Alabama High School Team Preview: Madison County Tigers
February 1, 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: Madison County High School
Classification: AHSAA 4A Area 14
Positional Starters Returning: 6
Pitchers Returning: 5
Team Strengths: Defense and Team Speed
Team Weaknesses: Ability to score runs
Top Returning Players:
2021 2B/RHP Trent Allen
2021 CF Ben Cagle
2021 OF/RHP Brayden Parton
2022 SS/RHP Ramiro Towers
Top 2023 and 2024 Prospects:
2023 1B/LHP Dax Maples
2023 INF/OF Andre Towers
Outlook:
The Tigers of Madison County enter the 2021 season with six positional starters returning and five pitchers that saw time on the mound in the shortened season a year ago. The Tigers feel they should defend well while also having above average team speed but will be looking for some players to help generate runs on the offensive side. Senior 2B/RHP Trent Allen is a guy that the Tigers will definitely depend on in 2021. He is a returning starter from last year and logged a lot innings on the mound. Look for Allen to hit in the 2 hole this spring as he is a tough out and sprays the ball to all fields. Senior OF Ben Cagle (5'10 155 lbs.) will hit in front of Allen as the leadoff hitter in the order and has a chance to score a lot of runs for the Tigers. The speedy centerfielder is a three year starter in the program. The Tigers top arm on the mound this year will be senior southpaw Connor Edwards, who has shown an uptick in velocity of late. When not on the mound, Edwards will see time in the outfield as he is a three year starter for the Tigers. The Tigers #2 arm on the mound will be senior OF/RHP Brayden Parton (6'1 225 lbs.) Another three year starter in the program, Parton will hit in the middle of the order and shows some serious pullside power. He will obviously see plenty of innings on the mound as well. Junior SS/RHP Ramiro Towers is a very athletic player will be a player that the Tigers will greatly depend on. He will be the everyday shortstop and shows nice arm strength across the diamond as well as seeing significan ttime on the mound as well. Towers should also provide an offensive spark this season. Sophomore 3B/RHP Nolan Daversa also returns after filling in last year as a freshman when several players were injured. Daversa should be an RBI producer and provide depth on the mound as well. He led the team in hitting during the shortened 2020 season. There are a couple of sophomores and freshmen to keep an eye on in the future for the Tigers:
2023 1B/LHP Dax Maples- The 5'9 165 pounder is a quality left handed arm that will be a big arm for the Tigers in the future.
2023 INF/OF Andre Towers- The younger Towers is a very athletic kid who can play anywhere on the field and handles the bat very well.
2024 INF/RHP Jake Thornton- Very projectable frame (6'0 145 lbs.) that will be a solid two way talent for the Tigers in the years to come. Shows plus athleticism.
2024 INF/RHP Nick Sharp- Much like Thornton, Sharp shows solid skills in the field and on the mound and has added some velocity of late. Solid player that will continue to progress with added strength.
The Tigers will depend on a solid nucleus of upperclassmen as they battle in 4A Area 14 this season.
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