GHSA Team Preview: Thomas County Central
January 24, 2019
The Georgia High School Association has announced that opening day of the 2019 season will commence on Feb. 11. Programs were allowed to begin practicing in an official capacity on Jan. 14, meaning it's time for the PBR Georgia staff to break down the high school baseball scene in the state in the countdown to the first pitch thrown in 2019.
Our staff sent out a preseason questionnaire to the head coaches across the state. Leading up to opening day, we'll be publishing their responses. Eventually, these team previews will bring us to our Preseason Power 25 ranking, a list of the top-25 programs in the state, updated each week.
Until then, with the help of the submitted questionnaires and our staff's research, we'll be providing you a snapshot of the prep baseball scene in Georgia. We're publishing region-by-region breakdowns along the way on the site, but allow these team preview posts to provide for you a more detailed look at the program, with some first-hand insight from the head coach, too.
Stay in tune with the GHSA season by following us on Twitter @PBRGeorgia and on our home page.
Team: Thomas County Central
2018 Record: 15-10
Area Number: 1
Area Finish: 3rd
GHSA Classification: 1-AAAAA
Head Coach: Ryan Strickland
Playoff Run: Sweet 16
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 6
TOP PLAYERS
| Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| Nick Herndon | GA | Thomas County Central | 2019 | OF | |
| Pace Mercer | GA | Thomas County Central | 2019 | RHP | |
| RJ Delaney | GA | Thomas County Central | 2019 | RHP/OF | |
| Zach Fletcher | GA | Thomas County Central | 2019 | INF | |
| Slade Taylor | GA | Thomas County Central | 2020 | INF/C | |
| Shane Stephenson | GA | Thomas County Central | 2020 | INF | |
| Jake Green | GA | Thomas County Central | 2021 | RHP/INF |
SEASON SNAPSHOT
Despite going 15-20 in the regular season, Thomas County Central was able to spring a run to the Sweet 16 in the postseason. Now, with eight starters returning and six pitchers, Coach Ryan Strickland has high expectations. A strong core of seniors will lead the club and the scrappy tone that the Yellowjackets are known for. OF Nick Herndon will be an impact player in center field in additon to at the plate. RHP Pace Mercer is tasked with manning the pitching rotation, that will beed to some new faces step up. One underclassman to keep an eye on is RHP/INF Jake Green. If he is able to produce in his first varsity season, the Yellowjackets could be set for another long postseason run.