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Preseason Preview: Highland

February 15, 2022
Paul Panaccione
Arizona Scouting Director

Highland High School (Arizona) - Wikipedia

Opening Day is around the corner, try outs have been held, and rosters are soon to be set. The Arizona Interscholastic Association has announced that opening day of the 2022 season will commence on Wednesday, February 23rd. The PBR Arizona staff begins its 2022 season coverage starting with our preseason team previews, where we will take notes from coaches, and highlight returning players, newcomers, and some sleepers. Over the next couple weeks and leading up to opening day, we will be highlighting some of the top programs in state in our team previews. PBR will also be publishing its state Power 25 rankings that will be updated every Monday once the season begins. Throughout the season, PBR will be pumping out coverage, highlighting individual players, games, rankings, scouting reports and nominating a player of the week. PBR looks forward to getting out there this spring to see some great baseball. 


Today, we look into:

Team: Highland High School
2021 Record: 10-8
Head Coach: Erik Kehoe
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 1

OUTLOOK

 As we gather info from coaching staffs, and come to a conclusion with our Preseason Power 25 Rankings, we expect Coach Erik Kehoe's team to sneak up on some opponents this year. Coming off a 10 win season in 2021, Hawks are returning 5 of their starters with no key losses in the 2021 graduating class. This group has their main offensive contributors returning, and plan to put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. If the Hawks can do the little things right, they think their offense can click. With speed on the base paths, they're going to look to run and take extra bases at any point possible. This team will be led by 2022 OF Jack Ellsworth (Central AZ). Ellsworth is a physical right handed bat with strength and bat speed, in this lineup, he has the most potential to be driving in runs this year. 2022 1B Ben Watson looks to have a big year with the bat and give the Hawks some innings on the mound as well. Watson is a LHH with some pop in the bat, and potential to leave the yard to the pull side. Coach Kehoe is excited about the future for this Highland roster, with 6 underclassmen to watch listed below. As for this year, the Highland Hawks plan to be a high energy team that's going to take it to their opponents and play with their hair on fire, excited to follow this group. 

TOP RETURNERS:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Jack Ellsworth AZ Highland 2022 OF/RHP Central AZ
Ben Watson AZ Highland 2022 1B/LHP Pima CC
Dalton Sailer AZ Highland 2022 OF -
Kaleb Giles AZ Highland 2023 SS -

 

PRESEASON MVP:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Jack Ellsworth AZ Highland 2022 OF/RHP Central AZ

 

TOP NEWCOMERS:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Aiden Stenberg AZ Highland 2025 RHP -
Max Mousser AZ Highland 2024 RHP -

 

UNDERCLASSMEN WATCHLIST:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Beau Tarwater AZ Highland 2025 INF -
Caden Royer AZ Highland 2025 1B/OF -
Jake Wezolowski AZ Highland 2025 C -
JT Oldfield AZ Highland 2024 LHP -
Andrew Abbott AZ Highland 2024 INF/RHP -
Thomas Campbell AZ Highland 2023 1B -

 

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