The Georgia High School Association has announced that opening day of the 2020 season will commence on Feb. 10. Programs were allowed to begin practicing in an official capacity on Jan. 13, 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 2019.Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2019 spring season, touching on programs spanning multiple state classifications, counting down the official PBR Georgia Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Our Preseason Power 25 rankings coverage starts today.

Team: Parkview
Preseason Rank: 2
2019 Record: 36-4
Region: 7-7A 
2019 Region Finish: 1st
GHSA Classification: 7A
Head Coach: Chan Brown
Playoff Run: State Champions
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 3

X-Factor
Underclass growth. The two-time defending Class 7A state champions lost 14 seniors to graduation, 12 of which are now playing in college. This means that there are going to be numerous opportunities for newcomers to the squad to prove their worth. The Panthers were on the beneficiaries of two transfers who will make an immediate impact: INF/RHP Ryan Spikes (2021; Tennessee) and MIF Pascanel Ferreras (2020; Western Carolina).

Spikes made the move from Alcovy to Parkview this year and will step right into the starting lineup and the pitching staff. A strong, sturdy 5-foot-9, 190-pounds he plays well above his listed size. A right-handed hitter, he has an advanced ability to hit for average as well as power, driving balls to all parts of the park. he will be an offensive catalyst for the Panthers. On the base paths and defensively, he is a superb athlete and runner with 6.5 speed. Spikes can also mix it up on the mound where he can touch 90 and toss in a curveball with depth. A member of the 2018 15U National Team that won gold in Panama, Spikes is the No.10-ranked player in Georgia's Class of 2021.

Ryan Spikes

Coming to the Panthers from the Dominican Republic is Ferreras. Ferreras adds depth to the middle infield and will be integral part of the offense with his offensive minded approach to the game.

1B Cade Sadler (2021) could be in store for a break out season as he get his chance at first base. We saw the big 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed hitter at Preseason All-State where he showed an enormous amount of power in his swing. Sadler has a straight power swing at the plate, hammering baseballs to the pull-side.

A couple of youngster may see some innings on the field, but only time will tell. MIF Cayden Gaskin (2022), RHP/OF Jayden Talik (2022), and INF/RHP Colin Houck (2023) have all impressed Coach Chan Brown early in the process, they will have to battle for time if they want to get on the diamond. We have seen Talik on the mound in the fall. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitting two can work his fastball up to 84 mph, and knows how to miss barrels with good feel on the mound. A standout QB on the gridiron, Houck has an advanced frame at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, carrying strength throughout. He has a knack for find the barrel and driving the ball into the gaps. He may be a year away from making an impact on varsity, but he has the tools to be ready this sesaon.

Colin Houck

 

Outlook
Despite losing so many players to graduation, Parkview still has three of their top pitchers returning. RHP Miles Garrett (2020; Vanderbilt) and RHP Xander Stephens (2020; Georgia Tech) are back to be the cornerstones of the pitching rotation. Garrett is a rare combination of stuff and pitchabilty. He has tremendous feel on the mound for his entire arsenal. Garrett's fastball sits in the low-90s and he complements it with a knee-buckling curveball that will garner swing and misses more times than not a well as a tight slider and a changeup. One of the better athletes in his class, Garrett stands 5-foot-10, 160-pounds with plenty of room for additional strength.

Miles Garrett

Stephens is a big, strong, 6-foot-2, 205-pounds and carries his strength exceptionally well throughout his frame. Stephens sits in the upper-80s with his fastball with the ability to pump things up into the low-90s. He has the ability to throw three pitches for strikes, including a changeup with big time action and a strong slider. Garrett and Stephens will combine to form quite possibly the state's best one-two punch on the mound, and maybe the top three man rotation with the addition of Spikes.

Xander Stephens - Video courtesy of Full Count Baseball

Southpaw Graham Yntema (2020; Lawson State) will also factor into the pitching staff. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-hander will provide valuable experience to a team that is need of it. Yntema works in the low-to-mid-80s with his fastball and has the makings of two solid off-speed pitches in his curveball and changeup.

The offense will be paced by the elite athlete OF Jonathan Ponder (2020; Georgia State) and C Jack Davis (2020: North Georgia) along with Spikes and Garrett. Ponder possesses game changing speed all over the diamond that he uses to his advantage. He tracks balls extremely well in the outfield and can run down just about anything hit in the air. At the plate, he takes a line drive approach, putting the ball in play and uses his natural athleticism and speed to his advantage. Davis is a tall, lean catching prospect who still has plenty of strength to add to his frame. With such a large frame, Davis has advanced flexibility, allowing him to play low to the ground. He has what it takes to handle such an advanced pitching staff. At the plate, he has a smooth swing that carries power to it.

Jack Daivs

Coach Brown has the pitching and offensive tools needed to compete once again for a 7A state title. He will need his newcomers and underclassmen to quickly mature if they are to reach their fill potential. If they can do that, the rest of 7A better look out because Panthers will have reloaded. Their biggest threat will come from North Gwinnett, who looks ready to make that leap.

Make sure to follow @PBRGeorgia on Twitter for the most-up-to-date coverage throughout the 2020 season.

Find more information on the 2020 Panthers below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown