TEAM PREVIEW | Sulphur High School / Team ID
January 24, 2024
Head Coach’s Name: Thomas Tillery
LHSAA Classification & District: 5A District 3
Number of returning starting position players: 3
Number of returning starting pitchers: 2
With the 2024 Spring season right around the corner, we take a look at one of the top teams in the state that recently attended one of our 2D Team Combines. The Sulphur TORS look to get back to the State Tournament in 2024.
TOP RETURNERS
Top returning players for the Tors this year are Bryce Fontenot (2024 – IF – McNeese St) and Jackson Beddoe (2025 - IF/RHP). Fontenot hit in the 3 hole all of last year and put together a great season hitting .405 with 7 HR, 10 doubles, and 30 RBI’s. He also played stellar defensively posting a .944 fielding percentage.
Coach Tillery believes Bryce has made a huge jump with his swing and approach and has made great improvements with the glove and arm. Beddoe hit primarily in the 6, 7 hole last year and hit .403 with 7 doubles and 21 RBI’s. He also had 14 stolen bases. Beddoe played second base and had a .968 fielding percentage in 30 games.
Jackson looks to hit towards the top of the order this season. He also plans to be used out of the bullpen. His fastball has been up to 91mph this off season and has commanded all three pitches. Beddoe is one of the top uncommitted 2025 players in the class and expects to have a big year.
One of the top returning arms this year is Carter Wilson (LHP/OF – 2026). Wilson pitched as a freshman last year and had a valuable role. Wilson should be a major piece of the staff this year and has made great strides on getting stronger and repeating mechanics on a consistent basis. Look for Wilson to be able to command the zone and get hitters out early in counts.
PLAYERS TO MAKE AN IMPACT
A lot of new names will be called upon this year as well. These players include Carson Cauvin (RHP-2024), Cohen Babineaux (INF-2024), Espyn Trahan (OF-2024), Slade Shove-Knox (RHP/OF-2025), Kaden Kochell (OF/RHP-2025), and Brody Harlow (C-2024-Centenary College) Cauvin has a fastball that sits between 86-90mph and has the potential to be a top 3 arm.
Babineaux will be a spark for the offense this year. He brings leadership and should bat in the middle of the order. Trahan should be in centerfield and has great speed. (Posted a 6.77 at Sulphur Team Combine). Kochell pitched a few innings last year and played a little outfield in 2023 but Tillery expects him to have a valuable role in this 2024 team.
Harlow will be the primary backstop for the Tors. The big bodied catcher is athletic and should provide offense on the back end and bring a good defensive presence and manage the pitching staff.
One of the biggest names to see more time this year is Slade Shove-Knox. He pitched 12 innings and could be a big arm for the TORS this season. His arm has made a big jump and has put in a lot of work this off season. At the Sulphur Team Combine Shove-Knox with up to 89mph with his fastball and had an elite slider with 2900+ rpm.
2024 EXPECTATIONS
Last year, the TORS lost in the semifinals to eventual state champions Barbe High School. Coach Tillery believes their offense and defense are key parts to bringing a championship back to Sulphur. Look for this team to be scrappy and compete hard between the lines.
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TEAM ID RECAP (JANUARY 20TH)
BRYCE FONTENOT | 2024 | SULPHUR
POSITION: IF
HT/WT: 5'9/165lbs
SCOUT NOTES: Fontenot was very impressive. Combine best 99.0mph Max Exit Velo. Ran the 60 at 6.93 and was 85mph across the IF. The McNeese State commit was smooth on the infield and used plus bat speed to get barrel through the zone and show plus pull side power.
RAPSODO ADVANCE METRICS:
SLADE SHOVE-KNOX | 2024 | SULPHUR
POSITION: RHP/OF
HT/WT: 6'0'/160lbs
SCOUT NOTES: All eyes were on the right handed pitcher when he toed the rubber. Shove-Knox mixed in 3 pitches that was highlighted by a combine best 89.0mph fastball. He also spun it well by adding a sharp slider that had over a 2900rpm spin rate. Commanded the zone well and the ball exploded out of his hand. He also hit well posting a top exit velo of 94.0mph.
RAPSODO ADVANCE METRICS:
COHEN BABINEAUX | 2024 | SULPHUR
POSITION: IF
HT/WT: 5'11/165lbs
SCOUT NOTES: The middle infielder had a really good day. Top 3 in both average exit velo and max exit velo. Soft hands up the middle and good extension with hands at the plate with consistent barrels. Also ran a 6.87.
RAPSODO ADVANCE METRICS:
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