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2025 Moody Blue Devils Team Preview

January 9, 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: Moody Blue Devils
Head Coach: Eamonn Kelly
Classification: AHSAA Class 5A
Area Number: Class 5A, Area 11
2023 Record (Finish): 17-17 (Eliminated in 1st Round)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 7
Team Strengths: Pitching, Experience

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

C Landon Cherry (6/18/24)

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2025

  • RHP/OF Cole Self (2025)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Moody Blue Devils enjoyed another success campaign in 2024 by finishing as the runner-up in their area and reaching the Class 5A playoffs once again. Finishing right at .500 on the year, expectation are that they can continue to build off of consecutive playoff appearances and appear to have the pitching staff to do so this season. There's plenty of experience returning on both sides of the ball, and the coaching staff is hoping those veteran players can help lead this team to another quality season in 2025.

Going into the playoffs with a 17-15 record, the Blue Devils were dealt with the difficult task of going on the road in the 1st round. Traveling to Sardis, one of top-ranked teams in Class 5A last season, only made it more difficult. The Blue Devils were just unfortunately outmatched during that series, dropping both games to close out their season with a 17-17 record. With a strong mix of those returners from last year's team back this season, especially on the mound, the Blue Devils are hoping their pitching and experience can help carry them to another playoff appearance and a late playoff run this year. C/RHP Landon Cherry (Bevill State CC, 2025) was a second-team All-State selection during his junior campaign, where he hit .365 in batting average and added 28 RBIs, as well. On the mound, the senior also brings back 28 IP and a 2.60 ERA. One of the unquestioned leaders and probably the player with the most varsity experience, Cherry will be counted on heavily once again this season. SS/RHP JB Leatherwood (2026) continues to show signs of improvement year after year and is coming off a strong sophomore campaign on both sides of the ball. In 2024, the right-hander hit .306 in batting average offensively and posted 23 IP with a 2.70 ERA on the mound. RHP/1B Bryant Hardin (2026) is another talented junior prospect who should help out on both sides, especially on the mound. Being one of their main starters in the rotation, Hardin recorded 40 IP and compiled a 3.10 ERA as a sophomore and looks primed for an even bigger season this year. RHP Ashton Morrow (Lawson State CC, 2025) should also throw some important innings on the mound for the Blue Devils after recording 35 IP in 2024, while UTL/RHP Braden Wright (2025) is a multi-sport prospect who should hit in the middle of their order after hitting .300 in batting average last season. Looking to make a jump from his junior to senior season, RHP/OF Cole Self (2025) will look to build off of last year's campaign where he recorded 12.2 IP and provide depth for this deep Blue Devils pitching staff in 2025.

With six positional starters and seven pitchers returning from last year's team, expectations are high once again for the Blue Devils to have another successful campaign in 2025. They'll compete in Class 5A, Area 11 against Jacksonville, Lincoln, and St. Clair County for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. After reaching the 1st round of the playoffs over the last few seasons, the Blue Devils are aiming to advance even further in their new area this season and appear to have the talent to do so.

Find more information on the 2025 Moody High School program below:

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

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+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
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