The publication Collegiate Baseball has released its 2021 Preseason All-American lists, and two former Valley Leaguers have made the cut. Both of these young men were off to incredible starts in 2020 before the most annoying pandemic shut things down…

  • Wes Clarke (Waynesboro 2019), a junior (I think) at South Carolina, has been named to the third team at first base (he was the main catcher for the Generals in 2019). Clarke was off to a ridiculous .286/.406/.714 start in 56 at-bats in 2020, along with eight home runs in only 16 games and 56 at-bats. He was one of the top two prospects in the 2019 Valley League season. (He was also a third team post-season All-American in 2020.)
  • Jason Hinchman (New Market 2018), a senior junior at Tennessee Tech, was named to the third team in the outfield. In 2020, Hinchman hit .414/.485/.793 in 58 at-bats, with four doubles and six home runs.

So, besides having tons of power, do you know what else these two have in common? They both played for Zac Cole in the Valley. Hopefully both of these guys will get a shot at pro ball, as soon as this summer!

  • Clarke
  • Hinchman