Follow @PBRMissouri

As we prepare for the upcoming 2018 high school season, we will be taking a
preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Liberty HS
Nickname: Blue Jays
Class: Class 5
Conference: Suburban Red (Mid 6)
Head Coach: Kirk Bragg
Years as head coach at school: 15
Twitter Handle: @Jays_Baseball
2017 Overall Record:  22-10
2017 Conference Record: 7-3 (3rd Place)
2017 Post Season Finish: Lost in District Finals
Team Website: Liberty Blue Jays

Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 7

Players with 2017 Post Season Honors
Logan Steenstra, SS, 2018, 2nd Team All-State (Cowley CC)
Thomas Henrichs, RHP, 2018, Honorable Mention All-State (Northwest Missouri)
Gibson Brown, LHP, 2018 Honorable Mention All-State (Tennessee-Martin)
Ian Jacobs, C, 2018, Honorable Mention All-Conference (Independence CC)
Jordan McClellan, OF, 2018, Honorable Mention All Conference (Highland CC)
Nathan Gray, 2B, 1st Team All-Conference
Drew Mackie, OF, 2019, 2nd Team All Conference (Texas Tech)
Braxton Bragg, 1B/RHP, 2019, 2nd Team All-Conference (Nebraska)

Players to Watch
Ben Jones, C/3B, 2020
Chayton Beck, C/3B/OF, 2020
Ryan Wiliams, C/SS/RHP, 2021
Sam Shaffer, RHP, 2018 (Crowder CC)
Hunter Evans, RHP, 2018
Max Minette, RHP, 2018
Alex Slocum, RHP, 2018
Anthony Mazzeffe, RHP, 2018

Season Outlook

The Liberty Blue Jays will have no shortage of pitching this spring. They return three players with who earned 2017 post season honors on the mound. Seniors Thomas Henrichs (Northwest Missouri) and Gibson Brown (Tennessee-Martin) were named Honorable Mention All-State as juniors, while junior Braxton Bragg (Nebraska) earned 2nd Team All-Conference accolades. Senior Sam Shaffer is a durable arm that can start or relieve and will asked to pitch in big situations this spring. The Blue Jays will have four senior arms that will step in relief or start opportunities in Hunter Evans, Max Minnette, Alex Slocum and Anthony Masseffe. On the infield, Liberty will be lead by senior All-State SS Logan Steenstra and 1st Team All-Conference 2B Nathan Gray. Also watch for Bragg to contribute in the middle of line up and solidify the infield at first base. Liberty will have a pair of college committed players in the outfield in junior Drew Mackie (Texas Tech) and senior Jordan McClellan (Highland CC). Both are athletic and track down balls and add to the line up offensively. Senior Ian Jacbos (Independence CC) will add a solid left-handed bat in the line up and has experience and leadership behind the plate. Watch for a trio of underclassmen to contribute this spring as well in sophomores Ben Jones and Chayton Beck. Freshman Ryan Williams could also see time with this experienced and talented group of upperclassmen. The Blue Jays enter the 2018 season ranked number four in Missouri's big class and look to earn a spot in the Final Four in June.

 

CLICK HERE, For more Missouri 2018 Team Previews

CLICK HERE, to make a Free PBR Profile

CLICK HERE, to see the 2018 Missouri High School Pre Season Rankings

High School coaches can request a 2018 Team Survey by email PBR State Director, Shon Plack at, [email protected].

 

FOR MORE Missouri NEWs