2025 Season Preview
The GHSA realignment brings a completely revamped schedule with considerably less travel miles for the Blue Devils in 2025. The Georgia Dugout Preview had some very nice things to say going into the season, so let’s take a look at what we can expect to see in 2025.
Guys we said goodbye to in 2024: Collin Cates (2B), Jack Peak (P, 1B), Jack Brown (P), Oakley Koontz (P), Quintavious Fudge (OF), Robert Harford (1B), Deuce Malone (OF, P), William Taylor (SS), Wilson Holland (C), Saxon Anderson (3B), Corbin Milano (P). Leaving the 2025 needing to cover or improve upon 97 of the 217 Innings pitched and 136 of 209 hits from 2024. Peak, Brown, and Taylor went on to play in college, and Koontz is pursuing a baseball gap year.
2025 Seniors: Caden Bryans (OF, P), Cody Mills (IF), RJ Griffin (P, IF), William Randall (C, 1B), David Scott Livingston (OF, P), Jonathan Miller (P, OF), Christian Spivey (3B, P), Walker Bridges (1B, DH), Vinny Atkinson (C), Martin Heim (P, 1B). This leadership group will provide solid offense and many of the innings pitched that need to be replaced.
Juniors: Michael Nottleman (P, 1B), Jamari “Smoke” Blackmon (OF, P), Axel Serra (MIF, P), Thomas Williams (Corner, P), David Vega (3B, C), Michael Fox (OF, P), Ryan Miller (OF, C), Logan Patrick (C, 2B), Andrew Furtick (OF), Will Seals (Util), Curtis McElhaney (P, IF). This group will provide many impact moments for the Blue Devils with a few transitioning to more full-time rolls. The wonder of the season will find opportunities for many of guys in this group who haven’t dawned the pinstripes yet.
Sophomores: Maddox Anderson (MIF), Nick Hatchell (3B, P), Caden Collins (2B, OF), Lazarious Feggins (1B, OF), Carter Dixon (C, P, 2B). Don’t let the numbers fool you, this group has some talent and some size. Anderson saw the field in his freshman campaign. Look for the others to make their bids this year. All of them are capable of providing impact moments.
Freshman: Derez Chambers (MIF), Lane Chesser (SS, P), Tarvaras Lewis Jr. (OF), Mitchell Makepeace (Util), Luke Mayne (Util), Nathaniel Nehl (2B, P), Evan Player (C, 3B), David Ritchie (P, SS), Lucas Stewart (CF, P), Paxton Wyatt (1B, P). The Blue Devils bring in a very talented group of Freshman in 2025. Several are capable of finding their way up to higher levels and impacting the season.
Practice begins on the GHSA designated date of 1/27. Columbus will host Lee County in their annual friendly scrimmage February 1st, and that will likely be when the depth chart starts to take shape. The Blue Devils have fewer away games and travel hundreds of miles less overall than in 2024, which theoretically should be less stressful for the players. However, the schedule is still 16 Away, 14 Home. 14 In Region Games vs. 16 Out of Region. The season opener is 2 weeks to the day after practice starts, with regional play beginning 2/25 hosting Carver, 4 weeks after practice starts. The season will hit certainly come at the Blue Devils in a hurry.
Power output should be slightly higher than last year, OBP stands to improve, and pitching will again be a strength. As with every High School season, there is a lot yet to be learned. A lot of unknowns with players moving up and into more prominent roles. It’s no picnic early going to Harris County 2/10, and Newnan 2/11 to open the season. Northside, Auburn and Brookstone follow soon after before hosting Harris County leading to region play.
Region 1-2A consists of Columbus, Carver, Hardaway, Jordan, Kendrick, Spencer, Shaw, and Sumter County. The Blue Devils will renew old rivalries with in town opponents. They have as good of a chance as anybody to come out on top in the region, but there’s a very good reason baseball isn’t played on paper.