AL HS Team Preview: Sparkman Senators

The Senators return a lot after just missing the 7A state playoffs in 2019. Six positional starters return and eight guys that logged innings a year ago also return. There are some front line guys that have played and pitched a good bit over the last few years but Coach Jason Brewer is looking for some depth at a few different positions. Three seniors return to provide leadership to the team, led by 1B Cole Strachan. The physical Strachan is the team leader headed into the season and is a middle of the order hitter than can hit for power to both gaps. 2B/3B Collin Strope also returns and serves as the Senators offensive spark plug that shows a patient, disciplined approach at the plate and can spray the ball all over the field. Strope is solid defensively and can play both 2B and 3B. ‘20 OF/RHP Brendan Vatz is a tough, gritty player that plays the game with a throwback type mentality. At the plate, he uses the whole field and is an on base machine for the Senators. ‘21 C/RHP AJ Causey also returns after an outstanding sophomore campaign that saw him have success as both a hitter and pitcher. Behind the plate, he shows very nice catch and throw skills with a solid approach offensively. On the mound, Causey can be dominant as he attacks hitters from a drop down arm slot with a fastball in the mid 80’s and a plus breaking ball. Five other juniors return with some experience. 1B/DH Mikel Pryor is a strong, athletic player with major juice off the barrel while SS/RHP Kylan Duncan shows solid makeup on the mound with athletic actions at SS. Chandler James is an OF/RHP that has nice arm strength in the OF and “feel” on the mound. Utility player Jakob Lewis and 3B/RHP Tristan Everly are two more juniors that look to contribute in 2020. Lewis can play a number of different positions due to his athleticism while Everly shows nice arm action and makeup on the mound. The Senators recently added to their deep pitching staff as '21 RHP/1B Garrett Telaga transferred to Sparkman. Telaga is a physical presence that should add some offensive firepower to the lineup and will definitely contribute in a big way on the mound. Telaga is a University of Missouri commit.

A few names to remember for the 2020 season and in years to come are:

‘22 SS/2B Tucker Burns- solid defender, plus feet and glove

‘22 3B/OF Jordan Pearce- good speed and arm strength

‘22 OF Chris Sims, Jr- plus speed and natural actions in the OF

‘22 C Sam Hogue- blocks well and solid receiver

‘23 RHP/UTIL Ryan Strachan- big time bat and arm on the mound- up 87 mph this summer at the PBR Future Games- # 1 player in AL in the '23 class.

‘23 C Jacob Haley- nice catch and throw skills

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