Prep Baseball Report

Alabama High School Team Preview: Moody Blue Devils


PBR Alabama Staff

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: Moody Blue Devils  

Coach’s Name: Eamonn Kelly

Classification: AHSAA 5A 

Area Number: Area 11 

No. of Returning Positional Starters:

No. of Returning Pitchers:

Team Strengths: Defense and Pitching  

Top Returning Players:

Top 2022 Prospects:

Top 2023 Prospects:

  • 3B/RHP Chase Marshall (2023)
  • OF/LHP Bourne Grant (2023)

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects:

Team Outlook

The Moody Blue Devils come in to the spring of 2022 with high hopes to get back to the Class 5A State Playoffs after just missing out last year. The good news is that the Wildcats bring back seven positional starters and eight pitchers who saw time on the mound last year, and those players will look to take the next step in 2022.

The Blue Devils will be led by multiples seniors who have now signed to play baseball at talented JUCO's throughout the state. OF Zach Johnson (Central Alabama CC) is coming off his best season yet, as he landed on the Class 5A 1st Team All-State after hitting over .400 with 45 RBI's. He'll also be relied on as a back-end arm as well. His twin brother, OF/RHP Matt Johnson (Central Alabama CC), is also a talented player who can play multiple positions defensively. He'll look to contribute out of the middle of the lineup as well. RHP Caleb Jatko (Lawson State CC) is another senior who returns as the ace for this pitching staff. Jatko is a three-pitch guy who locates all pitches well and struck out 70 hitters in 2021. He works in the mid-80's with his fastball. RHP/1B Andrew Goodwin (Lawson State CC) has been described as one of the most consistent pitchers on this staff since his eight-grade year. He has solid command of all three offerings in his arsenal and will also play 1st base and designated hitter, as well. OF/LHP Nathan Kennedy & RHP Ashford Fowler are a pair of seniors who will also throw some big innings for the Blue Devils after strong junior campaigns. Both have worked really hard in the offseason and are due for quality springs.

Looking at a couple more upperclassmen, 3B/RHP Chase Marshall & OF/LHP Bourne Grant are both primed for solid junior seasons. They both are returning starters who gained valuable experience last year that should benefit them greatly. INF Blaine Burke & C/RHP Landon Cherry are also a couple of underclassmen to follow this spring, as they both will get significant playing time for the Blue Devils. There's a lot to be excited about for Moody going into the spring of 2022.

 

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