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TN HS Team Preview: Brighton Cardinals

January 5, 2024
Hunter Martin
TN Scouting Director

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: Brighton High School
Head Coach: Kevin Heath
Classification: AAA
District + Region Number: District 15 + Region 8
2023 Record (Finish): 30-9
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4
Team Strengths: Pitching

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

P/OF MJ Parimore (2024)

CF Kaiden Ingram (2025)

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2024

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

P/MIF Colt Carpener (2026)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Brighton Cardinals reached new heights and have set a different kind of expectation over the last couple of seasons with head coach Ryan Wood at the helm. Brighton made the state tournament for the first time in 2021. Last year, the Cardinals finished 30-9, won another district title, won the region for the first time and finished one win away from the Class 3A state title game falling just short 3-2 against eventual state champions Greeneville. 2024 is a new season with a new coach at the helm as Ryan Wood stepped away to take a principal job and former assistant coach Kevin Heath will be taking over the reigns as head coach. Several of the key players from last year’s state tournament team have since graduated. Andrew Davis, Luke Perkins, Tanner Reed and Ben Lavelle are just a few of the impactful players who have moved on. However, there’s talent coming back with 4 position starters set to return to go alongside 4 returning pitchers. M.J. Parimore, an all-state pitcher, will be back leading the charge on this hill for the Cardinals. They will also look to Kase Washam who offers good command and will pitch in big games for this year’s club as well as Cade Crowson. ‘25 right hander Brady Ray is another guy that wants the ball in big games and pressure situations as he shut out Greenville in 2023 as a sophomore. Defensively, the Cardinals will be replacing key guys but do return some talent from last year’s squad. Case Maxwell can play any position and is the best hitter on the team and will platoon between SS and 3B. Brodie Billings is a great defensive player in the outfield who will also help offensively. Kaiden Ingram may be the best overall defender on the team, while being a great on base guy who can hit in the top half of the order. The Cardinals will also look to some ‘26 class prospects in Colt Carpenter, who offers a great glove in the field and will hit the top half of the lineup as well as Carson Hopper, who can play all positions in the field and offers a good bat. Going into the spring, they will be replacing their entire infield and will be looking for some proven and unproven names to step up and man those positions. However, pitching looks to be their strength this season and will make them competitive in every game. Look for the Cardinals to once again compete in the top-half of their district and make a postseason run come May.

P/OF MJ Parimore

Mid to upper 80’s on the fastball from the left side. Attacks the zone competitively and offers upside with the offspeed. Should have a chance to be a late addition for a D1 squad or may go the JuCo route to get immediate playing time.

SS/3B Case Maxwell

Freed-Hardeman signee who should bat in the top-half of the lineup and play well defensively. Offers decent speed on the bases.

P/INF Brady Ray

Low to mid 80’s on the fastball, while showing ability to spin the CB and locate his CH. Shut out eventual state champions Greenville in the 2023 state tournament going 7 innings, surrendering 2 hits and 0 runs.

OF Kaiden Ingram

Quick runner at 6.9, while showing mid 80’s exit velocities on our PBR Scout Day Memphis Tigers this fall.

P/MIF Colt Carpenter

Another quick mover that should be in the 6.9’s this spring. Will offer speed on the bases and start in the middle of the infield.

Find more information on the 2024 Brighton High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @brightonbasebll
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Tennessee Team Previews Page

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+ Prep Baseball Tennessee on X
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