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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 Tennessee.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Murfreesboro at the TSSAA Spring Fling 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. 

We start diving into the Preseason Power 25 Rankings, highlighting some of the deepest clubs across the state. Although we could have done 40+ clubs with so many talented teams getting tuned up for the 2021 season, we can only rank 25 and this list will continue to change as the season plays out on the field.  There will be teams not on the list that will be battling for a state championship come late May, so take it for what it's worth, as no championships have ever been won on paper.  

 *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: Middle TN Christian School

Coach: Jamie Carver

Classification: TSSAA D2-A-District 3

 

 Top Returning Players:

2021 LHP/OF James McCracken (Tennessee Commit)

2021 RHP/OF Jonathan Burns (Trevecca Commit)

2021 RHP Brock Culpepper(Carson Newman Commit; Tommy John Surgery)

2022 RHP/3B Adam Jamison (MTSU Commit)

2021 Prospects:

2021 LHP/OF James McCracken (Tennessee Commit)

2021 RHP/OF Jonathan Burns (Trevecca Commit)

2021 RHP Brock Culpepper(Carson Newman Commit; Tommy John Surgery)

2021 3B/RHP Blayne Highfill (Freed Hardeman Commit)

2021 MINF/RHP Ross Prosser

2021 OF Cade Carr 

 

2022/Underclass Prospects:

2022 RHP/3B Adam Jamison (MTSU Commit)

2024 RHP/C England Bryan

2023 RHP/OF Drew Owen

2023 RHP/3B Daniel Floyd

 

Outlook: 

The Cougars have battled it out in D2-A district 3 the past few years earning region births, and they will field one of their deepest teams yet.  Tennessee commit James "JD" McCracken will headline a talented pitching staff while providing some pop from the left side in the middle of the order.  McCracken can really pitch it with a FB in the low 90s, mixing timing and showing off a diverse 4-pitch mix. They lose Carson Newman commit Brock Culpepper due to Tommy John surgery, but fellow senior Jonathan Burns (Trevecca) is a more than capable arm to pick up the slack for the veteran trio. Two-way prospect Adam Jamison (MTSU commit) has a strong two pitch mix with mid 80s FB and sharp SL while slotting nicely in run producer role from left side of the dish.   Sr. 3B/RHP Blayne Highfill (Freed Hardeman) came on strong this fall running his FB up to 86 while showing offensive output to anchor the infield.  The wildcard will be highly touted freshman RHP/C England Bryan who showcased elite arm strength with FB up to 87 and more of the same from behind the dish.  Bryan is also a switch hitter and can drive the ball when he is on time, but his defense will be a big boost for this deep pitching staff.  Sr. OF Cade Carr,  Soph. Drew Owen, and Soph. Daniel Floyd will be others in the mix and can contribute in a variety of ways.  The Cougars will have a chance to be very competitive in any game with 5 strong arms for opposing lineups and a steady mix of senior leadership with talented young guns.  Middle TN Christian has the Spring Fling in their sights, and will have to slug it out in a deep district to test this club and prepare for a lengthy postseason run. 

Best of luck this season!

 

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