The 2024 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds 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 Spring Fling as they compete for a state championship, 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 and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Volunteer State.

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, updating the Power 25 and much more.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Baylor School
Head Coach: Greg Elie and Mike Kinney
Classification: D2-2A
District + Region Number: D2-2A + Region East
2023 Record (Finish): 20-6

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Baylor comes into the 2024 season with extremely high hopes as they boast an older group with many talented players scattered throughout their lineup. Pitching looks to be their strong suit as they return 6 arms with varsity experience. Defensively, the Raiders return 5 starters but will be young at a number of positions. Leading the Raiders looks to be a couple of seniors. Prep Baseball All-American Games alum and Virginia signee Tomas Valincius will be their ace on the hill where he comes in with a low 90’s mph fastball and feel for two secondary offers that have plus potential. This is a dude that is the reigning DII Mr. Baseball and will more than likely stack up in the 4-hole where he has present pop in the stick when not on the mound. Center fielder and Alabama football/baseball signee Amari Jefferson is another that will be looked upon to lead their squad. The athlete is the reigning DII Mr. Football and has bazing speed covering ground in the outfield. He likely slides into the middle heart of the order and should be a big time RBI machine for the club. Unsigned Senior IF Nelson McKnight will also hit in the middle part of the lineup and hit over .400 last season. He likely moves back to 3rd base where he comes in with decent arm strength across the diamond. Incoming transfer and Tennessee commit Jax Bishop is another power arm that has been in the low 90’s from the right side and should slide into the #2 district rotation. You also have uncommitted junior RHP Matt Dill, who is another guy that will creep into the 90’s and should start getting more D1 offers as the season progresses. He will man 2nd base and likely slides back into the top of the lineup in the 2-hole.. The Raiders will also be relying on a fair amount of underclassmen, although talented ones at that. Sophomore shortstop Jack Shuman looks to lead things off at the top of the lineup where the bat consistently finds barrels, while also being a threat to steal. The Raiders will also have a pair of D! Sophomores in left handed pitchers Henry Allen and Wells Grisham. Allen is a Kennesaw State commit and will also get plenty of opportunities in left field. Grissom comes in the low to mid 80’s with a big hammer breaking ball as he carves out starting opportunities this spring. Finally, the Raiders will be getting an injection in freshman catcher Blake Lundy in the middle part of the lineup order. This is a dude that is already a top national 50 player in the country and for good reason. The Raiders will have a tough schedule as their district is strong and will also play powerhouse Farragut. They look about as complete as anyone and will be a very tough out in a three game format. Expectations are for them to lead their district this season and hosting throughout the playoffs as they find themselves again in a 3 game series to get to the state tournament. 

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