Tue March 10, 2015
By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting
With the start of the high school season is less than a month away we will be previewing each region in each classification statewide. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each region. Look for our initial Elite Eight team rankings in each classification to appear later this month.
Sissonville (18-14)
Chapmanville Regional advanced to Charleston in 2014 and returns enough firepower to make things interesting, but our money is on Sissonville to come out of Region IV this year. The Indians have made strides in each of the past two years, playing a number of close games in losses in 2014. A once young roster is now experienced and primed for a run at the state tournament.
Tristan Thompson, SS/RHP, Chapmanville Regional HS (Class of 2015)
Thompson is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter that utilizes a lift and replace stride foot out of a square stance to barrel the baseball routinely with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Currently ranked No. 23 in the WV Class of 2015, Thompson has excellent rhythm to his swing and the ball jumps of his barrel to all fields. The middle infielder also displays a soft glove hand and the ability to play through the baseball with throws of 74 mph across the diamond. Thompson topped at 84 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot with an overhead rocker delivery during last years state semifinals while commanding a 73 mph slider.
Thompson Bailey
Tristan Thompson, SS/RHP, (Class of 2015, ranked No. 23 in class)
Chris Bailey, C/RHP, (Class of 2017, ranked No. 7 in class)
Osborne
Cooper Osborne, C (Class of 2016, ranked No. 26 in class)
Dotson Ridenour
Shaun Dotson, OF (Class of 2015, ranked No. 36 in class)
Joel Ridenour, C/RHP (Class of 2015)
* The Miners will look to improve on last year's 3-24 finish.
* The Grizzlies return 12 players from last year's roster that finished 12-13.
Frampton Henrich
Noah Frampton, 2B/RHP, Class of 2015, (ranked No. 29 in class)
Austin Henrich, RHP/1B, Class of 2016 (ranked No. 12 in class)
* The Skyhawks look to build on their 11-24 record from 2014.
Fisher Hill Landis Stricklen
Jacob Fisher, 2B/OF (Class of 2016, ranked No. 18 in class)
Houston Hill, 3B/1B (Class of 2015, ranked No. 28 in class)
Josh Landis, C/SS (Class of 2016, ranked No. 20 in class)
J.R. Stricklen, 3B/2B (Class of 2105, ranked No. 41 in class)
* The Rebels look to rebound from a winless 2014 campaign.
Stiltner
Cody Stiltner, OF (Class of 2016, ranked No. 34 in class)
>> View all region previews & preseason players of the year by region
