Season Review: Cherokee

Our goal at Prep Baseball Report is to promote high school players, and give them the exposure they need to be able to play at the next level. With the 2020 high school season cancelled, we want to continue to be able to promote players, even when baseball is not being played. We have sent surveys out to coaches around the state and got their input on the first weeks of the season. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight the season and standout players, team by team.

Cherokee

Record: (7-4) - Behind a great balance of young talent and strong Senior leadership, Cherokee was poised to break its long playoff drought in 2020.

2020 Standouts

Brady Caloway, RHP, Cherokee, 2020
Caloway was off to a solid start in 2020, with a 3.39 ERA averaging over 1 strikeout per inning. Brady is uncommitted currently. FB (82-86); SL (74-76). Weighted NGA of 90.38

2/22/20 - Uncommitted. 6-foot-1 160-pounds. A lot to like about the lanky right hander. Was not overpowering, but he stayed in the zone and forced weak contact all game. His strength and most intriguing attribute was the SL. Velo was 74-76 and the spin rate was 2500-2600. Could throw it for a strike early in counts, or bury it for a strikeout. The mechanics were really clean, could work out of the stretch, and showed confidence with the slide step. FB was 81-83 T85. Definitely more in the tank for the uncommitted senior. The SL would be a valuable strikeout tool for  any bullpen at the next level.

Greyson Freeman, RHP, Cherokee, 2020
One of the most improved players on our team, Freeman posted a 2.25 ERA with 11 strikeouts as a staple out of the bullpen. Greyson is currently uncommitted – FB (82-85) with run; SL (72-75).

2/22/20 - Uncommitted. 6-foot-3 180-pounds. Freeman was called on out of the bullpen with the bases loaded and 1 out. The senior did not seem to be phased by the situation. Ended up striking out the next to batters, one being the strongest ‘23 bat in the state. FB was 82-84. Quick delivery and arm. Some ASR, showed the ability to throw the high FB underneath the hands for swing and misses. CB was 70-72, stuck with the FB most of the time out of the pen. The frame is there to build on, and could see the velo jump with some gain in strength.

Adam Dorn, SS, Cherokee, 2020
Through 11 games, Dorn was hitting .316 with 8 runs scored and 7 RBIs. Adam will play at Lagrange College next year.

Landon Ergle, OF, Cherokee, 2020
A standout football player (Berry College commit), Ergle returned to the diamond this spring and was having a career year, hitting .393 with 2 triples before the season was cancelled.

2021 Standouts

Carson Mynatt, INF/DH, Cherokee, 2021
Still recovering from a shoulder surgery, Mynatt was able to DH for the Warriors this spring. Building off his breakout Sophomore campaign, Carson was hitting .385 with 10 runs scored. Mynatt is poised for a big summer.

Austin Cole, OF, Cherokee, 2021
One of the most athletic and talented players on the team, Cole was continuing where he left off in 2019 (1st Team All Region). He tallied 8 Runs Scored and 8 RBIs in the leadoff spot for the Warriors.

Underclass Standouts

Lex Kenny, 1B/RHP, Cherokee, 2022
Kenny hit .576 in 38 At-Bats in 2020. The Sophomore was leading the team in 7 major offensive categories. Kenny, also a standout on the mound, should be on a lot of radars this summer.

Max Eichenberger, RHP/C, Cherokee, 2022
A breakout arm for the Warriors in 2020. Eichenberger built off a strong summer and pitched some big games for us in 2020. The 6-foot-1 RHP consistently sat 84-87 with consistent feel for 2 off-speed pitches, changeup and slider. Big name to watch as we enter summer.

Tyler Presnell, INF, Cherokee, 2022
The biggest breakout performer for the Warriors, the Sophomore made a huge jump to the middle of our lineup. Through 11 games, Presnell had 10 hits, 2 Home Runs, and 13 RBIs. Presnell is very physical and has a confident and balanced approach from the left side.

10/11/19 - 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Starts in a balanced setup with knees bent athletically, high back elbow, hands drop on load, short stride, good balance, keeps it simple. Swing with natural loft, short and quick to the zone. Was an extra-base machine for throughout the tournament for Georgia Jackets, picking up multiple triple and doubles. On Saturday afternoon, started the game with three consecutive triples.

Tyler Goddard, RHP, Cherokee, 2022
Goddard made a lot of noise for the Warriors in the Georgia Dugout Club tournament. A sidearm relief pitcher, Goddard sat 80-83 consistently all year with a swing and miss Slider (64-67). The Sophomore allowed just a single baserunner in over 6 innings of work. (0.00 ERA; 7 Ks/0 BBs; 0.16 WHIP)