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Alabama HS Team Preview: Brooks Lions

January 15, 2024
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2024 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 the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area 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 rankings 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 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Brooks Lions
Head Coach: Tanner Graham
Classification: AHSAA Class 4A
Area Number: Class 4A, Area 16
2023 Record (Finish): 15-7 (Eliminated in Sweet Sixteen)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 2 Starters, All Relievers
Team Strengths: Pitching Depth, Defense, Team Speed

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

RHP Christian Chatterton (1/7/23)

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2024

  • INF Ryland Hale (2024; uncommitted)
  • UTL Conley Walton (2024; uncommitted)

Class of 2025

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

SS Andrew Edwards (10/14/23)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Brooks Lions look to begin the 2024 campaign on a strong note this spring after reaching the Sweet 16 once again in Class 4A last season, which was their third-consecutive appearance in that round. The Lions will feature plenty of depth on the mound and bring back a strong 1-2 punch in their pitching rotation. After another successful spring last season, the Lions look primed for another playoff run in Class 4A heading in to 2024.

The Lions on paper once again look to be a strong contender in Class 4A, especially with the returning depth that their pitching staff will feature. During last season, the Lions entered the playoffs with a 13-5 record after sweeping through their area competition with relative ease, allowing them to host the 1st round of the playoffs. After sweeping Cleburne County in two games, the Lions were ultimately defeated by St. John Paul II in two tightly-contested games in the Sweet 16, which ended their season at 15-7. Coach Graham & co. will rely on some of those returning starters from last year's team and a group of solid newcomers to mix together and replicate last season's success, and possibly more. Returning RHP/INF Christian Chatterton (Auburn, 2024) is always a good place to start in terms of returning talent, as the right-handed pitcher is currently the third-ranked prospect in the 2024 class in AL. Chatterton possesses high-octane stuff which features a 95 mph fastball on the mound, but his ability to harness it and command each of his offerings is truly what makes his such an elite talent. In addition to serving as the ace of their pitching staff, the right-hander will also be a key hitter in the order. RHP/UTL Seth Walton (Calhoun CC, 2024) is another next-level prospect who brings back tons of valuable experience to this year's team. Walton is a mid-80's arm on the mound and features plenty of power and athleticism from the right side of the plate. RHP/OF Justen Cox (2024) is another returning arm who can pound the strike zone with good off-speed pitches, and will be a key bullpen piece for the Lions. In addition to these players, Brooks brings back a few more talented upperclassmen that are looking to increase their roles in 2024. INF Ryland Hale (2024) and UTL Conley Watson (2024) are both seniors who look poised for breakout seasons at the plate. Hale possesses a good approach at the plate with the ability to use the whole field, while Watson is a very strong prospect with tons of pop at the plate. LHP/OF Tristen Vandiver (2025) and UTL Slade Vandervelde (2025) are two more upperclassmen who are expecting a big year. Vandiver will compete for the third spot in the starting rotation on the mound, while Vandervelde was productive in the designated-hitter role last season as a sophomore.

The Lions should feature some talented underclassmen this spring who are expected to step into bigger roles in 2024. INF/RHP Gunner Johnson (2027) and INF/RHP Andrew Edwards (2027) are a pair of freshman infielders who have exciting futures. Johnson was the everyday shortstop last season as an eighth-grader, while Edwards should also compete for tons of playing time again this spring. OF/RHP Connor Abston (2026) and C/RHP Charlie Buttram (2026) are two other prospects in the underclassmen group to watch, as well. The Lions have consistently grown into one of the more consistent programs in Class 4A, with three consecutive appearances in the Sweet 16 and a Class 4A State Championship in 2019. They'll once again compete in Area 16 against West Limestone and Rogers at the end of the regular season for a berth in the playoffs. The Lions will look to continue their winning ways with a strong group of returners coming back in 2024.

Find more information on the 2024 Brooks High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @BrooksHighLions
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2024 HS Team Previews

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