The 2023 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, our staff is excited for the upcoming spring season.  Players and coaches have been working all fall and through December, in preparation for the upcoming season and as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Louisiana.

Programs across the state have goals and aspirations to finish the year in Sulphur, LA at the LHSAA State Tournament, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes a reality.  We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams and players across the state, as we preview many of the great programs from Louisiana.  We will take you right up to the first pitch of this season with these team previews and we'll continue providing coverage throughout the spring. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season, as we strive to be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across Louisiana.  Each week we will release our players of the week, as well as our Power 25 Rankings, which encompasses the top 25 teams in the state, regardless of class.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.  If you did not receive a questionnaire and would like to fill one out, please send an email to [email protected].

-High School Name: Destrehan High School

-Coach’s Name: Christopher Mire

-Classification: Class 5A (Non-Select Division I)

-District: 7-5A

-No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7

-No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

-Team Strengths: Athleticism and Pitching Depth

-Top Returning Players: 2023 3B/RHP Jon Carmichael, 2023 C/RHP Brycen Harding, 2024 OF Shane Lee, 2024 OF/LHP Jonah Haslauer, 2024 SS Brady Mire, 2024 C/RHP Jayse DeGruy

-Top 2023 Prospects: 2023 3B/RHP Jon Carmichael, 2023 C/RHP Brycen Harding, 2023 INF/RHP Bradly Hubbard, 2023 INF Luke Bordelon

-Top 2024 Prospects: 2024 OF Shane Lee, 2024 OF/LHP Jonah Haslauer, 2024 C/RHP Jayse DeGruy, 2024 SS Brady Mire, 2024 OF/RHP Braden Fenerty, 2024 OF/RHP Brayden Ledet

-Top 2025 Prospects: 2025 3B/RHP Jack Conravey, 2025 SS/RHP Spencer Srubar, 2025 INF/RHP Payton Stubbs, 2025 OF/RHP William Muller, 2025 C/RHP Chase Mire, 2025 1B/OF Bennett McNamara, 2025 OF/RHP Benjamin LaPlace

 

 

Team Outlook

Destrehan finished the 2022 season with a 23-17 overall record and the Wildcats went 13-2 in district play to claim the District 7-5A title.  Their season ended in the second round of the playoffs to the Barbe Bucs.  There's a lot of momentum to build on for Head Coach Chris Mire and his group in 2023, as the team returns a stable of arms.  The biggest piece that they'll have to replace from last year is Noah Simon, who was the District MVP last spring, and is now at Northwest Florida Junior College.  The Wildcats, however, have just the guy to replace Simon in senior Jon Carmichael.  A proven winner, Carmichael is one of the state's top uncommitted RHP's heading into the spring.  He works in the mid-upper 80's with his FB and is a strike thrower with a starter's profile at the next level.  Fellow senior Brycen Harding is another RHP that the Wildcats will rely upon, who is another strike thrower with a 4 pitch mix.  Junior LHP Jonah Haslauer is a craft southpaw with pitchability.  Senior Bradly Hubbard works his FB in the low-80's and has really good spin on his breaking ball and should make an impact on the Destrehan staff this spring, as long as he stays consistent and in the zone.  Other underclass arms who should factor into the mix include sophomores Jack Conravey, Spencer Srubar, Payton Stubbs, William Muller, Bennett McNamara, and freshman Chase Mire.  Offensively, Coach Mire likes the athleticism that his team brings to the table.  As far as consistency at the plate, it all starts with Carmichael, who is probably the most consistent bat on this year's squad.  As far as upside goes, then look no further than junior OF Shane Lee, who just helped Destrehan claim the state championship in football as a running back.  Lee has multiple Division I offers in football and has plenty of intrigue on the diamond as well.  He's an explosive athlete, exceptional runner, and has the chance to leave the yard at any moment.  Haslauer is a table setter, high on-base % type of hitter with gap to gap power.  Junior Brady Mire will man the shortstop position this season and packs a punch when he's on the field.  He's a high-energy "dirt bag" type of player, who has the chance to have a big year, as long as he stays consistent.  Harding, who we mentioned above as a pitcher, is also in line to serve as the team's backstop, along with freshman Chase Mire, who is still learning the catching position.  Junior Luke Bordelon is a physical player who's hard work has paid off, as he's found himself in the mix to play this year, likely at first base or as a DH.  In the outfield with Shane Lee, you've got juniors Braden Fenerty and Brayden Ledet, as well as sophomores Benjamin LaPlace and William Muller, who is back after missing last season with an injury.  Sophomore Jack Conravey is a solid defender at third base with a smooth left-handed stroke.  Sophomore INF Payton Stubbs has shown some pop at the plate and is working on becoming a more consistent hitter as well.  What will 2023 look like for the WIldcats?  Well, they compete at the highest level and will have to get across state powerhouse programs such as West Monroe, Barbe, and Sam Houston, but Coach Mire's group returns a lot of depth on the mound and they should be able to produce runs with the amount of athleticism that they have.  This year's Destrehan group looks like another playoff bound team that could make some noise in the playoffs this coming spring.

 

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