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: West Laurens
Preseason Rank: 22
2020 Record: 5-3
Region: 4-4A
GHSA Classification: 4A
Head Coach: Josh Carter
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 7

X-FACTOR
The pitching staff. West Laurens will enter 2021 with one of the top pitching rotations in Class 4A. The big arms of Mississippi State commit RHP/C/3B Bradley Wilson (2021) and Kennesaw State commit LHP/1B Tyler Franks (2021) will be at the front line of the staff. RHP/INF Colton Scott (2021) will also factor into the rotation.

Wlson is a physical power arm, standing 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. We have seen him run a heavy fastball into the low 90s and flash a swing and miss breaking ball. He is aggressive on the bump, attack the zone and challenging hitters. Wilson is capable of shutting a team down for all seven innings or coming in to close out a game and maxing out his stuff.

Bradley Wilson

Franks is another big arm, both in size and stuff. Checking in at 6-foot-5, 210-pounds, he creates a towering figure on the mound. Coming out a 3/4 slot, he can run his fastball into the low 90s and has a solid breaking ball. Scott will provide a third arm for the Raiders that has logged significant innings at the varsity level.

Tyler Franks

OUTLOOK
As mentioned in the X-Factor, the West Laurens pitching staff is going to carry this team through 4A. Wilson, Franks and Scott will keep the Raiders in every game that they play. It will come down to consistent offensive production, which may not be a problem this year.

While also being a power arm on the mound, Wilson can also swing a big stick from the right-side of the plate. He will be a key part of the top of the order and the overall run production. Franks will also have the opportunity to swing and will be a power threat from the left-side.

So where else will the Raiders find production? That will come from INF Carson Estep (2021) and a mix of underclassman. INF William Kellam (2023) saw significant time as a freshman last season and will have an increased role in 2021. Kellam is a toolsy athlete who profiles as lead off type hitter. He has 6.7 speed and the actions to continue on at shortstop. Newcomers 1B/OF Jace Thompson (2022) and OF Gunnar Jeffers (2022) will also look to make an impact.

William Kellam

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Find more information on the 2021 Raiders below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website

Preseason Power 25 Countdown