The 2024 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state.  Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Louisiana.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Sulphur, LA, home of the LHSAA State Championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality.  We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Louisiana.  We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, followed by our Power 25 Rankings release, and our popular Game of the Week segment. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the bayou state.  Each week, we will be releasing our players of the week, updating our Power 25 Rankings, and many more pieces of content.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

 

High School Name: Central (BR)

Head Coach: Leo McClure

Classification: Class 5A (Non-Select D-I)

District: 4-5A

2023 Record: 25-13

2023 Playoff Finish: State Quarterfinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Pitching and Defense

Top Returning Players: 2024 LHP Grayden Harris (Southern Miss signee), 2024 RHP/OF Cameron Patterson (Copiah-Lincoln CC signee), 2024 INF/RHP Kade Furr, 2024 INF Garrett Rabalais, 2024 OF/LHP Jacob Leblanc, 2025 1B/RHP Jesse Lord, 2026 RHP/INF Cole Guidroz, 2026 C Maddox Blanton

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects: 2024 LHP Grayden Harris (Southern Miss signee), 2024 RHP/OF Cameron Patterson (Copiah-Lincoln CC signee), 2024 INF/RHP Kade Furr, 2024 INF Garrett Rabalais, 2024 OF/LHP Jacob Leblanc, 2025 1B/RHP Jesse Lord

Top 2026 & 2027 Prospects: 2026 RHP/INF Cole Guidroz, 2026 C Maddox Blanton, 2027 UTIL Cooper Austin

 

Team Outlook

The 2023 Wildcats enjoyed another successful year, finishing with a 25-13 overall record, while making it all the way to the state quarterfinals.  Central has a rich baseball history and tradition, as evidenced by their seven state titles in program history, so this year's team is eager to get back to the state tournament for the first time since 2018, when they won their last state title.  Coach McClure likes his chances with this year's group, especially because of the pitching that they have coming back this season, which all starts with senior LHP Grayden Harris.  The Southern Miss recruit is widely regarded as the top southpaw in all of Louisiana and for good reason.  Harris is a competitive strike-thrower with an upper-80's heater that he can land to both sides of the plate.  His sharp/late breaking SL and late-fading CH tunnel well off his FB, making him an awfully tough at-bat for both right-handed and left-handed hitters.  The pitching doesn't stop there, as senior Cameron Patterson is back as well for the Wildcats.  The Co-Lin CC recruit also has an upper-80's FB as part of his three-pitch mix.  Sophomore Cole Guidroz will likely be in the starting rotation as well, and owns a really good mid-80's FB with arm-side sink and run, to go along with a sweeping SL.  Seniors Kade Furr and Jacob Leblanc, along with juniors Jesse Lord and Cade Starns will factor into the mix on the mound as well.  Coach McClure likes his defense to go along with his pitching for this season as well.  Guidroz should see time at SS, 2B, and 3B, offering positional versatility and great discipline at the plate.  Patterson returns back in CF this season and is an excellent defender.  Lord, Lebalnc, and Furr will also be in the lineup, in addition to their duties on the mound.  We had the opportunity to see Lord at a recent Knights Knation showcase and we were impressed with his simple, repetable swing and knack for getting the barrel to the ball.  Behind the dish, sophomore Maddox Blanton projects to start this year for the Wildcats, and has been a guy that's steadily gotten better and stronger over the last year.  Coach McClure also told us to keep an eye out for freshman Cooper Austin, who he describes as a very skilled young player, who can play multiple positions, and should challenge for a starting spot somewhere on the diamond.  The three-headed monster in district 4-5A of Central BR, Catholic BR, and Zachary, should once again be tough, but the Wildcats have the front-line pitching to compete with anyone.  Last year's Wildcats team lost their two quarterfinal playoff games against Sulphur by a combined 3 runs with each game finishing with a final score of 3-1 and 3-2 respectively.  If this year's Central BR team can do just a little bit more offensively, then they'll have a good chance to get back to the state tournament. 

 

 

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