Alabama High School Team Preview: Jacksonville Golden Eagles
January 29, 2021
The 2021 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. That excitement may be at an all-time high entering this high school season as the 2020 high school baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season during an offseason unlike any other and as always, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Montgomery at the AISA or AHSAA 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 Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason Top 10 in each AHSAA classification.
*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: Jacksonville High School
Classification: AHSAA 4A Area 9
Positional Starters Returning: 5
Pitchers Returning: 4
Team Strengths: Good team speed, improved defense
Team Weaknesses: Pitching
Top Returning Players:
2022 SS/RHP Jae-Taj Morris
2022 2B/C Tito Canales
Top 2023 and 2024 Prospects:
2023 1B/3B/RHP Grant Patterson
2024 3B Jonathan "Ryan" Mitchell
2024 INF/RHP Jim Ogle
Outlook:
Five positional starters and four pitchers that logged innings in 2020 return this season for the Golden Eagles. The coaching staff will be looking for some younger arms to provide some depth on the mound as they battle in 4A Area 9. Senior RHP/C/3B Coleman Oliver is a verstaile player that will see time behind the plate and at the hot corner while providing some offensive firepower from the middle of the order. Oliver will also log some important innings on the moound in 2021. Junior SS/RHP Jae-Taj Morris is a solid hitter and also shows plus speed on the field. He shows legit range at shortstop and has plenty of arm strength across the infield. Another junior returner is 2B/C is Tito Canales. The 6'0 185 pounder shows a solid offensive approach and is also athletic enough to play middle infield. Canales will be counted on to provide his usual solid leadership this year. Sophomore 1B/3B/RHP Grant Patterson (5'10, 190) has an easy, smooth swing from the left side with potential for good power. He is also a solid defender at both corner infield positions. Freshman OF Will Greenwood has exceptional instincts in the outfield with nice arm strength. He shows a patient offensive approach and does a nice job using the middle of the field. Jonathan "Ryan" Mitchell is another freshman that has a bright future ahead of him. The 3B plays the hot corner with an aggressive style and some nice arm strength. The switch hitter is also equally adept hitting from either side of the plate. Freshman Jim Ogle is listed as INF/RHP but he is very versatile and can actually play any position on the field if needed. He also shows nice arm action on the mound with plus command to either side of the plate. Jacksonville figures to be in the thick of a quest for a state playoff spot in 2021.
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