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TN HS Team Preview: Grainger Grizzlies

March 15, 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: Grainger 
Head Coach: Garrett Yates
Classification: AAA
District + Region Number: District 2 + Region 1
2023 Record (Finish): 13-14
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2024

  • RHP Keaton Sizemore 

Class of 2025

  • MIF Connor May

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

Grainger County comes into the 2024 season after a tough 13-14 season a year ago in AAA District 2. The Grizzlies return quite a bit of depth with 5 returning starters off of last season's squad. Their pitching staff returns 2 arms that saw innings last season, but remain pretty young and inexperienced on the mound. The team will look to replace 75% of their innings from a year ago but that also gives rise to opportunities and some underclassmen may be relied upon early. Senior Brayden Christian likely steps into the number 1 role this year after he pitched competitively last season to a sub 1 ERA. He will be tasked with carrying a much larger load in terms of innings pitched and pressure taking the mound for game 1 in district play. However, Coach Yates thinks the uncommitted senior is primed for the challenge both physically and mentally. He will also two-way as the primary shortstop in games he isn’t pitching where he likely slides in as a middle of the lineup bat after hitting .333 last season with 14 stolen bases. Senior RHP and utility man will wear a lot of hats this season as the unequivocal team leader. He has an athletic type of frame and should be able to handle the duties of playing just about everywhere this season as he bounces around and shores up any holes defensively. He comes into the spring season after hitting .313 last season with a .450 OBP and has gotten much more physical over the last year. Senior Bralynn Sell will be another middle of the order bat where he had a lot of success last season before struggling late down the stretch. He has access to some raw power and is looking to cut down on his strikeouts this season. Junior centerfielder Kade Lucas comes in with a slim wiry profile and one of the more talented players on this year’s roster. He was the Grizzlies top hitter a season ago where he hit .356 with nearly a .500 OBP, while also displaying range in the outfield. He should slide into the top of the order, where he is also a threat to steal. The club will also return starting catcher catcher. The sophomore saw limited action last season but gained enough experience that Coach Yates trust him to command the pitching staff and have a breakout season. He also likely slides in somewhere near the top of the lineup card. The Grizzlies will also rely on senior RHP Keaton Sizemore and project for him to be a rotational starter after gaining some valuable experience last season on the mound. Freshman Nolan Wallance likely gets extended looks defensively at 3B and in the outfield. Another freshman that will be called upon early to produce will be DH Luke Wallace, as signs are trending for him to be ready for the challenge this season. Second base likely belongs to Connor May and will be looked upon to provide a spark in the bottom half of the lineup.The defense looks to be strong for the club, especially with a trio of seniors patrolling the middle infield and center field. Grainger’s district will not be easy with defending state champions Greeneville and talented Cherokee, however, if the Grizzlies are able to find guys that can step up and eat innings on the mound, they may develop enough cohesion to string wins together. 

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