MS HS Team Preview: Magnolia Heights Chiefs
February 6, 2024
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 Mississippi.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Pearl, MS at Trustmark Park as they compete for a state championship, 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 Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Magnolia State.
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 in each MHSAA classification as well as a Power 25.
*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: Magnolia Heights
Head Coach: Chris McMinn
Classification: MAIS 5A
District Number: 5A, District 1
2023 Record (Finish): 40-3
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Team Strengths: We have a good group of kids that know how to compete. We will be solid on the mound.
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS
- P/INF Cole Prosek (2026, Ole Miss)
- C Harlin Hovater (2024, Meridian CC)
- P/OF Will Howell (2024, NEMCC)
- C/INF Quincy Pratt (2027, Ole Miss)
MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS
Class of 2024
- P/OF Brayden McKnight (2024)
- OF Reggie Reed (2024)
TOP UNDERCLASSMEN
TEAM OUTLOOK
Magnolia Heights returns 4 positional starters and 5 pitchers from last years roster that finished the season a remarkable 40-3 while capturing their 5th straight MAIS 5A State Championship. Head Coach Chris McMinn lost some production from last year but you can bet he will have his Chiefs ready to go this spring and believes pitching and a competitive fire will be keys to a successful season.
Top returners for Magnolia Heights include seniors Harlin Hovater (Catcher - Meridian CC recruit) and Will Howell (LHP/OF - Northeast MS CC recruit), sophomore Cole Prosek (RHP/INF - former Junior Future Gamer, Ole Miss recruit), and freshman Quincy Pratt (C/INF - Ole Miss recruit).
Prosek is a solid dual threat option who excelled in all phases last season for the Chiefs and will be asked to repeat his performance in 2024. He will get help from Harlin Hovater in the middle of the order. Howell, coming back from injury could be a big lift to the pitching staff. The youngster Quincy Pratt was outstanding at our Preseason All-State event recently and should provide a spark on offense as well.
Coach McMinn is also expecting big contributions from seniors Brayden McKnight (LHP/OF) and Reggie Reed (OF), along with freshman Leland Weldon (RHP/INF).
Magnolia Heights will begin regular season play on February 19th versus Clarksdale Lee Academy.
Find more information on the 2024 Magnolia Heights High School program below:
+ Follow them on X: @MHChiefBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Mississippi, 2024 HS Team Previews
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+ Prep Baseball Mississippi on X
+ Prep Baseball Mississippi on Instagram
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