GHSA Class 7A Preseason Top-10
February 14, 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 Parkview
Parkview took some time to get going last season, but put it all together in the second half of the season as they marched to another state title. The Panthers will once more be in the driver's seat in 7A thanks to their returning talent, and the emergence of one of the most promising sophomore classes in the state.
1B/RHP Landon Stripling (2023; Mercer) was a big game pitcher in 2021 and will reprise that role in 2022. RHP Matthew Holcomb (2022; Young Harris) and LHP Ford Thompson (2024; Georgia Tech) each had hybrid roles in the rotation/bullpen and will provide valuable experience. They will be joined by a number of high upside arms. RHP Garrett Lambert (2023; Mercer) and RHP Thorpe Musci (2024; Georgia Tech) can shut down any lineup. There will be no shortage of options.
The offense is going to be loaded with weapons. SS/RHP Colin Houck (2023; Uncommitted) returns after a very productive year at the plate. Houck continues to trend in the right directions and has firmly cemented himself as one of the state’s top shortstops. OF Jayden Talik (2022; Young Harris), 1B/OF Jabari Daniely (2022; Uncommitted, 3B Ali Banks (2023; Uncommitted), 2B Cayden Gaskin (2022; Florida Southwestern), 3B Cade Brown (2024; Uncommitted), and OF Andrew Opata (2022; North Georgia) all were apart of the lineup in one form or another throughout 2021.
Parkview has the talent, experience and pedigree to extend their run of state titles to four consecutive.
+ No. 2 North Paulding
North Paulding fell short last season in the state finals, expect them to be right there again though. The Wolfpack did lose some key members to graduation, but the mix of returning players and newcomers should fill the gaps quickly.
LHP Jake Hembree (2023; Georgia) returns to lead the pitching staff. Hembree is one of the state’s top southpaws, and is not short on experience. He has been carving opposing lineups since his freshman year. Joining Hembree will be a healthy RHP Charlie Siegel (2022; Uncommitted), LHP Hunter Sanders (2022; Georgia Highlands), and RHP Davis Budd (2023; Uncommitted). This trio will provide plenty of depth on the mound. Budd had very successful summer and could be in store for big things.
The offense took a big hit to graduation. However, they return two of their top power bats in C Grayson Taylor (2022; South Alabama) and 1B Tysen Benford (2022; Wallace State). SS/RHP Payton Doyle (2023; Uncommitted) and C/3B Cayden Sheffield (2024; Houston) have developed quickly and will be major factors in the offense. 2B/OF Collin Wade (2022; Uncommitted) will also be back in the lineup.
SS/RHP Ashton Odak (2023; Uncommitted) and OF/RHP DeShawn Morgan (2024; Uncommitted) are both promising newcomers who could be valuable assets this season.
+ No. 3 Lambert
The Longhorns snuck their way into the 2021 postseason and were one game away from the state semifinals. They won’t surprise anyone this year though, as they enter 2022 as one of the class favorites.
The pitching staff is going to be a high powered one with the likes of RHP Colin Linder (2022; Texas A&M), RHP Nathan Dvorsky (2022; Clemson), and RHP Justin Haskins (2022; Flagler). Linder and Dvorsky can run their fastballs into the low-90s while Haskins works into the upper 80s. RHP Ashton Smith (2022; Austin Peay) and SS/RHP Jonathan Smith (2023; Uncommitted) will also lend his services on the bump.
The human spark plug OF Parker Brosius (2022; Georgia Tech) will set the tone offensively. Brosius is an electric athlete with game changing speed. He will be relied upon heavily to carry the offense. Smith will also be a reliable bat, and Linder, Dvorsky, Haskins all bring power to the lineup.
+ No. 4 Walton
The Raiders offense will get all the attention with C/1B Jared Jones (2022; LSU) in the lineup. However, it might be the pitching staff that is the true strength for Walton.
RHP Rowan Park (2022; Walters State), RHP Ben Stoddard (2022; East Georgia State), LHP Evan Carter (2022; Kennesaw State), and RHP/SS Dane Moehler (2024; Uncommitted) are all more than capable arms. They will form the backbone of a strong rotation and bullpen. Compared to the rest of class, it will be one of the deeper groups.
It cannot stated enough how much of an impact the bat of Jones can have on a game. He is one of the most dangerous hitters in the country and will certainly send more than a few balls into orbit this season. 1B/OF Barrett Eldridge (2022; Georgia Highlands) and OF Nicholas Cubides (2022; Uncommitted) are back after strong junior seasons and will provide protection to Jones in the lineup. The Raisers will need some depth to emerge, but they have the blocks in place to contend.
+ No. 5 Denmark
The Danes made a late run in 2021 to capture the region 6 title and should be in contention to do it again and maybe more in 2022. RHP/3B Francesco Capocci (2023; North Carolina), OF Kyle Henley (2023; Georgia Tech), and C/RHP Sammy Leis (2022; Alabama) three experienced players with game changing abilities.
Capocci is one of the country’s top power arms, already running his fastball into the mid 90s. He will also deliver a big power bat to the lineup. Henley ranks as one of the top athletes in the class. He uses his speed well to be as disruptive as possible on the offensive side. Leis stands out as an elite defensive catcher. He will also be a valuable bat for the Danes.
The supporting cast will be a strong one. RHP Drew Clare (2022; Uncommitted) will provide another big arm in the rotation with a mid-to-upper 80s fastball. RHP Jake Freedman (2023; Uncommitted), RHP/SS Harry Harris (2022; Uncommitted), RHP Dylan Trova (2022; Uncommitted) will be relied on as well.
SS Connor McGinn (2022; Uncommitted), OF Brody Wheeler (2022; Uncommitted), and 1B Jake Myers (2022; Uncommitted) will once again play a role in the offense.
+ No. 6 Woodstock
The Wolverines will have some holes to fill after losing a large senior class. The return of SS/3B Gabe Wuerth (2022; Georgia College and State), OF/RHP Kameron Douglas (2022; Georgia State), and OF Andrew Ianitello (2022; Cleveland CC) return to form the core of the offense. 3B Brooks McKenna (2024; Uncommitted) stepped up and made an impact as a freshman. He carried that momentum through the rest of 2021, and could be poised for a breakout year.
The pitching staff gets 1B/RHP Logan Bryson (2023; Uncommitted) and LHP Kevin Maurer (2024; Uncommitted). Maurer had a strong showing as a freshman, and was a valuable asset throughout the season. Some other arms will have to step up. OF/LHP Caden Tuck (2024; Uncommitted) could be one such candidate.
+ No. 7 Cherokee
Cherokee will pose a significant threat to Woodstock in region 5 and the rest of the class. The two headed monster of RHP Max Eichenberger (2022; Georgia Southern) and RHP Chase Meyer (2023; Uncommitted) will give the Warriors one of the top one-two punches in the class. Both arms are capable of pitching into the low 90s and have swing and miss stuff to go along with it.
RHP/1B Lex Kenny (2022; Uncommitted) will be a reliable third arm. RHP/3B Chase Goddard (2022; Uncommitted) and RHP/OF Tyler Goddard (2022: Uncommitted) will provide good depth on the mound.
3B Tyler Presnell (2022; West Georgia), 1B Landon Luster (2022; Uncommitted), SS Nate Courtwright (2022; Uncommitted), and OF Jackson Bradfield (2024; Uncommitted) will form a strong core of an explosive offense.
Keep an eye on RHP/OF Asher Sabom (2024; Uncommitted). Sabom is a toolsy prospect who has the potential to make an immediate impact.
+ No. 8 Lowndes
Lowndes made a run to the state semifinals in 2021 and look primed to repeat that success in 2022. An experienced group of key seniors return and some talented fresh faces arrive that can take the Vikings to the next level.
The pitching staff returns its top two arms in 1B/LHP Mason Steel (2022; North Georgia) and RHP William Joyner (2022; Mercer) Both were a big part of the reason Lowndes was able to be so successful last year. Other arms will have to emerge for the Vikings, but with Steel and Joyner at the helm they have some consistency.
C Daniel Kerrigan (2022; Uncommitted) will have the pitching staff in good hands as one of the state’s top defensive back stops. His bat, along with Steel’s, will play a major role in the offense as well.
A promising group of underclassmen are waiting in the wings ready to contribute. SS Carson Page (2024; Georgia Tech) and SS/3B Tate Sirmans (2024; South Carolina) both wield impact bats that will add some much needed depth to the lineup. Keep an eye on SS Weston Turner (2023; Uncommitted) as well.
+ No. 9 East Coweta
East Coweta should be considered the dark horse in 7A. They have depth and talent across the board, and are not short on experience.
The Indians boast a deep pitching staff that will give them plenty of options. LHP/1B Jansen Kenty (2023; Alabama) will headline the staff. Kenty is one of the state’s top left-handed pitchers and will be a reliable arm. RHP Avery Brown (2022; North Alabama), RHP Jacob Rossi (2022; East Georgia State), LHP/OF Joshua Sibley (2022; Jacksonville State) will provide valuable senior leadership. 3B/RHP Bryce Alewine (2023; Uncommitted), C/RHP Evan Doss (2024; Uncommitted) and RHP Sinjon Lash (2025; Uncommitted) add a lot of depth.
SS Nico Senese (2022; Georgia Tech), C Hayden Blair (2023; Uncommitted) and 1B John Monin (2022; East Georgia State) will be the spark for a more than capable lineup. Senese has emerged as one of the state’s top shortstops and a bat to be wary of.
+ No. 10 South Forsyth
The War Eagles came on strong towards the end of 2021, and will look to build off that momentum in 2022. Anchoring the team will be the big bats of C/3B Ryan Becker (2022; Presbyterian) and 1B/C Brennan Hudson (2022; Georgia State). The duo will provide some serious bang in the lineup. OF/LHP Alex Urias (2023; Uncommitted), OF/RHP Michael Sime (2023; Uncommitted), 3B/RHP Nathan Ward (2023; Uncommitted) look ready to be big players in the order as well.
Pitching depth will be a real strong suit for South Forsyth. RHP Dylan Quintillo (2022; Kennesaw State), RHP Tyler Bayer (2024; Uncommitted), Sime, Urias and Ward all provide quality options for the War Eagles. Keep an eye on Bayer as he has quickly developed.
2022 Classification Polls
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