Cyclones could be dangerous, but will their youth be their achilles
Published 11:11 am Monday, March 11, 2024
Contributed Photo The pitching staff for the Cyclones will benefit from both versatility and depth.
Contributed Photo The infield for the Cyclones is young but has speed and athleticism.
Contributed Photo Jack Blevins is vying for varsity time. He is quick and will bring speed to the middle infield, as well as a strong bat.
Contributed Photo JD Hooks has a strong arm and is solid defensively behind the plate.
Contributed Photo Jeriah Griffin will be a threat on the base paths and help the Cyclones generate runs.
Contributed Photo Bryson Rowland is a solid contact hitter with good pop. He will be asked to move runners when called upon.
Contributed Photo Veteran Head Coach Ryan Presnell will be tasked with quickly developing this young Cyclones team.
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By Ron Marvel
Star Correspondent
When you look at the list of seniors from last year’s squad, you might reason that this could be a down year for the 2024 version, but that presumption may very well be formed without first considering the talent on this team. Head Coach Ryan Presnell is quick to point out the on-field ability his group possesses: “I expect us to be a dangerous team by the end of the year. We have a lot of talent in a lot of places, and we are figuring out how it all works together to win a baseball game,” Coach Presnell shared.
Pitching: If you are looking for evidence that this team can do damage in District 3A-1, you can start with pitching and the fact that this team is both deep and versatile. Sophomore Rhett Slagle has shown a lot of growth from last year. He will serve as an anchor for this Cyclone pitching staff. Lefty Bryson Rowland is gritty and loves to compete on the mound. Coach Presnell has the confidence to put Rowland up against any hitter in the area. Justin Whitehead can gobble up innings and is very efficient. Sophomore Jackson Buckles has a good fastball and will see mound time as well. “He has electric stuff that can wow the crowd; he is a guy we have a lot of faith in to go out and get the job done in tough situations,” Coach Presnell added. Bugs Meadows will serve as the shutdown guy in a closer role. Most days he will pound the zone and make people miss. Reiley Jones is gaining confidence and talent and by year’s end could be a force on the mound. Jeriah Griffin, Brayden Buckles, and Logan Campbell round out a very deep staff.
Infield:
Catcher: JD Hooks will take over at catcher. He is strong defensively and keeps opposing baserunners honest. You do not see many catchers in the leadoff spot, but his combination of contact and speed makes him a good fit for the spot. Junior Carson Atkinson will serve to give Hooks a break when called upon.
Third Base: Rhett Slagle will get a great deal of playing time on the hot corner. He is a big, tough kid with a great arm and a good glove. He is also a force to be reckoned with at the plate. Justin Whitehead will also play here. He has a high IQ and is a talented player.
Shortstop: Bugs Meadows has worked tirelessly to make himself into a shortstop. Mechanically, he is sound and can hit with both power and contact. “His hands and feet have come a long way since last season, and I believe he will have an unreal season at the plate,” Coach Presnell shared.
Second Base: Sophomore Jack Blevins is a super athletic kid who is quickly finding his way around the diamond. He came on strong last year as a freshman and has a big upside.
First Base: There has been a battle for first base this offseason. Junior Bryson Rowland will manage a lot of the duties here. “Rowland has shown great ability to anchor down the infield over here with a great glove. He is also a top-of-the-order guy who will do big things for us there this year, just as he did last year,” Presnell stated. Senior Andrew Blevins will see playing time here, as will Blaine Tolley and Alex Riddle.
Outfield: Brayden Buckles will likely play most of his time in center. He has excellent range and a good arm as well and is an excellent leader who will keep the unit focused and communicating. Junior Jeriah Griffin can play both right or left field and will be a terror on the base paths. “He may be the fastest kid I’ve ever coached with incredible range and a plus arm, a super athletic kid who brings a lot to the table,” Presnell shared. Logan Campbell will see some playing time in the outfield as will Brock Shelby; both players are gifted defensively.
Strengths: This is an extraordinarily talented and athletic group that has a lot of speed. They are strong defensively and benefit from an outfield that seldom gets burned. The depth of this pitching staff could be the envy of many teams in East Tennessee.
Weaknesses: They are young; nowhere is that more evident than in the infield. The hope is that mistakes can be kept to a minimum while they mature into their lock-down potential.
Prediction: One could argue that this team is a year away, but you could just as easily argue, “Why not now?” This is a tough conference, but teams like Tennessee High and Sullivan East have also had their share of student-athletes mature out. You could take the top 3 or 4 teams in this conference, put them in a bag, and shake them up, and a different team might come out each time. But it would be a mistake to sleep on the potential and athletic ability this team has. Coach Presnell builds toward the postseason, so do not evaluate this team solely on their record in the first week of April.
2023 Record: 19-16
Key Departures:
- Peyton Johnson, playing at Catawba Valley CC
- Kaleb Hambrick, playing at Catawba Valley CC
- Connor Edmundson, playing at Milligan University
- Hayden Nave, playing at Milligan University
- Brilee Hurley, All-Tournament.
- All-County: Jack Farris, Jonah Hubbard
Eliminated: In the third round of the District Tournament.
