Alabama High School Team Preview: Athens Golden Eagles
January 15, 2021
The 2021 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. That excitement may be at an all-time high entering this high school season as the 2020 high school baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season during an offseason unlike any other and as always, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Montgomery 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 note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.
High School: Athens High School
Classification: AHSAA 6A Area 16
Positional Starters Returning: 4
Pitchers Returning: 4
Team Strengths: Depth on the mound and should be solid defensively. Hope the hitting continues as it did last year before the season cancellation.
Team Weaknesses: Varsity playing experience for several young players.
Top Returning Players:
2022 SS/2B Connor Beck
Top 2021 Prospects:
2021 RHP Cam Anderson
2021 LHP Grayson Harbin
2021 3B/DH Rush Boyett
2021 1B/LHP Zach Siwiec
2021 OF Jayden Jones
Top 2022 Prospects:
Top 2023 and 2024 Prospects:
2024 SS/2B Austin Uptain
2024 OF Aiden Cook
Outlook:
The Golden Eagles are poised for a big year in 2021 and have a lot of confidence in tthe guys that will toe the rubber for them this spring. There will be some young players that will be expected to play some key roles this year. Several returners should lead the way in 2021. One of those is 2022 C/RHP Tucker Stockman. The Southern Miss commi is a leader in the program and has continued to develop at the plate and behind it. He will also be a big contributor on the mound all season as he features an upper 80's fastball. Senior OF Heath Carden also returns. He is the best athlete in his class and is multi-sport athlete with a strong leadership quality. He can track down some balls in the outfield and will probably hit leadoff. Junior MIF Conner Beck will play multiple positions for the Eagles this season, playing up the middle on the infield, could play 3B and behind the plate. Look for Beck to hit in the 2 hole.
Seniors to keep an eye on:
2021 RHP Cam Anderson: A sidearm pitcher that continues to get better at it and should be the go to guy out of the pen.
2021 LHP Grayson Harbin: A strike thrower with a nice breaking ball, will eat up a lot of innings for the Golden Eagles.
2021 3B/DH Rush Boyett : Dual sport guy that was a part of the Alabama North/South football game. He wwill be competing for spots at 3B and DH.
2021 1B/LHP Zach Siwiec: He is expected to pitch a lot for the Golden Eagles and offfers a funky delivery that causes havoc on hitters.
2021 OF Jayden Jones: The coaching staff is looking for big things from him in the outfield and at the plate. He shows a solid approach at the plate.
2021 OF/RHP Zach Harries: The senior will be joining the team after basketball. He is going to be expected to come in and help in the outfield and the plate.
Here are 5 other juniors that should contrinute this season:
2022 1B/LHP Sam Sandy: Strong kid that will hit in the middle of the order and pitch big innings this season. The fastball elocity has been up to 83-84 on the mound, with a high exit velocity of 95 during BP.
2022 RHP/3B Braeden Harrison: He has put on 25 pounds since March which has made a huge difference. The fastball velocity has jumped to 85-86 with a 12/6 CB and should be a factor at 3B and hit middle of the order.
2022 RHP/OF Cooper Cochran: He should be the opening day starter on the mound. Has seen a jump in velocity and is up to 87-88 with a "plus" change up. He is beginning to see offers come in.
2022 OF Andrew Braden: First year transfer looking to win a spot in the outfield. He brings another left handed bat to the lineup and is a very disciplined player that understands the game.
2022 RHP/1B Camden Shields: A big strong kid that is competing for time at 1B and DH. He will also see time on the mound with his mid 80's fastball.
Finally, let's take a look at a sophomore and 5 freshman that could play big roles this year and in future years:
2023 LHP Logan Mooney: He will see significant time on the mound this season. He has a great knowledge of pitching and simply knows how to pitch.
2024 RHP Mac Anderson: A young kid that has a chance to be dominant, up to 90 on the mound with a slider at 79-80, will be one to watch this season.
2024 SS/2B Austin Uptain: Shows good hands and swing at the plate. He will continue to develop and could see some time on varsity this season
2024 SS/2B Jack Elliott: The middle infielder has solid hands in the dirt with a quick release, may see some time on varsity this season
2024 OF Aiden Cook Another freshman that can handle the bat. If he continues to impress, he will see time on varsity as well in the outfield.
2024 OF/RHP Riley Miller: Yet annother strong arm in this class with a fastball up to 83 mph this fall. He has continuesd to show more consistenty at the plate and could see time on varsity.
No secret that the Golden Eagles have a talented group of returnees and newcomers this season.
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