Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 25 Fannin County
January 28, 2020
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Team: Fannin County
Preseason Rank: 25
2019 Record: 26-9
Region: 7-3A
2019 Region Finish: 1st
GHSA Classification: 3A
Head Coach: Travis Stone
Playoff Run: Quarterfinals
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 6
KEy Players Lost
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
Chandler Kendall | GA | Fannin County | 2019 | RHP/UTL | Tennessee Wesleyan |
Hunter Gray | GA | Fannin County | 2019 | 1B | Lipscomb |
TOP Players
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
Carson Beavers | GA | Fannin County | 2020 | LHP/OF | Winthrop |
Matthew Shirah | GA | Fannin County | 2020 | RHP/UTL | Navy |
Blake Rogers | GA | Fannin County | 2020 | RHP/OF | Reinhardt |
Gabe Buchanan | GA | Fannin County | 2020 | RHP/INF | Reinhardt |
Jerritt Holloway | GA | Fannin County | 2020 | C/INF | |
Miles Johnson | GA | Fannin County | 2020 | DH/1B |
Top Newcomers
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
Wyatt Rogers | GA | Fannin County | 2021 | RHP/INF | |
Brady Martin | GA | Fannin County | 2021 | RHP/UTL | |
Bradley Holloway | GA | Fannin County | 2021 | LHP/1B | |
Logan Hughes | GA | Fannin County | 2021 | RHP/INF | |
Seth Reece | GA | Fannin County | 2022 | C/OF |
Fannin County does not have many holes to fill after they lost very little from last year's region champions and quarterfinals team. This means the junior class will be looked upon to fill three starting spots that are up for grabs. The biggest hole will be the replacement of 7-3A Hitter of the Year 1B Hunter Gray (2019; Lipscomb). An impact player at the plate, he will most be missed on the defensive side of things.
As a group, the five newcomers to the varsity squad will have to make up some big offensive numbers posted by Gray and RHP/UTL Chandler Kendall (2019; Tennessee Wesleyan). One youngster who has a chance to make an impact this year, and for years to come, is C/OF Seth Reece (2022). Reece is a switch-hitting backstop who can also play the outfield. If he, along with the four other juniors, can turn into run producers, this Fannin County team has a chance to make a run at the 3A state title.
Outlook
Returning most of their squad from last year has Fannin County sitting pretty entering the 2020 season. Last year ended in heart breaking fashion as they pushed eventual state champions Pike County to three games in the state quarterfinals before falling 2-0 in the winner-take-all game.
Although they lost one of their top pitchers in Kendall, they return the rest of their staff. LHP/OF Carson Beavers (2020; Winthrop) returns after posting an 8-2 record with an 1.46 ERA, earning 7-3A Pitcher of the Year honors. Beavers is a superb athlete and capable of running his fastball up into the upper-80s, touching 90 at-times. With that type of arm strength, Beavers is set to have another huge season. Also returning to be a centerpiece in the rotation is 6-foot-5 RHP/UTL Matthew Shirah (2020; Navy), who had a 5-2 year with a 2.33 ERA. Shirah is another arm capable of pitching in the upper-80s and he maximizes his length, staying tall and working downhill. This one-two punch on the mound gives Fannin County a good chance to take any three game series this year.
Rounding out the pitching staff will be Reinhardt commits RHP/INF Gabe Buchanan (2020) and RHP/OF Blake Rogers (2020). Buchanan will fill out the starting rotation, while Rogers returns to fill his role as the closer, picking up six saves in 2019. Rogers is an imposing 6-foot-4, 215-pounds and will certainly strike fear into any batter via his sheer size.
There is no question that the veteran pitching staff will carry Fannin County as far as they can. The biggest question mark that remains is whether or not the offense can step up and give them the necessary run support. This is where the junior class and Reece will be integral in their success. Coach Travis Stone is confident that the team will be competitive each and every game, and that through the leadership of his veterans, the underclassmen will be pushed to their best.
The Rebels will face a number of tough challengers in the 3A however. Regional rival North Hall have a strong chance to take them down, and the likes of Hart County, Westminster, Jefferson, Redan and Calhoun all look to be as equally as competitive.
Make sure to follow @PBRGeorgia on Twitter for the most-up-to-date coverage throughout the 2020 season.
Find more information on the 2020 Rebels below:
+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter
Preseason Power 25 Countdown