AL HS Team Preview: Hayden Wildcats

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason Top 10 in each AHSAA classification. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each AHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. One thing that you especially don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state as well as recaps and previews of big games across the state.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

High School Name: Hayden Wildcats 

Coach’s Name: Lucas Drake 

Classification: AHSAA 5A 

2022 Record: 19-13

Area Number: Class 5A, Area 11 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2 

Team Strengths: Catching, Infield 

Top Returning Players:

• C Caden Mason (Coastal AL CC, 2023)
• 3B Carson Snow (2023)
• INF Kyler Leamon (2023)
• SS Cole Sims (2023)
• RHP/OF Luke Renfro (2024)

Team Outlook

The Hayden Wildcats come into the 2023 season with high aspirations of having another strong and successful spring season after winning 19 games a season ago. The Wildcats are featured in a new area this spring, as they move to Class 5A, Area 11 with St. Clair County, Springville and Fairview with a spot in the playoffs on the line at the end of the season.

The Wildcats will look to continue their success from last year's season and carry it over into 2023, where they return most of their offensive lineup with six positional starters returning to the fold. They will need to find some depth on the mound, as they return two pitchers and will need to replace the innings lost from RHP Cole Loftis, who is currently a freshman in the baseball program at Alabama-Huntsville. They should once again be a strong offensive club this spring, and will rely on C Caden Mason (Coastal AL CC signee, 2023) to help lead the lineup hitting in the middle of the order. Mason has shown plenty of pull-side pop during a couple PBR showcases over the past year, and will look to be a run-producer for the Wildcats in 2023.

.@PBR_Uncommitted ‘23 C/1B Caden Mason (@CadenMason05) getting quality extension out front flashing some pull-side pop during his round of BP.#ALASG22 pic.twitter.com/qQ7XqmA1j0

— PBR Alabama (@PBR_Alabama) July 6, 2022

C Caden Mason (7/6/22)

Hayden will also features a few more upperclassmen that return to their lineup after playing vital roles in last year's success. 3B Carson Snow (2023) and SS Cole Sims (2023) are expected to hold down the left side of the infield, while INF Kyler Leamon (2023) looks like a viable candidate to start at second base in his final high school season. All of these seniors are expected to be big pieces for the Wildcats and will look to provide leadership in addition to their efforts on the diamond. RHP/OF Luke Renfro (2024) is should be one of their top pitchers in the rotation this spring, while also looking to provide some offensive production, as well. There are sure to be more players for Hayden who will step into bigger roles this year and look for breakout campaigns, in addition to these returners mentioned above.

Competing in a new area in Class 5A this spring, the Wildcats look poised for another strong 2023 season in their classification. After reaching the Sweet 16 just a season ago, Hayden will look to advance even further in the playoffs this year. Keep an eye out for the Wildcats this spring as a competitive ball club that brings back a solid amount of returners.