The Georgia High School Association has announced that opening day of the 2021 season will commence on Feb. 15. Programs were allowed to begin practicing in an official capacity on Jan. 18, 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 2021. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2021 spring season, touching on programs spanning multiple state classifications, counting down the official PBR Georgia Preseason Power 25 Rankings.


Team: Wesleyan
Preseason Rank: 23
2020 Record: 12-0
Region: 5-1A
GHSA Classification: 1A-Private
Head Coach: Brian Krehmeyer
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 5 (3 with significant experience)

X-FACTOR
The X-Factor for Wesleyan is a two part answer. First, there is the arrival of Mississippi State commit C/1B Bryce Hubbard (2022) from California. Hubbard adds even more offensive firepower to this already loaded roster. A left-handed hitter, he has a powerful swing with easy juice to the pull-side. Defensively, Hubbard could fill the hole left by three year starter and now Tennessee Volunteer, C Charlie Taylor. He has soft hands and is an advanced receiver. Hubbard just could be the piece that puts Wesleyan over the top this season.
Bryce Hubbard

OF/RHP Carson Ballard (2022) made some huge jumps this summer as a two-way prospect, and is ready to make an impact for the Wolves this spring. He has a smooth right-handed swing, driving the ball with little effort. On the mound, he has a clean arm action and can sit in the mid-80s with more in the tank.

The second part is simply making it through the season healthy. COVID-19 could present some unique problems to many teams across the state. If the wrong player or players get sick or are quarantined, the whole season could be derailed. If all goes to plan, the Wolves will play one of the toughest non-region schedules in the state. They will put themselves up against the likes of North Gwinnett, Brookwood, Grayson, Carrollton, North Hall, Redan and more. 

OUTLOOK
On paper, this looks like Wesleyan's year. They have arguably the deepest and most prolific offensive team in school history where there could be as many as 7 or 8 D1 hitters in the lineup. They are led by one of the most dynamic prospects in the country, Vanderbilt commit OF/RHP Druw Jones (2022). Simply put, Jones is a special player. He has all the tools you for in a future MLB draft pick. He can run, he can throw, he can hit, he can do it all. Jones will be a must watch prospect. Druw Jones

Providing aid to Jones will be a number of big time bats. You have Clemson commit SS Cooper Blauser (2022), who is one of the top pure hitters in the state. Blauser has consistently shown, time and time again, an advanced approach at the plate. He has great feel for the barrel, and can drive pitches to all fields.

Cooper Blauser

The power in the lineup will be brought to you by Kentucky commit CIF/RHP James McCoy (2021). He is a physical imposing switch hitter, checking in at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds. McCoy can hit for power from both sides of the plate, but he also has the wherewithal to know when to use his power, hitting for a high rate of contact.

The depth of the offense continues with Chattahoochee Valley commit OF/RHP Jalen Fulwood (2021). Fulwood is one of the top overall athletes in the 2021 class. He is equipped with electric tools. Fulwood can cover enormous amounts of range in the outfield and has a 90+ mph arm. His arm strength translates to the mound as well, where he can zip his fastball into the upper 80s.

Those are just the big names that will be big producers. And we already mentioned Hubbard and Ballard as being impact bats. But there is also the likes of Dartmouth commit C Luke Carroll (2021) and C Joe Chatham (2021) who are back after seeing regular at-bats in 2020. Newcomers SS/RHP Nate Kerpics (2022) and INF/RHP Dominick Scalese (2023) will also factor into the lineup.

Dominick Scalese

The one area where Wesleyan will need to find consistent performances is on the mound. The Wolves do not have the traditional "ace" on their pitching staff. Rather, they have a group of hard throwing arms who can locate their fastballs. Wesleyan will not be short on arms though, so it may come down to a pitching by committee type situation with arms rotating in and out frequently.

Make sure to follow @PBRGeorgia on Twitter for the most-up-to-date coverage throughout the 2021 season.

Find more information on the 2021 Wolves below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown