AL HS Team Preview: Grissom Tigers
January 24, 2020
High School: Grissom Tigers
2019 Record: 11-26
Head Coach: Blake Talley
AHSAA Classification: 7A
AHSAA Area: Area 7
2019 Area Finish: 4th
2019 Playoff Run: N/A
RETURNING STARTERS:
‘21 OF/LHP Evan Steckmesser
UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
‘21 RHP/INF Will Varmette
‘21 INF/RHP John Allen Stogner
‘21 OF/RHP Jakob Foss
‘22 INF/OF/RHP Christian Sutphin
‘22 OF/RHP Logan Davis
‘23 C/INF/RHP Ty Sanderson
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Pitching
OUTLOOK:
There is a lot of optimism for the Grissom Tigers as the 2020 season approaches and the battle in 7A Area 7 ensues. There are only five seniors on the roster but there are several returnees back after a 2019 season that saw the Tigers miss the playoffs. Coach Blake Talley enters his first season at the helm and welcomes back some key arms but knows that his squad is going to have to scratch and claw to score runs. One returnee that should be a run producer for the Tigers in 2020 is ‘21 LHP/OF/1B Dillon Cook. Cook (6’3 205 lbs.) missed the 2019 due to injury but will be back this season as a front line (FB sits in the mid 80’s) and a middle of the order bat. Cook is a Troy University commit. Another junior, OF/LHP Evan Steckmesser also returns after logging some important innings as a sophomore. The southpaw shows a low 80’s fastball with nice arm side action. He will also see some time in the outfield as well. ‘20 OF/RHP Caden Hearn is a Snead State commit and will be looked on as a leader as a returning starter. Hearn will be counted on in a two way capacity this year. Junior Noah Lam returns to the infield again this year and is a very solid defender with the glove and and shows consistent hard contact to all fields. Several newcomers and young players could factor into the Tigers plans this year. ‘21 RHP/INF Will Varmette has the potential to be a big arm and important guy this year. He has nice pitchability with a mid 80’s fastball. '21 INF/RHP John Allen Stogner attacks hitters with a low 80's fastball and shows solid makeup on the mound. The 6'2 190 pound junior has some power in the bat as well. Another junior, OF/RHP Jakob Foss has a big arm and shows some raw potential. He is also the QB on the Tiger football team. There are a few sophomores and freshmen in the Tiger program that may make a name for themselves this year but definitely factor into future plans of the program:
Sophomores:
INF/OF/RHP Christian Sutphin- power arm showing a fastball up to 86 mph with a lot of potential on the mound and also has some power in the barrel at the plate.
OF/RHP Logan Davis- Another possible two way guy for the Tigers. Low 80’s on the mound and a possible middle of the order hitter in the future.
INF/RHP Jack Carson- very solid actions on the infield with nice arm strength as well. Has the work ethic and drive to continue to advance offensively.
Freshmen:
C/INF/RHP Ty Sanderson- Very consistent player on the mound and at the plate. The freshman can play anywhere on the field and has more velocity and power to come in the future.
INF/RHP Chris Lynam- Lynam is a physical already with some present strength in the barrel and with the arm on the mound. He should continue to progress over the next few years.
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