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With 2023 now in the past, PBR Michigan is eagerly anticipating bringing the state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2024. Starting in February, we began releasing team previews for squads across the state. Ahead, we will have Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings coming your way.

To view the full list of 2024 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2024 Team Preview, click here.

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Detroit Edison Pioneers

DETROIT - The passion that Mark Brown has for baseball can not be denied. It is not just his love for the game, but also for his players. 

“When players graduate from our program, we aspire for them to be strong, positive men who can benefit their community,” Brown explained. “We expect our players to become not only better in their skills, but also as individuals. We value more than just baseball.”

When it comes to on the field, the Detroit Edison program has had a lot of success under the guidance of Brown, who is 162-70 in his time as head coach at the school since 2015. A year ago the Pioneers finished 25-8 and were ranked second in Division 3 before losing to Cass City 2-1 in 10 innings in the regional finals.

“We were mainly sophomores and juniors last year so we’re really excited about the opportunities in front of us,” noted Brown, who was 147-62 during six years as head coach at Saint Martin de Porres from 1994-2000. “We came up short last year in a 10-inning game but it was a great experience and we’ll learn from it.”

Eight starters return including the top six in the batting order for Edison, whose biggest loss from the 2023 team was the graduation of Davion Williams who is now playing at WilberForce.

“I like our experience,” pointed out Brown, who led the Pioneers to the state finals in 2022, the first Detroit team to get that far since 1971. “We have a lot of returning starters, most with varsity experience as sophomores. I like their closeness and their competitiveness. I preach about playing for each other and they do. I feel we have a great opportunity to get to East Lansing.”

Seniors Marwynn Matthews and Jordan Jones headline the returnees for Edison. Matthews, a Western Michigan commit ranked seventh in the state among 2024 shortstops, hit .349 with 25 RBIs, 10 extra-base hits and 25 stolen bases batting leadoff a year ago while Jones, the eighth-rated senior third baseman in Michigan and the three-hole hitter for the Pioneers, averaged .357 with 34 RBIs, 16 extra-base hits including three home runs and 26 steals. 

Kole Waterman, the second-ranked junior first baseman in Michigan, joined Matthews on first-team all-state last year and is back to play outfield as well as pitch. The 36th-ranked 2025 in the state who went 7-3 a year ago and is getting Power 5 offers, forms a strong one-two punch on the mound with Matthews, who had a 6-2 record.

Junior Bryce Massie, who was ineligible to play varsity last year after transferring in from Renaissance, is another left-handed pitcher for the Pioneers, with Deshawn Williams and Aveon Royster, the 40th-rated senior outfielder in the state, also bringing potential to help out on the hill. Depth comes from sophomores Jamir Campbell and David Hemphill, who could also see time at middle infield and outfield, respectively.

Kyle Norton is back to play behind the plate after earning second-team all-state recognition a year ago, compiling a .421 average in 2023. JonTae Wright, an intimidating 6-0 250-pounder ranked third among 2026 first basemen in Michigan, returns following a .322 campaign as a freshman with two homers and 26 runs driven in batting cleanup.

With Matthews at short, Terrell Crosson plays second base with the fourth-rated junior second baseman in Michigan moving to short when Matthews is on the mound. Campbell would then be at second.

Jones is a three-year starter at third base with Williams in center, Royster in left and Waterman in right. Norton moves to right when Waterman is pitching with Zaire Clements taking over at catcher.

Infield depth as well as behind the plate comes from freshman Melvin Tennyson.

“I love our speed,” noted Brown, who not only returns Jones and Matthews who combined for 51 stolen bases in 2023, but will also have Royster (21 steals), Williams (17 steals) and Norton (15 steals) back to cause havoc on the base paths.

“I’m preaching fundamentals,” Brown explained. “We have a lot of talent but what separates good teams from great teams is being able to execute and being fundamentally sound.

“A big key for us is staying healthy,” Brown added. “We go about 12 deep so injuries could be a big part of it. Two-out hitting is always a key as well when you’re trying to win a championship. Staying poised and stopping three-run innings from turning into six- or seven-run innings is also important.”

Edison, an independent team, will play 10 “home games” at Corner Ballpark this year, the former site of Tiger Stadium. Additionally, the Pioneers will play in the Buckeye State in a Prep Baseball High School Classic game with Ottawa Hills, a Division III state participant last season in Ohio.

“This is another opportunity to see how good we can be against top programs in other states,” explained Brown, whose squad will also be headed to Florida to play over spring break. “We don’t have a home field, so to play at a good field in a hostile environment will help our kids get ready. Can we persevere? Going to Defiance will give us an opportunity to find out.”

As Brown sees it, just one of a number of opportunities ahead in 2024.

“Our expectation is to be in the Final Four at East Lansing,” Brown concluded.

2024 Spring Team Preview: Detroit Edison Pioneers

Team Name: Detroit Edison Pioneers
Head Coach: Mark Brown
Division: 3
2023 Record: 24-8
2023 Tourney Finish: Regional Finals loss to Cass City
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/6

Coach Outlook: "At Detroit Edison we " don't rebuild we reload". The Goal is the same every year. To get to East Lansing for the Semi-Finals."

2024 Team Strengths:

• Veteran Leadership
• Starting Pitching
• Defense
• Team Speed

Top Returning Players:

• Marwynn Matthews, SS/RHP 2024, 5'11/158 pounds, 3 year starter, team captain, Western Michigan recruit. Last Year Stats- .349 AVG,8 2B, 3 3B, 27 RBI, 32 SB. 7-2 WL.
• Jordan Jones 3B, 3 Year Starter, Team Captain, .357 AVG, 7 2B, 4 3B,3HR,26 SB.
• Kole Waterman
• Deshaun Williams
• Ace Royster
• JonTae Wright
• Kyle Norton
• Terrell Crosson
• Parrish Smith
• Zaire Clements

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Marwynn Matthews
• Jordan Jones
• Deshaun Williams
• Ace Royster
• Zaire Clements

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Kyle Norton
• Parrish Smith
• Terrell Crosson
• Kole Waterman
• Bryce Maxie

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• JonTae Wright
• David Hemphill
• Jamir Campbell
• Jerrell Crosson

Class of 2027 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Melvin Tennyson

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