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Pre-Season Power 25 Rankings Released

December 29, 2015

Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director 

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana

With the start of the New Year just around the corner it is time for Prep Baseball Report Louisiana’s Pre-Season high school Power 25 team rankings. This list is comprised of 25 high school teams from every corner and every classification in the state of Louisiana.

Once the season kicks off the Power 25 will be updated bi-weekly. Because the Power 25 covers all classifications in Louisiana high school baseball, a number of factors are at play when choosing and ranking the teams. Things like win/loss record, strength of schedule, number of high-level prospects, and dominance of opponents and so on are factored in while the list is being compiled.

Today we will take a quick look at the teams that cracked the top five in the Pre-Season edition of the Power 25.

1. Barbe HS(5A)
The perennial power in Louisiana baseball once again finds itself primed to take home another state championship. Last season Barbe found a way to repeat as state champions even though they lost numerous starters off the 2014 state championship squad. The 2016 campaign sees Barbe returning numerous starters, including ’17 LHP Adam Goree. Goree has a long, loose arm action into a high-3/4 release with solid balance, front side and some effort. Smooth rhythm, level shoulders, in-line direction, lands square and finishes athletic. His fastball sits 85-87 mph with command. In addition to Goree, the Bucs return ’17 INF Kirkland Banks and have a young up and coming ’18 SS in Bryan Lawerence. Video of Adam Goree.

2. Ouachita Christian HS(1A)
Perhaps the best lineup in all of Louisiana high school baseball finds itself in the northeastern corner of the state in the smallest classification. The Eagles have numerous college signees sprinkled throughout their lineup, but are led by ’16 infielders Jake Slaughter and Ryan Reynolds. Slaughter, an LSU commit, has shown solid present power, hitting ability, and foot speed (running a 6.6 60 yard dash). Reynolds, a Texas commit, has present power and solid hitting ability as a switch hitter. OCS is led on the mound by 6-foot-6 right-hander, Aaron George who has a blazing fastball that sat 87-91 mph this fall, and showed a solid breaking ball with spin and depth. Video of Jake Slaughter.

3.Catholic(BR) HS(5A)
The Catholic(BR) bears came up one win short from another state championship last season, but should once again find themselves in the thick of the hunt for a title. Catholic(BR) has become well known for their ability to put relentless pressure on defenses from an offensive standpoint and this year should be no different. They are led by LSU commit, ’16 SS Josh Smith who has been a 4 year starter for the Bears. Smith is an outstanding defender with soft hands, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchange, and plays through balls well. A left-handed hitter that hits from a tall setup, smooth load, leg kick, and solid lower half. Line-drive type hitter with fluid rhythm, level path and bat speed.

4.Destrehan HS(5A)
The Wildcats had a solid year last season, and find themselves primed for even better season this year as they possess perhaps the deepest pitching staff in the state. Southeastern Louisiana commit, ’16 LHP Cole Martin looks to have a breakout season as he shows an athletic, repeatable delivery with a mid-80s fastball and solid feel to spin breaking ball. ’18 RHP and LSU commit, Landon Marceaux is considered by many to be one of the best sophomore pitching prospects in the country. At the Pre-Season All-State Games his fastball sat 87-89 mph with life and command to both sides the plate. In addition, he showed a wide array of advanced secondary stuff that allowed him to make easy work on some of the better hitters the state has to offer. Fellow 2018 RHP Bryce Scioneaux is another high-level pitching prospect the Wildcats will have at their disposal this season. Scioneaux possess a mid to upper-80s fastball with quality angle, as well as an advanced ability to spin a hard slider with depth. Video of Landon Marceaux.

5.Teurlings Catholic HS(4A)
Last season saw a young Teurlings Catholic team fall just short of a state title, but 2016 has them ready for another run at a state title. Offensively they run out a pair of talented 2017 grads in SS Hayden Cantrelle, a Louisiana-Lafayette commit, and OF Nick Webre, an LSU commit. Webre is a left-handed hitter that hits from a crouch, smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half, and solid balance. Gap to gap type hitter, fluid rhythm, slightly uphill path that creates quality extension and bat speed that produced an exit velocity of 92 mph. Cantrelle is switch hitter that hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half, and excellent balance. Shows a compact, flat bat path with line-drive, gap to gap approach with fluid rhythm and bat speed. In addition, ’16 C Austin Kirkpatrick, an LSU-Eunice commit, is an outstanding defensive catcher that shows the ability to receive, block and throw at a high level with a pop time of 1.86 seconds. Video of Nick Webre.

In the coming days we will take quick looks at other teams that find themselves among the Pre-Season Power 25 as well as other players to watch for throughout the season. To see the entire Pre-Season Power 25, click HERE.

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