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: North Paulding
Preseason Rank: 2
2020 Record: 12-3
Region: 3-7A
GHSA Classification: 7A
Head Coach: Dennis Jordan
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 12

X-FACTOR
Pitching and timely hitting. The Wolfpack return nearly their entire pitching staff from a team that went 12-3 last season with wins over Houston County, DeSoto Central (MS), Buford, and Walton. The starting rotation has big game experience and the stuff to match it.

The guy that makes the team tick will be at the front of the rotation, Walter State commit SS/RHP Mitchell Heer (2021). Heer is ultra competitive and was given the ball in some of North Paulding's biggest games last year. He has a swing and miss arsenal with a lively fastball that sits in the upper 80s, a heavy changeup and a sweeping breaking ball. LHP/1B Dylan Rhadans (2021) will take up a spot in the rotation for the third season in a row along side Heer.

Mitchell Heer

Georgia commit LHP Jake Hembree (2023) made his name known throughout the state with an electric start to 2020, going 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA. He has a mid-to-upper 80s fastball, but what really sets him apart is his feel for his secondary pitches. He has a swing and miss 1/7 curveball and changeup. Hembree showed maturity beyond his age last year, and should pick up right where he left off. 

Jake Hembree

The offense will be a deep and experienced one. The Wolfpack have the potential to see production out of every spot in the lineup. It might not be a problem to find timely hitting when your team is capable of putting up big runs.

OUTLOOK
North Paulding are in the drivers seat in 7A. They are an deep, talented team that knows how to win big games. That experience will prove to be invaluable in 2021. 

Let's dive into what will be a balanced offense. Heer will pull double duty, leading the pitching staff and offense. North Paulding return the left-handed bats of Rhadans and OF Chris Cole (2021). Rhadans led the team in hitting and will be a big bat in the top of the order. Cole has been a three year starter in the outfield and adds speed to the lineup. Lawson State CC commit 3B/RHP Logan Lynch (2021) is also back. Lynch is a do it all type player who can hit, defend and pitch. He will be a middle of the order bat and fill the closer role.

South Alabama commit C Grayson Taylor (2022) could be considered somewhat of a newcomer. Taylor missed most of last season with an injury. Taylor has a big power swing from the left-side of the plate. He will also prove to be a key replacement behind the dish. Taylor has caught big arms in the past and will be more than ready to handle the Wolfpacks pitching staff.

Grayson Taylor

Another big bat, who contributed in a big way as a sophomore, is DH/1B Tysen Benford (2022). Benford hit over .300 last season and could be in store for a big year. Coach Jordan was impressed with how much time Benford put in the weight room in the offseason. 

There are a number of newcomers who could have an impact. 2B/OF Collin Wade (2022), OF Michael Parker (2021), and MIF Parker Doyle (2021) can all bring tools to the lineup. Finding a consistency will key for this group of players, and will be a huge boost in depth. C/DH Blake Ptak (2021) has come along and could be a useful power bat.

Parker Doyle

The biggest impact the newcomers will make will be on the mound. RHP/3B Charlie Siegel (2022) figured to be a bat off the bench last season for Coach Jordan. This season, he is going to be a big contributor on the mound. Over the past few months, Siegel has seen his fastball velocity spike into the upper 80s. He has a chance to be the No. 1 arm out of the bullpen.

Charlie Siegel

RHP Hunter Sanders (2022) is another arm who is going to be an asset. Sanders had a strong summer and will look to carry that momentum into the spring. Sanders is a high pitch-ability arm with a mid 80s fastball and a swing and miss slider. He will be another valuable bullpen arm.

Hunter Sanders

The likes of UTL Payton Doyle (2023) and C/RHP Cayden Sheffield (2024) will also be given an opportunity this spring. Doyle is a toolsy player who can player literally anywhere on the field. His versatility will certainly come in handy as a potential late inning defensive sub. He could be ready to contribute offensively with an aggressive left-handed swing. Or Doyle could come out of the bullpen where he can reach the mid-80s with his fastball.

Payton Doyle

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

Find more information on the 2021 Wolfpack below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown