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: John Curtis Christian

Head Coach: Jeff Curtis

Classification: Class 5A (Select D-I)

District: 9-5A

2023 Record: 20-11-1

2023 Playoff Finish: State Quarterfinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Athleticism & Quality Depth

Top Returning Players: 2024 C/OF Tyler Mitchell, 2024 INF Brad Chaisson, 2024 UTIL/RHP Dagan Bruno, 2024 RHP Anthony Macaluso, 2025 INF Jason Curtis, 2025 RHP/1B Bryce Hebert, 2026 MIF Connor Micheu (Southeastern Louisiana commit)

Top Newcomers: 2024 OF Isaiah Spann, 2025 RHP/OF Aiden Karr, 2025 RHP Juan Washington, 2025 INF/OF Xavier Brown, 2026 OF/INF Nate Alario, 2026 RHP/OF Kolston Martinez, 2026 C Jeffrey Curtis

 

Team Outlook

John Curtis Christian finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 20-11-1.  The Patriots entered the LHSAA Select D-I playoffs as the #9 seed and earned a first round bye.  They beat St. Paul's in the second round, before having their season ended at the hands of Catholic BR in the quarterfinals.  Head Coach Jeff Curtis returns five position players and four pitchers from last year's team, and believes that they will be an athletic group with quality depth up and down their lineup.  The biggest task for the Patriots will be replacing their front-line starting pitchers of last year.  Senior Anthony Macaluso, juniors Bryce Hebert, Aiden Karr, and Juan Washington, along with sophomore Kolston Martinez will all be asked to play a pivotal role on the mound.  Offensively, the Patriots return a trio of seniors in Tyler Mitchell, Brad Chaisson, and Dagan Bruno, which will give the team a good veteran presence.  Bruno is as competitive as they come, and was also a standout on the gridiron for John Curtis, as he was named New Orleans Metro Most Valuable Player.  Juniors Jason Curtis and Bryce Hebert, as well as sophomore Connor Micheu also return for another year of action.  There's a plethora of newcomers that should make an impact on this year's squad as well in senior Isaiah Spann, junior Xavier Brown, and sophomores Nate Alario and Jeffrey Curtis.  Alario is a former Jr. Future Gamer who is an athletic right-handed hitting prospect with speed, and can impact the game in a variety ways.  District 9-5A is always one of the tougher districts in the state with the likes of Jesuit (defending State Champions), Rummel (defending State Runner-Up), Brother Martin (defending District Champions), and Holy Cross.  The Patriots offense looks to be pretty dynamic and explosive, and should lead the way early in the season, until the pitching starts to take form.  We fully expect John Curtis to once again be a contender in the LHSAA Select D-I bracket. 

 

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