1. Wren (2018 Record 16-11)

The Hurricanes reached the 2018 Upper State finals scoring 25 runs during their 5 game playoff run. Some key pieces on offense come back including Carter Willis (2019, Uncommitted) with needed experience and Ryan Ammons (2019, Clemson) will always give Wren a chance to win when he is on the mound. A solid defensive unit and some pitching depth make it easy to see how the Hurricanes could be contenders next season.

 PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 1 Champions, SCHSL 4A State Runner Up, 2019 Record 23-7

 2. AC Flora (2018 Record 17-13)

The Falcons will look to “bounce” back in 2019. Most teams don’t think of bouncing back from a 17 win season, but AC Flora finished 3^rd in region play last season and had to travel and win two games to win the district playoff bracket. Caleb Speedy (2019, The Citadel) and Harmon Cox (2020, Clemson) return to lead the Falcons and if the offense, which scored a remarkable 188 runs last season, can remain potent this team could be the last team standing in 4A. Keep an eye on freshmen Phillips Daniels (2022, The Citadel) and Jack Reynolds (2022, South Carolina) both should play a part in Flora's success.

 PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 4 Champions, SCHSL 4A State Champions, 2019 Record 26-5

 3. North Myrtle Beach (2018 Record

North Myrtle Beach only loses 6 SRs off of a 21 win team in 2018. NMB advanced to the district championship and gained some valuable experience with quality wins over Carolina Forest and Hilton Head Island along the way. With a strong group of returning players and a guy like Dalton Simpson (2019, Mount Olive) on the roster the Chiefs will have high hopes in 2019.

 PBR Prediction: Region 6 Champions, Eliminated Lower State Finals, 2019 Record 22-8

 4. South Aiken (2018 Record 15-11)

Another very talented baseball team that is victim to region 5. The Thoroughbreds will have to tip toe their way through region play again and set themselves up for another playoff run in 2019. Last season they were playing good baseball at the right time winning 6 of their last 8 going into the playoffs. Sam Swygert (2020, South Carolina), Josh Ray (2020, The Citadel), Tucker Rabun (2019, USC Aiken), and Dalton Lawless (2019, USC Aiken) with make South Aiken a very real contender in 2019.

 PBR Prediction: Region 5 Champions, Eliminated District Finals, 2019 Record 19-8

 5. Greenville (2018 Record 16-10)

Coach Golinski lead his team to a solid season in 2018 culminating in a district 3 championship and trip to the Upper State. Losing 8 SRs is not easy to overcome however the Red Raiders averaged over 5 runs/game last season and return some key pieces that could make 2019 another solid year. Braden Golinski (2020, Army) will look to lead these guys to a strong regular season and playoff push.

 PBR Prediction: Region 2 Winner, Eliminated Upper State Finals, 19-8

 6. Beaufort (2018 Record 21-10)

The Eagles took Lugoff-Elgin to the final game of the district championship, after averaging 4.9 runs/game and allowing 2.5 in their 2018 campaign. Beaufort was clearly getting it done on both ends and a favorable region sets them for regular season success. When you look at this group on paper there is nothing to say this will change, expect a lot of the same from this team in 2019.

 PBR Prediction: Region 7 Champions, Eliminated Lower State Finals, 20-10

 7. Belton Honea Path (2018 Record 14-13)

The Bears pushed eventual state runner up Airport to a second game in their district championship bracket. They also competed in the NaturChem Invitational and only lose 6 SRs from last years roster. Realignment could be a storyline to follow in region 1 as well, BHP vs. Wren will make for must watch baseball next year. All signs point to a solid campaign in 2019.

 PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 1 Runner Up, Eliminated District Finals, 2019 Record 18-8

 8. Eastside (2018 Record 18-8)

Realignment will be the biggest question mark for the Eagles in 2019. A new look region 2 saw the departure of Union and addition of Berea and Greenville, making for a tougher regular season slate. For the Eagles to play well 2018 All-State selection Joseph Mershon (2019, College of Charleston) will need to play well. If Eastside can fight their way to the top of Region 2 they will come out tested and experienced and that may be just what they need to make a playoff run.

 PBR Prediction: Region 2 Runner Up, Eliminated Upper State Finals, 18-10

 9. Airport (2018 Record 26-7)

The Eagles will lose some key pieces off of their 2018 State Runner up team. Fortunately for Coach Perry the cupboard isn’t totally bare. The standard for the Eagles has been quality coaching and player development if this continues  look for Airport to win their share of games in 2019. As usual, a big question mark will be a very tough region, wins don't come easy in region 5.

 PBR Prediction: Region 5 Runner Up, Eliminated District Finals, 2019 Record 18-10

 10. York (2018 Record 14-11)

The Cougars return 7 starters on offense and two of their three top arms from a team that advanced to the district championship game against Wren in 2018. Nick Clayton (2019, Clemson) is back for his SR campaign with a strong supporting cast including Hunter Parks (2019, Florence Darlington), Ethan Mitchell (2019, Uncommitted), and Dylan Smoak (2020, Uncommitted) . The Cougars had a formidable 2.03 team era last season and should expect to be even better on the mound next year.

 PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 3 Champions, Eliminated District Finals, 18-9

 Next 5:  Midland Valley, South Pointe, Hartsville, Dreher, Greer

Top Storylines:

+ 4A Arms Race? Top pitching prospects will be abundant in 4A in 2019, don’t be surprised by some low ERAs and astronomical strike out numbers.

+ Will Regions 2 & 5 continue to be a dogfight every night? Is there a team to beat or will playoff seeding come down to the last week of the season like usual?

+ With the departure of teams like St. James, Chapin, Cane Bay, and Lugoff-Elgin (moved to 5A due to realignment) who will step up to fill these spots in the 2019 playoff hunt?

 

PBR must see Players –

Caleb Speedy, AC Flora (2019, The Citadel)

Ryan Ammons, Wren (2019, Clemson)

Ty Good, South Pointe (2019, Charleston)

Josh Ray, South Aiken (2020, The Citadel)

 

PBR Top 5 Games:

Belton Honea Path vs. Wren

Greenville vs. Eastside

Airport vs. South Aiken

Dreher vs. AC Flora

York vs. South Pointe