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: Sylacauga High School

Classification: AHSAA 5A Area 8

Positional Starters Returning: 4

Pitchers Returning: 6

Team Strengths: Experienced pitching staff, talented infield

 Team Weaknesses: Lots of potential offensively, but not a lot of varsity at bats

Top Returning Players:

2021 RHP/OF Grant Walker 

2021 RHP/OF Luke Vincent 

2022 SS Jake Hammonds 

 

Top 2021 Prospects:

2021 1B Christian Twymon 

2021 OF Dontavious Ware 

 

 Top 2022 Prospects:

2022 RHP Luke Thompson 

 

Top 2023 and 2024 Prospects:

2023 LHP Lane Hardin 

2024 RHP Brandon Morgan 

 

Outlook: 

The Aggies enter 2021 with high expecations due to the return of an experienced pitching staff and some important positional starters. While some guys in the lineup are unproven at the varsity level, there are some potential offensively. One of those returners is senior RHP/OF Grant Walker, who will definitelty be coounted on in a two way role. The 6'2 180 pounder has been a three year starter on the mound with lots of area and playoff game experience. Has good command of three pitches, including a mid 80's fastball. Walker will also play right field and hit in the middle of the lineup. Another senior RHP/OF that will be counted on heavily is Luke Vincent. Much like Walker, he is a also a three year starter on the mound with playoff experience. Vincent features a 3/4 arm slot and creates a lot of arm side run on his low 80's fastball. Junior SS Jake Hammonds is also back and looks to have a successful season as a defender and hitter. Hammonds is very solid defensively, has plus speed and plenty of pop in his bat. Two other seniors that will be looked on to contribute this season are 1B Christian Twymon and OF Dontavious Ware. Twymon is a big time physical presence (6'4 255 lbs.) that doubles a defensive lineman in football and has a ton of juice at the plate from the right side. Ware is another 2 sport standout as he is a prospect as a DB in football. The spedy outfielder covers a ton of ground in the outfieldand is a definite threat on the bases. Junior RHP Luke Thompson is another physical presence  (6'3 250 lbs.) for the Aggies who should see significant innings on the mound this season. The sneior could be a key contributor this season. A few young pitchers to keep an eye on this season and in the years to come are sophomore LHP Lane Hardin and freshman RHP Brandon Morgan.  Hardin is your typical left handed arm that creates a ton of movement on all of his pitches and has continued to progress. Morgan has a slim build (6'0 150 lbs.) but shows a loose arm and should only get better as he adds size and strength. Both have a chance to be a factor this season providing depth on the mound.  As usual, the Aggies will be a team to follow in 2021. 

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