Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Elite Eight: Top Eight Teams in Each Class (No. 2)



By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

In the spirit of March Madness the first rendition of the Prep Baseball Report Elite Eight Rankings are being released this week. We will be counting up to No. 1 with one new team in each classification being released each day until we unveil the No. 1 team in each. Following is a look at the teams ranked No. 2 in their respective classes.

 

class a:  No. 2 - parkersburg catholic

The Crusaders went 20-13 in 2013 and saw there season end in the regional final with a loss to Charleston Catholic, the eventual Class A state champs. Coach Tom Harvey will have to find a way to replace two-time Class A All-State selection Mitch Davis who has moved on to West Virginia Tech. With the core of the lineup in tact for 2014, look for Parkersburg Catholic to make another run at a regional title and potentially a state title as well.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Austin Luther, 2B/RHP (Class of 2014, Wheeling Jesuit commit)
Jake Ullman, SS/RHP (Class of 2014)
Jake Boice, C (Class of 2015)
Andrew Cinalli, RHP/OF (Class of 2015)
Cary Casto, 1B/RHP (Class of 2016)

 

class Aa:  No. 2 - herbert hoover

Hoover is a prohibitive favorite to make a return to Charleston a year removed from a Class AA state title. The Huskies will have to replace standout OF/LHP Corey Bird who is now at Marshall University, but have plenty of fire power returning to make them the clear choice to repeat in Region IV.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Tristan Fields, RHP/3B (Class of 2014)
Cody Bowen, 3B/RHP (Class of 2014)
Hunter White, 2B/RHP (Class of 2015)

 

class aAA:  No. 2 - cabell midland

The Knights return eight starters from last year's AAA state runner-up team including Region IV Preseason Player of the Year Seth Kinker.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Cody Ballengee, 1B (Class of 2014)
Seth Kinker, 3B/RHP (Class of 2014, Ohio State recruit)
Eric Wooten, OF (Class of 2014)
Eli Canterbury, OF (Class of 2015)
Brady Elkins, C (Class of 2015)
Bryton Jobe,1B (Class of 2015)
Zac McNeel, RHP(Class of 2016)

 

complete preseason elite eight team rankings

 

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