The Georgia High School Association has announced that opening day of the 2021 season will commence on Feb. 15. Programs were allowed to begin practicing in an official capacity on Jan. 18, meaning it's time for the PBR Georgia staff to break down the high school baseball scene in the state in the countdown to the first pitch thrown in 2021.Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2021 spring season, touching on programs spanning multiple state classifications, counting down the official PBR Georgia Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team: Calhoun
Preseason Rank: 11
2020 Record: 9-0
Region: 7-5A
GHSA Classification: 5A
Head Coach: Chip Henderson
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 6 

X-FACTOR
Depth. Calhoun lost some key pieces to graduation, but they did a good job of spreading at-bats and getting their entire roster experience in a shortened nine game season last year. They bring back 16 players who saw action in at least one game in 2020. For a team as talented as they are, this is going to help the Yellow Jackets hit the ground running in 2021. And they are going to need to. Calhoun moves up two classes from 3A to 5A and will compete in arguably the toughest classification in Georgia this year.

OUTLOOK
Calhoun is going to have a scary amount of power in their lineup this season. They are going to be able to score runs in a hurry. Miami (OH) commit 3B Parker Lester (2021), Samford commit 1B John Andrew Cash (2021), and 1B/DH Andon Lewis (2022) all swing big bats and can leave the yard with ease. Lester and Cash were the catalysts of the offense last year, leading the team in hits and RBIs. Look for both of them to do more of the same.

Parker Lester

Lewis has really come on over the past year and should see a much larger role in the offense. Lewis has natural strength in his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame and he continues to add to it. At the plate, he can tear the laces off the ball and is capable of putting up triple digit exit velocities.

Andon Lewis

Shorter commits Braden and Barrett Saunders (2021) and OF/C Kris Sutton (2022) saw limited time at the plate last season, but should factor into the lineup more often this season. Bryan College commit INF Dante Morton (2021) is also back after being a mainstay in the lineup in 2020.

The pitching staff will be led by one of the premier power arms in the country, Alabama commit RHP Hagan Banks (2021). Banks is a long, lanky 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed pitcher who can work into the low-90s with his fastball. Banks could be in for a special season and will anchor the staff.

Hagan Banks

North Alabama commit RHP Bryse Ingle (2021) and RHP Cole Greeson (2021) will provide needed veteran experience on the pitching staff. Ingle could be a difference maker when the season is all said and one. He has a live arm, capable of getting into the 90s with swing and miss offspeed stuff. Ingle could be an arm who turns the tide in a three game series.

Bryse Ingle

RHP/OF Cooper Evans (2023) gained valuable time on the bump and in the field in 2020 and should step into a larger role this season. Evans is a high pitch-ability arm. He controls the zone with three pitches and has shown the ability to get outs. Keep an eye on him to take a step forward this year. Cooper Evans

Despite moving from Class 3A to 5A, Calhoun still boasts one of the top rosters in the state and should be considered one of the many preseason contenders for the state title in 5A. If they can stay healthy, they have all the pieces to make 2021 a special one.


Make sure to follow @PBRGeorgia on Twitter for the most-up-to-date coverage throughout the 2021 season.

Find more information on the 2021 Yellow Jackets below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown