AL HS Team Preview: Huntsville Panthers

February 8, 2023
PBR Alabama Staff

The 2023 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama. 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: Huntsville Panthers Coach’s Name: Luke Lamm Classification: AHSAA 7A 2022 Record: 24-14 Area Number: Class 7A, Area 7 No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4 No. of Returning Pitchers: 3 Team Strengths: Positional Depth, Outfield Defense & Speed Top Returning Players: <ul> <li>C <a href="../profiles/AL/Stone-Lawless-9631840572-1384075269">Stone Lawless</a> (Tennessee, 2023)</li> <li>LHP/1B <a href="../profiles/AL/Chase-Cartron-0824175369">Chase Cartron</a> (Troy, 2024)</li> <li>RHP/3B <a href="../profiles/AL/Brody-King-2076485139">Brody King</a> (South Alabama, 2024)</li> </ul> Top 2023 Prospects: <ul> <li>OF <a href="../profiles/AL/Justin-Whitaker-8634257910">Justin Whitaker</a> (2023)</li> <li>RHP/3B <a href="../profiles/AL/Galen-Evans-2307186945">Galen Evans</a> (2023) </li> </ul> Top 2024 Prospects: <ul> <li>SS Tyce Moody (2024) </li> </ul> Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects: <ul> <li>1B/LHP <a href="../profiles/AL/Steven-Cavaco-8602451739">Steven Cavaco</a> (2025) </li> </ul> Team Outlook The Huntsville Panthers are coming off a season in 2022 where they eclipsed the 20-win mark in the regular season and won a fairly talented Area 7 in Class 7A. Using some key players who bring back valuable experience at the varsity level this spring, the Panthers will once again look to be in the mix in Class 7A when the playoffs come around at the end of the season. The Panthers seem to have some talented players spread out amongst various graduating classes that have the potential to play at the next level. Most of those players return after playing integral roles on last year's team that hosted the 1st round of the Class 7A playoffs, and will look to take the next step this spring. The Panthers enjoyed a solid regular season in 2022, winning 24 games with key wins over quality programs like Athens, Florence, Decatur, and Austin during their regular season schedule. After winning area series against Grissom, Sparkman, and Albertville, the Panthers won their area and hosted the 1st round of the playoffs against James Clemens. The Jets, however, were able to take two closely-contested games by scores of 4-3 and 2-1 to end the Panthers' season at 24-14. This year, they look to have some frontline hitters and pitchers returning and should have another successful season this spring. C <a href="../profiles/AL/Stone-Lawless-9631840572-1384075269">Stone Lawless</a> (Tennessee signee, 2023) is one of the top-ranked prospects in the state and is coming off a strong showing at the PBR Super 60 in Chicago, IL. Lawless looks really close to full-strength after suffering an injury last year that limited his ability defensively, but served as the designated-hitter offensively for the majority of the season. Look for him to have a strong senior season this spring. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Strong round to open things up for <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vol_Baseball</a> signee & ‘23 C/3B Stone Lawless (<a href="https://twitter.com/LawlessStone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LawlessStone</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/BASEBALLHHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BaseballHHS</a>).<a href="https://twitter.com/prepbaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepBaseball</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Super60?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Super60</a> <a href="https://t.co/0JUtDOQiLe">https://t.co/0JUtDOQiLe</a> <a href="https://t.co/oQxShebpgA">pic.twitter.com/oQxShebpgA</a> — PBR Alabama (@PBR_Alabama) <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_Alabama/status/1622265029289541633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2023</a> </blockquote> <h5>C Stone Lawless (2/5/23)</h5> One pitcher that they are expecting to lead the pitching rotation this spring is LHP/1B <a href="../profiles/AL/Chase-Cartron-0824175369">Chase Cartron</a> (Troy recruit, 2024), who has shown the ability to run his fastball into the mid-80's on the mound. The junior southpaw is a big 6-foot-6-, 215-pounder that has a chance to have a big junior season for the Panthers. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> .<a href="https://twitter.com/TroyTrojansBSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TroyTrojansBSB</a> recruit & ‘24 LHP Chase Cartron (<a href="https://twitter.com/ChaseCartron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChaseCartron</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/BASEBALLHHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BaseballHHS</a>) mixing three quality offerings during his ‘pen. FB: 83-84 BB: 70-71, sweep CH: 75-76 Strong & projectable 6-6, 215 frame.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NALPAS23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NALPAS23</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q2KZyDc3SO">pic.twitter.com/Q2KZyDc3SO</a> — PBR Alabama (@PBR_Alabama) <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_Alabama/status/1611904409075589123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2023</a> </blockquote> <h5>LHP Chase Cartron (1/7/23)</h5> Another junior pitcher returning after seeing significant time on the mound a season ago is RHP/3B <a href="../profiles/AL/Brody-King-2076485139">Brody King</a> (South Alabama recruit, 2024), who like Cartron, is ranked inside the Top-50 in the junior class in AL. The right-hander has seen a bit of a jump in terms of velocity over the past year, running his fastball up to 89 mph with a sharp slider this summer at LakePoint Sports. He should be one of their key arms the Panthers will rely on this spring. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 2024 RHP Brody King impressed in outing for <a href="https://twitter.com/ViperBaseball_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ViperBaseball_</a>, sitting 87-88/89 (2200-2400 rpm), while consistently landing 74-77 SL. Wiry/athletic 6-1/160 frame, quick/compact arm, filled up zone early on.<a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_Alabama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBR_Alabama</a> l <a href="https://twitter.com/ShooterHunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShooterHunt</a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidSharpPBR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavidSharpPBR</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPI2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPI2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/TXA1iEsrDX">pic.twitter.com/TXA1iEsrDX</a> — Sean Duncan (@SeanDuncan729) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanDuncan729/status/1535728412492541953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2022</a> </blockquote> <h5>RHP Brody King (6/11/22)</h5> A few more upperclassmen for the Panthers to watch for this spring will be OF <a href="../profiles/AL/Justin-Whitaker-8634257910">Justin Whitaker</a> (2023), RHP/3B <a href="../profiles/AL/Galen-Evans-2307186945">Galen Evans</a> (2023, and SS Tyce Moody (2024). Each of these players will play integral roles for this team in 2023. Whitaker has good speed in the outfield with pull-side power, Evans has a is a quality two-way player expected to pitch in both at the plate and on the mound, and Moody has good hands defensively. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> ‘23 3B/RHP Galen Evans (<a href="https://twitter.com/galen_evans1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Galen_Evans1</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/BASEBALLHHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BaseballHHS</a>) showing some two-way ability during today’s event. Barreled balls to the pull side w/ bat speed & a top EV @ 96.6 mph, while also working in the low-80’s on the bump.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALTNUnsigned?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALTNUnsigned</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_Uncommitted?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBR_Uncommitted</a> <a href="https://t.co/AIYxV04aPQ">pic.twitter.com/AIYxV04aPQ</a> — PBR Alabama (@PBR_Alabama) <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_Alabama/status/1589382733218058240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2022</a> </blockquote> <h5>3B/RHP Galen Evans (11/6/22)</h5> One younger prospect that has already has shown he can make an impact at the varsity level is 1B/LHP <a href="../profiles/AL/Steven-Cavaco-8602451739">Steven Cavaco</a> (2025) after seeing some time last year as a freshman. The sophomore left-hander has a beautiful swing from the left side, while also showing some pitchability on the mound with a fastball that can get into the low-80's. He's ranked inside the Top-25 in the sophomore class in AL. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> ‘25 1B Steven Cavaco (<a href="https://twitter.com/Steven_Cavaco24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Steven_Cavaco24</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/BASEBALLHHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BaseballHHS</a>) 5-11, 165<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NALPAS23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NALPAS23</a> <a href="https://t.co/XJiMJfFh7g">pic.twitter.com/XJiMJfFh7g</a> — PBR Alabama (@PBR_Alabama) <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_Alabama/status/1611875335066230784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2023</a> </blockquote> <h5>1B Steven Cavaco (1/7/23)</h5> The Panthers will need these players to continue to produce at a high level this spring in order for them to be successful, while looking for some other players to step into bigger roles. The Panthers will compete in Class 7A, Area 7 this spring against Grissom, Sparkman, and Albertville for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the season. Keep an eye out for the Panthers once the end of the year comes around in 2023. <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_Alabama">Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Alabama </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/pbr_alabama/">Follow on Instagram: @PBR_Alabama</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077312173929">Follow on Facebook: PBR Alabama</a> <div> <div> + Click <a href="../event/NATIONAL/create-a-free-pbr-player-profile">HERE</a> to create a free profile. + Click <a href="../pbr-store/website-subscriptions.html">HERE</a> to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site. </div> <h3>Related Content:</h3>

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