2018 NHSI Team Preview: Hattiesburg

USA Baseball’s annual high school tournament, the National High School Invitational, is one of the premier high school tournaments in the country and one of the biggest events on the draft schedule as well, bringing together 16 of the top teams in the country. This year’s tournament will have some of the most impressive talent in the event’s seven-year history and will take place in Cary at USA Baseball’s National Training Complex from March 28-31. Baseball America will preview teams as we lead up to the event.

Overview

Hattiesburg (Miss.) High enters the 2018 NHSI field as an talented and athletic team that came one game shy of winning the Mississippi South State Championship last season after a 26-11 overall record and a 7-2 league record. The team returns six starters from that team and should be one of the favorites to win the state championship this season. They are also looking to win their region for the third consecutive season.

Hattiesburg is led by one of the most athletic and toolsy players in the 2018 draft class, center fielder Joe Gray, who has plus raw power, plus speed a plus throwing arm and is committed to Mississippi. Third baseman Dexter Jordan (committed to Louisiana-Lafayette) is also a highly touted draft prospect, with a polished hit tool and also the team’s No. 1 starter. Behind Jordan in the pitching staff is A.J. Stinson, who’s a legit prospect in his own right and has been in the low 90s. Stinson is committed to Alabama State. Miami Dade JC commit Kameron Wells has a ton of pop and a strong arm from the outfield as well, giving Hattiesburg a strong core of seniors.

Between Gray and Jordan, Hattiesburg has two legitimate threats in the lineup and with Stinson and 2019 righthander Landon Rascoe on the mound the team also has some real depth on the rubber. Rascoe is currently uncommitted but is likely a Division I talent. Both Gray and Wells could also see time on the mound in relief thanks to their raw arm strength.

The question marks for Hattiesburg entering the NHSI will be at catcher and third base when Jordan is on the mound or at another position. Both spots were occupied by seniors in 2017 and so players like 2018 backstop Brandon Knox, talented freshman Cameron Lott and others will be relied upon to take on larger roles.

Head Coach: Joe Hartfield

2017 Record: 26-11

Projected Lineup