The West Georgia Wolves introduced five new catching options in an Oct. 1 preview of the 2027 baseball team. The school highlighted seven players, including returning contributors Hank Smith and David Bell. The newcomers include three transfers and two freshmen, giving the program multiple experience levels to evaluate during its fall preparation.
Bell brings substantial offensive production from 2026, when he hit .266 with 37 hits, 32 RBIs and eight home runs. His experience included catching, first base, the outfield and designated hitter. The current 2027 roster lists him as an outfielder and first baseman, so his contribution may extend beyond the catching group described in the October feature.
Smith appeared in 27 games during 2026 and recorded nine hits, four RBIs and one home run. He posted a .992 fielding percentage and caught four runners stealing. Those defensive numbers give West Georgia an experienced option as it works to develop the newcomers behind the plate.
David Denton arrives from Gordon State after hitting .325 with 40 hits and 21 RBIs. Jackson Freeman joins from St. Johns River, while Luca Perriello brings experience from Virginia Tech and Mercer. The mix of junior college and Division I backgrounds adds different development paths to the position group.
Perriello appeared in eight games for Mercer last season after previously beginning his college career at Virginia Tech. The West Georgia feature notes that he hit a grand slam in his first collegiate at-bat against Bucknell. That history provides context for his arrival, although past highlights alone will not determine his role with the Wolves.
Freshmen Reid Davis and Cole Gilmore complete the group introduced in the school preview. Davis helped Newnan High School win the 2025 Georgia High School Association Class 5A title and hit .448 during that playoff run. Fall work now gives West Georgia a chance to assess how the group’s hitting, receiving and throwing translate into its college pitching environment.
GSB Take
West Georgia has returning experience and several new developmental options, which should create useful competition during preparation for 2027. Bell’s versatility also gives the coaching staff ways to use his offense beyond one position. The most meaningful progress will come from pairing the newcomers’ hitting backgrounds with reliable defensive work and relationships with the pitching staff.