MS High School Team Preview: Baldwyn Bearcats
February 13, 2023
The 2023 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 that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.
High School Name: Baldwyn High School
Coach’s Name: Shannon Smith
Classification: MHSAA 2A
2022 Record: 12-11
District Number: District 1
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 2
Team Strengths: Experienced group with speed and ability to create pressure.
Top Returning Players:
- RHP/SS Colyn West
- OF/1B Logan Pratt
- RHP/SS Gentry Griffin
Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:
- OF Maddox McCarley
- UTL Trey Craven
Team Outlook:
The Baldwyn Bearcats return 7 positional starters and 2 pitchers from last year’s roster that finished 12-1, though missed the 2A state playoffs. Head Coach Shannon Smith believes experience at key positions along with overall team speed and the ability to apply pressure to opposing teams defense, are factors that could get his squad back to the playoffs in 2023.
Top returners for the Bearcats include juniors Colyn West (INF/RHP), Logan Pratt (OF/1B), and Gentry Griffin (INF/RHP). Coach Smith says both West and Griffin serve as solid dual role players that provide big time innings on the mound, while Pratt could have a breakout year this spring with his middle of the order bat.
Other players looking to step up will be freshmen Maddox McCarley (CF) and Trey Craven (UTL). McCarley is a speedy outfielder that can cover the gaps with leadoff capabilities and Craven has experienced a velocity jump recently and looks to be a go to arm soon for the Bearcats.
Baldwyn will go to battle in district play this spring with the likes of Pine Grove, New Site, and defending 2A state champions, East Union.
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