Who can make a run to state? Storylines as the 2024 high school baseball season begins

The high school baseball season started with a little bit of a chill in South Texas on Friday, but the weather will warm up soon enough.

For now, though, as the long sleeves will be more prevalent this time of year, here are some storylines to watch as workouts begin across the state and as the Coastal Bend looks to continue its streak of state tournament appearances.

High School Baseball Sinton's Blake Mitchell leads the 2023 Caller-Times All-South Texas Baseball Team

High School Baseball 2023 Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend All-District Baseball Teams

More runs to state?

Sinton and London have made trips to the state tournament the last three seasons with each earning one state championship. This season will the two area powers make it a fourth year in a row? Or will a team upset the heavyweights in the playoffs?

The core of London’s team is the senior class that watched a state championship slip their fingers as freshmen, while Sinton is in a reloading mode after a successful senior class graduated.

Or will it be another team that knocks off the two area powers?

Is this the year a Class 5A team breaks the state tournament drought?

It’s a question that’s asked every year but as long as area Class 5A squads keep coming up short in the postseason it will be asked. Which area 5A squad can break a string of non-state tournament appearances that dates back to 2018?

Could it be Veterans Memorial, which has some added help to an already stout pitching staff?

Could it be Ray, a squad that has one of the area’s best players in Lucas Tinajero?

Maybe Carroll, the Tigers are consistent contenders, but do they have enough to make that state run?

Or could Victoria East carry the flag for the Crossroads to Round Rock?

No matter who it is, expectations for Class 5A squads in this area are not just to win district but to make deep playoff runs and carry the mantle for Region IV in Round Rock.

Who will emerge as the area’s top player?

Entering the 2023 season, Sinton’s Blake Mitchell, now a Kansas City Royals farmhand, was widely regarded as the area’s best player and he proved it through the course of the 2023 season. Ultimately, Mitchell was taken as the No. 8 overall pick by the Kansas City Royals, joining fellow Coastal Bend natives Nick Loftin and Kale Emshoff.

This season, though, there is not a clear-cut player that everyone is looking to as the top player. Which means the door is open for a player, or players, to make their mark on the area.

And knowing this area, the player could come from anywhere.

High School Baseball Sinton's Blake Mitchell named TSWA Class 4A High School Baseball Player of the Year

The Gonzie Trevino effect in Alice

Former Hebbronville baseball boss Gonzie Trevino is making the move to Alice and it is a coaching move that moved under the radar, but could be one that makes an impact this season in the rough and tumble District 31-4A.

Trevino’s squads at Hebbronville were always competitive, and always seemed to give district power London fits in games during the regular season and the postseason. Now, Trevino will be facing off against the likes of Robstown and Calallen, and it means the Coyotes could be a factor in that wide open district race.

High School Baseball Which veteran Coastal Bend coach is taking over Alice's baseball program?

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Top storylines as the 2024 high school baseball season begins