MS High School Team Preview: Vancleave Bulldogs
December 30, 2022
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: Vancleave High School
Coach’s Name: Justin Edwards
Classification: MHSAA 5A
2022 Record: 25-12
District Number: District 8
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 3, 1 Transfer Starter
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4
Team Strengths: An athletic and speedy group that defends well.
Top Returning Players:
- INF Asher Henley
- SS/RHP Hunter Parker
- C/RHP Layton Eder
Top 2024 Prospects:
- RHP Levi Tapp
- OF Robert Tinson
- OF Tanner Willis
Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:
- SS Aidan Tapp
- SS Carter Doze
- 1B/LHP Hunter Harper
- SS/RHP Dane McElroy
- 3B/RHP Wyatt Adams
- OF Kyler Capers
Team Outlook:
Coach Justin Edwards returns several players with significant experience from a squad that went 25-12 last season including a South State Championship appearance with eventual 5A champion East Central. The next few seasons could be very exciting for the Bulldogs as this years roster is underclass heavy.
Top returners for Vancleave include junior INF Asher Henley who led the team last season in hits as a sophomore. Juniors Hunter Parker (SS) and Layton Eder (Catcher) will be asked to step up and provide production for a fairly young team.
Other juniors expected to contribute are RHP Levi Tapp, and outfielders Robert Tinson and Tanner Willis.
Coach Edwards has a solid group of underclassmen on the way as well as Aidan Tapp (SS), Carter Doze (SS), Hunter Harper (1B/LHP), Dane McElroy (SS/RHP), Wyatt Adams (3B/RHP), and Kyler Capers (OF) are all looking for an opportunity to stick in the lineup.
Pitching is a concern after the loss of a couple of very productive arms, though the Bulldogs have plenty of young talent looking for a chance to prove themselves, someone will step up.
Look for Vancleave will be in the mix as state contenders for the foreseeable future.
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Upcoming Events
| SHOWCASE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Mid-South Preseason ID | 1/14 | University of Memphis Indoor Facility (Memphis, TN) |
| Mississippi Preseason ID | 1/14 | Freedom Ridge Park (Ridgeland, MS) |
| Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | 1/21 | Mississippi College - Frierson Field (Clinton, MS) |
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