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 Louisiana.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Sulphur, LA, home of the LHSAA 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 Louisiana.  We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, followed by our Power 25 Rankings release, and our popular Game of the Week segment. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the bayou state.  Each week, we will be releasing our players of the week, updating our Power 25 Rankings, and many more pieces of content.  

*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: Destrehan

Head Coach: Christopher Mire

Classification: Class 5A (Non-Select D-I)

District: 7-5A

2023 Record: 25-13

2023 Playoff Finish: Lost in 2nd Round to Sulphur

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7

No. of Returning Pitchers: 3

Team Strengths: Athleticism & Versatility

Top Returning Players: 2024 OF Shane Lee (Nicholls State commit), 2024 MIF Brady Mire (Belhaven University commit), 2024 C Jayse DeGruy, 2024 OF/LHP Jonah Haslauer

Top Newcomers: 2024 RHP Alex Schiff, 2025 RHP Payton Stubbs, 2026 C/RHP Chase Mire

 

Team Outlook

Destrehan finished last season with a 25-13 overall record and entered the LHSAA Non-Select D-I playoffs as the #14 seed.  The Wildcats defeated #19 seed Ruston in the first round, before their season being ended in the second round at the hands of #3 seed Sulphur.  Head Coach Christopher Mire is really excited about this year's team, as they return seven position players and three pitchers from last year.  Coach Mire told us that this year's group will be very athletic and extremely versatile.  He also told us that he's challenged this year's team to prove to the entire state that Destrehan should be mentioned with the best programs in the state.  Offensively, Wildcat fans should be excited about the return of senior Shane Lee.  The Nicholls State football recruit is a dynamic leadoff hitter and is one of the most explosive players to ever come through the Destrehan program.  Lee finished last spring with a .342 avg, 7 HR, 11 2B, and 37 RBI.  Senior Brady Mire is also another veteran presence back at shortstop for a third consecutive year.  The Belhaven recruit hit at a .270 clip last season with a HR, 6 2B, 3 3B, and 20 RBI, to go along with 27 stolen bases.  Two additional seniors in Jayse DeGruy and Jonah Haslauer are a couple of two-way guys who are back as well.  DeGruy will end his career as a three-year starter behind the dish and will be relied upon as one of the leaders of the pitching staff this spring.  Haslauer had an up and down junior season, but had a mega summer for the Wildcats and is looking to continue that momentum into this year.  He's also expected to be a weekly starter on the mound.  Senior Alex Schiff just started pitching a couple of seasons ago for Destrehan and is a relentless competitor that will log meaningul innings this spring.  Junior Payton Stubbs logged 22 IP last spring and finished with a 2-1 record, and projects to be one of the Wildcats top arms this spring.  He's got a lively mid-upper 80's heater, to go along with a sharp mid-70's SL.  Sophomore Chase Mire worked his way into the varsity lineup last year and ended hitting .394 in 39 plate appearances.  He's a gap to gap type hitter who's going to give a lot of quality at-bats to this year's lineup.  Juniors Bennett McNamara and William Muller have also put themselves in position to be in the mix for playing time this spring.  Coach Mire told us that in order for this team to take the next step, then they will need their senior group to build on their past success and play like seniors.  In addition, he told us that buying into a "TEAM FIRST" mindset will be super important to this team's success.  Destrehan always puts a tough, hard-nosed team on the field and we expect this season to be no different, which is why we fully expect Destrehan to be a contender in 2024.  

 

Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana
Follow on Instagram: @PBR_Louisiana

 

+ Click HERE to create a free profile.

+ Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site. 

 
Related Content: