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: Shelby County Wildcats

Coach’s Name: Cory Hamrick 

Classification: AHSAA 5A 

Area Number: Area 8 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4 

Team Strengths: Starting Pitching and Defense 

Top Returning Players:

• RHP/MIF Connor Aderholt (Snead State CC, 2022)
• MIF Matthew Pearson (2022)

Top 2022 Prospects:

• RHP/OF Seth Hall (2022)

Top 2023 Prospects:

• MIF Carter Sheehan (2023)
• INF Logan Starnes (2023)
• 3B/1B Austin Wilson (2023)
• LHP/1B Marshal Howell (2023)
• UTL Noah Reed (2023)

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects:

• UTL Coby Moore (2024)
• RHP/OF Micah Morris (2024)
• RHP/UTL Cooper Pennington (2026)

Team Outlook

The Shelby County Wildcats come in to the spring of 2022 fresh off an Elite 8 appearance in the Class 5A State Playoffs last spring. After winning their area, the Wildcats knocked off Elmore County & Rehobeth in Rounds 1 & 2 in sweeps, but eventually fell to the Class 5A runner-up in Pike Road. Shelby County should be motivated in 2022 to make it back to the Elite 8 and potentially go even further with some key pieces coming back.

Leading it off with the returners, it all starts with RHP/SS Conner Aderholt (Snead State CC) both on the mound and at the plate. He should be the engine that makes this team go, as he's one of the top returning pitchers in Class 5A. Serving as the unquestioned leader of this team, Aderholt works in the mid-80's with his fastball and has shown excellent feel for his off-speed pitches in the past, making him a tough matchup for anyone. He'll also play up the middle and hit in the middle of the order when he's not pitching. MIF Matthew Pearson returns as a five-year starter for the Wildcats and is expected to play up the middle and hit near the top of the order as a switch-hitter. He's an excellent defender & will play a key role for Shelby County this spring. RHP/OF Seth Hall is another senior who is expected to log some significant innings on the mound and be one of their top defenders in the outfield. He's a three-year starter who brings some valuable experience to the table. MIF Carter Sheehan is a transfer who will make an immediate impact at wherever he plays for the Wildcats this spring. He's an extremely athletic junior who is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign where he was named on the Class 6A 1st Team All-State.

There are some other players for the Wildcats who will see their roles increase this spring after serving in different capacities last spring. INF Logan Starnes & UTL Noah Reed both bring will bring defensive versatility to this squad, and 3B Austin Wilson should be a definite run-producer hitting in the heart of the order for Shelby County. LHP/1B Marshal Howell is expected to fit in near the top of the rotation for the Wildcats, as he has plenty of potential on the mound. Shelby County may also rely on some younger prospects to step into bigger roles, including RHP/UTL Cooper Pennington who is a really good athlete with tons of potential both at the plate on the mound. The Wildcats have a ton of optimism heading into the spring of 2022.

 

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