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2023 All-5STAR PREPS BASEBALL TEAM
INFIELDERS
Hudson Lutterman (19) and the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish faced the Greeneville Greene Devils for a non-district contest at Gaylor Field on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Catholic won 6-2. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM INFIELDERS
Lukas Buckner (Farragut, junior, SS)
The 2023 Mr. Baseball finalist in Class 4A helped the Admirals repeat as state champs, batting .458 as a junior with 13 doubles and 43 RBIs.
Jett Johnston (Farragut, senior, 1B/3B)
The 5Star Preps Offensive Player of the Year and Texas A&M signee went on a late-season tear and wound up hitting .368 with 10 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 26 walks.
Hudson Lutterman (Catholic, senior, SS)
A Virginia Tech commit, Lutterman was a Division II-AA Mr. Baseball finalist and helped Catholic win state with a .391 batting average, 14 doubles, nine homers, 46 RBIs, 49 runs and 10 stolen bases.
Daniel Parris (Catholic, senior, 3B)
The Tennessee signee, who also brought value on the mound, belted 13 home runs with 10 doubles, 44 runs and 48 RBIs to go along with a .375 batting average his senior season.
Wes Alig (CAK, junior, SS)
A two-time district MVP, Alig is a Kennesaw State signee who hit .415 as a junior this spring with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and 43 runs scored. He was a Mr. Baseball finalist in Division II-A.
Henry Ferguson (Hardin Valley, junior, SS)
Ferguson played a key role in Hardin Valley making a run to the Class 4A championship game. He hit .465 in 2023 with 13 doubles, four home runs, 33 RBIs and 37 runs scored.
SECOND TEAM INFIELDERS
Ian Setzer (Union County, senior, SS)
Setzer helped the Patriots win the Class 2A state championship with a .418 batting average, 56 runs, 17 doubles, 35 RBIs, 17 walks and 25 stolen bases. He hit over .500 in the state tournament with 8 RBIs.
Will Webb (Hardin Valley, senior, 2B)
One of the 4A runner-up Hawks’ top run-producers, Webb drove in 43 during the 2023 campaign. He hit .366 with 10 doubles, five home runs, 17 walks and 30 runs scored.
Austin Bolding (Hardin Valley, senior, DH/INF)
Bolding went 7-for-16 in a six-game, state-tournament stretch for the 4A runner-up Hawks. He hit .443 for the season with 10 doubles, six home runs, 35 RBIs and 33 runs scored.
Jake Merrick (Farragut, junior, 2B)
One of the area’s most under-rated recruits, Merrick hit a highly respectible .389 against a demanding schedule. He tallied 11 doubles with three triples, six home runs and 42 RBIs. He scored 39 runs and walked 17 times.
Eli Evans (Farragut, junior, 1B/3B)
The hard-hitting ETSU commitment batted .390 for the state champion Admirals, driving in 36 while smacking nine doubles, a triple and five home runs. He also amassed a team-high 29 walks.
Max Richardson (Union County, senior, 3B)
One of the pillars of the Patriots’ Class 2A championship season, Richardson drove in 39 runs, hit seven home runs and garnered 23 walks.
THIRD TEAM INFIELDERS
Brooks Berry (McMinn County, freshman, 3B)
Already an Alabama commit, Berry had a standout freshman year, hitting .393 with 15 runs and 24 RBIs.
J.J. Caudill (Greenback, freshman, INF)
A district MVP for the Cherokees this past spring, Caudill hit .409 with 24 walks and 31 RBIs. He also went 3-1 as a pitcher.
Alex Ring (McMinn Central, senior, SS)
The Chargers made a run to the sectionals, and Ring — a Carson-Newman signee — led the way with a .483 batting average.
Dakota Adkins (Oliver Springs, junior, SS)
One of the breakthrough stars of 2023, Adkins hit .486 with 30 runs scored, 29 stolen bases and 18 RBIs.
Caden Black (Oak Ridge, junior, SS)
Black hit .415 with 38 stolen bases during a 22-win season for the Wildcats this spring.
Evan Goins (Bearden, senior, INF)
Beaarden had a huge year in 2023, winning 24 games and coming oh-so close to advancing to region. Goins helped pave the way, batting .304 with 10 doubles, two homers, 27 RBIs, 27 runs and 17 walks.
OUTFIELDERS
Landis Davila and The Farragut Admirals faced the Hardin Valley Hawks in the TSSAA District 4-4A tournament on Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Monday, May 8, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Farragut won 7-4. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM OUTFIELDERS
Landis Davila (Farragut, junior, RF)
The 6-foot-3 Davila had his breakout season this spring, batting .394 with 18 doubles, seven home runs, 42 RBIs and 45 runs. But his defensive range and arm strength from right field proved to be just as elite.
Ian Hubbard (Catholic, senior, CF)
Owner of the walk-off hit that won the Division II-AA state championship, Hubbard hit .400 this spring with 10 doubles, 10 HRs, 46 RBIs and 48 runs. The Radford signee also went 6-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched.
Sam Cecil (CAK, senior, LF)
Cecil had a monster postseason, and his power at the plate helped propel the Warriors to the state tournament. He finished the spring with a .359 batting average with 10 home runs, 37 RBIs, 37 runs, 28 walks and seven doubles.
Brennon Seigler (Farragut, junior, CF)
The Tennessee commitment wound up with a .400 batting average against Farragut’s rigorous schedule. He drove in 34 runs, scored 36 times, drew 12 walks and hit nine doubles. He went 15-for-26 at the plate with 10 RBI the last two weeks of the season.
Luis Castillo (Lakeway Christian, senior, OF)
The 6-5, 240-pound prospect hit a whopping .571 this spring with nine homers and 11 doubles in 30 games, driving in 31 runs and scoring 37 runs.
SECOND TEAM OUTFIELDERS
Jaxon Walker (Loudon, junior, CF)
Walker helped the Redskins to a 22-win season. He recently flipped his college commitment from Georgia to Tennessee and he’s been a part of the MLB/USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline program this summer.
Mark Underwood (Farragut, senior, LF)
A staple in the Farragut lineup during their championship seasons, Underwood hit .370 with 31 runs scored and didn’t log a fielding error in 2023.
Landon Dockery (Maryville, senior, OF)
A Tusculum signee, Docker hit .447 with six doubles, five triples, three home runs, 23 RBIs an 38 runs scores. He had 17 walks and was 19 of 19 on stolen-base attempts.
Payton Armour (Meigs County, senior, OF)
Armour hit .608 as a senior. Yes, .608. The Lincoln Memorial signee also hit five homers and struck out 86 batters in his 68 innings on the mound.
Tyler Myatt (Claiborne, senior, OF)
Myatt’s bat proved to be record-setting at Claiborne during his career. As a senior, he hit .402 with seven homers, 26 walks and 48 RBIs.
THIRD TEAM OUTFIELDERS
Kai Correll (Sweetwater, junior, RF)
Sweetwater made it to state for the first time, and Correll helped with a .383 batting average, seven doubles, five homers and 30 RBIs.
Blaine Watson (Sweetwater, junior, CF)
Watson paced the Wildcats’ offense with a .395 batting average, 13 doubles, three homers and 35 RBIs. He was 23 of 23 on stolen-base attempts.
Nick Curry (Halls, senior, OF)
A District MVP, Curry led the way for the Red Devils in 2023 with a .370 batting average, eight doubles, 22 runs, 24 RBIs.
Will Heppner (Maryville, senior, OF)
Hepner hit a blistering .470 as a senior, was perfect on stolen-base attempts (14), drove in 24 runs, walked 20 times and scored 32 times.
Ty Edds, Union County, sophomore, CF)
One of the key producers in Union County’s Class 2A Championship run, Edds drove in 42 runs for the Patriots while steal 33 bases and hitting .341.
CATCHERS
Brooks Wright of the Bearden Bulldogs during the Clinch River Challenge at Phil Garner Ballpark on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM CATCHERS
Brooks Wright (Bearden, junior)
A Tennessee commit known for his toughness and his bat, Wright hit .415 as a junior with 10 doubles, six homers, 34 walks and 26 RBIs. He only allowed 12 runners to steal in 155 innings caught.
Ty Denton (HVA, senior)
The Troy signee led HVA to a 4A state runner-up finish. The District 4-4 Offensive POY hit the game-winning home run in the Hawks’ sectional win at Science Hill, and he finished with eight homers and 39 RBIs.
Luke Treece (Coalfield, sophomore)
The TBCA Class 1A Mr. Baseball led Coalfield (26-11) back to the state tournament with a .538 batting average, eight home runs, 20 doubles, 64 RBIs, and 39 runs scored. He struck out only three times in 145 plate appearances and made just one error as a catcher.
SECOND TEAM CATCHERS
Bridger Hamilton (Sevier County, junior)
A Liberty commit, Hamilton showed why he’s on track for the next level. The district co-player of the year hit .455 as a junior with 13 doubles, four triples and 35 RBIs.
Grayson Vincil (Lenoir City, senior)
The District 5-3A Player of the Year, Vincil batted .465 his final season of high school ball, driving in 49 runs and scoring 22 during the Panthers’ run to the state sectionals.
Mason Roderick (McMinn County, junior)
Roderick hit .438 for the Cherokees in 2023 with 11 doubles, two triples and 25 RBIs.
TWO-WAY TALENTS
Starting pitcher Carson Quillen (8) and the Greeneville Greene Devils faced the Gibbs Eagles in Game 1 of a TSSAA Class 3A sectional series on Steve Hunley Field on Friday, May 19, 2023, in Corryton, Tennessee. Greeneville won 4-0. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM TWO-WAY
Carson Quillen (Greeneville, sophomore, C/RHP)
Committed as a catcher for Virginia Tech, Quillen not only excelled behind the plate in 2023 but also on the mound. He was 10-0 as a pitcher with a 0.618 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 68 innings. He won two games at state. He also hit .426 as a sophomore with 45 RBIs and 25 walks.
Carson Hoffmeister (Hardin Valley, senior, RHP/OF)
One of the main catalysts in Hardin Valley’s run to the 4A championship game, Hoffmeister hit .380 with 14 doubles, seven home runs and 39 RBIs. But on the mound, he was even more effective — 6-2 with two saves and a 1.74 ERA. He pitched a perfect game on April 6. He had 61 strikeouts against 18 walks as a senior. He signed with Cleveland State.
Eben Hansen (Union County, senior, OF/RHP)
Hansen played a big part in Union County winning the Class 2A state championship, as he hit .434 with 13 doubles, six home runs, 51 RBIs and 26 walks while also going 5-2 on the mound with 71 strikeouts and a 2.20 ERA.
Andrew Moore (Sevier County, senior, RHP/OF)
The 6-3 Campbell pitching signee was also a district hitter of the year. Moore went 3-2 this past spring with a 0.183 ERA, as opponents batted just .164 against him and struck out 62 times in 38.1 innings. At the plate, Moore hit .494 with 14 doubles, five homers and 30 RBIs.
SECOND TEAM TWO-WAY
Justin Bell (William Blount, senior, INF/P)
The Co-MVP of District 4-4A, Bell hit .417 as a senior with 42 runs scored, 10 home runs and 23 RBIs; he was also 5-1 pitching with 59 Ks.
Colton Richards (Greeneville. junior, INF/RHP)
Richards helped Greeneville win a 3A state title. He hit .350 in the spring with 32 RBIs, 38 runs, 17 walks and 12 doubles. But he was also a 10-game winner as a pitcher with a 0.78 ERA and 69 strikeouts.
Beau Revord (Jefferson County, junior, RHP/SS)
A Tennessee commitment as a pitcher, Revord won seven games on the mound and fanned 73 batters. But at the plate, he batted .459 with five home runs, 32 RBIs, 25 walks, and 12 doubles.
Cole Hines (Coalfield, senior, P/INF)
Coalfield was a big centerpiece in Coalfield’s run to the Class 1A state tournament. He hit .386 with 55 runs, 25 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Hines also went 8-2 with 69 strikeouts and a 2.13 ERA.
THIRD TEAM TWO-WAY
Dylan Ford (Union County, senior, INF/RHP)
Ford played a big part in the Patriots’ 2A championship season, going 5-1 on the mound and also hitting .319. He proved to be quite the gamer in the title game, going more than seven innings in Union County’s win over Milan.
Andrew Hill (Central, senior, 3B/RHP)
Central won a District 3-4A Tournament title, and ETSU signee Hill led the way with a .410 batting average, seven homers and 36 RBIs. He also went 4-2 pitching with 64 strikeouts and a 1.87 ERA in 51 innings pitched.
Braden Graves (Gibbs, senior, INF/RHP)
The District 3-3A Player of the Year helped Gibbs reach the sectionals with a .356 batting average, eight homers, 41 runs, and a 6-1 pitching record.
Tyler Pickens (Oak Ridge, senior, RHP/1B)
The 6-5, 215-pound Pickens was a beast for Oak Ridge, hitting .473 with 34 RBIs while also going 8-0 on the mound with 72 strikeouts. He was Player of the Year in District 3-4A.
PITCHERS
Starting pitcher Brady Smith (8) and the Grainger Grizzlies took on the Greeneville Greene Devils in a TSSAA District 2-3A contest on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Rutledge, Tennessee. Greeneville won 2-0. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM PITCHERS
Dylan Loy (Pigeon Forge, senior, LHP)
A three-time 5Star Preps Pitcher of the Year, a two-time TBCA Player of the Year and a two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year, Loy capped his decorated career with an 11-1 mark in 2023. The Tennessee signee allowed just 23 hits and one earned run. He struck out 169 hitters against 11 walks. His final ERA was 0.098. Opponents batted .097 against him. Oh, and he also hit .549 with 13 doubles, 31 walks and 35 RBIs. He struck out once in more than 120 plate appearances.
Ashton Sulack, Farragut, senior, LHP)
A Tennessee signee, Sulack dominated until he gave way to injury late in the District 4-4A Tournament. Still he went 6-1 with a 1.25 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched. He allowed just 11 hits all season and struck out 56 against 18 walks. Opponents batted just .099 against him.
Michael Delph (Farragut, junior, RHP)
Delph was steady, consistent and effective all season for the 4A champion Admirals, posting an 8-0 record with a 1.17 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 53.2 innings pitched. He walked just nine batters and opponents hit just 0.174 against him.
Drew Mattox (Sevier County, senior, RHP)
The 6-5, 200-pound Mattox is a Tennessee Tech signee and a district pitcher of the year. He worked 61.1 innings as a senior with a 9-1 record, three saves, two shutouts, and a 1.59 ERA. Opponents hit just .171 against him and struck out 91 times.
Reilly Byers (Gibbs, senior, LHP)
The Mississippi State signee had a big-time senior year. The District 3-3A Pitcher of the Year, winning five games and posting a 1.06 ERA with 121 strikeouts.
Brady Smith (Grainger, senior, RHP)
A Virginia Tech signee who also hit .447, Smith starred on the mound yet again. He allowed just 15 hits, posted a 0.87 ERA and struck out 101 batters in 2023. Opponents batted only .088 against him.
SECOND TEAM PITCHERS
Jax Sparks (Hardin Valley, freshman, RHP)
What a first season of varsity baseball Sparks had. Imagine going 8-0 with a 1.62 ERA as a freshman, also winning a game against Farragut, a state sectional game and a game in the 4A state tournament. That’s what Sparks did.
Brady Scott (Sevier County, junior, LHP)
A 6-2, 195-pound prospect from the Class of 2024, Scott logged an 8-1 mark this spring with a 1.06 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 52.2 innings of work.
Jonathon Van Ness (CAK, junior, RHP)
This district pitcher of the year went 10-1 with a save this spring, striking out 81 hitters and walking just 14 in 51 innings pitched. He finished with a 0.95 ERA and helped the Warriors reach the Division II-A state tournament.
Ben Sompayrac (Catholic, senior, RHP)
Maybe he doesn’t have the prodigious strikeout totals of some, but Sompayrac was just as effective on the mound this spring as anyone. He went 9-1 with six complete games, only issuing nine walks in 61.1 innings pitched. He authored a huge win over Baylor to help Catholic get to state and also won a game at state.
Parker Shipley, Greeneville, senior, LHP)
One of the more under-valued arms around, Shipley won 11 games this spring during Greeneville’s 3A state title march. He worked 63.2 innings and fanned 119 batters against only 17 walks.
Braden Suggs (Bearden, senior, RHP)
The District 4-AAAA Pitcher of the Year, Suggs signed with Milligan. He won five games in the 2023 season and struck out 57 in 42.2 innings pitched. He wound up with a 1.805 ERA and an opponents’ batting average of .171.
THIRD TEAM PITCHERS
Tyson McFall (Pigeon Forge, senior, RHP)
McFall posted an ERA under 1.00 this spring, saved three games and won seven games, going the distance in six contests this season and striking out 94.
Jayden Richesin (Sweetwater, sophomore, RHP)
Richeson paced a pitching rotation on a team that reached state for the first time. He went 9-2 with a 2.10 ERA.
Ty Barnett (McMinn County, junior, LHP)
A Cincinnati commit, Barnett won five games for the Cherokees this spring. He struck out 60 in 47.1 innings and walked only 15 with a 1.77 ERA and .185 opponents batting average against him.
Cole Draper (Farragut, sophomore, RHP)
One of the postseason pitching heroes for the Admirals, Draper pitched all seven innings of the title-game win and went 3-1 with four saves in 2023, fanning 31 hitters in 27 innings pitched. He walked only 6 and had a 1.04 ERA.
Stratton Scott (Farragut, junior, RHP)
A Tennessee commitment with loads of promise, Scott won six games and recorded a save for the 4A champion Admirals this year, notching 44 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.
Brady Frederick (Bearden, senior, RHP)
The East Tennessee State signee went a perfect 6-0 for the Bulldogs this year, had a 0.75 ERA and allowed opponents to hit just .139. He had 36 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.