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: Chalmette

Head Coach: Mike Thomas

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

District: 8-5A

2023 Record: 18-13

2023 Playoff Finish: Lost in 1st Round vs. Parkway

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Experienced Pitching Staff

Top Returning Players: 2024 INF Cole Armstrong, 2024 C Evan Jacob, 2024 RHP Jimmy Corley, 2024 RHP Devin Dipascal, 2025 RHP/OF Cameron Tipton (Troy University commit), 2025 LHP Bryce Wilson (UL-Lafayette commit), 2025 OF Jaden Williams, 2025 RHP Cooper McNamara

Top Newcomers: 2024 RHP/INF Joe Monaghan (Nunez Community College commit), 2025 INF/RHP Latrell Grant

 

Team Outlook

Chalmette finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 18-13 and earned the #24 seed in the LHSAA Non-Select D-I playoffs.  The Owls had to travel north to take on #9 seed Parkway, where their season would end, as the Panthers ended up taking the first two games of the series, albeit by a small margin in both contests.  There's a lot of reason for optimism around this year's Chalmette club, as Head Coach Mike Thomas returns his entire pitching staff from last year, that compiled an impressive 1.73 team ERA.  Leading the way on the mound are a pair of juniors that we know well in LHP Bryce Wilson and RHP Cameron Tipton.  Wilson was a member of our Future Games team last summer and has been brilliant every time that we've seen him.  The UL-Lafayette recruit went 7-3 last season with a 0.83 ERA and recorded 84 K's.  We also got to see Tipton at our Top Prospect Games last summer and our State Games this past fall.  The Troy University recruit features a heavier mid-upper 80's FB that pairs well with his sweeing mid-upper 70's SL and a late-fading CH.  Tipton compiled a 5-3 record last year witha 1.31 ERA and 58 K's.  He's also one of the leading returning hitters and has some serious bat speed.  Last year, Tipton hit right at a .370 clip with 16 XBH's and 26 RBI.  Senior Jimmy Corley finished last year with a 3-3 record and 2.22 ERA across 34 IP, and will be relied up on again this season, as will senior Devin Dipascal, who went 3-1 with 1 save and a 2.80 ERA in 12 IP.  Junior Cooper McNamara notched 2 saves last year with a 2.74 ERA across 23 IP, and senior Joe Monaghan, a Nunez CC recruit, should play a larger role this season on the mound and offensively with his bat.  Handling the pitching staff this season with be senior Evan Jacob, who is the team's returning starting catcher.  Jacob is a physical 5'10" 200 lbs. uncommitted backstop with gap to gap power.  Senior Cole Armstrong is another returning infielder who hit .290 with 22 RBI last year, and senior Jaden Williams returns in centerfield, after hitting .400 with 12 RBI and 22 SB a season ago.  Junior Latrell Grant is another guy who should make an impact this season, as he's an infielder with a solid glove and consistent bat.  Head Coach Mike Thomas told us that this year's team has really worked hard this off-season, which has built really good team camaraderie.  The Owls have one of the better one-two punches on the mound in Wilson and Tipton and with an improved offense, they're a somewhat "under-the-radar" team that is a tough playoff draw.  

 

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