2015 Team Preview: Henry Clay HS

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By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Henry Clay
Nickname: Blue Devils
District: 42
Region: 11
Head Coach: Jordan Tarrence
2014 Overall Record: 19-19
2014 District Record: 6-1
2014 Post-Season Finish: Lost in first game of region

TOP PLAYERS (Coach’s Comments)

Aaron McGeorge, 2015, RHP, OF, IF, R/R, 5'11"/155, uncommitted (Profile and Video on PBR site)

39 IP, 4-2 record, 1.78 ERA - second on the team in innings, wins, and strikeouts as a junior0.373 avg, 0.447 OBP, 9 2B, 1 3B - led the team in batting average as a junior

McGeorge will come into the season as our #1 pitcher and our most experienced and versatile player.  He has been a starting outfielder since his sophomore season, but can play three infield positions as well if needed.  On the mound, McGeorge will combine a mid-80's fastball and good off-speed pitches with a very competitive attitude and composed mound presence.  At the plate, he will hit for average and run the bases well, but should have more pop than in the past years.
                       
Sam Jiunta, 2015, SS, L/R, 5'10/165, Flagler College (Profile and Video on PBR site)

0.339 avg, 0.448 OBP, 41 hits, 22 BB, 14 SB, 8 2B - as a junior, led the team in hits, OBP, and runs scored... second in average and stolen bases

Jiunta led off all 38 games for us as a junior playing mainly shortstop with a few games at second.  He's a very solid infielder with above average range and a deceptively strong arm for his size.  He became the starting shortstop towards the end of his sophomore season and will be an experienced, veteran leader in the infield his senior year.  At the plate, Jiunta will likely lead off again after doing so well his junior year in the top spot.  He has great plate awareness, can hit to call fields, and rarely strikes out.  Look for him to have another solid year offensively with a very high on-base percentage.
                                                                                                          
Trevor Hammonds, 2015, C, R/R, 6'0/180, uncommitted (Profile and VIdeo on PBR site)

0.287 avg, 27 hits, 6 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI - as a junior, was third in batting average and his two homeruns were tied for first on the team

Hammonds will enter his senior season as one of the top catchers in the region.  He earned the starting job behind the plate during his sophomore season and has been great defensively for us.  He has a very strong arm to go along with his receiving and blocking skills.  Offensively, he has the potential to be a middle of the order hitter with power to all fields.  He showed his power potential last year with home runs at Lafayette and Scott County, but had too many strikeouts.  If he can become more consistent, he will be a major run-producer for our team.
                                                                                                 
Casey Womack, 2016, OF, R/R, 5'11"/158

As a sophomore, Womack started the first two games of the season in center field before missing the rest of the season with a back injury.  This season, he is back healthy and poised to be a break-out player in the 11th region.  He is a great defensive outfielder with above average speed and arm strength.  Womack is a very tough player and will do damage both at the plate and on the bases this season.

Ben Rider, 2016, RHP, OF, 1B, 6'0"/190 (Profile and VIdeo on PBR site)

26 IP, 1.08 ERA, 24 K's - as a sophomore, Rider was 4th on the team in innings pitched, 3rd in strikeouts, and 2nd in ERA
0.244 avg, 11 hits, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR

As a sophomore, Rider became a spot starter and clutch pinch hitter in the second half of the season.  He only had 11 hits, but 5 were for extra bases and his two homeruns were tied for the team lead.  He showed incredible power last season, and should be our biggest gap-to-gap threat this year as a junior.  He will play the corner outfield positions and first base.  On the mound, he made an immediate impact and even started the first game of the regional tournament for us.  This year he should throw a ton of innings as one of our top 3 starters.

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN  

Cam Dacci, 2016, 3B (Profile and Video on PBR site)

Lindon May, 2016, RHP (Profile and Video on PBR site)

Ray Hukill, 2017, RHP/IF

Jose Gonzalez, 2017, MIF

Notable Losses

Lucas Simpson, RHP

Wyatt Terrell, IF/OF, Western Kentucky University

Justin Warren, 1B/3B, Transylvania

Mark Dill, RHP, Centre College

According to the Coach

We have many returning contributors from last year's district championship team and are deep at every position.  We have a very old team this year with 13 seniors and 13 juniors.  Our strength should be our veteran leadership and our defense. I don't see us hitting for much power, but we should have the best offensive team we've had in a few years.