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: West Point Warriors

Coach’’s Name: Drew Bryson 

Classification: AHSAA 5A 

Area Number: 5A, Area 15 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 5 

Team Strengths: Experienced team with with good chemistry. Athletic group with key returners from last year's playoff team.

Top Returning Players:

• RHP/SS Eli Folds (2022)
• RHP/OF Caiden Rodgers (2022)
• OF/C Brody Freeman (2023)
• OF/RHP Kanaan Sutter (2023)
• 3B/RHP JD Cochran (2024)

Top 2023 Prospects:

• INF Andrew Putman (2023)
• C Colton McCoy (2023)

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects:

• OF/RHP Jay Lamar (2025)
• INF/RHP Sylar Philyaw (2025)

Team Outlook

After reaching the state playoffs last spring, the West Point Warriors will look to make an even deeper run in 2022. They return most of their roster and there's a lot of optimism for another quality season.

It all starts with RHP/SS Eli Folds, as he'll be one of the leaders for this team both at the top of the lineup and as one of the key arms they'll rely on. He posted a 2.61 ERA in 69.2 IP last year as a junior using a mid-to-upper 80's fastball and quality off-speed offerings. He's also got some gap-to-gap power at the plate, so he'll be looked upon to lead West Point in both facets. RHP/OF Caiden Rodgers is another senior who showed some exciting flashes back in 2020 before the season was canceled. Heading into his final year, all signs seem to indicate he'll be an arm to keep an eye on as the season progresses. He's another one, like Folds, who will provide some production in the lineup when he's not pitching.

Moving down the list, the Warriors have some valuable experience coming back for 2022. OF/C Brody Freeman made some noticeable stride offensively last spring as a sophomore before lost for the season due to injury during area play. He's back with quality at-bat's under his belt heading into his junior year, and will be relied on for some offensive production. A couple of other players who will see their roles expand after seeing some varsity playing time last year are OF/RHP Kanaan Sutter & 3B/RHP JD Cochran. Both are likely to slide into starting roles in 2022 and provide some innings on the mound, as well. 

 

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