Class 5A First Round Playoff Preview
April 24, 2016
Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director
Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana
With the release of the 2016 playoff brackets earlier today, Prep Baseball Report Louisiana takes a quick look at some intriguing 1st round matchups.
No. 14 John Curtis vs. No. 19 Chalmette
This is set up to be an exciting matchup 6:00 PM Monday night as John Curtis is expected to send out LHP and LSU commit, Daniel Cabrera. While Chalmette is expected to send out 2017 RHP Rafe Schindler. Cabrera can run his fastball up to 90 mph and possess an above average changeup. Schindler has been sharp recently, pitching 84-88 mph with a sharp slider up at 77-82 mph.
No. 12 Destrehan vs No.21 Denham Springs
Another solid matchup with two highly touted arms are expected to face off. Destrehan should be sending out Sophomore right-hander and LSU commit Landon Marceaux. While Denham Springs is scheduled to send out left-hander and Louisiana Lafayette commit, Brock Batty. Marceaux is perhaps one of the most advanced pitchers in the country that runs his fastball up to 90 mph, with command and feel of 3 quality secondary pitches. Batty is a pitchability left-hander with quality feel for secondary stuff, moves his fastball in and out, works with great tempo and competes at a high level.
No. 13 Hahnville vs No. 20 Central(BR)
Another possible stellar matchup is that of 2017 LHP Austin Perrin and 2017 RHP Ma’Khail Hilliard, an LSU commit. Although it is uncertain if Hilliard will be ready to go in the 1st round, this should be an exciting contest nonethesless. Perrin is a bulldog on the mound with a fastball that sits 84-86 mph, solid secondary stuff and has been a consistent winner thus far in his career. When Hilliard is synced up, his stuff can be electric, as he can pitch 86-88 mph with hard, late cutting action, as well as a wipe out slider that has clocked an eye opening spin rate of over 3000 RPMs at various events this past summer.
+ Two-time defending state champ Barbe, checks in at the No.1 overall seed in 5A and will face off against No.32 John Ehret. Although Barbe is a storied program, they have yet to 3-peat. 2017 LHP Adam Goree leads the Bucs on the mound with a fastball that sits 84-88 mph. Goree was a major contributor for the two previous championship teams, and is all to familiar with the big game atmosphere.
+ Lafayette HS comes in at No. 2 after an extremely impressive year. They possess a plethora of quality arms like 2017 RHP Bo Hardin, as well as, LSU commit Miguel Reyes. The first-round matchup won’t be a given for the Lions though, as they catch Alexandria HS. 6-foot-8 right-hander and LSU commit, Matthew Beck, is expected to get the ball for the Trojans. Beck will pitch 88-90 mph and has run it up to 93 mph this year with solid secondary stuff, punching out 78 on the year.
+ District 3-5A has proven to be, without question, the deepest league in the state of Louisiana with four teams (Barbe-1, Lafayette-2, Sulphur-6, Sam Houston-9) in the top 9 and 6 teams in the top 23. After an outstanding season and a gauntlet of a schedule, things won’t get any easier for No. 9 Sam Houston as they draw No. 24 St. Amant. St. Amant is scheduled to send out one of the best arms in state, and arguably the country, in 6-foot-3 right-hander Blayne Enlow. Enlow will pitch 88-91 mph touching 94 mph with a devastating breaking ball that has tight spin and depth, in addition to flashing an advanced feel for changeup with fastball arm speed and late, hard fade action.
+ Another first round matchup to keep an eye on is No. 3 Airline vs No. 30 Central Lafourche. Airline has had an outstanding season, dominating their competition and tallying an 26 and 4 record. Although Central Lafourche enters the playoffs as a 30-seed, they are scheduled to send out Nicholls State commit, Logan Alleman. A 6-foot-6 right-hander with a lanky, athletic frame will pitch 85-88 and can run it up to 90 mph with quality tilt and angle.
It is the most exciting time of year if you are a Louisiana high school baseball fan! Be sure to follow us on Twitter as we will be at games around the state in all classifications, tweeting out scouting information.
Make sure to send us your schedule updates with pitching matchups as well ([email protected]).
Keep an eye out this week as the PBR composite First-Team All-State selections will be announced as well.
