By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

As we prepare for our 2014 high school season coverage, we are going to take a quick glance at teams from across the state.

Team: Highlands
District:i 36th
Region: 9th
Head Coach: Jeremy Baioni
2013 Overall Record: 19-18
2013 Region Record: 10-3
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS

Mitchell Jones, RHP, 2015
Todd Ramey, 1B/C, 2015
Jake Whitford, SS, 2015
Joseph Martin, RHP/1B, 2015
Lou Bunning, LHP/OF, 2015
Joey Cochran, RHP, 2014

YOUNG UP AND COMERS

Mitchell Cain, IF, 2016
Mark Walkenhorst, 1B/OF, 2016
Conner Kreeger, OF, 2016
Ethan Doty, RHP/C, 2017
Kyle Finfrock, LHP/1B, 2017

OUTLOOK:  

The Bluebirds return a solid nucleus, especially on the pitching staff, from their 36th District Championship squad last season.  Junior Mitchell Jones will anchor the staff with his mid-80's fastball and good secondary stuff.  Senior Joey Cochran, and juniors Lou Bunning and Joseph Martin should round out a solid rotation.  Junior Todd Ramey will provide good power in the middle of the lineup and should have plenty of RBI opportunities with junior Jake Whitford hitting in front of him.  Highlands will compete again for the 36th District Championship, and with their returning pitching staff could be primed to make a deeper run in the 9th Region than the first-round exit of last year.

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COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate the strong response so far from high school coaches across the state assisting with our pre-season coverage.  If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches pre-season questionnaire online by clicking here.