Prep Baseball Report

2023 High School Preview: Berea


Sammy Esposito
PBR SC Director of Scouting

Berea High School Preview

 

PROGRAM INFORMATION

HIGH SCHOOL NAME Berea High School

MASCOT Bulldogs

CLASSIFICATION 4A          

REGION South Carolina                 

HEAD COACH Ford McDonald       

TWITTER @Berea_Baseball

INSTAGRAM @Berea_Baseball           

HOME FIELD: "The Shack"... 201 Burdine Drive, Greenville SC 29617

                  

PROGRAM HISTORY

PROGRAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
1967, 1968, 2001 Upperstate champions

 

PREVIEWING 2023    

PRESEASON EVENT:
2/17 @ West Oak, 2/21 @ Fountain Inn

STARTERS RETURNING: 5          

RETURNING PITCHERS: 5           

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Expected Team Strength - We will hit better 1-9 than we have the last two seasons.  I expect more hits & XBH than the previous two seasons.  We also have up to around 10 kids that will throw at least 5+ varsity innings for us this season.  There are 4 potential options behind the plate & I love the versatility that we have throughout the lineup being able to play multiple positions.

QUOTE FROM THE COACH:
With us being moved to 4A & the powerhouse of a region we were placed... we know we are going to have an uphill struggle the next two seasons.  There is no quit in these kids & I expect them to be much more competitive in these games that no one is going to give us a chance in.  Our team dynamic/style may have to change offensively as we stole 151 bases last year (school record) & 97 of them graduated.  We have to replace our entire Outfield and our All time hits leader in Levi Smith (William Peace Baseball '27) & our infield rock/speedster Christian Robinson are graduates.

I am looking forward to seeing a different type of style from Berea this year & surprising some of the naysayers.

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kloven Holcomb, 3B/C/RHP, '23... uncommitted (several offers D2, D3, NAIA). 2x All-Region player.  Best all-around player on the team.  Really untapped arm talent & sneaky pop in his bat.  Will hit in middle of lineup & is the heartbeat of the team

Kyle Parker, SS/RHP, '24... free swinger that just hits baseballs.  Kid just plays ball & can make some show stopping plays at times.  Will have to progress on the mound more this year as a player.  Will hit in middle of lineup again & steal some bases.

Willie Morton Jr, 1B/RHP, '24... Led team in RBIs last 2 season's & has been 2nd in hits both years.  Great hands & will make tons of contact.  Led team in innings last season & is looking at adding a 3rd pitch to arsenal.