Alabama High School Team Preview: Pike Liberal Arts Patriots
January 15, 2021
The 2021 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. That excitement may be at an all-time high entering this high school season as the 2020 high school baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season during an offseason unlike any other and as always, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Montgomery 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 note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.
High School: Pike Liberal Arts School
Classification: AISA Class AAA Region 1, Area 2
Positional Starters Returning: 7
Pitchers Returning: 6
Team Strengths: Pitching and Defense
Team Weaknesses: Offense
Top Returning Players:
Top 2022 Prospects:
2022 RHP Press Jeffcoat
Outlook:
Seven positional starters and six pitchers return for the Patriots in 2021 as they look to continue their winning ways. One key to the season will be how the team manufactures and scores runs on a consistent basis. Senior SS Mayes White is one of those players that should help carry the offensive load. He is an elite athlete with exceptional speed and hands. His arm talent from SS is impressive and he possesses great range. The Florida State signee will be a major piece to any success the team has this year. Another big time commit is junior LHP/OF Drew Nelson. The Auburn commit will lead the pitching staff and be a big piece to the offense. The southpaw's competitiveness and pitchability will be big for the Patriots on the mound. Look for Nelson to have a big year. Senior 3B/RHP Levi Sikes is a Central Alabama CC signee. He is a senior who has been on two state title teams and the team will look for his leadership to carry the group. His combination of size and strength gives him the ability to run it out of the park at anytime. He will also give the Patriots valuable innings on the mound this season. Javon Christian is a senior RHP/OF that arguably has the most arm talent of any guy on the roster. He is a power arm on the mound who will pitch in the upper 80's with a sharp breaking ball. He is also a premier centerfielder for the Patriots. Yet another talented senior is RHP/1B Walker Stallworth. He is another talented player who will make a big impact as a dual player for the team. He will pitch in the mid 80s and run balls out of the park at the plate. His most underrated quality is his defensive ability at 1B. Look for 2022 RHP Press Jeffcoat to gain some valuable innings on the mound this year. The 6'1 175 pounder has clean mechanics and can locate all three of his pitches. He has "feel" on the mound. 2021 should be a fun year to follow the Patriots.
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