The 2023 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Pearl, MS at Trustmark Park as they compete for a state championship, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Magnolia State.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each MHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. 

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

High School Name: Lafayette High School 

Coach’s Name: John Walker 

Classification: MHSAA 5A 

2022 Record: 19-8

District Number: District 2 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 7 

Team Strengths: Depth, middle of the order hitters.

Top Returning Players:

• RHP/OF Everett Thompson (Hinds CC)
• LHP/DH Radley Hill
• 1B Seth Ross
• RHP Noah Robinson (Itawamba CC)
• C Carter Newman
• 2B Logan Caldwell
• 3B/RHP Brody Breithaupt

Top 2023 Prospects:

• Hayden Hicks

Top 2024 Prospects:

• LHP Nick Kagey
• RHP Aleck Farmer
• SS Swayze Rikard

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

• RHP/INF Landon Cobbs
• C Tanner Harris
• LHP/OF Levi Hamm
• OF/RHP Lawson Fortner

Team Outlook:

A season removed from a 19-8 record and a 2nd round appearance in the 5A state playoffs, the Lafayette Commodores find themselves in a very good place. Coach John Walker returns 7 positional starters and 7 arms which should put the Dores in contention for a trip to Trustmark Park. 

Coach Walker will count on several seniors to lead the Dores into the 2023 campaign. Hinds CC recruit Everett Thompson (OF/RHP) will lead a group that includes Radley Hill (DH/LHP), Seth Ross (1B), Itawamba CC recruit Noah Robinson (RHP), Carter Newman (C), Logan Caldwell (2B), Hayden Hicks (OF), and Brody Breithaupt (3B/RHP).

Other players looking to make their mark and step up for the Commodores are juniors Nick Kagey (LHP), Aleck Farmer (RHP), and Swayze Rikard (SS). 

Underclassmen that may get their opportunity this spring are Landon Cobbs (INF/RHP), Tanner Harris (C), Levi Hamm (OF/LHP), and Lawson Fortner (OF/RHP).

With plenty of talent and senior leadership, 2023 has the potential to be an exciting year for the Lafayette Commodores. 

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