The Harlan Green Dragons get a little closer every spring to being a winning team, going from 11-20 in 2021 to 13-16 in 2022 and then 13-14 last spring.
Even though most of his starters are underclassmen, coach Lee Freyer likes the Dragons’ chances of breaking through in 2024.
“I’m real excited to see what this team can do. We have a lot of young guys, and we’ve been in the weight room since August. We had eighth graders and freshmen last year trying to compete against men on the other side,” said Freyer, who enters his third season as the head coach. “I think we’ve made that leap from our offseason work. We put our nose down and grinded from August until now.”
One of the big reasons for the optimism is a talented pitching rotation featuring sophomore Baylor Varner, freshman Luke Luttrell and junior Jared Moore. Varner had a 3-4 record last season with a 2.42 earned run average and 84 strikeouts in 52 innings. Luttrell, a left-hander, struck out 47 in 34 innings with a 3-2 record and a 4.32 earned run average. Moore, in his fourth season as a varsity pitcher, was 2-2 with a 3.83 earned run average and 32 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.
“We feel we have three guys who could start a district game. That’s a good thing to have,” Freyer said. “We’re not afraid to throw any of them against anybody. We feel we’ll have good starting pitching this year.”
Freyer also likes the versatility of the staff and the different looks than can give opponents.
“Varner is an elite pitcher with good velocity who can strike out 100 in a season. He wants to throw three pitches this season and has worked on his curve and changeup. Luke has always had a strong arm, but we always want to be accurate first. He did a great job last year as our No. 2 or No. 3 guy. He just needs to maintain his control,” Freyer said. “Moore has good control and his offspeed stuff is as good as anybody’s.”
Aiden Johnson, Brody Owens, Eli Freyer, Chris Rouse and Jake Brewer will also see action on the mound.
“The key for me is throwing strikes. You can put yourself in position to win just about all your games if you don’t put people on base and you don’t make a lot of mistakes. You can win a game 1-0. Shootouts are hard to win.”
Freyer says several players will be able to fill numerous roles and play multiple positions.
“That’s the thing about this team. Almost everyone on the team will be a utility guy,” he said.
Donovan Montanaro, a senior second baseman, was the team’s top hitter a year ago despite being limited to 12 games due to injuries. He hit .462 with 18 hits, 23 runs scored and 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts.
“I’m really proud of Donovan and how he’s stepped up as a leader,” Freyer said. “He’s probably the most athletic kid on the team. He’ll probably hit leadoff.”
Eli Freyer is back at first base after earning a starting job last spring as an eighth grader. He hit .321 last season with 27 hits and 17 RBI. Freyer will see action at several spots this year, according to his coach and father.
“He will play short a lot of the time. He’s hit a little growth spurt between his eighth and ninth grade years, so we’re expecting a big season out of him,” Freyer said. “He was second on the team in hits last year as an eighth grader.”
Moore, a junior, is back at third base after hitting .352 last season with 31 hits and 27 RBI.
“He missed a lot of the spring stuff with basketball, but we’re glad to have him back,” Freyer said. “He has a lot of power and is a good, solid leader”
Varner will play shortstop when he isn’t pitching. He hit .272 last season with 22 hits and 20 RBI along with 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts while striking out only nine times.
“Baylor will probably hit second. He’s a good contact hitter and has been working on going to the opposite field. Most high school pitchers like to attack on the outside of the plate,” Freyer said. “He’s doing a good job with that low, outside fastball.”
Owens was solid behind the plate for the Dragons last year as a freshman, hitting .253 with 20 hits and 11 RBI. Rouse will also see action at catcher.
“We’ll need Brody to pitch some this year, and Chris does a good job back there also,” Freyer said. “Brody has a real high baseball IQ with a pretty strong arm. He’s pretty quick getting rid of the ball and makes most of our calls.”
Luttrell will take over for Jaedyn Gist, who is now playing basketball at Berea College, in center field. Luttrell hit .211 last season.
“He judges the ball in the outfield probably better than anybody we’ve had here. When it’s hit, he knows where it’s at. He can go and get it. It comes natural for him,” Freyer said.
Johnson, a senior who hit .235 last season with 16 hits and 10 RBI, is back in left field.
“He played up as an eighth grader, so I think this is his fifth season playing varsity baseball,” Freyer said. “He will probably see some action in the infield also. He has done well this spring.”
Chris Rouse and Brewer, both sophomores, will split time in right field while also playing several other positions. Rouse hit .342 with 13 hits and a perfect 14 of 14 in stolen bases. Brewer hit .203 with 15 hits and 18 stolen bases in 19 attempts.
“Jake can play a lot of positions. He’s a good contact hitter, and one of the best with offspeed pitches. He’s a smart player,” Freyer said. “Chris does a great job at putting the ball in play and ignites things for us.”
Gunnar Snelling, a senior, will also see action in the outfield where his defense and base running skills will be important to the Dragons’ success this year, according to Freyer. Freshmen Caiden Meadors, Caden Middleton, Beck Bryson and Jonah Sharp will also provide outfield depth.
Even though Middlesboro has reeled off seven straight district titles, the 52nd District appears more balanced this season with the Jackets losing several key players to graduation.
“I think it’s a real competitive district,” Freyer said. “I think it will be very exciting this year. Bell has made some changes they are excited about, and we have some youthful enthusiasm here with a couple of senior leaders.”