Robert Wilson spent 23 years at The Clarion-Ledger/Jackson Daily News as a sportswriter with more than half of those years covering high school sports, mostly in the Metro Jackson area. He helped choose the Dandy Dozen in various sports for more than a decade. Wilson has rebirthed a similar team this year with Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Elite 11 Preseason Baseball Team based on our All-Metro team selections from last season. Wilson selected the best players from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties from their performances last season. The players below are in alphabetical order.
Eli Berch, Jackson Prep, Senior, Catcher
The Louisiana Tech signee hit .345 with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 36 runs batted in and had a .465 slugging percentage to help Prep to a 34-3 record and its fourth straight MAIS Class 6A state championship last season as a junior. Berch was a second-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Baseball Team.
“Eli is one of the strongest and hardest working kids I’ve ever coached,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “He’s a great asset behind the plate, with a great arm. We are looking for him to have a tremendous year.”
“Eli is a big, physical catcher that has a chance to positively impact our team both offensively and defensively,” Louisiana Tech coach Lane Burroughs said. “He projects to be a middle of the order type bat, that could produce huge power numbers. Eli is an extremely hard worker with tremendous makeup and character.”
Prep opens the season Tuesday against East Rankin Academy at Prep in Flowood.
Colton Bradley, Hartfield Academy, Senior, Outfielder
The Mississippi State signee hit .436 with 58 runs, 46 runs batted in, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 34 stolen bases and a .506 on-base percentage and helped Hartfield to a 35-4 record and a MAIS Class 4A state runner-up finish last season as a junior. The Hawks won 34 consecutive games, three wins short of the MAIS record. Bradley led Hartfield in runs, RBIs, home runs and stolen bases. He was a first-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Baseball Team for the second straight season. Bradley was one of two juniors in Mississippi (his Hartfield teammate Lincoln Sheffield was the other) to be named to the Collegiate Baseball All-American teams last season.
“Colton is a fierce competitor,” first-year Hartfield coach Justin Smith said. “When the lights come on, he just competes until the end and finds a way. Colton has incredible barrel awareness and seems to always hit for extra bases. By the end of this year, Colton could hold several offensive records at Hartfield that will stand for years to come.”
Hartfield opens Tuesday against Starkville Academy at Hartfield in Brandon.
Trey Bridges, Jackson Prep, Senior, Outfielder
The Louisiana-Monroe signee hit .402 with 38 runs, 10 doubles, 27 stolen bases and had a .563 on-base percentage and helped Prep to a 34-3 record and its fourth straight MAIS Class 6A state championship last season as a junior. Bridges, primarily a center fielder and Prep’s leadoff hitter, was a second team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Baseball Team last season.
“Trey is a very talented outfielder and hitter,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “He really came on as a hitter last year, and we look for him to continue that this season. We are really excited about Trey and his senior season.”
“We are super excited to sign Trey,” Louisiana-Monroe coach Mike Federico said. “He has a smooth athletic, left-handed swing with the ability to hit to all fields. Also, with added strength, he projects to have the ability to drive baseballs out of the park. Trey is a skilled baseball player that has a high baseball IQ and can play multiple positions in the outfield and first base. He is also coming from winning programs in high school with Jackson Prep being state champs and playing with a very talented summer program with Team Georgia. We are very happy to have this young man in our program who exemplifies excellence in the classroom, on the field and in his community.”
Prep opens the season Tuesday against East Rankin Academy at Prep in Flowood.
Jake Cook, Madison Central, Senior, Outfielder
The Southern Miss signee hit .477 with 42 runs, 27 runs batted in, 3 doubles, 3 triples, and a .595 on-base percentage and helped Madison Central to a 34-2 record, the MHSAA Class 6A state title and a No. 1 national ranking by Baseball America last season as a junior. Cook was a second-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Baseball Team last season. A left-hander, Cook will also be used as a pitcher this season.
“Jake has a high baseball IQ,” Madison Central coach Patrick Robey said. “One thing that makes him successful is he plays for the fun of it. He never gets out of control. Jake’s head stays cool all the time. That along with his skill set makes him an incredible player. Jake is a great leader.”
“We’re excited to have Jake in our program next year,” Southern Miss coach Scott Berry said. “He’s a dual player that’s very athletic, enabling him to see action both on the mound and in the outfield. His development over the next few years will be fun to watch.”
Madison Central opens the season Feb. 15 at North Pike.
Will Gibbs, Jackson Prep, Senior, Pitcher
The Mississippi State signee had a 10-0 record with 1.07 earned run average and helped Prep to a 34-3 record and its fourth straight MAIS Class 6A state championship last season as a junior. A right-hander, Gibbs struck out 100 batters with only 17 walks and had one save in 59 innings. He was a second team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Team last season.
“Will will be one of the best arms in the state of Mississippi this year,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “He has a chance to have one of the best years on the mound in school history. Will wlll our ace and we look for his to continue his success from last year.”
Prep opens the season Tuesday against East Rankin Academy at Prep in Flowood.
Ross Highfill, Madison Central, Senior, Catcher
The Mississippi State signee hit .400 with 45 runs batted in, 22 runs, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs and a .709 slugging percentage and helped Madison Central to a 34-2 record, the MHSAA Class 6A state title and a No. 1 national ranking by Baseball America last season as a junior. Highfill tied with 2021 Metro Jackson Player of the Year Braden Montgomery and first team All-Metro first baseman Hunter Hines for the team high with home runs. Highfill was a first-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Baseball Team last season.
“Ross is electric,” Madison Central coach Patrick Robey said. “He is extremely athletic with a high motor. Any scout or fan will tell you Ross is fun to watch. He is a great leader.”
Madison Central opens the season Feb. 15 at North Pike.
Dakota Jordan, Jackson Academy, Outfielder
The Mississippi State football signee and Canton Academy transfer hit .435 with 3 doubles, 8 home runs, 18 runs, 37 runs batted in in 18 games for Canton last season. Jordan was a second team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Team for the past two seasons as a junior and sophomore. A speedy wide receiver, Jordan also plans to play football at MSU. Jordan was a second-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Football Team this season.
“Dakota is one of the most talented athletes I’ve ever seen,” JA coach Parker Harris said. “He hits with power to all part of the field and his speed puts him on another level.”
JA opens Tuesday against Silliman, La., at JA.
Alex McGarrh, Hartfield Academy, Senior, Pitcher
The Hinds Community College signee had a 3-0 record with six saves and a 1.11 earned run average in 25 appearances and helped Hartfield to a 35-4 record and a MAIS Class 4A state runner-up finish last season as a junior. The Hawks won 34 consecutive games, three wins short of the MAIS record. A right-handed relief pitcher, McGarrh also struck out 46 batters with only seven walks in 38 innings. He was a first-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Team last season. McGarrh was a second-team selection two years ago as a sophomore.
“We have high expectations for Alex this season,” first-year coach Justin Smith said. “Alex has the potential to be a consistent upper 80s miles per hour pitcher this year. He has one of the best sliders I have seen at the high school level. The slider, along with a boost in velocity, should make him one of the best pitchers in our league.”
“Alex is someone that we are very excited about, as he certainly has had a lot of success thus far, but his best days are still ahead of him,” Hinds CC coach Dan Rives said. “He has tremendous amount of upside and will continue to get bigger and stronger. We can’t wait to have him in our program.”
Hartfield opens Tuesday against Starkville Academy at Hartfield in Brandon.
Nick Monistere, Northwest Rankin, Senior, Pitcher/Shortstop
The Southern Miss signee had an 11-1 record with a 1.88 earned run average and had 97 strikeouts and 21 walks in 70 2/3 innings and helped Northwest Rankin to a 27-9 record and a MHSAA Class 6A runner-up finish last season as a junior. It was the first appearance in the state championship since 2005. He was a first-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Team. Also, a smooth-fielding shortstop and dangerous hitter, Monistere also hit .384 with 32 runs, 30 runs batted in, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs and a .666 slugging percentage.
“Nick is the type of player that every coach wants on his team,” Northwest Rankin coach KK Aldridge said. “He is a leader in every aspect, both on and off the field. Nick is determined to not be outworked, and he goes about it the right way. He plays the game with confidence and our guys fed off him. Nick maintains a positive demeanor even when things aren’t going his way, constantly encouraging his teammates.”
“Nick is a very good baseball player that continues to develop mentally and physically,” Southern Miss coach Scott Berry said. “His athleticism gives him the ability to be a two-way player at the next level. We’re excited to have him as a future Golden Eagle.”
Northwest Rankin opens Feb. 15 at Hattiesburg.
Gatlin Sanders, Madison Central, Senior, Second Baseman
The Louisiana-Lafayette commitment hit .433 with 65 runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 26 stolen bases, 29 runs batted in with a .570 on-base percentage and only 7 strikeouts in 104 at bats and helped Madison Central to a 34-2 record, the MHSAA Class 6A state title and a No. 1 national ranking by Baseball America last season as a junior. Sanders, Madison Central’s leadoff hitter who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, was a first-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Baseball Team last season.
“Gatlin gets us going,” Madison Central coach Patrick Robey said. “He understands his skill set and executes it. Gatlin is a great leader.”
Madison Central opens the season Feb. 15 at North Pike.
Lincoln Sheffield, Hartfield Academy, Senior, First Baseman/Pitcher
The Mississippi State signee hit .415 with 55 runs, 42 runs batted in, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and a .516 on-base percentage and helped Hartfield to a 35-4 record and a MAIS Class 4A state runner-up finish last season as a junior. The Hawks won 34 consecutive games, three wins short of the MAIS record. A left-hander pitcher, Sheffield had a 10-2 record with a 1.66 earned run average, 20 walks, 110 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. Sheffield was a second-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson Baseball Team last season. He made the All-Tournament Team at the 17-and-under USA National Team Championships in North Carolina. Sheffield was one of two juniors in Mississippi (Hartfield teammate Colton Bradley was the other) to be named to the Collegiate Baseball All-American teams. Sheffield was a first-team selection on the Priority One Bank Metro Jackson team two years ago as a sophomore.
“Lincoln has been a dominate player for us over the past three years,” said first-year Hartfield Justin Smith, who was promoted from assistant coach. “He is an extremely hard worker, and it shows as he has developed each year into a better player. Lincoln was the MVP for our district last year and has the potential to repeat that this year.”
Hartfield opens Tuesday against Starkville Academy at Hartfield in Brandon.
