The Tennessean 2018 All-Midstate baseball team
Michael Murphy
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ryan Weathers
Loretto, Sr.
Position: Pitcher
Why chosen: The Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, Weathers posted an 11-0 record with a 0.09 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 76 innings. The Vanderbilt signee was selected No. 7 overall in the MLB draft by San Diego. He hit .434 (.747 slugging) from the leadoff spot with nine doubles, 26 RBIs, 31 runs and 13 stolen bases.
Caleb Pearson
Brentwood, Sr.
Position: Pitcher
Why chosen: The Tennessee signee and District 11-AAA Pitcher of the Year posted an 11-0 record with a 0.34 ERA and 87 strikeouts and 61⅔ innings for the Class AAA runner-up Bruins. He was a finalist for The Tennessean’s baseball player of the year award.
Bryant Goolsby
Smith County, Sr.
Position: Catcher
Why chosen: Class AA Mr. Baseball hit .583 with 16 home runs and 64 RBIs, helping lead the Owls to their first state tournament appearance since 2012.
Logan Beecham
Stewart County, Sr.
Position: Infield
Why chosen: Bethel signee hit .404 with 31 RBIs and six home runs, helping lead the Rebels to their first state tournament appearance. He was a nominee for The Tennessean’s baseball player of the year award.
Drew Benefield
Siegel, Sr.
Position: Infield
Why chosen: Louisville signee and Class AAA Mr. Baseball finalist hit .504 with 21 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 42 RBIs, helping lead the Stars to their third straight Class AAA tournament appearance. He was a finalist for The Tennessean’s baseball player of the year award.
Skyler Luna
Clarksville, Sr.
Position: Infield
Why chosen: Tennessee signee hit .514 with nine doubles, six triples, 18 RBIs and 38 runs for the District 10-AAA champion Wildcats. He was a nominee for The Tennessean’s baseball player of the year award.
Knox Preston
CPA, So.
Position: Infield
Why chosen: The recent Tennessee de-commitment hit .444 with 13 doubles, two home runs and 38 RBIs for the Division II-A semifinalist Lions.
Robert Hassell
Independence, So.
Position: Outfield
Why chosen: Vanderbilt commitment and District 11-AAA Player of the Year hit .416 with nine doubles, six home runs and 52 RBIs.
Elijah Pleasants
Rossview, Sr.
Position: Oufield
Why chosen: Tennessee signee hit .416 with 22 doubles, seven home runs and 56 RBIs for the Class AAA champion Hawks.
Christian Scott
Rossview, Sr.
Position: Outifeld
Why chosen: Tennessee signee hit .460 with 17 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 41 RBIs and 65 runs for the Class AAA champion Hawks.
Gage Bradley
Rossview, So.
Position: Utility
Why chosen: In addition to hitting .361 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs for the Class AAA champion Hawks, the Vanderbilt commitment also posted a 11-2 record with a 1.76 ERA and 84 strikeouts.
SECOND TEAM
PITCHER
Gavin Hams, Clarksville, Jr.
Ethan Smith, Mt. Juliet, Sr.
CATCHER
Kaden Dreier, Brentwood, Sr.
INFIELD
John Dyer, Mt. Juliet, Sr.
Will McCall, Columbia Academy, Sr.
Brady Slinger, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.
Joshua South, Cookeville, Sr.
OUTFIELD
Henry Mosley, DCA, Sr.
C.J. Murray, Siegel, Sr.
Ryan Ragsdale, Father Ryan, Sr.
UTILITY
Graham Tulloch, Brentwood Academy, Sr.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Parker Holman
Rossview
Why chosen: Holman led the Hawks to their first state championship, along with the first state baseball title in Montgomery County history. Rossview, which suffered a 4-2 region championship defeat to Wilson Central, outscored its four Class AAA state tournament foes 40-12, including an 11-1 championship win over Brentwood.