The 2023 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 Texas

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Austin at the State Tournament, 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 Texas. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and eventually releasing our preseason Top 30 teams in the 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 and updating the Top 30 teams in the state.

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

High School Name: Mansfield Lake Ridge Eagles

Coach’s Name: Michael Smith

Classification: 6A

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Quality depth on the Mound, and 6 starters who gained significant experience last year.

 

Top Returning Players:

2024 RHP Matthew Millet (University of Texas)

2024 SS Matthew Tellez

2024 LHP Karsen Davis (Wichita State)

2024 3B/RHP Logan Ramirez

2023 OF Torin Smith (Eastern Arizona)

 

Top 2023 Prospects:

2023 OF Torin Smith (Eastern Arizona)

 

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects:

2024 RHP Matthew Millet (University of Texas)

2024 SS Matthew Tellez

2024 LHP Karsen Davis (Wichita State)

2024 3B/RHP Logan Ramirez

2025 RHP Jaxon Rickert 

 

Team Outlook: 

Last year saw Mansfield Lake Ridge went 24-10 and made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs.  They eventually lost to defending state champs Rockwall Heath in a very tight 3 game series.  Lake Ridge lost a lot of talented Sr.'s, but they return their ace, have some other arms looking to step up, and have some firepower returning in the lineup.

It all starts with Jr. Matthew Millett. The Univ. of Texas commit pitched a lot of big innings for the Eagles last year as a Soph.  and is looking to make another jump. He features a heavy fastball that gets into the low 90's with a developing Slider and CH. Karsen Davis looks to make another big jump and slide into that #2 spot. The LHP is committed to Wichita St. and pitched in a lot of tough situations out of the pen last year.  He is a good strike thrower and has a full arsenal. The Lake Ridge coaches are also high on Soph. Jaxon Rickert.  The RHP is a strong competitor who could be in the low 90's this spring. 

At the plate, Lake Ridge had a lot of guys that could leave the yard at anytime.  While some of those guys have moved on, there is still some firepower in the lineup.  Matthew Tellez will play short this year for the Eagles and delivers a lot of power potential from the Right Side.  He had 5 HR's as a soph. and looks for a bigger number in his Jr. campaign. Millett will also be in the middle of the lineup again.  He adds another Right Handed bat that can leave the yard at anytime.  Coach Smith is also expecting big things from Jr. Logan Ramirez. He was off to a good start last year before injury cut his year short.  Torin Smith may not have the power of the three mentioned before him, but there aren't many faster in the metroplex than Smith.  He was 21-21 in stolen bases last year, and is a sub 6.5 runner.  

Lake Ridge has a lot of confidence coming into the '23 season.  They have to fill some holes, but they have a lot of high impact talent returning.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eagles make a deep run this spring. 

 

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