Tennessee HS Team Preview: Hardin County Tigers
January 15, 2025
The 2025 Tennessee high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Tennessee.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Murfreesboro at the state tournament championships – but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Tennessee. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.
Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week and updating the Power 25 rankings.
Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.
High School: Hardin County High School
Head Coach: Connor Creasy
TSSAA Classification: AAA
District & Region: District 14 + Region 7
2024 Record (Playoff Finish): 15-16 (Region)
ROSTER PREVIEW
+ No. Returning Positional Starters: 5
+ No. Returning Pitchers: 6
+ Key Returners:
- RHP/INF Ryder Harville (2025, Middle Tennessee State)
- INF/RHP Canaan Clapp (2025)
- C/1B/RHP Ean Stanley (2025)
- CF Keaton Davis (2026)
- UTL Hayes Malone (2027)
2025 OUTLOOK
+ The Hardin County Tigers enter the 2025 season with a strong roster poised for success after a mixed 2024 season which ended in a 15-16 team. With a solid mix of returning veterans and hungry underclassmen, the Tigers look to build on their past performance and make a run for a district title and a deep postseason.
The team returns five positional starters and six pitchers, including some dynamic athletes with high expectations for the season. Senior MTSU signee Ryder Harville will be the focal point of the Tigers' pitching staff as their ace. A standout athlete and the son of former MLB pitcher Chad Harville, Ryder brings a lot of experience and raw talent to the team. His four-pitch arsenal—fastball (sitting 87-90 mph), curveball, slider, and changeup—is dominant, and his spin rates on the off-speed pitches top 2500+ RPMs. As a middle-of-the-order hitter, Ryder's power at the plate and leadership on and off the field will be critical to the Tigers’ success this season and looks to be one of the better arms in the state this season. Canaan Clapp is an experienced senior and a crucial part of the Tigers' lineup. After starting every game as a junior, he enters this season with high expectations. Known for his exceptional defensive abilities, Canaan will also contribute as a middle-of-the-order hitter and an effective pitcher who will eat up middle innings. His work ethic and leadership are invaluable, and while he is uncommitted, he’s being heavily recruited by several Junior Colleges. He is also the son of St. Louis Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp, while also having an older brother that currently plays for Florida Southwestern State. Senior Ean Stanley offers a veteran presence on the team with years of experience behind the plate, having served as a regular starter since his freshman year. After an injury sidelined him during last season's district tournament, Ean is back healthy and ready to contribute both behind the plate and at the plate. His leadership and defensive skills will anchor the Tigers’ defense, and he’s expected to be a consistent bat in the lineup. Junior Keaton Davis, a fast and athletic junior, has already proven himself as a key contributor, starting every game last season. As one of the fastest players on the team, Keaton will lead off for the Tigers and be a major asset on the base paths. His speed and defensive abilities in center field make him a crucial part of the Tigers’ lineup and outfield. A talented sophomore, Hayes Malone is projected to be one of the top three pitchers for the Tigers this season. He gained valuable experience last season and has significantly improved over the offseason. Hayes is a versatile player, capable of excelling as a defender in the middle infield and on the mound. His athleticism and potential as a college prospect make him one to watch this season.
The Tigers will rely on their speed and scrappy playing style this season. They will be aggressive on the base paths, using small ball to manufacture runs and capitalize on defensive mistakes. With a strong defense and several quality arms, the team will have the pitching depth necessary to compete in district games and beyond. Expect several of the Tigers' sophomores to step up and make a big impact this year, particularly with the team’s balanced mix of veterans that has created a well-rounded roster poised for a competitive season.
Find more information on Hardin County ’s 2025 season below:
+ Follow them on X: @baseball_hchs
+ Find more 2025 team previews on our TSSAA Season Preview page
FOLLOW US THROUGHOUT THE SPRING
+ Prep Baseball Tennessee on X
+ Prep Baseball Tennessee on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Tennessee on Facebook