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2025 Bob Jones Patriots Team Preview

February 12, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2025 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 Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, 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 Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

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 top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*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: Bob Jones Patriots
Head Coach: Jared Smith
Classification: AHSAA Class 7A
Area Number: Class 7A, Area 8
2024 Record (Finish): 44-9 (State Champion)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Team Strengths: Offense & Pitching Depth, Outfield Depth, Team Speed, Experience

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2025

Class of 2026

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

Coming off an incredible 2024 season that saw them finish 44-9 and capture their first state championship in program history, the Bob Jones Patriots are gearing up for another title run in 2025. Under head coach Jared Smith, the Patriots have built one of the most consistent programs in Alabama. With a strong mix of returning talent and promising underclassmen, they have all the pieces necessary to remain among the state’s elite.

Bob Jones returns five positional starters and five pitchers from last year’s championship squad, providing a strong foundation of experience and leadership. The Patriots’ strength lies in their deep pitching staff, a potent offense, and overall team speed, all of which played a major role in their 2024 success. Behind the plate, C Zackary Johnson (Alabama, 2025) is the centerpiece of the lineup. A consistent force on offense and the Class 7A Hitter of the Year, Johnson hit .384 with 11 doubles, five home runs, and an impressive 65 RBIs last season. His right-handed bat and ability to control the game defensively makes him one of the best catchers in the state. On the mound, RHP Jack Shaw (Wallace-Dothan CC, 2025) and RHP/INF Tanner Hermesch (Shelton State CC, 2025) anchor the pitching staff. Shaw was stellar last season, going 9-0 with a 2.08 ERA over 67.1 innings, while Hermesch led the team in innings pitched (75.1), recording 88 strikeouts and a 2.04 ERA. Both will be key in leading Bob Jones on the mound. Two-way standout OF/LHP Dillon Adkins (2025) provides versatility as both an outfielder and left-handed pitcher. He contributed 29 RBIs at the plate and was effective in relief with two saves and a 3.77 ERA over 13 innings. Beyond their stars, the Patriots have a deep roster filled with players who can impact the game in multiple ways. UTL Camden Martin (2025), UTL Myles Hammonds (2025), and UTL Robert Chatmon II (Bevill State CC, 2025) all bring speed and defensive versatility, with Martin swiping 21 bases and Hammonds adding 16 stolen bags last season. OF Tiger Flanigan (Wallace-Hanceville CC, 2025) is another speedster who was a key baserunning weapon last spring and will look to take on a bigger roles this season. 3B Vincent Howald (2025) will be name to watch for this spring, while younger players such as 1B/RHP Cole Spanier (2026) and RHP/1B Josh Wilhide (2026) could take on bigger roles this season. Despite returning five pitchers, the Patriots have exciting young talent that could see valuable innings this year. RHP Reece Brazeal (2026) and RHP Graham Segraves (2027) are two right-handers who could provide additional depth on the mound. Their development will be crucial as Bob Jones looks to navigate the grind of the 7A schedule.

With a target on their backs as the defending champions and starting the season No. 1 in the Class 7A Top-10 Polls, Bob Jones will continue to get everyone's best shot this spring, but are more than capable of handling the challenge. They'll compete in Class 7A, Area 8 against Austin, Florence, and James Clemens for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. If their pitching staff continues to deliver quality innings and their offense can continue to generate runs, expect Bob Jones to be right back in the mix for another Class 7A State Title.

Find more information on the 2025 Bob Jones program below:

+ Follow them on X: @BJHSBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2025 HS Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
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