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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

As we enter February, the high school season is quickly approaching. As the month progresses and February turns into March, we will take a look at high school programs throughout our coverage area as they prepare for the 2016 season.
 

Team: McLean
Nickname: Highlanders
Class: 6A North
Conference: Liberty Conference 6
Coach: John Dowling
Twitter: @Coach_Dowling
2015 Record: 14-8
2015 Post Season: Regular Season Conference Champs, Regionals
Returning Starters/Position: 5
Returning Pitchers: 3

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jon Clines (LHP/1B, 2016, VMI) Clines is a good defender at first base and a good middle of the lineup bat. He will be the Highlanders’ ace this spring and is currently ranked 73^rd in the Class of 2016.
Matt Collins (OF, 2016, Harford CC) Collins adds power to the Highlander lineup.
Connor Grammes (SS, 2016, Xavier) Grammes is an outstanding defender and will hit in the middle of the Highlander lineup. He is currently ranked 85^th in the Class of 2016.
Jack Slade (RHP/Util, 2017) Slade has a projectable frame and has the potential to really contribute on the mound this spring.
Tom Shue (3B/OF, 2016) Shue is a good table-setter who was second on the Highlanders in batting average in 2015 and led the team in steals.

 

SEASON OUTLOOK
McLean had a very good regular season in 2015, capturing the Liberty Conference regular season championship before being eliminated in the first round of the 6A North Region Tournament. The 2016 Highlanders will again be a strong team this spring. They bring back Clines to anchor the rotation after posting an ERA of 1.03 in 2015. Look for Slade and some of the Highlanders’ other youngsters to take steps forward and contribute on the mound. The defense will be solid with Grammes’ outstanding glove at shortstop and the lineup should be solid with a good middle of the order built around Clines, Collins, and Grammes to drive in table-setter Shue. McLean will again be one of the best teams in the Liberty Conference as they look to defend their regular season crown this spring and go deeper in the 6A North playoffs.