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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/17/2020

East Cobb Astros 17U Primed for Dominate Year

Brett Greenberg     
Photo: East Cobb Astros (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, Ga. -  At 8-1 on the year so far, the East Cobb Astros 17U look to carry the momentum of their first three weeks of the season in order to win multiple Perfect Game tournaments. 

The Astros are currently competing in 2020 18U Summer Shootout and look to go undefeated in pool play to guarantee a spot in the playoff bracket, a position with which the Astros players are familiar.



This team has 25 D-1 college commitments so far and more are expected to play baseball at the next level whether that be D-II, D-III, NAIA, or JUCO.  Georgia Tech has locked up six of the 25 commitments on this team. 

“Yeah man, I think it was just one of those years where we [East Cobb Astros] had what they [Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets] needed,” said Head Coach Kevin Baldwin of the East Cobb Astros 17U. “Coach Hall’s [Georgia Tech Head Baseball Coach] sons both played in this organization so we have a great relationship with that school, not to mention they [Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets] are in our own backyard.”

Keegan Allen, Kristian Campbell, Harry Ford, Tervell Johnson, Logan McGuire, and Christian Okerholm are the players who plan on attending Georgia Tech.

The Astros’ lineup is filled with D-1 players from top to bottom. One of the more intriguing players on the roster is class of 2021 shortstop, Michael Braswell, who will be playing at the University of South Carolina after graduation. Braswell is the second hitter. The lineup increases in power at the three-hole with a University of Clemson commit, class of 2021 catcher, Joe Mack. The lineup improves at the clean-up spot with Harry Ford, a class of 2021 catcher who is committed to Georgia Tech. At the five spot is Kristian Campbell, a lengthy shortstop with a big bat who is also committed to Georgia Tech.

The Astros could possibly be more stacked on the pitching side. The team has fifteen D-1 commitments including Georgia, Mississippi State, Florida State, Notre Dame, etc.   

Like the rest of the country and the Southeast, in particular, COVID-19 has delayed the start of the scheduled baseball season that is normally set to begin in March but got pushed back to the beginning of June.  

“In the first two weeks, our bats were a little behind and we were not producing as much,” said Coach Baldwin. “The pitchers were always getting work in, but our hitters were not able to see live pitching, so it understandably took some time for our bats to be where we wanted them.”

The Astros’ bats have come alive of late as the team has posted a .322 batting average in their last nine games. With the plethora of healthy, powerful arms on the staff, the Astros seemingly do not need a lot of run support to come out victorious. 

Likewise, to the majority of other programs, the Astros have players on their team from different states. Sometimes bringing in new players from other areas makes for a divided team, but the coaches and players have come together seamlessly and are working together towards the same common goal, to be crowned tournament champions at every Perfect Game event. 

Coach Baldwin stated, “our guys have had no problems getting along or working together because they are all trying to get to the same spot.” 

When asked what he would like to see his team improve upon, Coach Baldwin stated that he just wants the players to put forth full effort and always play as a team.

The 2020 East Cobb Astros 17U is a team to look out for this summer and seem to be positioned extremely well as one of the best and most talented teams in this age group.

This team is compiled of D-1 athletes across the board and will look to add more championship trophies to the East Cobb Astros organization.
 
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