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The 2021 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. That excitement may be at an all-time high entering this high school season as the 2020 high school baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season during an offseason unlike any other and as always, there are some very talented players and teams across Tennessee.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Murfreesboro at the TSSAA Spring Fling 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. 

We start diving into the Preseason Power 25 Rankings, highlighting some of the deepest clubs across the state. Although we could have done 40+ clubs with so many talented teams getting tuned up for the 2021 season, we can only rank 25 and this list will continue to change as the season plays out on the field.  There will be teams not on the list that will be battling for a state championship come late May, so take it for what it's worth, as no championships have ever been won on paper.  

 *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: Science Hill High School

Coach: Ryan Edwards

Classification: TSSAA AAA-District 1

Team Strengths: Deep junior class and postseason pedigree group of seniors 

Team Weaknesses:  Lacking a true power arm, but deep staff with multiple options that can throw strikes and pitch it.  

 

 Top Returning Players:

2022 LHP/OF Cole Torbett (MTSU Commit)

2021 RHP Dustin Eatmon (King U Commit) 

2021 OF Conner Hyatt (King U Commit)

2022 SS Jack Torbett

2022 3B/2B Jaxon Diamond

2021 Prospects:

2021 RHP Dustin Eatmon (King U Commit)

2021 OF Conner Hyatt (King U Commit)

2021 RHP Joshua McMackin

2021 C Parker Trippeer

 

2022 Prospects:

2022 LHP/OF Cole Torbett (MTSU Commit)

2022 SS Jack Torbett

2022 3B/2B Jaxon Diamond

2022 RHP/OF Caleb McBride

2022 OF Jacob McCallister

2022 C Owen Painter

2022 3B/C Braden Ramsey

2022 3B/RHP Spencer Powell

2022 LHP Gavin Briggs

 

Outlook: 

The Hilltoppers are consistently battling it out with rival Dobyns Bennett and Tennessee High for bragging rights in district one while making state tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019.  They lose some talented seniors, including OF Caleb Marmo (Wake Forest), but they return a deep group of juniors to build on solid senior class.  King University commits RHP Dustin Eatmon and OF Conner Hyatt bring a veteran presence and will look to go three for three on Spring Flings, but also look to capture their first state tourney victory in their careers. MTSU commit LHP/OF Cole Torbett will headline the pitching staff as mid 80s arm with three pitches. C.Torbett has shown great command and good tempo, controlling the game and navigating through some talented lineups.  His cousin Jack Torbett will anchor the defense at SS with a great glove and consistent producer offensively, look for him to be breakout player after the shortened '20 season.  Hilltopper QB/INF Jaxon Diamond has made great strides in physicality and will be another offensive weapon in the lineup. Juniors OF Jacob McCallister (physical bat), RHP/OF Caleb McBride (projectable two-way), C Owen Painter (consistent backstop), and LHP Gavin Briggs will be in the mix for deep well-rounded club.  The Hilltoppers won't have a true "power arm" but they can roll out 5-6 arms that can command the zone in low to mid 80s, and with covid the depth is a nice plus for a team looking to make a run.  

 

Best of luck this season!

 

Check out our website for more information on prep baseball in the Volunteer State. 

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