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AL HS Team Preview: Wetumpka Indians

February 7, 2023
PBR Alabama Staff

The 2023 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 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 in each AHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. One thing that you especially don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state as well as recaps and previews of big games across the state.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

 

High School Name: Wetumpka Indians

Coach’s Name: Michael Dismukes 

Classification: AHSAA 6A 

2022 Record: 24-6

Area Number: Class 6A, Area 3 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2 

Team Strengths: Defense 

Top Returning Players:

Team Outlook

The Wetumpka Indians were on of the top teams in Class 6A in 2022 going 21-4 in the regular season and finishing as the winner of Area 5. They will look to replicate last year's success this spring with a strong amount of returning players back on this year's team.

The Indians were ranked inside the Top-10 in Class 6A for all of the season in 2022 and recorded some strong wins over quality programs a season ago. Winning a total of 24 games last year, the Indians enjoyed wins over Opelika, Calera, Rehobeth, and others during the regular season. Entering the playoffs with a 21-4 record and being ranked No. 6 in Class 6A, the Indians hosted Valley in the 1st round and swept them by scores of 10-0 and 12-1 to advance to the Sweet 16. In their Sweet 16 matchup, the Indians hit the road and traveled to Hueytown with a spot in the Elite 8 on the line. In a thrilling series that went back-and-forth, Hueytown ended up taking the series in three games by scores of 4-3, 1-4, and 4-5 to close the Indians' successful season at 24-6. Using five positional returners and two pitchers who saw time on the mound coming back, the Indians look to once again have another strong club this spring. SS Ty Brooks (South Alabama signee, 2023) is one of the top infielders in the state and will be a key piece for the Indians this year. The senior returns after starting for four years and either hitting at the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in the lineup during those years. He is a very mature players that has a high baseball IQ and is an elite competitor.

SS Ty Brooks (3/31/22)

Returning as the ace on their pitching staff, LHP Jaxon Shineflew (South Alabama signee, 2023) is one of the top southpaws in the state with an upper-80's fastball and a wipeout slider. He is a very good competitor that has been one of their top pitchers over the past four years, as well. He will be a good one to follow this spring and at the next level with his upside.

LHP Jaxon Shineflew (2/23/22)

Two more key pieces that will look to help lead the charge offensively will be C Davis Wells (Southern Union CC signee, 2023) and OF Dorian Jackson (2023). Wells is very solid offensively from the left side and behind the plate defensively while being one of their top leaders of the team, while Jackson is a good defender in the outfield with speed and a strong arm. He also has some power from the right side and should be one of their top leaders. Jackson has signed to play football at Troy University. Another top returner for the Indians will be LHP/OF Caden Wooldridge (2024), who will look to continue to make his impact this spring as a two-way player. The junior left-hander pounds the zone with strikes and keeps hitters off-balanced with his secondary offerings, while at the plate, he is a solid outfielder that will be a key piece in the lineup.

LHP/OF Caden Wooldridge (4/1/22)

The Indians will need to replace some production left by seniors who graduated last spring, but look to have a strong amount of talent coming back with some other players that will hope to make their impact at the varsity level this spring. The Indians will move from Area 5 to Area 3 this year in Class 6A, and will compete against Stanhope Elmore, GW Carver-Montgomery, and Sidney Lanier for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the season. Look for the Mustangs to once again be right back in the mix in Class 6A once the end of the year comes around in 2023.

 

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