The Scribe
03-20-2008, 07:43 PM
First Region Baseball Preview
(Special to Bluegrasspreps.com)
Heath (27-11) has become the First Region’s dominant program, winning four of the last five regional titles and making a couple of state tournament appearances in that time. This season, with University of Kentucky signees Daniel Webb and Chad Wright in tow, has a chance to return to Applebee’s Park in June.
Webb, an accomplished two-way player, could be drafted in the first 5-10 rounds in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in June. Webb throws his fastball consistently in the low 90s and his stock rose after a gutsy performance in last year’s state tournament. He broke a bone in his left foot on a pitch in the first inning of Heath’s quarterfinal game with Apollo, yet completed the game, allowing just seven hits — five of them on bunts and infield singles — in a 2-1 loss.
Wright, a speedy left-handed hitting center fielder, is the Pirates’ offensive catalyst from the leadoff spot. Drew Williams is Heath’s #2 pitcher and is one of the region’s most versatile players — the Pirates’ catcher last year, he could see some time at third base if younger brother Brett Williams shows he can handle the position on a full-time basis.
Murray (20-14) could be a threat in the All A Classic state tournament with an experienced group that includes a potentially deep pitching staff.
Bradley Cobb is the Tigers’ ace, and Roman Kelly has some upside to go along with steady Chess Volp and lefty Brock Downey.
Lone Oak (20-19) has a new era starting with coach Geno Miller, who took over after Jim Mizell retired after 30-plus years in purple and gold. Miller comes with some impressive credentials, having led Covington (Tenn.) to a Class 2A state title in 2006 and a state runner-up finish in 2004.
Luke Shuemaker starts in center field and the hope is that the lefty is over his control issues that undermined his work on the mound last spring, some of which stemmed from an early-season back injury. Derek Roof and Tad Porter will be in the Purple Flash’s rotation, and veteran shortstop Daniel Edwards anchors the infield.
Calloway County (25-9) will reload under new coach Zach Hobbs, promoted from assistant after Steve Smith stepped down last spring. Second baseman Josh Reynolds moves into the role of mound ace, and Casey Brockman moves behind the plate. If some inexperienced players come through, the Lakers could be a dark horse in the regional tournament.
Ballard Memorial (13-9) could pose a tough challenge to Murray in the All A Classic and could be a factor in the regional race if the pitching staff develops. Lefty Caleb Shelley will be counted on as the ace, with Colton Pool and David Garrett behind him. Outfielder Taylor Edging showed a productive bat last summer in American Legion play.
Top Players
<O:p</O:p1. Daniel Webb, Heath: Hard-throwing righty and proven slugger signed with Kentucky, but is expected to go in the first five rounds of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in June.
2. Chad Wright, Heath: Nearly the total package. Excellent defensive center fielder also has great speed and a big left-handed bat. Wright signed with Kentucky last fall and may be the region’s best pure position player in several years.
3. Drew Williams, Heath: Hands down the region’s most versatile player. Used primarily as a catcher last season, he could see time at third base and in the outfield and is coming off a good year as the Pirates’ #2 pitcher.
4. Josh Reynolds, Calloway County: Reliable second baseman is now also the Lakers’ mound ace. Has a solid line-drive bat and keeps hitters guessing as he throws from three different arm angles.
5. Bradley Cobb, Murray: The Tigers’ ace pitcher is also plays third base and some occasional shortstop while wielding a big bat.
6. Tyler O’Daniel, Marshall County: He’s been a good defensive player since moving into the Marshals’ lineup as a freshman, and his bat started to shine with experience. O’Daniel missed all of last summer with a hip injury, but word is he’s fully recovered.
7. Luke Shuemaker, Lone Oak: Smooth lefty covers a lot of ground in center field and is the Purple Flash’s best hitter. Has great movement on his fastball, but control problems and injuries were costly last year. If his pitching performance returns to the level it was in 2006, he moves up the list.
8. Hunter Burge, Carlisle County: Left-handed hitting catcher is the Comets’ big bat. He’s also their #1 pitcher and could lead Carlisle to a district title.
9. Jacob Burks, Calloway County: Big, hard-throwing right-hander will also see time at first base and designated hitter.
10. Chess Volp, Murray: First baseman-pitcher needs a big year for the Tigers to become the top challenger to Heath.
(Special to Bluegrasspreps.com)
Heath (27-11) has become the First Region’s dominant program, winning four of the last five regional titles and making a couple of state tournament appearances in that time. This season, with University of Kentucky signees Daniel Webb and Chad Wright in tow, has a chance to return to Applebee’s Park in June.
Webb, an accomplished two-way player, could be drafted in the first 5-10 rounds in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in June. Webb throws his fastball consistently in the low 90s and his stock rose after a gutsy performance in last year’s state tournament. He broke a bone in his left foot on a pitch in the first inning of Heath’s quarterfinal game with Apollo, yet completed the game, allowing just seven hits — five of them on bunts and infield singles — in a 2-1 loss.
Wright, a speedy left-handed hitting center fielder, is the Pirates’ offensive catalyst from the leadoff spot. Drew Williams is Heath’s #2 pitcher and is one of the region’s most versatile players — the Pirates’ catcher last year, he could see some time at third base if younger brother Brett Williams shows he can handle the position on a full-time basis.
Murray (20-14) could be a threat in the All A Classic state tournament with an experienced group that includes a potentially deep pitching staff.
Bradley Cobb is the Tigers’ ace, and Roman Kelly has some upside to go along with steady Chess Volp and lefty Brock Downey.
Lone Oak (20-19) has a new era starting with coach Geno Miller, who took over after Jim Mizell retired after 30-plus years in purple and gold. Miller comes with some impressive credentials, having led Covington (Tenn.) to a Class 2A state title in 2006 and a state runner-up finish in 2004.
Luke Shuemaker starts in center field and the hope is that the lefty is over his control issues that undermined his work on the mound last spring, some of which stemmed from an early-season back injury. Derek Roof and Tad Porter will be in the Purple Flash’s rotation, and veteran shortstop Daniel Edwards anchors the infield.
Calloway County (25-9) will reload under new coach Zach Hobbs, promoted from assistant after Steve Smith stepped down last spring. Second baseman Josh Reynolds moves into the role of mound ace, and Casey Brockman moves behind the plate. If some inexperienced players come through, the Lakers could be a dark horse in the regional tournament.
Ballard Memorial (13-9) could pose a tough challenge to Murray in the All A Classic and could be a factor in the regional race if the pitching staff develops. Lefty Caleb Shelley will be counted on as the ace, with Colton Pool and David Garrett behind him. Outfielder Taylor Edging showed a productive bat last summer in American Legion play.
Top Players
<O:p</O:p1. Daniel Webb, Heath: Hard-throwing righty and proven slugger signed with Kentucky, but is expected to go in the first five rounds of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in June.
2. Chad Wright, Heath: Nearly the total package. Excellent defensive center fielder also has great speed and a big left-handed bat. Wright signed with Kentucky last fall and may be the region’s best pure position player in several years.
3. Drew Williams, Heath: Hands down the region’s most versatile player. Used primarily as a catcher last season, he could see time at third base and in the outfield and is coming off a good year as the Pirates’ #2 pitcher.
4. Josh Reynolds, Calloway County: Reliable second baseman is now also the Lakers’ mound ace. Has a solid line-drive bat and keeps hitters guessing as he throws from three different arm angles.
5. Bradley Cobb, Murray: The Tigers’ ace pitcher is also plays third base and some occasional shortstop while wielding a big bat.
6. Tyler O’Daniel, Marshall County: He’s been a good defensive player since moving into the Marshals’ lineup as a freshman, and his bat started to shine with experience. O’Daniel missed all of last summer with a hip injury, but word is he’s fully recovered.
7. Luke Shuemaker, Lone Oak: Smooth lefty covers a lot of ground in center field and is the Purple Flash’s best hitter. Has great movement on his fastball, but control problems and injuries were costly last year. If his pitching performance returns to the level it was in 2006, he moves up the list.
8. Hunter Burge, Carlisle County: Left-handed hitting catcher is the Comets’ big bat. He’s also their #1 pitcher and could lead Carlisle to a district title.
9. Jacob Burks, Calloway County: Big, hard-throwing right-hander will also see time at first base and designated hitter.
10. Chess Volp, Murray: First baseman-pitcher needs a big year for the Tigers to become the top challenger to Heath.