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: Victoria East

Coach’s Name: Wes Kolle

Classification: 5A (District 29)

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5

No. of Returning Pitchers: 3

Team Strengths: Versatility & Depth

 

Top Returning Players:

2024 SS/OF/RHP Hunter Baros

2024 OF/RHP Xavier Ortega

2024 LHP/1B Joey Lee

2024 2B/OF/RHP Mason Sockwell

2024 RHP/3B/C Rico Gonzalez

Top 2024 Prospects:

2024 SS/OF/RHP Hunter Baros

2024 OF/RHP Xavier Ortega

2024 LHP/1B Joey Lee

2024 2B/OF/RHP Mason Sockwell

2024 RHP/3B/C Rico Gonzalez

2024 LHP/OF Gage Goldman

 

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

2026 C/RHP/OF Kason Kolle (TCU)

2026 OF/RHP Ryan Steele

2026 RHP/SS Braddock Raven

2025 SS/OF/RHP Grayson Youngblood

Team Outlook:

The Victoria East Titans look for a big 2023 season after a 16-15 record in '22. Coach Kolle and his staff have a good mix of returners plus a very talented freshman class looking to make an impact this coming Spring.  

The Titans are led by Jr.'s Hunter Baros and Xavier Ortega.  Baros has started as a freshman and he shows a lot of versatility being able  to play all over the diamond.  Ortega is a good athlete who has run in the 6.4's according to Coach Kolle. Both Baros and Ortega will get meaningful innings on the mound this spring, as well as Joey Lee, who is a LHP and 1st Baseman.  Mason Sockwell and Rico Gonzalez also return to this years team after being big contributors last year.

There are plenty of under classmen looking to make some noise for the Titans.  Grayson Youngblood returns after having a solid freshman season on varsity.  The PBR Texas staff was impressed with him this summer at our TX Summer Championships.  The 2026 class has a lot of high end talent as well.  Kason Kolle, a TCU commit, really opened eyes this summer at PBR's Jr. Future Games.  He has a plus arm, power potential, and can really catch and throw behind the plate.  Braddock Raven is another '26 that has a lot of upside.  He showed well during our Central Texas Open in August showing impact tools on the mound and on the field.  He can get into the mid 80's with his fastball, shows the arm and glove work to stay on the left side of the infield. He also has a swing that is repeatable and as he gets stronger should develop some power.  Also keep an eye on Freshman Ryan Steele.  Good athlete who shows promise on the bump and as an Outfielder.  

Victoria East is always in a competitive district down south.  But with the quality they have returning and the infusion of young talent, the Titans are looking to make some noise in the 2023 season.

 

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