Alabama High School Team Preview: Montevallo Bulldogs
January 13, 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: Montevallo High School
Classification: AHSAA 4A Area 5
Positional Starters Returning: 5
Pitchers Returning: 3
Team Strengths: Offensive attack
Team Weaknesses: Need guys to mature on the mound.
Top Returning Players:
2023 SS/RHP Blaine Carstensen
2021 C/OF/RHP Robbie Gallagher
2022 C/INF/RHP Wesley Burdett
Top 2021 Prospects:
2021 OF Caleb Johnson
2021 OF/1B Jeremy Holsomback
2021 OF Will Snuggs
2021 OF Daniel Campbell
Top 2022 Prospects:
2022 RHP Andrew Thompson
2022 UTL Luke Oden
2022 1B Brady Baugh
2022 RHP/INF Reid Cordes
2022 OF Kial Cottingham
Top 2023 Prospects:
2023 INF/RHP Brantley Burk
Outlook:
Excitement abounds for the Bulldogs as the 2021 season nears. The team should have no trouble scoring runs but will be looking for some guys to take on some vital roles on the mound this year. Senior 3B/RHP Cody Posey is the top returning bat and was a 2020 All Shelby County selection. He is a definite dual guy, as he is also the top returning arm on the mound. He shows gap to gap power from the left side with a lot of pop to the pull side. Sophomore SS/RHP Blaine Carstensen is bene a 2 year starter all over the field but will take on shortstop full-time this year. He is an athletic defender with good range and gap to gap power at the plate. Senior C/OF/RHP Robbie Gallagher is a solid defender behind the plate and in the outfield. He shows a middle of the field approach at the plate and is also the team leader. He was a 2019 All County selection and will be looking to contribute more on the mound this year. Junior C/INF/RHP Wesley Burdett is another solid defender and multi-year starter behind the plate. His approach at the plate is more of a middle to the backside approach. He was a 2020 All County selction and like Gallagher, will be looking to contribute more on the mound in 2021. Jay Dreyer is a 6'6 RHP/OF that shows a live arm with very solid stuff. If he can consistency stay in the strike zone he is destined for a huge year on the mound. Other seniors that will be instrumental pieces in 2021 are OF Caleb Johnson, OF/1B Jeremy Holsomback, OF Will Snuggs and OF Daniel Campbell. Johnson is a hard working, gritty senior leader with a consistent middle of the field approach. Holsomback is very dependable at either 1B or in the outfield and handles the bat very well at the plate. Snuggs is another senior OF that has a physical presence in the box and does a nice job keeping the barrel on the baseball. Campbell also brings some physicality to the team and does a nice job using his lower half throughout the swing. Five juniors that should contribute this year are:
2022 RHP Andrew Thompson: He will contribute on the mound and only needs to work on consistency in the strike zone. He is a big time competitor.
2022 UTL Luke Oden: He is very athletic with great speed and instinct on the bases. Also shows some bat speed and quick hands from left side.
2022 1B Brady Baugh: A solid first baseman with pull side pop and is still working on developing a consistent middle of the field approach.
2022 RHP/INF Reid Cordes: The junior is really looking for big year as he will be playing multiple positions in the infield and will contribute on the mound.
2022 OF Kial Cottingham: An athletic, speedy outfielder that can really track it down in the grass. He can also cause havoc on the bases. He missed the 2020 season due to injury.
A sophomore that is expected to contribute in 2021 is INF/RHP Brantley Burk. The 2023 grad shows solid glovework on the infield and also shows "feel" for pitching on the mound.
This group of Bulldogs has a chance to have some success in 4A this season.
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