High School Team Preview: St. Paul's
February 4, 2020
The Louisiana high school season kicks off on February 24th, the first day for regular season games. Most teams began practice on January 27th, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.
Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.
We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.
Team: St. Paul's School
2019 Record: 27-6
LHSAA Classification: 5A
LHSAA District: 6-5A
Head Coach: Mick Nunez
Playoff Run: Div. 1 State Champions
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2
TOP PLAYERS
SS, Connor Simon, 2021 (Louisiana State recruit)
1B/3B, Matthew Russo, 2021 (Southern Miss recruit)
RHP, Nick Wright, 2020
C, Steven Spalitta, 2023 (Texas A&M recruit)
LHP, Kade Anderson, 2023 (Louisiana State recruit)
Stat Rat (X-Factor)
Louisiana State recruit, 2021 SS Connor Simon will lead the way in the middle of the Wolves defense as the Junior looks primed to have another productive season. A physical 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitter, Simon has shown steady improvement in his offensive production over the course of his high school career, while showing an elite defend tool and cementing himself as the top infielder in the state. Hitting from athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, solid lower half and balance, Simon is a line-drive type hitter with fluid rhythm, short path, solid approach and bat speed. Another mainstay in the Wolves lineup is Southern Miss recruit, 2021 1B/3B Matthew Russo, who will provide the thump in the middle of the lineup. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-handed hitter hits from open, balanced setup, working to closed with subtle toe tap load and short stride. Gap-to-gap type approach with fluid rhythm, an uphill path with strength at contact and high level bat speed.
Outlook
After finishing the 2019 season 27-6 and winning a state title, the Wolves head into the 2020 season with plenty of talent and experience. Coach Mick Nunez will rely on that talented and experienced lineup to be the strength during the 2020 season with veteran impact players like SS Connor Simon and 1B Matthew Russo (Southern Miss recruit) providing fire power in the middle of the order. The Wolves should also be strong on the mound with the addition of Freshman LHP Kade Anderson, a Louisiana State recruit who is ranked No. 1 in Louisiana’s 2023 and No. 2 in PBR’s Overall rankings. The Wolves should be right in the thick of the race for the district 6-5A title, and hope to defend their Div. I State Title.
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