AL HS Team Preview: James Clemens Jets
January 27, 2020
High School: James Clemens Jets
2019 Record: 20-17
Head Coach: Johnny Johnson
AHSAA Classification: 7A
AHSAA Area: Area 8
2019 Area Finish: 4th
2019 Playoff Run: N/A
RETURNING STARTERS:
‘20 SS Braden Cobb
‘20 LHP Hunter Whitworth
UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
‘21 RHP Ethan Kohler
‘21 LHP Joe Lach
‘22 RHP/1B Noah Berry
‘23 OF Gio Lopez
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Depth of pitching
Team speed
OUTLOOK:
The Jets of James Clemens enter the 2020 season in a highly competitive 7A Area 8 with Bob Jones, Florence and Austin. The Jets hope their depth in their pitching staff and overall team speed will help their chances of qualifying for the state playoffs. Coach Johnny Johnson enters the season looking for some guys to step in terms of offensive production this season. One returning starter that will be looked on to contribute offensively is OF Dillon Acosta. The senior handles the bat well and couples that with good speed. Acosta plays the game with high energy and should provide leadership for the team. ‘21 Connor Cantrell returns to the infield for his third year and should be a middle of the order run producer. Cantrell also has sure hands on the dirt. Braden Cobb is a senior SS that is a solid contact hitter from the left side and shows advanced athleticism on the infield. ‘20 LHP/1B Cory Hagood has a chance to make a big jump on the mound this year as he has seen a significant increase in his velocity since a year ago. Senior RHP Logan Morris (Alabama signee) can be a dominant arm for the Jets and will be at the top of the pitching rotation. Morris shows big arm strength and a plus slider and changeup. Senior Hunter Whitworth is a LHP that hasn’t pitched much but is developing quickly as with high pitchability. ‘21 C Cole Brooks is a solid catch and throw guy behind the plate and is a solid contact hitter with the bat. Junior RHP John August Busch is developing on the mound and shows a loose arm and a powerful lower half and has developed a solid slider as a second pitch. Ethan Kohler is a junior RHP that has a high ceiling on the mound. He has a physical frame and features a fastball with nice sink to it. ‘21 LHP Joe Lach is an interesting player. He throws off the mound from the left side but throws right handed on the infield. He was the #3 starter a year ago as a sophomore with solid command of three pitches. A few young guys to keep an eye on are ‘22 RHP/1B Noah Berry and ‘23 OF Gio Lopez. Berry has a large, strong frame that shows nice arm action and heavy sink on his fastball. Lopez is very athletic with nice strength and power at the plate.
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