe with any team in the class. Just like the offense though, some younger arms will have to step up. One arm poised to do just that is RHP Cole Royer (2024; Uncommitted).
+ No. 7 Appling County
The Pirates surprised some teams in 2021 as they made a run to the state semifinals. They won’t catch anyone off guard in 2022 as they return most of their key contributors. Appling County returns ace RHP Harrison Simmons (2022; Georgia Southern) to lead what will be a young pitching staff.
The offense on the other hand will have firepower up and down the lineup. C Dawson Griffis (2023; Uncommitted) has some of the top raw power in the state. He will be joined by is younger brother, 3B/RHP Dayson Griffis (2025; Uncommitted) who is already one of the state’s top freshman prospects. SS/RHP Patrick Crosby (2023; Uncommitted) looked strong throughout the summer, and could be in store for a breakout year. OF/LHP Malachi Mullis (2022; Uncommitted) had a successful junior season and will build on that.
Watch out for newcomer 2B/RHP Collin Ewaldsen (2024; Uncommitted) to play himself into a role.
+ No. 8 Sandy Creek
The Patriots may boast the most explosive offense in the class. SS/RHP Jonathan Little (2022; Georgia) will be the focal point of the team. Little can take a game over with his bat and will be asked to do the same on the mound. Aiding Little will be one of the state’s top athletes, OF Kaleb Cost (2023; Uncommitted) and the big power bat of 1B/3B Kaden Brown (2023; Kennesaw State).
Sandy Creek has a talented duo of sophomores that saw significant time last season. C Mason Muse (2024; Uncommitted) will retake his position behind the dish, and will prove to be a key bat. OF/RHP Paul Green (2024; Missouri) is a dynamic player who will impact the game much like Little. Green will certainly be one of the Patriots go-to pitchers in addition to a middle of the order bat.
+ No. 9 Pike County
Pike County has the depth and experience to make a deep run in 2022. The Pirates will have the pitching to compete with any team in a three game series. RHP/3B Braden Osbolt (2022; Kennesaw State) will anchor the starting rotation. A talented group of underclassmen will provide significant support. RHP Trevord Bagwell (2023; Uncommitted), RHP Jake Carden (2023; Uncommitted), 1B/RHP Kole Hammond (2024: Uncommitted), and RHP/3B Mason Trucks (2023; Uncommitted) combine to form a deep a staff.
C/1B Caden Swift (2022; Uncommitted) will do the heavy lifting on the offensive side of things.
+ No. 10 Morgan County
The Bulldogs are going to be young, talented and potentially the dark horse in Class 3A. RHP/3B Sam Schofield (2023; Uncommitted) looked impressive throughout 2021 and will give Morgan County a true ace at the top of their rotation. RHP/3B Brendan Conway (2023; Uncommitted) and RHP Ben Coody (2022; Berry) will round out a tough to beat rotation.
The bat of Conway will help propel the offense along with C David Denton (2024; Uncommitted). Denton saw significant time as a freshman and will look to build on a strong 2021.
The Bulldogs will have to look to a promising sophomore class to do their part. The likes of 3B/RHP Bryce Bragg (2024; Uncommitted), OF/RHP Talan Fuller (2024; Morgan County), SS Tripp Lancaster (2024; Uncommitted), and OF Zach Moore (2024; Morgan County) could be what puts Morgan County over the top this season.
2022 Classification Polls
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