Liberty

What they have going for them:

They have some of the biggest star power in the state with their 2022 and 2023 classes. In addition to big names, the Wolves have depth all around the diamond with a wealth of varsity experience. It all starts with 2023 LHP and Arkansas commit Adam Hachman. He has the ability to live 93-95mph, occasionally touching upper 90’s, while pairing it with a CB/CH. Hachman will be able to dominate HS hitters if he can live in the zone and choose when he needs to ramp it up. The southpaw fanned 49 batters in 27 innings pitched last season.

As if Hachman wasn’t enough, the Wolves have 2023 RHP Jackson Yarberry (uncommitted), a high level RHP that gives Timberland one of the top 1-2 punches in the state. Yarberry can sit 86-88, occasionally popping 90, and also possesses excellent command and pitchability. The righty has a workhorse frame and should be able to eat up innings throughout the course of the season.

2022 UTIL Ryan Dickherber (Lindenwood) returns to pace the offense after boasting a .423 avg a season ago. He led the team with 13 XBH and showcases a free and easy lefthanded swing. He will need to provide a spark at the top of the Wolves batting order.

Timberland has an impressive list of college commits in the 2022 class, including Owen Powers (Jeff Co), Landon Willbrand (Lindenwood), Anthony Fumagalli (Illinois-Springfield), Ayalew Sisay (Indianapolis), Parker Dempsey (Drury) and Wyatt Seymore (Spoon River). This many quality, experienced varsity players should serve to provide consistency for the wolves lineup.

Concerns:

All the players mentioned so far were main stays in the lineup a season ago. Despite this, they fell short of expectations that many had for them.

Timberland will usually face their opponent’s best pitcher, and it will be interesting to see how their lineup holds up to this challenge.

The Wolves will also need to do a better job of executing on little things, and they need the high-end talent on their roster to consistently deliver results. Things like throwing strikes, limiting errors, bunt defense and quality baserunning can be separators in high school baseball. They had an abundance of errors a season ago and were also unable to steal many bags.

Undoubtedly, Timberland is a team capable of having a lot of success this Spring, and they’ll be a fun one to follow.

Unmentioned players to watch:

2023 Carson McCaleb C (uncommitted)
2023 Connor McCaleb RHP (uncommitted)
2022 Kyle Czeschin INF (uncommitted)

The Liberty Eagles are coming off a 15-win season in which they sputtered at the end losing three straight. They lost some valuable contributors that look to be high level collegiate athletes. However, they return an experienced core of players that look to lead them to new heights.

What they have going for them:

Liberty fields one of the deepest pitching staffs in the state. It is led by 2023 RHP Seth Benes (uncommitted) who returns with valuable experience as a sophomore. Benes can ramp his FB up to 92 and live in the 88-90 range. This is paired with a high spin CB and great pitch ability. He will also be a major contributor in the heart of their lineup.

The Eagles return 2022 RHP Sam Gordley (St. Charles CC) and his five wins from a season ago. Gordley pitched 39+ innings with 43 strikeouts. With improved control, Gordley will be able to eat even more innings and give the Eagles a 1-2 punch. Gordley is able to sit mid 80’s and provide a tick or two more when needed.

2022 RHP Tyler Timmerman (St. Charles CC) returns from a torn Achilles that sidelined him for the 2021 season. He provides a cherry on top as another mid 80’s arm with a starter profile. Timmerman needs to get into the swing of things facing hitters again, but we should see him only get stronger as the season goes on.

2022 Trevor York (uncommitted) paces the offense with a .400 avg and the ability to play a vital role at
SS. York puts the ball in play only striking out twice all of 2021. He is also an efficient base runner
stealing 8 bags last season. York will need to provide a spark plug at the top of the Eagles lineup.

Concerns:

The Eagles should be even better on the mound than a season ago. Unfortunately, they aren’t sure where the offense will come from just yet. The Eagles lost a lot of firepower from their lineup with Victor Quinn, Konner Hutchings, Peyton Vieluf, and Kyle Bermudez graduating. They accounted for all but one of the Eagles home runs.

They will need the trio of 2022 OF Cooper Swift (Moberly CC), 2022 INF Cole Vance (East Central CC), and 2023 C Peyton Braile (uncommitted) to step up. They will play crucial positions to the Eagles success in the 2022 season. Braile will need to command a potent Eagles pitching staff and give a spark in the power department.

Their pitching staff will allow them time to find their offensive identity. If they do, they could be a dangerous team come districts and beyond.

Unmentioned players to watch:
2024 Tyler Holman RHP/OF (uncommitted)
2023 Aidan Cole LHP (uncommitted)
2023 Ethan Weiler RHP/OF (uncommitted)
2023 Ryan Casteel INF (uncommitted)