GHSA Class 6A Preseason Top-10

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 Buford

Buford once again begins the year as the team to beat, and for good reason. An early exit in the 2021 postseason will have the Wolves hungry to get redemption.

The Wolves have arguably the most talented roster in the entire country, led by the nation’s top right-handed pitcher, RHP Dylan Lesko (2022; Vanderbilt). Lesko was nearly untouchable last season. He brings a mid 90s fastball and swing and miss stuff to the table, and should match or even surpass his 2021 totals.

The talent goes far beyond Lesko. OF/RHP Riley Stanford (2022; Georgia Tech) possesses a mid 90s fastball and some of the top raw power in the class. SS Brant Baughcum (2022; Georgia Tech) is one of the top pure hitters in the class. UTL Jackson Gaspard (2022; Georgia Tech) is one of the most versatile players in the state and will play a variety of roles. It goes on and on, OF Stan Zagrodnik (2022; Wofford), SS Andrew McMurray (2022; Mercer), OF Parker Walsh (2022; Lafayette), OF Cannon Goldin (2025; South Carolina), SS/RHP Ethan Murray (2024; Georgia Tech). And as if Buford could not get better, they added OF/LHP Kaden Martin (2022; Miami) in the offseason.

Cannon Goldin

A duo of sophomores in C Sam Humphrey (2024; Uncommitted) and SS/RHP Nate Taylor (2022; Uncommitted) will add further depth.

This is about as complete of a team as there is in the country. Expectations from the outside will be very high.

+ No. 2 Houston County

The defending state champions expect to be back in the mix late in May. A talented and experienced junior and senior class will lead the Bears. OF/LHP Gage Harrelson (2022; Texas Tech) is one of the country’s top outfielders. He possesses an elite bat and disruptive speed. Harrelson set a number of school records in 2021 and could be in store for another record breaking year.

+ No. 3 Pope

Pope pulled off the upset of the year last season when they took down Buford in the 2nd round of the GHSA playoffs. The Greyhounds look to be just as capable this season, if not more. A returning cast of players mixed in with some new blood have the Greyhounds near the top of the class.

SS Carson Kerce (2023; Georgia Tech), 1B/3B Kent Schmidt (2023; Winthrop), C Heath Owen (2022; Belmont), OF Caid Heflin (2022; East Georgia State), and 1B/OF Cody McGill (2022;Tennessee Wesleyan) will pace a potent offense. This core will form a strong top of the order. Look for a number of players to step up and provide depth. The Greyhounds have options.

The pitching staff gets RHP Jack Butler (2022; Georgia State) and two-way standout OF/LHP Dawson Campbell (2022; Lander) back. They will need some help though. RHP Marco Cabrera (2022; Berry College), RHP Grady Bivens (2022; Uncommitted), RHP/3B Jon Strydom (2022; Berry College) all appear ready to step up.

+ No. 4 Allatoona

The Buccaneers will need some pitching to step up in order to repeat last year’s success. The good news is that they return the core of their lineup.

3B/C William Mosley (2022; Western Kentucky), C Aidan Jolley (2022; Uncommitted), and RHP/3B Ethan Sutton (2023; Uncommitted) will provide plenty of power in the lineup. SS Taylor Shultz (2022; Georgia State) and OF Jackson McElvy (2022; LaGrange) give the Bucs two reliable defenders at key positions. 1B/RHP Aidan Guillbeau (2024; Uncommitted) came on at the end of the year, and will be expected to take the next step forward towards being an impact bat. C/1B Tyler McGuire (2023; Uncommitted) will see an elevated role and could be a potential X-Factor.

Leading the pitching rotation will be RHP Riley Gaskins (2022; Andrew) and Sutton. Mosley will also has a big arm that could be of use. Outside of those three though, the Bucs lack experience. Two freshmen, 3B/RHP Cruz Paul (2025; Uncommitted) and LHP Cooper Underwood (2025; Uncommitted), may be called upon to produce.

+ No. 5 South Effingham

South Effingham has a veteran roster that has picked up a lot of wins over the past few seasons. This may be the year the Rebels take the next step forward.

The Rebels have a lot of weapons at their disposal with strong junior and senior classes. RHP/1B Nick Milbrandt (2022; Uncommitted) and RHP/OF Hunter Walthour (2022; Uncommitted) return to the rotation. Keep an eye out for RHP/OF Maddox Shiell (2023; Uncommitted) to have a big year. Shiell is capable of pitching into the low 90s with swing and miss stuff and will be a very valuable asset.

Maddox Shiell

The offense will rely on Walthour, C Noah Hollis (2022; Miami (OH)) and a talented group of juniors. C Aaron Benton (2023; Uncommitted), OF/RHP Kaleb Johnson (2023; Uncommitted), RHP/1B Zachary Zorbo (2023; Uncommitted) were all instrumental in the Rebels success last season. With another year of development under their belts, expect big production out of this group.

+ No. 6 River Ridge

River Ridge had an early exit from the playoffs in 2021, but have the returning talent to make a deep run. The Knights will have a deep pitching staff capable of giving you very different looks.

A trio of seniors returns to the staff that will give valuable leadership: RHP Brandon Eck (2022; Georgia Highlands), RHP Hunter Ward (2022; Georgia Highlands) and RHP Ryan Taylor (2022; Uncommitted). SS/RHP JD Rediger (2023; Uncommitted) was an effective arm last season and will be reliable again in 2022. C/RHP Joe Cable (2023; Uncommitted) adds a power arm to the bullpen.

The offense has some holes to fill, but they look more than capable. Rediger and Cable are part of a strong junior class in addition to C/RHP AJ DeMastrie (2023; Uncommitted). C Carson Burgamy (2022; LaGrange) and OF Sebastian Lopez (2022; Georgia Gwinnett College) will factor heavily into the lineup as well.

+ No. 7 Richmond Hill

The Wildcats will go as far as two-way standouts SS/RHP Leighton Finley (2022; Georgia) and OF/RHP Luke Boone (2022; Georgia State) can carry them. The duo can do it all and have the potential to pitch and hit Richmond Hill to a region title and more. Finley is an elite athlete with a big tool set. Boone has huge power at the plate and will give the Wildcats another power arm. OF Evan Cowan (2022; Georgia State & College) was a reliable bat a year ago and will be asked to for more this season.

Keep an eye on some members of the junior class to make a difference in 2022. RHP/3B Hunter Legas (2023; Uncommitted) and RHP/1B Blayne Newman (2023; Uncommitted) both look poised to step up with big years.

+ No. 8 Cambridge

Cambridge could be the dark horse in 6A as they return an experienced senior class and several impact arms in the junior class.

RHP Zach Harris (2022; Georgia Southern) and LHP Jack Emacio (2022; Uncommitted) were significant parts of the staff last season. They will be counted on more so in 2022.The development of RHP Nate Isler (2023; Dartmouth), RHP Garrett Moody (2023; Uncommitted), and RHP Elliott Kuykendall (2023; Uncommitted) will provide key depth to the rotation.

Terrance Bowen

2022 Classification Polls


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