Top 3 Georgia High School Baseball Teams to Watch in 2022
With baseball officially finished in the state of Georgia, now is a good time to go in and start looking ahead at which high school baseball teams will be ones to watch heading into 2022. Below is a list of three schools to keep an eye on next season.
Parkview
Parkview will be considered a favorite to win it all every year considering its long tradition of winning state championships, which the Panthers did for the ninth time last season. Coach of the Year Chan Brown has established one of the more dominant high school baseball programs in the state and has sent a number of top prospects to the next level.
After winning the state championship this season, Parkview will be losing several key players who are going on to play in college. Shortstop Ryan Spikes was incredible last season for the Panthers and will be playing at the University of Tennessee next year.
Five other players will also be playing college ball next season, including: Mason Brown, Ethan Lail, Cade Sadler, Sam Smith and Bryson Stripling. For any other team, this would mean a serious rebuilding year. But the Panthers have been in this situation many times. And over the last decade, they have won the state championship more often than not.
Houston County
Another state champion from last season, Houston County will be looking to repeat next year and are primed to do it. In the state playoffs this season, Houston County only lost one game, showing its dominance by blowing out opponents in the first three rounds.
The Bears are losing some of their best players from last year, including two pitchers and three outfielders.
These players leaving may sting, but they are set to bring back OF/LHP Gage Harrelson, who has been a standout for their team the past two seasons. Harrelson committed to Texas Tech University before last season began and will be looking to add on another impressive season.
Another player to watch this season for Houston County is RHP Andrew Dunford. Standing at 6-foot-7 and throwing near the 90-mph mark, he should have a big year, especially after his team lost two of its best pitchers from last season.
Buford
Buford is an interesting team going into next season. Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the second round was heartbreaking and very unexpected for this team, especially after such an impressive regular season.
For the Wolves, much like the other teams on this list, they will be playing without some of their best players from last season. RHP Treyton Rank will be playing at Florida State, and catcher Nathan Smith will be joining Parkview’s Ryan Spikes at the University of Tennessee.
While they are losing a lot of talented players, Buford will be sitting in the best position of any other team on this list. The Wolves are bringing back several key players who will also be playing collegiate ball once they graduate in 2022. Dylan Lesko is one of the best players in the country for the 2022 class and will be looking to lead a team full of collegiate caliber talent deep into the postseason next year. But to do it, they will have to get past Houston County.
Written by: Jacob Johnson
