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: Magnolia Heights High School

Coach’s Name: Chris McMinn

Classification: MAIS 5A

2022 Record: 33-5

District Number: District 1

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7

No. of Returning Pitchers: 5

Team Strengths: Should be really strong offensively, have some guys that can run and a few that can hit for power.

Top Returning Players: 

• SS Cooper Pratt (Ole Miss)
• OF Ethan Melton (South Alabama)
• OF/RHP Keondre Fields (Missouri)
• CINF Drew Prosek (Gulf Coast State College)

Top 2023 Prospects:

• C/OF Will McClure (Meridian CC)
• 3B Jackson Jenkins (Northwest Mississippi CC)

Top 2024 Prospects:

• C Harlin Hovater (Meridian CC)
• OF/LHP Will Howell
• OF/LHP Brayden McKnight
• OF/RHP Reggie Reed

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

• UTL Cole Prosek (Ole Miss)

Team Outlook:

 Head Coach Chris McMinn has talent galore on his Magnolia Heights roster and will head into 2023 as the defending MAIS 5A state champions. The Chiefs finished 33-5 a year ago and return 7 positional starters and 5 pitchers with all eyes on capturing the state title once again. 

Top returners for the Chiefs include seniors Cooper Pratt (SS - Ole Miss), Ethan Melton (OF/2B - South Alabama), Keondre Fields (OF/RHP - Missouri), and Drew Prosek (CI - Gulf Coast CC - Florida). Pratt has emerged into a solid MLB draft prospect and will lead one of the more potent offenses we’ve seen. It really doesn't get much better than these 4 at the top of an order and opposing pitchers should beware. 

A couple of seniors that Coach McMinn will also count on are Will McClure (C/OF - Meridian CC) and Jackson Jenkins (INF - Northwest CC). McClure is durable catcher that will handle the staff while Jenkins is a solid defender at multiple infield positions. 

Other players expected to contribute will be juniors Harlin Hovater (C/OF - Meridian CC), Will Howell (OF/LHP), Brayden McKnight (OF/LHP), and Reggie Reed (OF/RHP). Hovater is another solid catching option and Howell was a participant in this past summer’s PBR Future Games at Lakepoint Sports Complex. 

An underclassmen to mention is Ole Miss commit Cole Prosek. The freshman infielder is very polished on defense and one of the top hitters in the state in the 2026 class.  

A fun group to watch play if you get the chance to see them in Senatobia or on the road at a park near you!

 

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