Lots of Georgia baseball teams are finding their way into national rankings. Here is a look at some of those rankings, and some of those teams.
Collegiate Baseball
8. Kennesaw Mountain
9. Lambert
12. Buford
Baseball America
3. Kennesaw Mountain
15. Lambert
19. Lassiter
MaxPreps
15. Parkview
25. Kennesaw Mountain
Perfect game (preseason)
1. Lambert
14. Buford
21. Kennesaw Mountain
44. Whitewater
Buford – With nine committed or signed players returning from a team that went 30-5 and made the Class AAA semifinals, Buford got a preseason ranking of No. 4 nationally by Collegiate Baseball magazine. Now, they're No. 12 after an 8-1 start, their only loss to Desoto Central of Mississippi. Four Buford players are going to Georgia Tech – catcher Joey Bart, pitcher/outfielder Keyton Gibson, outfielder Nick Wilhite and shortstop Austin Wilhite. The twins had a big game recently against South Gwinnett in a 14-1 victory. Nick was 3-for-3 with a double and a home run and Austin hit two home runs. They had eight RBI. Also committed or signed are pitchers Jake Higginbotham (Clemson), Connor Bennett (West Virginia) and Kevin Coulter (Mercer), giving Buford four Division 1 pitchers. Gibson is the other.
Kennesaw Mountain – The Mustangs are ranked No. 3 by Baseball America, although that doesn't take into account a 10-0 loss to Parkview last week at the Perfect Game High School Showdown in Emerson, Ga. But Kennesaw Mountain is a serious contender for its first state title. Outfielder Reggie Pruitt, who has signed with Vanderbilt, was 7-for-11 in hitting and 6-for-6 in stolen bases at the Perfect Game tournament last week. Kennesaw Mountain also boasts catcher Tyler Stephenson (Georgia Tech) and pitchers Ryley Gilliam and Zach Goodman (both Clemson). According to Baseball America, third baseman Patrick Martin, shortstop Matt Cole and outfielder Terence Norman are among the top 500 juniors in the country.
Lambert – Coming off a 36-2 season and Class AAAAAA title in 2014, Lambert was the consensus No. 1 team in the country but slid a little in the rankings after a 5-2 start that includes losses to Kennesaw Mountain (3-0) and North Forsyth (2-1). But many still see Lambert as the team to beat in AAAAAA. Only two starters and one starting pitcher graduated. There is probably not a better high school outfield anywhere than Jeremy Johnson (Auburn signee), Tucker Maxwell (committed to Georgia) and Seth Beer (committed to Clemson). Shortstop Eric Furphy has signed with Georgia Southern. Second baseman Nick Guimbarda has signed with Presbyterian. Corner infielders J.D. Dutka and Ian Kimbrell are headed to Florida SouthWestern State. That's where 2014 Lambert coach Jamie Corr has been called to start the baseball program. Lambert's new head coach is Drew Ferrer.
Parkview – The Panthers rose to No. 15 nationally in MaxPreps' poll this week after winning the PG Showdown. They beat second-ranked IMG Academy of Florida (2-1) and Kennesaw Mountain (10-0). Pitching and defense are Parkview's strengths. The team made one error and allowed two earned runs in the 21 innings of the Perfect Game tournament. Middle infielders Trevor Brown (Kennesaw State) and Daino Deas (Auburn) are particularly impressive. Brown was the tournament MVP. The top pitcher was sophomore Cody Collett. Another key player is junior catcher Austin Biggar, who is committed to Georgia.
Whitewater – The Wildcats are another Georgia team that has garnered a national ranking, and more might be coming after last week's 2-1 victory over Farragut of Knoxville, Tenn., which had been ranked 19th by MaxPreps. Ethan Gillis, a left-hander who has signed with Kennesaw State, struck out 11 and allowed one hit in that game. Colby Taylor, a right-hander signed with Georgia Highlands, pitched the final two innings and struck out four and allowed no hits. Infielders Brandon Bell (signed with Georgia Highlands) and Tyler Burdette (Piedmont College) had Whitewater's hits. Also signed from Whitewater's deep senior class are pitcher Jake Lee (Georgia Tech), outfielder Jabari Richards (Furman), first baseman Nick Fink (Georgia Highlands) and pitchers Jeremiah Woods (Emanuel College) and Ben Hughlon (Newberry).
About the Author
