The Georgia Scout Blog will be a weekly blog with reports and videos from the players and teams that we go out to cover each week. The blog will remain for the length of the week with notes being added the day following from each game. At the end of the week we will update the POWER 25 and CLASSIFICATION RANKINGS.

Week of March 30th

Monday

Ben Gardner, RHP/C, 2026, Villa Rica
Lagrange commit. It was a fantastic showing on both sides of the ball for the senior as he paced his club to a win. Set the tone early while coming through with a timely 2-out RBI knock in the bottom of the 1st as he stayed on a change up at the bottom of the zone and laced it back into CF for the RBI single. Was locked in from the jump on the mound as he tossed a complete-game (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K) in a win. Stands a lean 6-foot-2, 165-pounds and moves well down the mound with ability to repeat well from a compact arm action while displaying innate feel for a 3-pitch mix. Attacks in the zone with intent and carries a bulldog demeanor on the bump. Fastball got plenty of whiffs with ride through the zone at 86-88 (T89 MPH). Slider created some depth with bite at 78-79. Changeup played really well off the fastball at 80-82 with feel to go R/R at will and arm-side fade. Gardner boasts present two-way tools and is a major piece of the engine that makes this team go.

Jasper Best, OF, 2026, Villa Rica
The Gordon State commit took really good hacks across the night as he provided instant impact batting 8th in the order and did an excellent job to consistently turn the lineup over. Came through with a big swing early as he sent a frozen rope backside for 2 RBI’s and would later add a hard-hit single to the pull-side. Boasts present athleticism and strength in a 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame with tools to project. Excellent balance and shifts weight well through impact with feel for the zone. Barrel stays in the zone forever backed by real bat speed and ability to find consistent contact while showing an aptitude to work line-to-line in an all-fields approach. Showed well in centerfield and gloves profiles across the outfield with quality foot speed and routes to the ball. Best is a part of a talented senior group that is itching for a deep playoff run and he looks to provide immense value for his club night in and night out.

Ben Brannen, OF, 2026, Gatewood
Uncommitted. This was my first look at Brannen since the Preseason and he was looking the part in the leadoff spot for the Gators. Was on the barrel in nearly every, and made things happen on the base paths as well. The athleticism shows throughout the game with + speed and a really strong first step out of the box and on his steals. The frame is projectable with more strength to be added and aligns as a prototype centerfielder that can set the tone the top of any order. There is easy rhythm in the hands with a smooth leg kick that gets back down on time with a strong barrel through the zone. Brannen is one of the top uncommitted seniors we have seen so far this spring and has performed in each look we have seen him.