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: Winston Academy 

Coach’s Name: Charlie Smith 

Classification: MAIS Class 5A 

2022 Record: 21-14

District Number: District 2 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 5 

Team Strengths: Defense

Top Returning Players:

• OF/RHP Hayze Gregory
• 1B/RHP Trey Williamson
• C/OF Jett Joiner

Top 2024 Prospects:

• RHP/OF Bryson Wright
• RHP/UTL Braxton Rone

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

• RHP/MIF Reed Yates
• RHP/MIF Holder Tidwell
• C Wyatt Moody

Team Outlook: 

Coming off a 21 win season a year ago the Patriots are in a bit of a rebuilding phase, though do have a little punch in their lineup returning for their 2023 campaign. Senior Hayze Gregory returns and should add plenty of protection in the middle of the order. Gregory also runs very well (6.79 60-Yard), and with his strong arm should provide solid defense in the outfield and some depth on the mound. Another senior that will put a little fear in opposing pitchers is first baseman Trey Williamson. Williamson adds tons of extra base hit potential as he looks to punish, especially with runners in scoring position. Other players the Patriots will rely heavily on include senior Jett Joiner (C/OF), juniors Bryson Wright (OF/RHP) and Braxton Rone (UTL/RHP), along with underclass prospects Reed Yates (MIF), Holder Tidwell (MIF), and Wyatt Moody (C). 

Pitching will be the biggest question mark as the Patriots lost over 100 innings from last year's squad, though Bryson Wright looks primed to handle the load after throwing over 40 innings and getting plenty of game experience as a sophomore. Rone, Gregory, Williamson, and a few other look to provide quality innings as well. 

 

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