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TN HS Team Preview: Briarcrest Christian Saints

March 15, 2024
Hunter Martin
TN Scouting Director

The 2024 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 Tennessee.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Murfreesboro at The Spring Fling 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 Tennessee. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Volunteer 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 Power 25 and much more.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Briarcrest Christian School
Head Coach: Craig Hopkins
Classification: D2-2A
District + Region Number: West Region
2023 Record (Finish): 18-16
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2025

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Saints of Briarcrest Christian School are looking to improve upon a 18-16 2023 campaign within classification 2-AA West region. The Saints are led by Head Coach Craig Hopkins who brings in a strong returning team with quality already-committed talent and uncommitted talent.  Briarcrest will be led by ‘24 RHP/SS and Mississippi State signee Jack Gleason. Gleason will be looking to improve upon his 2023 season on the mound in which he was 4-2 with 62 K’s through 43 innings of work, finishing with a 1.3 era in the regular season. He recently went 5 IP, 1 run, 11 strikeouts in a tough test against a top 5 team in the state, Collierville. Coach Hopkin’s pitching rotation is filled out by talented ‘26 Uncommitted LHP Phinn Waters, ‘24 RHP/SS and Delta State signee Aidan McCrady, as well as uncommitted ‘25s in Lance Bryan and Caleb Cowles. Phinn Waters looks to add on to quality starts for the Saints. The sophomore shows great feel for multiple pitches and has shown a jump in velocity, topping 91 so far this spring. Expect him to make big splashes and gain some eyes going forward. Senior Aidan McCrady will be the saints #3 this year, the 2 way prospect will sit 88-90 with feel for 2 breaking balls. Junior Caleb Cowles will also have a big role in the pitching going forward either out of the pen or as a starter, running the fastball up to 88 mph.. Uncommitted RHP Lance Bryan made a big statement at our Mid-South Preseason ID this spring where he showed a 88-90 fastball with insane hop at 19 inches of vertical break on his fastball. It wasn’t just that but also the ability to spin his pitching (FB:2400-2500/SL:2700-2800). The ultra projectable frame has much more in the gas as he enters his junior season as the closer but should work himself into a starting rotation spot.. The pitching staff will be led by Senior catcher and Southwest TN CC signee Tripp Ray. The big catcher shows a sub 2 poptime with big power in the middle of the Saints lineup. Coach Hopkins will also roll out West Alabama signee ‘24 MIF Brennan Bomar, and Uncommitted ‘25 Landon Rogers in the infield. A new addition to the lineup this year will be ‘25 Uncommitted OF Luke McGee who will provide good depth in the outfield. Look for the Saints to improve upon their offense this year with some really exciting pitching as they move forward on their campaign. 

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