2017 Ultimate 9

9 Best performances by position for the 2017 HS season

YEARLY Disclaimer: All picks are based on their HS statistical season and our take on them - by no means do they reflect future potential at any level (college or pro) -

 as always there are several players who could indeed have won or been placed on post season award teams - and certainly we had to have their information sent to us in order to make a determination.

2017 Ultimate 9
 

2017 Ultimate 9 Team

Each player on this team will receive a commemorative baseball bat furnished by B.O.M.S.S. Bat Company

1 - SPENCER STRIDER PITCHER

Spencer Strider/CAK - Spencer tossed 82 innings in '17, leading the Warriors to the AA state title. He went 13-0 with 8 shutouts while striking out a state leading 150 batters. Strider's ERA was a miniscule 0.77 for the year, leading the Warriors to the Class AA state title.  He will attend Clemson on a baseball scholarship next fall.
Coaches Quote: "Spencer had a special year.  He was dominant from game 1 to the Championship game.  He has a great arm, but for me, his greatest attributes are his competitiveness and his work ethic.  He is a winner in every sense of the word."   Tommy Pharr   HC Christian Academy of Knoxville
2 - JAKE HAGENOW CATCHER

Jake Hagenow/Farragut - Jake hit .456 for the Admirals with 35 of his 52 hits going for extra bases. Near the top of the stat leader board in runs scored (58), doubles (23) and walks (36) and rbi (58). Hagenow also had 9 home runs in 2017.  He will attend MTSU on a baseball scholarship next fall.

Coaches Quote: "Jake Hagenow is a very complete baseball player,  offensively and defensively. Very proud of his senior season, he has worked very hard for the results he got.  Jake is a top notch leader on and off the field"   Matt Buckner HC Farragut
3 - HUNTER HUDSON FIRST BASE
Hunter Hudson/Peabody - Hunter led the state in rbi with 62, hitting .449 with 26 extra base hits, including 6 home runs in '17. Hudson helped lead the team to the state tourney and a 34-6 record in '17.
Coaches Quote: "Hunter was the most consistent hitter we had all year, and he was also the most "clutch" hitter we had. Seemed like every time we needed a run he would drive one in. He really carried us all year... against all kinds of pitching whether it be off speed junk or the big time fastball."  Todd Lumley HC Peabody
4 - JOHN RHODES SECOND BASE
John Rhodes/CCS - John hit .471 with 23 extra base hits, 6 of those home runs. He also had 43 rbi and stole 22-22 bases in 2017. Rhodes as committed to the University of Kentucky.
 

 

Coaches Quote: "John is blessed with exceptional talent, but is was also one of the hardest working guys on our team. John's ability to hit to all fields in all counts made him a tough out. Oftentimes teams would try and pitch around him, but he often turned walks into doubles or triples with his ability to run bases. Hitting third in our lineup, he usually came to bat with someone on base and more times than not he came up with big hits when we needed them. I'm excited to have two more years with him to see how he will continue to grow and develop, both on and off the field."   Ben Wharton HC Chattanooga Christian
5 - ELI BRAUSS THIRD BASE
Eli Brauss/USJ - Eli hit .443 with 19 extra base hits, including 5 triples. Brauss drove in 54 runs on 51 hits, scoring 39 times as well. Eli is uncommitted at this time.
Coaches Quote: "You would be a millionaire if you could bottle up and sell what Eli Brauss is made of.  He is an old school throwback made up of toughness, grit, character, loyalty, and integrity.  What a great year Eli had for us both on the field and off the field as well. He's a great player but an even better young man who any coach would want to have on their team. I'm blessed to coach him." Jack Peel  HC USJ
6 - EVAN GILLIAM SHORT STOP
Evan Gilliam/Lexington - Evan hit .522 with a state leading 29 doubles, leading the state with 37 extra base hits. Also among the leaders in hits (59), rbi (51) and triples (5).  Evan has signed with the University of Tennessee.
Coaches Quote: "Evan is a tremendous athlete who we pulled from outfield to fill a need at shortstop and he did not disappoint. His senior year was the first year since his freshmen year that he did not start off the season with an injury from football. This allowed him to have one of the top performances in the state. A 5 tool player on the field and a very intelligent player in the classroom as well."                          Adam Harrington  HC Lexington
7 - CAS BLEVINS LEFT FIELD
Cas Blevins/University School JC - Blevins batted .530 with 23 extra base hits, including 6 triples. He also stole 19-19 bases.  Cas has several offers but has yet to decide which college he will attend.
Coaches Quote: "Cas has been a leader for us on and off the field.  The box scores he provides our program gives us a chance to be successful every night.  He also carries a 3.9 GPA and is planning a career in engineering."   Josh Petty  HC University School/Johnson City
8 - TERRELL TATUM CENTER FIELD
Terrell Tatum/Houston - Tatum terrorized opponents with his speed offensively and defensively. Terrell hit .438 with 67 hits, 25 of those were extra base hits, including 5 triples and 6 home runs. Tatum drove in 44 and stole 35 bases in 2017.  Terrell has signed with North Carolina State.

 

 

Coaches Quote: 'I have never seen a player put a team on their back like Terrell did this season.  When we needed a big hit he got it.  When we needed a play in the outfield he made it.  He was a true leader on and off the field.  We started 3 sophomores and a freshman and he showed them how to practice and compete daily.  You can't replace kids like Terrell...Houston will miss him."  Lane McCarter   HC Houston
9 - WESTIN RAY RIGHT FIELD
Westin Ray/Rhea County - Ray hit .524 with 54 hits and scored 46 runs. He stole 35-35 bases, terrorizing opponents with his speed on the bases and in the outfield. Westin has signed with Volunteer State CC.
Coaches Quote: "I am very proud of Westin. He gave his teammates every ounce of energy he could give every single day.  That "workman like" attitude allowed him to put up the crazy stats he did for the 2017 season. I am very proud of him as a player, but much more proud of my son's character and the fine young man he's become!"  Rusty Ray  HC Rhea County/Dad