TN HS Team Preview: Christ Presbyterian Academy (2024)

The 2024 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Tennessee.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Murfreesboro at The Spring Fling as they compete for a state championship, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Tennessee. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Volunteer State.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Power 25 and much more.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Christ Presbyterian Academy
Head Coach: Larry Nesbitt
Classification: DII-AA
District + Region Number: DII-2A + Middle Region
2023 Record (Finish): 29-13

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

TEAM OUTLOOK

CPA had a strong run in 2023 that saw them finish with an overall record of 29-13, with a DII-AA loss in the state title game against Knoxville Catholic. Coach Nessbit has high expectations once again as the Lions hold over a large bit of talent on the defensive side and on the mound as they go into the 2024 season. They also will be relying on youth to mesh with the more experienced tenured players, but talented youth nonetheless. The Lions will be relying on a couple of D1 caliber players throughout their lineup and on the bump and should be a major factor in the Middle Region, even if other teams have gotten better this season. The club still hold quality depth on offense and on the mound, which should be this year’s team strength. On the flip side, the team will have a host of unproven players getting their first taste of varsity action this spring. Junior 3B/OF and Tennessee commit Hutson Chance comes into the season coming off an ACL injury sustained in football. The club may gradually bring him back to ease the transition but offers major pop in the bat from the left-side. The Lions will also have a host of PBR Future Game Alums in catchers Reagan McCluskey and Brock Beddingfield. McCluskey committed to Dallas Baptist earlier in the fall and has incredible skills behind the plate. Beddingfield remains uncommitted, but has a host of college interests, and comes with a big bat and a plus arm behind the dish. He was a standout in the state tournament a season ago and finished with two hits in the state title game. Junior outfielder Steel Chance should get extended looks in the outfield, as well as first base and shows good feel for the barrel. Quinn Kunkel will start in an outfield position and should hit in the middle part of the lineup where he has power and average ability. On the mound, the Lions will be led by PBR Future Games alum Eli Dickey. The sophom*ore was their number 1 arm as a freshman and should run the fastball into the high 80’s, while touching 90. He comes into the season with a plus feel for spin on all of his pitches and hammer to put guys away. The Lions will also be injecting some underclassmen in the likes of Junior Future Games alum OF/LHP Roman Abbagnaro. He comes in with a smooth arm action in the low 80’s with feel for his breaking ball and a gamer type of mentality at the plate. You also have Junior Future Games alum RHP Cooper Daniel who can run the fastball into the low-to-mid 80’s with run. You also have athletically advanced MIF/RHP Jack VanOrman. He is one of the top players in the ‘27 class with a mid 80’s fastball and tangible abilities in the box and infield. The year will come down to how quickly the young cats can grow up as they will be relied upon in a deep middle region. If they can get over some early growing pains and gain some comfortability in the field, as well as in the box, then they will be a perfect blend with the older, more experienced upperclassmen. The Lions have everything out in front of them with their eyes set on getting back to the state tournament and winning it all.

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