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By Greg Williams
West Virginia Director of Scouting

 
Today we continue our season preview content which will run for three weeks leading up to the start of the 2016 high school season. We will take a look at all four regions and each classification in those regions separately. Today we turn our focus to Class AAA teams that compete in Region II. 

PRESEASON Forecast

Fresh off of a Class AAA title in 2015 the Jefferson Cougars are the prohibitive favorite to advance out of Region II again in 2016. Gone are Andrew King (.354, 51 RBI) and Andy Disque (8-0, 1.11 ERA), but the Cougars return nearly every other player that played a major role in their 37-2 record and championship run. The remainder of the Jefferson pitching staff that accounted for 29 wins and a combined 1.24 team ERA return.

preseason player of the year

Paul Witt, SS, Jefferson (Class of 2016)
The 6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitter repeats as the Player of the Year after receiving the same recognition as a junior in 2015. All Witt did a year ago was put up numbers that earned him another 1st Team All-State selection. The VCU recruit hit .458 with nine doubles, two triples, one home run, 35 RBI and scored 50 runs. Witt also swiped 24 bases in 26 attempts and fielded at a .959 clip while assisting in 12 double plays.

top prospects

[mouse over pics for player names] 

1. Paul Witt, 2016, SS, Jefferson (VCU)
2. Bradley Davis, 2016, LHP, Jefferson (Potomac State)
3. James (Austin) Bulman, 2017, RHP/3B, Jefferson
4. Charlie Barnholt, 2016, 1B/RHP, Jefferson
5. Brett Linton, 2017, LHP, Musselman
6. Dylan Carroll, 2017, RHP, Jefferson
7. Robert Cross, 2016, RHP/3B, Washington (Mary Washington)
8. Bryson Fluke, 2016, OF, Buckhannon-Upshur
9. Cameron Alvarez, 2016, OF, Jefferson
10. Nick Haman, 2016, LHP/1B, South Charleston

SEASON PREVIEW SCHEDULE

3/5   - Class AAA - Region IV
3/7   - Class AAA - Region III
3/9   - Class AAA - Region II
3/11 - Class AAA - Region I
3/13 - Class AA - Region IV
3/15 - Class AA - Region III
3/17 - Class AA - Region II
3/19 - Class AA - Region I
3/21 - Class AA - Region IV
3/23 - Class AA - Region III
3/25 - Class AA - Region II
3/27 - Class AA - Region I