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: Saraland Spartans

Coach’s Name: Brett Boutwell 

Classification: AHSAA 6A 

Area Number: 6A Area 1 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4 

Team Strengths: Pitching

Top Returning Players:

• OF C.T. Englebert (2022)
• C Mathew Milner (2022)
• INF/RHP Cam Warren (2024)
• 1B/3B Trevor Pope (2022)
• LHP Bryson Goff (2023)
• 3B/RHP Evan Hillard (2024)

Top 2022 Prospects:

• OF C.J. Mack (2022)
• RHP Logan Brewer (2022)

Top 2023 Prospects:

• LHP Bryson Goff (2023)
• RHP Kade Cook (2023)

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects:

• OF Santae McWilliams, Jr. (2025)
• SS Camron Laffitte (2024)
• RHP/3B Evan Hillard (2024)

Team Outlook

The Spartans head into the 2022 spring season with high aspirations and will look to head back to the 6A State Playoffs like they did last season. They return most of their lineup from last year and bring back some arms that have logged some quality innings over the past year.

At the plate, OF C.T. Englebert comes back for his senior season as one of the leaders for this squad after turning in a strong junior campaign. In 2021, the right-handed hitting outfielder hit at a .333 clip and turned in five doubles, two triples and three home runs, so he should be in the middle of that lineup to start the year. SS/RHP Cam Warren certainly made his impact felt last year as a freshman, and the No. 16-ranked player in the sophomore class will be called on to play a bigger role in 2022 both at the plate and on the mound. He's currently injured and it remains to be seen his availability this spring. C Matthew Milner & 1B/3B Trevor Pope are two seniors with quality experience will also be relied on for production at the plate. OF Santae McWilliams, Jr. is one of the best athletes in his class, which should bode well for him finding a way to make an impact this spring as a freshman.

LHP Bryson Goff enjoyed an excellent sophomore season and stepped up in some big spots pitching in the starting rotation as an underclassmen. He should return as the ace for this staff after posting a 9-1 record last year. Warren was also one of the better pitchers as a freshman last year, posting a 7-3 record while pitching against some tough opponents. RHP Evan Hilliard, RHP Logan Brewer & RHP Kade Cook are also pitchers who will be looked upon to turn in some quality innings on the mound.

 

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