The Parkway West Longhorns are coming off a dominant 2021 season in which they went 23-4, eventually being upset by Rockwood Summit in the district final. Despite having a ton of success in 2021, it is conceivable that they could be as good or even better in 2022. They are led by second year head coach Andrew Jett.
“Despite having a ton of success in 2021, it is conceivable that they could be as good or even better in 2022.”
What they have going for them:
2023 Infielder Gannon Snyder is one of the most dynamic players in the area. He is an elite bat that has the ability to both get on base at a high rate while also getting on base a ton due to a generally disciplined approach. Snyder is an aggressive base runner with a high baseball IQ, and also has an above average arm. He may be able to help the Longhorns on the mound as well.
2023 Catcher Tyler Lang (uncommitted) is coming off a 2021 season in which he led the team in batting average as a sophomore, hitting a robust .431 to compliment a whopping .576 OBP and 1.187 OPS. We see Lang as one of the most underrated players in the St. Louis area. The hit tool is extremely advanced, and defensively he is a high level receiver that grades out overall as above average.
2024 Infielder Mason Beno (uncommitted) has a shot to emerge as one of the best prospects in St. Louis’ 2024 class. Beno made varsity as a freshmen on a loaded Parkway West team last spring, and contributed on both the mound and in the field for the Longhorns. This year, he takes on an even bigger role, as they’ll likely lean on him as both a top end rotation piece and a top half of the order bat.
2022 LHP/1B Luke Wright is a front of the rotation talent that will be headed to JuCo powerhouse Heartland CC in the fall. At 6 foot 4 with a muscular build, Wright is an imposing figure on the mound. He features a mid to upper 80’s fastball with a plus changeup and a functional breaking ball. Wright hit .360 for the Longhorns last spring and figures to play an even bigger role offensively this year for Parkway West.
Concerns:
The reality is the Longhorns are losing some significant pieces that will undoubtedly be tough to replace. They lost their entire starting outfield from 2021 (Nicholas Harms, Isaac Kittrell & Griffin Snyder), along with Dartmouth commit Elliott Krewson.
Despite the loss of some significant pieces, they will benefit from the fact that talented players such as Snyder, Lang, 2023 INF Cooper Walkoff and Beno are each a year older and more experienced. This was one of the best underclass groups in the area last spring, and they have a chance to be a dominant group against competition that’s closer to their age in 2022.
Another factor in the 2022 Longhorn’s success will be the availability of aforementioned senior LHP/1B Luke Wright. He is currently working his way back from an injury that has sidelined him the past several months. His availability could be another pivotal factor in determining Parkway West’s success.
Unmentioned players to watch:
Alex Gitt (Lindenwood)
Denver Eaves (East Central CC)
Ben Seavey
Zack Boland
Bryce Drake
Brayden Gilmore
