TN HS Team Preview: Knoxville Central Bobcats
January 23, 2024
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: Knoxville Central High School
Head Coach: Brandon Roberts
Classification: AAAA
District + Region Number: District 3, AAAA
2023 Record (Finish): 20-14
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Team Strengths: Pitching
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS
- 3B/SS/RHP Andrew Hill (2024, ETSU)
- LHP Cole Wessel (2025)
- SS/CF Nick Riordan (2026)
- RHP Miles Johnson (2024)
MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS
Class of 2024
- 2B/RHP Sammy Myers (2024)
Class of 2025
- RHP Noah Pointer (2025)
TOP UNDERCLASSMEN
- CINF/C Dylan Bowser (2026)
- OF Abe Taylor (2026)
- C Jack Goode (2026)
- OF Kaylin Chesney (2026)
- SS Alex Grossman (2027)
- RHP Andrew Bivens (2027)
TEAM OUTLOOK
Knoxville Central is coming off a competitive season that saw them go 20-14 and 3rd atop their regular district standings before winning the district tournament. This led to them drawing tough matchups in regional play against eventual state championship participants Farragut Admirals and Hardin Valley Hawks. The Bobcats do return a lot of key pieces to the club going into 2024, while also having a slew of underclassmen that will be intricate parts in how far this team can go. IF/RHP ETSU signee Andrew Hill is a physical prospect at 6 foot 3 and 210 pounds. Totaled 8 HR’s from 2023 with increased power & glove mechanics going into this season. He also will step into a large role on the mound where he is upper 80's mph on the heater. Another major arm that offers physicality at 6 foot 3 and 225 pounds is junior LHP Cole Wessel. He will slide into the #1 or #2 role and was a district starter as a sophomore throwing 46 innings with 54 K’s to a tune of 2.4 ERA. He offers mid 80’s mph with a quality breaking ball. Senior RHP Miles Johnson will garner more opportunities and innings this season rounding out their three man rotation. He totaled 44 IP with 59 K's last year to go alongside 5 wins and 4/4 in save opportunities. He is another mid to upper 80’s mph arm with a slider that offers command. Senior IF/RHP Sammy Myers is another solid player that will start at 2B, while being a 4th-5th option as a pitcher for the Bobcats. He is an upper 70's mph arm that shows ability to throw strikes. ‘25 RHP Noah Pointer looks to garner innings this spring in a reliever type of role where he throws from a 3/4 arm slot with the ability to throw strikes and get weak contact. On paper, this club has a lot of options on the hill and can mix and match pretty well with just about anyone. Offensively, the club scored 10+ runs 4 times last season and is a major emphasis going into the year in getting more production on that side of the ball. They will be looking to rely on a couple of younger class kids to help in this endeavor. ‘26 Nick Riordan is a really solid player and has a chance to be one of the best all around hitters in the entire Knoxville area. He should command a premium spot either in CF or at SS and was a mainstay in their lineup a season ago as a freshman with a .424 OBP. ‘26 Dylan Bowser will step into the catching or 1B role with a really good swing and decent power production. ‘26 OF Abe Taylor is a good athlete with athletic actions that continues to get better and will slide into one of the corner outfield spots. ‘26 Jack Goode should get opportunities to be the mainstay catcher for the club. He is really great defensively with the best hand/eye coordination on the team. The Bobcats also have a pair of talented freshmen in MIF Alex Grossman and RHP Andrew Bivens that are projected for bright futures and will get looks this season on varsity but will get most of their playing time on JV this year. Knoxville Central looks to rely heavily on their pitching, even with a lineup with 7 returning starters/players. Oak Ridge is improved with a solid ‘24 class group and will be their biggest challenge this season for District 3. Look for them to make it out into regional play where they yet again could get matched up with stiff competition with the likes of Farragut, Science Hill and Hardin Valley. Getting back to the state tournament will factor in who they draw come regional play, but even then, they do offer enough quality arms to make a legit run to Murfreesboro. Don’t count the Bobcats out in anything this season and will be a fun group of kids to follow.
Find more information on the 2024 Knoxville Central High School program below:
+ Follow them on X: @knoxchs_bsbl
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Tennessee Team Previews Page
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