In this edition of the Triple Play, staff writers Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux preview the high school baseball season.

Name a large schools team to watch.

WA: Barbe will have to replace Mr. Baseball winner Jack Walker, but has plenty of talent back in the field and on the mound. Two-way star Gavin Guidry plays at both shortstop and pitcher. J.C. Vanek and Landon Victorian add pitching depth and Donovan LaSalle and Grant Comeaux add pop to the lineup.

RA: Sam Houston has been a state tournament regular, making four consecutive trips, but is still looking for its first title since 2001. The Broncos have plenty of Division I talent to break through, including college commitments Sam Ardoin (Texas), Andrew Glass (Tulane), Dylan Thompson (LSU), Griffin Hebert (Louisiana-Lafayette) and Luke Yuhasz (ULL).

Name a small schools team to watch.

WA: Grand Lake reached the Class 1A title game behind pitching and defense, and ace Dylan David returns to lead this year’s team. The Hornets have become a regular at the state tournament but have yet to bring home the top prize.

RA: Rosepine won its first state baseball championship last season and is the front runner again thanks to a talented group of returnees, led by LSU signee and Class 2A MVP Ethan Frey plus Grant Ducote, Jake Smith, Casey Tilley and Braden Trull.

Name a player to watch.

WA: LSU commitment Jake Brown will return to the pitching mound this year after being limited to outfield duty last year. The lefty will boost the Sulphur pitching staff as the Tors hope to join District 3-5A mates Sam Houston and Barbe at the state tournament this season.

RA: Six-foot-4 Ethan Frey of Rosepine is an imposing force with a cannon for an arm behind the plate or one the mound. He belted nine home runs last season while batting .446 with 45 RBIs. His 12-strikeout complete game propelled the Eagles to the Class 2A state championship last year.