Now a little over a month into the 2022 Alabama High School Baseball season, it’s clear that one of the more-intriguing state title pictures to watch for will be in Class 7A.
A classification that is headlined by defending state champion Auburn, Hewitt-Trussville, Central-Phenix City, and Hoover, each of those four are likely expected to be in the state title picture at the end of the year once again. However, which Class 7A sleeper teams should you be watching?
Tuscaloosa County
After finishing last season 16-19 overall, the Wildcats have enjoyed a phenomenal start to the year going 13-3 across the first month of the season. This includes wins over notable 7A teams such as Smiths Station and Spain Park, as well as a few out-of-state teams. Also having held a 10-game winning streak at one point, Tuscaloosa County is certainly in the conversation at the top of 7A-Area 5, setting up some can’t-miss series’ for the Wildcats early next month.
Prattville
Another team that just missed the playoffs last year at 18-15, Prattville has also enjoyed a strong start to the season with the Lions sitting at 12-3 overall, partly due to an offense that is averaging 7.3 runs per game at the plate. Prattville also held a significant winning streak at one point this season (nine games) with their losses coming to defending state champion Auburn, Robertsdale, and out-of-star Pace (FL), and you could make an argument that the Lions are the current favorite in 7A-Area 3.
Smiths Station
The team left out of the playoffs from a very-tough 7A-Area 4 a year ago at 25-10, the Panthers have enjoyed an 11-6 start the season, one that includes a few impressive wins over Sparkman and others. As expected, the area matchups between Smiths Station, Auburn, and Central-Phenix City across the next month will be among the most-important games in the entire state.
Spain Park
The Jaguars did make the 7A playoffs a year ago, but fell in the first round to Sparkman to end their season at 23-13. Spain Park is undoubtedly one of the top teams in 7A-Area 6 so far this season at 12-4, and are led by an offense that averages 7.6 runs per game, holding notable wins already over teams such as Hoover, Tuscaloosa County, and Gulf Shores.
Daphne
The Trojans made the deepest run of any of these five teams last season, advancing to the second round before falling to eventual state champion Auburn. After going 20-15 a year ago, Daphne is off to an impressive 11-4 start to this season, a span that includes an average of 7.7 runs per game and multiple wins over out-of-state teams.
What are some other Class 7A sleeper teams?
