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TN HS Team Preview: Union County Patriots

January 16, 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: Union County High School
Head Coach: Chris Russell
Classification: AAA
District + Region Number: 4 + 2
2023 Record (Finish): 32-10
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 3
No. of Returning Pitchers: 7
Team Strengths: Pitching Depth, Outfield play, On Base ability

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

Trot Russell (2024)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • P/3B Brandon Reed (2026)
  • P/1B Lincoln Barton (2027)
  • UTL Tucker Flannigan (2027)
  • MIF Aiden Bowman (2027)

TEAM OUTLOOK

Union County is coming off an incredible season that saw them win the TSSAA 2A State Championship for the first time in school history with a 32-10 record. The 2023 club relied heavily on 6 seniors at key positions that relied heavily on timely hitting, pitching depth and putting up runs at an insane average all the way to a 4-1 record in the state tournament beating Milan 8-3. This year’s team already looks a lot different as they will have to replace 6 positional starters; mainly at SS, 3B, C, OF positions and 2 arms. However, the team will have 3 positional starters back to go alongside 7 pitchers that started or played last season and were instrumental in getting the Patriots to the state championship. Senior prospects Trot Russell should slide into the catcher role, while Gavin Janeway and Kaden Stinnett will once again be back on the hill and provide depth in the outfield. Junior prospects Ty Edds will man the CF position and pitch, while fellow junior Jake Ryder will man 1B with a solid 6-3 and 190 pound frame. Brady Stinnett is a 2026 class prospect that saw meaningful playing time as a freshman a season ago and will provide pitching depth with infield ability. This team will look to a plethora of young talent to mix in with the upperclassmen with Brandon Reed and Lincoln Barton both providing support on the mound. Tucker Flannigan and Aiden Bowman offer middle infield and utility type of upside and can mix in match depending on the situation. The Patriots will be moving up a classification this season going to 3A and will compete directly with Anderson County, Scott High, Clinton, Gibbs, and Cumberland Gap in District 4. New head coach Chris Russell has big shoes to fill but fortunately has plenty of experience with his club and key pieces returning. The Patriots strength a season ago was their hitting and it looks like that has flipped and will be pitching depth, outfield defense and finding ways to get on base. Look for Union county to handle themselves just fine going up this season and don’t be surprised if they yet again make it out of districts with a deep postseason run.

C/SS Trot Russell:

Leadoff hitter for 2023 and looks to be back in the same spot in the lineup. Low to mid 7’s runner with low 80 mph ability. Won’t necessarily hit for power but will get on base and draw walks.

RHP Gavin Janeway:

Will be their #1 or #2 going into the 2024 season. Fastball will be in the upper 70’s to low 80’s mph with ability to command a changeup and a curveball.

RHP Lincoln Barton:

Should command innings this upcoming season even as a freshman. Fastball should sit somewhere in the upper 70’s mph while getting into the low 80’s mph range.

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

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

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+ Prep Baseball Tennessee on X
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