Alabama High School Team Preview: Cedar Bluff Tigers
January 11, 2022
The 2022 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 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 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: Cedar Bluff Tigers
Coach’s Name: Jim Nelson
Classification: AHSAA 1A
Area Number: 12
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4
Team Strengths: Will depend on a large senior class as most have started for 2 or more years. Just about all pieces return this year and could be a special year if a couple of guys step up.
Top Returning Players:
- RHP/INF Jacob Burleson (2022)
- UTL Hagen Stallings (2023)
- C/OF Preston Burt (2022)
Top 2023 Prospects:
- CF/SS Bucky Leek (2023)
Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects:
- MIF Hunter Stallings (2025)
- 3B/RHP Kaden Pack (2024)
- C/2B Alex Baty (2025)
Team Outlook
The Cedar Bluff Tigers return a talented roster from last year's team that finished as the runner-up in their area. They did, however, get eliminated in the 1st Round of the 1A State Playoffs to the hands of top-5 ranked Lynn. There's a lot of optimism for the Tigers' chances to get back to the playoffs in 2022.
Taking a look at the 2022 version of the Tigers, it looks like RHP/INF Jacob Burleson will be the guy that leads the team and set the tone. He's a strong 6-1, 200-pound right-hander with a good fastball and some power packed into his right-handed stick. He should be one of the top players in Class 1A this spring, and the Tigers will rely on him in a big capacity in his final year of high school. UTL Hagen Stallings is a junior for the Tigers that brings a lot of versatility to his game, both offensively and defensively. He's been one of their more consistent hitters at the plate over the past couple of years. C/OF Preston Burt is another senior that will provide leadership this spring for the Tigers. He's a 6-0, 185-pound player who has really good athleticism and will see his role expand in 2022.
Cedar Bluff also has a key group of underclassmen that have come into the program, and some will be looked upon early on in their careers for production at the plate and on the mound. This team has a good mix of older and younger players, which should excite those around the programs for a successful 2022 season.
Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Alabama
Follow on Instagram: @PBR_Alabama
Follow on TikTok: @PBR_Alabama
+ Click HERE to create a free profile.
+ Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site.
Related Content: