The 2022 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, 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 keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each AHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. One thing that you especially don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state as well as recaps and previews of big games across the state.  

*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 Name: Madison Academy Mustangs

Coach’s Name: David Pressley 

Classification: AHSAA 5A 

Area Number: Area 16 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 1 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2 

Team Strengths: Hard-working & determined team, return some talented hitters

Top Returning Players:

• OF Alex Wade (Auburn, 2022)
• RHP/UTL Matt Manley (Samford, 2023)
• RHP Brandon Yeager (Southern Union CC, 2022)

Top 2022 Prospects:

• INF Will Burgreen (Jacksonville State, 2022)

Top 2023 Prospects:

• 1B Carson Creehan (2023)

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects:

• INF Tee Foster (2025)
• OF Davis Parker (2025)
• INF Myles Johnson (2025)
• C/RHP Keaton Watson (2025)
• RHP Jack Doyle (2025)

Team Outlook

The Madison Academy Mustangs were consistently ranked towards the top of Class 5A Top-10 Polls throughout the spring last year, and for good reason. They had one of the more talented roster in Class 5A, and made a deep run into the playoffs before falling to the eventual 5A State Champion Russellville Tigers in three games. They lost a lot from that team, but have had some key transfers that will make an immediate impact for the Mustangs in 2022.

The one positional player returner for the Mustangs is a big one, as OF Alex Wade (Auburn) comes back for his final season at Madison Academy after leading them in most offensive categories over the past three years. The No. 5-ranked player in the state in the Class of 2022 had a stellar campaign last year, hitting .425 with 21 doubles, three triples, two home runs and over 25 stolen bases. He's an extremely athletic prospect with quick hands & power potential from the right side. INF William Burgreen (Jacksonville State) makes the move to Madison Academy for his final year of his high school career, giving the Mustangs an impact player in multiple facets. He's an easy 6.68-runner with the ability to hit for line drives from both sides of the plate, and is a reliable glove up the middle. On the mound, RHP/UTL Matt Manley (Samford) really made strides towards the end of the spring season and into the summer, as he's now touched 92 mph with his fastball. He went 6-3 on the mound last spring with a 2.03 ERA, and showed off swing-and-miss stuff as he punched out 57 hitters in 34 innings. He's also a bat the Mustangs will rely on when he's not on the mound.

Behind Manley, Madison Academy has another arm returning in RHP Brandon Yeager (Southern Union CC) who held opposing hitters to a .130 batting average while compiling a 2.50 ERA. He's a tall 6-6, 205-pounder with a fastball that works in the 80's with solid off-speed offerings. 1B Carson Creehan is another one of those transfers who is expected to be slotted in the heart of the order. He's a 6-4, 195-pound first baseman with good hands at the plate and a chance to hit for significant power from the left side. Madison Academy also has a solid crop of underclassmen who could play some significant roles this spring. Expect the Mustangs to be right back in the thick of it in Class 5A in 2022.

 

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