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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: McCallie School

Coach: Tim Costo

Classification: TSSAA D2-AA-East Region

Team Strengths: Deep junior and sophomore class with catching depth and '23 Grayson Smith leading rotation

Team Weaknesses:  Small senior class and loss a few key pieces from 2020 club. 

 

 Top Returning Players:

2023 RHP Grayson Smith (Stetson Commit)

2021 SS Kyle Berry

2021 RHP Nic Mirabella

2022 C/RHP Austin Breedlove

2022 3B Carter Hewitt

2021 Prospects:

2021 SS Kyle Berry

2021 RHP Nic Mirabella

 

2022/Underclass Prospects:

2022 C/RHP Austin Breedlove

2022 3B Carter Hewitt

2023 RHP Grayson Smith (Stetson Commit)

2022 INF Javen Johnson

2023 SS/RHP Hudson Calhoun

2023 SS Sebastian Leinberger

 

Outlook: 

The Blue Tornado strung together 5 straight state tournament appearances from 2014-2018, including the D2-AA title in '14.  McCallie missed in 2019 and lost a few key pieces from last years team, but they posses a deep junior and sophomore class that will look to make a name for themselves this season. Stetson commit soph. RHP Grayson Smith will headline the pitching staff after climbing into the low 90s with a sharp mid to upper 70s CB. Seniors SS Kyle Berry and RHP Nic Mirabella shown to be solid contributors and maintain some of that postseason pedigree. Jrs. C/RHP Austin Breedlove and 3B Carter Hewitt are emerging prospects who have shown the ability the handle the bat and Breedlove can log some innings on the mound. '22 INF Javen Johnson, '23 SS Hudson Calhoun, and '23 SS Sebastian Leinberger are among others who should find their way in the mix to round out the Blue Tornado attack.  It will be a ultra competitive region with Baylor and Knoxville Catholic looming, but McCallie has some pieces to be right in the mix and look to get back to the Spring Fling in '21.

 

Best of luck this season!

 

Check out our website for more information on prep baseball in the Volunteer State. 

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