Region Preview: Class AA - Region II
March 14, 2015
By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting
With the start of the high school season is less than a month away we will be previewing each region in each classification statewide. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each region. Look for our initial Elite Eight team rankings in each classification to appear later this month.
Class AA - Region II
Preseason Favorite
Bridgeport (32-6)
The Indians are the defending state champions in Class AA and return a large share of the roster that got them there. A very talented group of juniors and seniors return to give Bridgeport a solid chance of making another trip to Charleston for an opportunity to defend their title in June.
Preseason Player of the Year
Dante Bonamico, SS, Bridgeport HS (Class of 2015)
Bonamico was a driving force behind the Indians march to the state title in 2014. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitter has the ability to drive the baseball to all fields and the foot speed to put pressure on defenses in every at bat. Bonamico is a fluid defender that covers a great deal of territory and makes plays on the move look routine. He is currently ranked No. 3 in West Virginia's Class of 2016.
Top Prospects
Berkeley Springs
Garrett Lord, RHP/OF (Class of 2015)
Bridgeport
Bonamico Smith Cleghorn
Hunter Fain, C (Class of 2015)
Zach Hineman, 2B/SS (Class of 2015)
Joseph LaRocca, 3B/2B (Class of 2015)
Hunter Mann, OF (Class of 2015)
Dante Bonamico, SS (Class of 2016, ranked No. 3 in class)
Jared Cleghorn, RHP/OF (Class of 2016, ranked No. 30 in class)
Joseph Dodrill, OF (Class of 2016)
Elijah Drummond, C/3B (Class of 2016)
Hunter Haddix, RHP/1B (Class of 2016, ranked No. 33 in class)
Logan Smith, LHP/OF (Class of 2016, ranked No. 11 in class)
Frankfort
Popluhar
Braiden Popluhar, SS/RHP (Class of 2015, hit .400 with 20 RBI in 2014)
Gage Shaffer, RHP/1B (Class of 2015, 6'7" senior hit 9 HR in 2014)
Keyser
* The Golden Tornado graduated just two seniors from last year's 11-17 roster.
Liberty
Ty Wickline, LHP/1B (Class of 2015, Waynesburg commit)
Lincoln
* The Cougars return 12 players from last year's roster which fell in the sectional tournament to Robert C. Byrd by scores of 6-5 and and 7-2.
Petersburg
Brandon George Brian George
Brandon George, LHP/OF (Class of 2015, Penn State recruit, ranked No. 9 in class)
Brian George, 1B/LHP (Class of 2015)
Phillip Barbour
Curtis
Sean Curtis, SS/RHP, Class of 2016 (hit .390 in 2014)
Tyler Baldwin, LHP/OF, Class of 2015 (3-3 with 30.2 IP in 2014)
Dylan Harris, 3B/RHP, Class of 2015
Chris Neville, OF, Class of 2016
Cody Everson, LHP, Class of 2017
Bai Carpenter, OF, Class of 2015
Robert C. Byrd
* The Eagles look to build on a solid 18-17 season in 2014.
>> View all region previews & preseason players of the year by region
ADDITIONAL WV NEWS:
- WV 2015 Team Preview: Weir Red Riders3.13.15
- WV Region Preview: Class AA - Region III3.12.15
- PBRPlus Updated Overall 2016 Player Rankings3.12.15
- PBRPlus The Hotlist: 2018 Prospects To Watch3.11.15
- PBRPlus Recruiting Essentials: NCAA Division I Academic Eligibility3.10.15
- WV Region Preview: Class AA - Region IV3.10.15
- WV Region Preview: Class AAA - Region I3.08.15
- PBRPlus 2015 Draft Blog3.07.15
- PBRPlus The Buzz: Another 2018 Verbally Commits3.06.15
- WV Region Preview: Class AAA - Region II3.06.15
- PBRPlus The Hotlist: Risers In The 2016 Rankings3.04.15
- WV Region Preview: Class AAA - Region III3.04.15