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: Collierville 
Head Coach: Jeff Munier
Classification: AAAA
District + Region Number: District 15 + Region 8
2023 Record (Finish): 41-10

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Collierville comes into the spring 2024 season with a lot of high hopes as the expectations are through the roof with this loaded squad. The club had a really impressive 2023 run with an overall record of 41-10, while battling in district play last season and making their way through an extremely tough playoff schedule before finding themselves in the state tournament, losing in the semi-finals to Hardin Valley. They are about as complete of a team both offensively, defensively and on the mound. They return an extremely talented lineup with multiple D-1 prospects but do lack some big experience on the mound behind their ace Ari Bethea. The junior was a part of Prep Baseball Tennessee’s Future Games roster where he was lights out and has since committed to Tennessee and comes in as a top 10-player in the 2025 class. He is no slouch to big time games as he was responsible for eliminating district rival Houston in their district tournament throwing a complete game with 1 H and 9 K’s, while also pitching a no-hitter against Centennial in the state tournament. Coach Munier is also tasking Bethea with competing for an outfield spot this spring but the upside on the mound is for real with 90+ sitting speed on the heater and a wipeout slider that he can use in any count. The moment isn’t too big for him and will be relied upon in crucial games. Behind Bethea will be junior RHP Ayden Jacobs. He is an athletic 2-way guy that will get opportunities at 2nd base this season and was a standout at our Prep Baseball Tennessee’s Preseason All-State event. The fastball has life in the upper 80’s and will touch 90 on occasion, while also displaying feel for two off-speed weapons. Senior Union University signee Nathan Myers missed a big chunk of last season but showed signs of success on the bump out of the pen in the postseason. He is also a very good defensive outfielder and expectations are for him to take the starting centerfield role, while having more opportunities on the bump. Senior Vol State signee Jack Lester threw 10 innings last season and there is hope that he carves out more of a role this year on the mound where he has arm side run and feel for two offspeed pitches. He also switch-hits and should have a key role at the plate. Junior Cael Allen is a big physical body that is getting a lot of D1 interest. He was a reliable arm out of the pen last year and comes in with an upper 80’s fastball. He also most likely slides over to 3rd base full time this season but has played just about everywhere on the field. The bat will bat in the middle heart of the lineup order where he has present pop from the right side. At catcher will be junior AJ Greene. He is another guy that is starting to get some buzz around his name and is a tough backstop that will be looked at as a leader on the team. He had 45 hits  as season ago with 13 2B’s, 2 3B’s and 4 HR’s to a .352 average, .463 OBP and 34 RBI’s. He should be in the 3-hole this season with a lot of high hopes for his production. The Dragons also have physical hitter Brody Winemiller, who was another participant on Prep Baseball Tennessee Future Game roster can destroy the baseball.  He banged out 5 HR's and drove in 36 runs as a Sophomore last season and will start at 1B or in the OF. Junior Belmont commit JD Whitworth has an outstanding defensive glove and can play all over the infield and outfield. He was one of the states top 3B as a sophomore, but will move to shortstop this season, while igniting the offense from the leadoff spot where he had a super productive 2023 season (44 Hits / 8 2B / 3 3B / 6 HR / 33 RBI / 41 Runs / 21 SB). Junior Hayden Short went 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA last spring and the competitive right hander can command the zone with 3 pitches. Healso  looks to return to center field after an impressive sophomore season hitting in the 2-hole. He has the potential to hit for a high average and drive in runs for the Dragons this season. Senior Tanner Wages made over 30 starts last spring at first base and proved to be a clutch hitter throughout the season. He will again compete for the first base job this season, while seeing some time behind the plate too. Junior Ian Chambers is a big strong athlete that has improved tremendously this past off-season. He has shown signs of being a legit home run threat and was a standout out at our Prep Baseball Tennessee's Mid-South ID this winter where he showcased truly advanced bat speed and power potential.  He is looking to have a breakout year competing for a starting role in RF this spring. Junior LHP Ridge Harvey likely carves out a role this spring in the district rotation where he is competitive with a mid 80's FB and feel for a breaking ball & CH with late fading action. He was another standout at our Prep Baseball Tennessee Mid-South ID this winter. The Dragons will also hope to bring freshman LHP Tyler Robinson slowly along and expect for him to compete for bullpen innings this season on varsity. The team is deep all-around with talent all over the field and the expectation is for them to make it back to back TSSAA 4A state tournament appearances in 2024. 

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