The Georgia High School Association has announced that opening day of the 2020 season will commence on Feb. 10. Programs were allowed to begin practicing in an official capacity on Jan. 13, meaning it's time for the PBR Georgia staff to break down the high school baseball scene in the state in the countdown to the first pitch thrown in 2019.Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2019 spring season, touching on programs spanning multiple state classifications, counting down the official PBR Georgia Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Our Preseason Power 25 rankings coverage starts today.

Team: Woodstock
Preseason Rank: 19
2019 Record: 23-12
Region: 4-7A 
2019 Region Finish: 2nd 
GHSA Classification: 7A
Head Coach: Jeff Brown
Playoff Run: 2nd Round
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5

X-Factor
Two of the holes that will need to be addressed for Woodstock if they are to repeat their success of the past few years will be consistent pitching and offensive firepower. RHP Blake Aita (2021) and OF/RHP Max Parman (2020) will play a large role in giving aid on the mound. Aita may have the larger impact, as a high-waisted 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander, he can work up into the mid-80s with his fastball, and complements it with a tight spinning slider that has a short, sharp sweep to it. Consistently generated weak contact and pop-ups in his appearance at our Fall Upperclass Games in November.

Blake Aita

At the plate, OF Justin Boyd (2021) and UTL Christian Preiser (2021) may be the ones to turn the tides for the Wolverines. Coach Jeff Brown knows what he is getting out of the top of his order in Smigleski, Gunnell, Douglas, etc. However, he is going to need some breakout performances from guys with little varsity experience. 

Outlook
Coach Brown fully expects his squad to compete for a region championship and to extend their success into the playoffs. The Wolverines did lose four players to graduation, including: ace RHP Josiah Siegel (Georgia Tech), SS/RHP Brennan Milone (South Carolina) and 3B Spencer Keefe (Georgia). This means there will be some serious innings up for grabs and some major tinkering with the infield. Newcomers, Cooper Torres (2020; East Tennessee State), Griffen Peck (2021) and Spencer Middleton (2021) will all have a shot to shore things up, and will definitely be counted on to be run producers.

The offense may be a bit more inexperienced with the loss of Milone and Keefe, but it has the potential to break out and have a big year. A lot of eyes will be on CIF Colby Cox (2020), OF Kameron Douglas (2022) and OF Preston Gunnell (2021) to pick up the slack and carry the Wolverine offense. Douglas is a 6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting projectable athlete who has quick-twitch muscle and developing strength. Douglas has advanced strength in his forearms and wrists that allow him to drive the ball gap-to-gap. Gunnell is a physical right-handed hitting athlete at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Time and time again he pounds the pull-side with hard contact. Look for these two to be the offensive leaders.

Preston Gunnell

Another thing Woodstock has going for them is C David Smigelski (2020; LaGrange). Smigelski gained valuable experience last season as the starter and looks to be even better this year, as we enter the 2020 season. His ability to control the run game and lead the pitching staff will be invaluable.

Returning on the mound for Woodstock is RHP Cason Rich (2020; LaGrange) and breakout candidate RHP Garrett Goblish (2021). Rich can work into the upper-80s fastball and offer up an 11/5 curveball that shows depth. Goblish may be the true wildcard of the team, and if he has success then Woodstock has a chance come May. The right-hander works in the mid-80s with plus life on his fastball. With how competitive he carries himself and a loose arm action, Goblish can elevate the pitching staff to where it needs to be.

Garrett Goblish

Make sure to follow @PBRGeorgia on Twitter for the most-up-to-date coverage throughout the 2020 season.

Find more information on the 2020 Wolverines below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown