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TN HS Team Preview: Sevier County Smoky Bears

January 22, 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: Sevier County High School
Head Coach: Casey Taylor
Classification: AAAA
District + Region Number: District 2 + Region 1
2023 Record (Finish): 26-8
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 9
No. of Returning Pitchers: 2
Team Strengths: We return alot of players that have had success for us in the past and/or have seen our previous years players have success as well so having a team type environment, players that understand roles/responsibilities, support others, have a positive and competitive environment all are strengths of our player & team. We should also be consistent and productive both offensively and defensively throughout our lineup as well..Similar to alot of other schools, we don't have a great deal of depth but we have 12-13 guys that can collectively contribute in all areas of the game.

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

Bridger Hamilton (2024, Liberty)

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2024

Class of 2025

Eli Koch (2025)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Jacob Green (2026)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Sevier County Smoky Bears are coming off two solid back to back seasons where they won their district regular season and tournament before moving on and getting past regional play. Sub-state has been their Achilles heel however where they have fallen just short in close nailbiter games. The club looks to build on their 26-8 record from last season with eyes set on finally getting back to the TSSAA state tournament. ‘23 RHP ace Drew Mattox (Tennessee Tech) is gone and will pass the baton onto senior LHP/1B Brady Scott. This is the face and leader of the team, while also being a proven winner. The club has high aspirations for him this year in a multitude of roles. Another leader and face of the team is Liberty signee C/RHP Bridger Hamilton who has quickly become one of the more electric players in the entire area. He is a true defensive catcher that has really progressed his offensive game and the club looks for him to be a large contributor on the hill after graduating their entire rotation from a season ago. After that you have senior right hander and utility man Christian Hoffman. The 6 foot 5 and 215 pound player returns from an All Region & TBCA selection last spring with a lot of upside. He is a guy that has thrown the ball well for the club each of the last two years and especially as a sophomore. Coach Taylor looks for Christian to get back to that season’s form, while continuing his development at the plate where he can be a main contributor and leader for this year’s group. 3 senior position players look to also help carry the load and lead the club this year. CF Knox Kremblas was another All Region & TBCA selection from last year and has an uber competitive nature to him that will be relied on as a top of the lineup hitter and rangy outfielder. SS Mason Ellis is a versatile and athletic leader that can be used in numerous ways. He is a guy that gives the club options as he can play multiple positions and hit in multiple spots in the lineup as well. IF Karsen Martin is a left-handed hitter with speed and will be a weapon for the Smoky Bears at the top of the lineup and on the basepaths. He provides a different dynamic to the offense that they haven’t had in some time. After the seniors, the Smoky Bears have a few reliable, yet inconsistent juniors looking to make their mark. LHP/OF Eli Koch is an up and coming prospec that can be used in a combination of ways. They look to prioritize him as a left handed arm, assist-putting outfielder with his glove/arm strength/accuracy with an aggressive bat at the plate as well. LHP/OF/1B Isaiah Pappas is a big framed kid that has increased in his size, strength, and versatility for this upcoming season and has shown signs of success in the past. Coach Taylor looks for him to be an asset on the mound, 1b, corner outfielder, and at the plate. RHP Anakin Floyd looks to be a dependable and reliable arm for the club this season. He offers a few variations of arm slots with the ability to throw strikes. He will be used in numerous roles as a closer, short reliever, long reliever, and/or as starter as well and they really look for him to step up. Sevier County will look to find the right combination of upperclassmen and underclassmen where they expect to have three sophomores not only contributing, but pushing for starting playing time. IF Braden Huffaker really came into his own last year and played at a high level as a freshman. He's a tough and competitive player that will be relied upon both offensively and defensively. 1B/DH Jacob Greene is a physical prospect with a huge frame at 6 foot 2 and 260 pounds. He has been a true hitter his whole life and someone that can drive the ball the other way and rarely strikes out. Was the district newcomer of the year and an everyday hitter for the club a season ago. IF Hayden Parrish was arguably the best infielder on last year’s team and is a steady all around player that's starting to figure it out. They look for him to continue his development on the offensive side where he can move runners over, draw walks and be a pesky out. Sevier County returns 9 positional starters/players from last year and really look to be a cohesive group with a positive and competitive spirit among them. They also look to be both evenly consistent and productive on offensive and defensive. On paper, this looks like a fun group to follow this spring where they should once again lead their district and make a strong push in the postseason with their eyes set on getting to Murfreesboro come late May.

Find more information on the 2024 Sevier County High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @SevCoHSBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Tennessee Team Previews Page

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+ Prep Baseball Tennessee on X
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