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: Brookwood
Preseason Rank: 8
2019 Record: 24-11
Region: 7-7A 
2019 Region Finish: 2nd
GHSA Classification: 7A
Head Coach: Titus Martin
Playoff Run: 2nd Round
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 7

X-Factor
SS/RHP Wesley Franklin (2019; Mercer). The senior two-way star will be the center of attention for a talented Brookwood Broncos team. Franklin has a frame that you can dream on at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds, and shows no signs of slowing down in his physical development. With present strength throughout, he still carries himself with athleticism. He put up some of the best numbers at Preseason All-State back in January, running a 7.0 60 yard dash, throwing 85 mph across the infield, and posting a 99 mph exit velocity. Although we did not see him on the mound, he has worked into the upper-80s with his fastball in the past.

Offensively, Franklin can change the game with one swing. He sweeps the barrel long through the zone, hitting off the front-side of his large frame. With so much hand speed and strength, he effortlessly drives balls into the gaps with considerable force. A top of the order bat, Franklin will be counted on to be a major run producer for the Broncos, and there is no reason to think he cannot get the job done. Defensively, he returns to man shortstop after a stellar 2019 up the middle.

Coach Titus Martin perfectly summed up the impact Franklin can have, "Franklin has the potential to be one of the best two-way players in the state. He can change the game on the mound, at the plate and defensively. If he can navigate the ups and downs that go with this amount of talent and responsibility, then it could be extremely beneficial for our team."

Wesley Franklin

Outlook

Brookwood enters 2020 with what Coach Titus believes is his deepest and most talented pitching staff in a long time. As it has already been stated, Franklin will take over as the staff ace with the departure of Alex Flood (2019), who compiled a 21-2 record as a starter. RHP Carter Bailey (2021; Wofford) will factor into the rotation. The right-hander has made impressive gains in his velocity over the past several months. At our Top Prospect Games in May he topped out at 82 mph, now, a little over half a year later, he sits comfortably in the low-to-mid-80s. He can also drop in a two breaking balls for strikes, a 12/6 curveball ball that plays well off his arm slot, and an 11/5 slider. RHP/OF CJ Kachmar (Spring Hill) will also factor into the pitching staff with his mid-80s fastball.

Carter Bailey

A newcomer who will have an immediate impact on the pitching staff is RHP/INF Dylan Lonergan (2023). Lonergan has an exceptionally strong arm for such a young prospect, touching 90 mph with his fastball. He also has shown the ability to consistently throw a sharp breaking ball for strikes, one that is presently a swing and miss type pitch. At 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, he has an outstanding frame to work with and is already a highly touted prospect on the national stage. Also a standout QB for Brookwood, and already receiving D1 offers, it remains to be seen whether Lonergan's future lies on the gridiron or the diamond.

Dylan Lonergan 

Offensively, the Broncos are loaded with top of the order type bats. MIF Brant Baughcum (2022; Georgia Tech) stood out this summer for Team Georgia at the 2019 PBR Future Games, and he only looked better and better with each viewing this fall. The right-handed hitter has added physicality to his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame and can drive the ball with force to all parts of the field. He and Franklin will be a dynamic duo up the middle and in the order.

Brant Baughcum

Providing even more firepower to the lineup will be right-handed hitting C Jack Spyke (2021; Wofford) and left-handed hitting 1B Jonathan Jaime (2022; Tulane). Both prospects pack a punch from opposite sides of the plate, and can blast balls deep into the gaps. Look for Bailey to also factor in heavily in the offensive scheme as well.

While the Broncos have the talent to take on the best of the best in Georgia, they will be looking for a new set of leaders to step up and fill the holes left by a strong senior class. If they can do this, and stay healthy, Brookwood will have a chance to be playing deep into the state tournament.

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

Find more information on the 2020 Broncos below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown