AL HS Team Preview: Piedmont Bulldogs
February 12, 2020
High School: Piedmont Bulldogs
2019 Record: 36-10
Head Coach: Matt Deerman
AHSAA Classification: 3A
AHSAA Area: Area 10
2019 Area Finish: 1st
2019 Playoff Run: Lost in state finals
RETURNING STARTERS:
’20 RHP/MIF Bryce Mohon
’20 LHP/1B/RF Silas Thompson
UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
’22 OF/RHP Austin Estes
’23 CF Max Hanson
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Good depth at most defensive positions
Team speed
Lineup is solid from top to bottom
OUTLOOK:
The Piedmont Bulldogs came up just short of a state championship in 2019 losing the state finals to Providence Christian in three games. Coach Matt Deerman welcomes back five positional starters and five pitchers that took the mound in 2019. The Bulldogs have some quality depth at most positions but are only returning one starter from the top of their rotation from a year ago. They will be looking for some pitchers to take on more of a defined role. ’20 RHP/MIF Bryce Morton returns for his senior year after a monstrous junior campaign that saw him go 9-1 on the mound with a 1.36 ERA with 79 K’s in 67 innings pitched. He was equally as impressive at the plate as he hit .392 with 4 HR’s, 14 2B’s with 36 RBI’s and 13 SB’s. Senior MIF/RHP Brant Deerman also returns and will see time at both middle infield positions, as well as on the mound. The senior is solid defensively and has a solid approach at the plate. A year ago, he hit .361 with 3 HR’s, 9 2B’s and 41 RBI’s. Junior 1B/RHP Sean Smith should be a major run producer for the Bulldogs, as he was in 2019. He has a ton of power at the plate and hopes to replicate his success from a year ago that saw him garner 1st team All-State honors. He hit .361 with 6 HR’s and 38 RBI’s. Senior Silas Thompson is a very athletic LHP/1B/RF that is expected to have a breakout year on the mound with hopes of being in the top three of the pitching rotation. He is also a star on the football field and basketball court, having just signed a football scholarship to the University of Alabama. A year ago, Thompson was 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA with 22 K’s in 22 IP’s. Some young guys to keep an eye on are '22 OF/RHP Austin Estes, '23 C/RHP Jack Hayes and '23 CF Max Hanson. Estes is a speedy outfielder that can cover a ton of ground in the outfield and will probably hit in the top part of the lineup. He will also see meaningful innings on the mound this season. Hayes begins his third season as the starting catcher although he is only a freshman. He has very nice catch and throw skills behind the plate and does a nice job controlling opponent's running game. He will help anchor the middle of the offensive lineup this season. Hanson was used sparingly a year ago but the freshman has a chance to be the starting center fielder this season. He is a hard nosed player that plays the game with a throwback mentality. The Bulldogs should be a major factor in the race to Montgomery in 3A.
Click HERE to check out our recently released 2020 summer schedule.
Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site.
Click HERE to create a free profile.
Related Content: