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: Allatoona
Preseason Rank: 5
2019 Record: 23-12
Region: 6-6A 
2019 Region Finish: 2nd
GHSA Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Keith Hansen
Playoff Run: Quarterfinals
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 5

X-Factor
The Bucs have "x-factors" on the offensively and on the mound. We will start with the offensive-side of things. Two newcomers who could have a huge impact on Allatoona's season are C/3B/RHP Ethan Sutton (2023) and C/1B Aidan Jolley (2022). Sutton is already regarded as one of he top freshman prospects in the state. At 6-foot-2, 170-pound he is physically advanced for his age with present strength throughout his frame. The frame will only add more power and strength as he reaches physical maturity. We got a good look at Sutton last spring and then again in the fall. It was quickly obvious that he possessed substantial raw power and was able to handle the bat well with athletic, loose hands. Sutton will fight for at-bats this spring, and could make an immediate impact at the varsity level. It should also be noted that Sutton has a big time arm on the mound, working up to 87 mph, and should see some time there.

Ethan Sutton

Jolley really stood out in the fall at LakePoint where National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt took note of him. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitter is athletically built with lean strength. His barrel works flat through the zone with present bat speed. Jolley is consistently able to make hard contact, and at-times can elevate and give the ball a ride.

Aidan Jolley

On the mound, the closer role will be crucial. C/RHP Brett Blomquist (2021) and C/3B/RHP William Mosley (2022) will split the duties there. Blomquist is a deceptive pitcher, mixing his looks and arm slots, creating uncomfortable at-bats. He can work in the mid-80s with his fastball and mix in a breaking ball and changeup for strikes. Mosley is another Buc that is physically advanced at 5-foot-11, 195-pounds. He carries his strength extremely well throughout and it plays throughout his game. On the mound, Mosley can already sit in the mid-80s, with much more to come.

Outlook
Coach Keith Hanson has high expectations for his squad in 2020 after their quarterfinal run a season ago. The Buccaneers return one of the strongest pitching staffs in the entire state. Ace RHP Logan McGuire (2021) is capable of sitting in the low-90s. He is an imposing, lanky 6-foot-3, 170-pounds, and utilizes his length to get down the mound, blowing his fastball by hitters routinely. The top uncommitted player in Georgia's 2021 class, he has a bright future and will lead Allatoona for the next two seasons.

Logan McGuire

The southpaw Paulsen brothers, Fisher (2021) and Hunter (2021) are back to fill out the rotation. Fisher impressed our staff over the summer where he worked in the low-80s and commanded a slider with two-plane break. When he next saw him in the fall, it was evident he had added about 15 pounds of strength to his frame. The added strength resulted in an uptick in velocity, as his fastball touched 87 mph. His slider looked even better, worked 73-76, and used it to carve opponents. Hunter does not have the same type of arm strength his brother has, yet. He does show the same type of pitchability though. Hunter works more in the low-to-mid-80s and tosses in a curveball and changeup.

Fisher Paulsen

Defensively, Coach Hanson does not have much to replace. He returns his starting center fielder in OF Hayden Soley (2021), and regains OF Simon Aluko (2020) who had an injury riddled 2019. THe middle infield will be in good hands with the return of MIF Carter McWilliams (2020) and MIF Taylor Shultz (2021). Shultz was a member of Team Georgia at the 2019 PBR Future Games where he showcased a line drive swing at the plate and a disruptive approach on the base paths. 

Taylor Shultz

While Blomquist will be have a huge impact on the back end of the bullpen, his presence will be most felt behind the dish. He is a lanky, highly athletic prospect at 6-foot-2, 170-pounds with advanced flexibility throughout his frame. His flexibility allows for him to create a great target and block baseball. When you watch Blomquist on catch and throws, his athleticism is even more evident. Not to mention, he also has a chance to wield a game changing bat. 

Brett Blomquist

The rest of the lineup and defense will be filled out by the likes of Mosley, Sutton and Jolley.

Coach Hansen very well may have one of the most complete teams in Class 6A and the entire state of Georgia. The Bucs will be dangerous from top to bottom, and should be viewed as one of the early favorites in 6A. 

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

Find more information on the 2020 Buccaneers below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown