CARY, N.C. — Four members of the Buford Wolves baseball team have been busy during their offseason playing for the East Cobb Astros travel teams. Treyton Rank, Jackson Brockett, Jackson Gaspard, and Dylan Lesko helped their teams win the USA Baseball’s national title for their age groups.
Seniors Treyton Rank and Jackson Brockett along with their travel team, the 17U East Cobb Astros took part in the USA -Baseball’s 17U National Championships July 27-30. Leading up to the championship game, East Cobb outscored their opponents 27-5. The Astros scored early against the Florida Burn team with two runs in the 1st inning. They would add three runs in the 3rd and one in the 6th inning. East Cobb had four pitchers combine to shutout Florida Burn 6-0 to clinch the gold. East Cobb would finish the tournament with a record of 5-0-1.
Rank is a versatile player as a right-handed pitcher and infielder. The Florida State commit led the Astros with a .500 average going 7-for-14 and had four stolen bases during the tournament. Rank was one of the four players from the 17U East Cobb Astros to be named to the All-Tournament team. Perfect Game scores Rank as a 9 or a “Potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect.”
Brockett is a left-handed pitcher, as well as, plays at first base. The Nebraska commit combined with two other Astros pitchers struck out 13 opponents while only giving up two hits during the championship game. Perfect Game gives him a grade of 8, “Potential draft pick and/or excellent college prospect.”
Juniors Jackson Gaspard and Dylan Lesko as part of the 16U East Cobb Astros travel team picked up their own USA Baseball National Championship win. The Astros took part in the 16U National Championships August 11-16 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. East Cobb fell behind the Canes National team with Canes up 4-1 after three innings. The Astros would rally back to beat Canes National 8-5 ending their tournament with a perfect 8-0 record.
Gaspard is a utility player as both a right-handed pitcher and an infielder. The Georgia Tech commit picked up the save during the championship game. Gaspard had a .449 batting average during the tournament. Perfect Game gives Gaspard a rating of 9 which means “Potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect.”
Lesko made the All-Tournament team after leading the tournament with 12 strikeouts in just two appearances. He only allowed one run on four hits and had two walks during the entire tournament. In addition to being a right-handed pitcher, Lesko also plays third base. Lesko is the number one ranked player for the Class of 2022 in the nation according to Perfect Game.
These young men have bright futures ahead of them and they bring incredible depth to the Buford Wolves baseball team. Buford’s baseball team coached by Stuart Chester will be a team that is expected to do extremely well this upcoming season provided the GHSA lets their season take place.
Congratulations to Rank, Brockett, Gaspard, Lesko, and their respective teams!
