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, then at the beginning of the following week we will announce Player of the Week awards, along with our Diamond Notes, which is a culmination of all players that were not selected for player of the week.

Note: Player of the Week submissions are sent in by high school coaches.

Week of February 16th

Monday

Rocco Baxter, LHP, 2027, Calhoun
The upward trajectory for Baxter started back in January with a quality performance at Preseason All-State and has carried it into a fantastic start to his junior season. The uncommitted LHP was lights out in a big rivalry game Monday, going 5.0 IP with 7 strikeouts, no walks and no earned runs. Baxter ran the fastball up to 87 with some natural cut and held 83-86 throughout the outing. Showed ability to beat guys in-zone for IZMs as well as consistent soft contact groundballs. Slider feel is above-average with ability to land the mid-70s pitch for strikes whenever he needed. Shows some horizontal break with ability to be a future put-away pitch down the line. Changeup rounds out the mix at 72-74 with some fade and tunneling well off the fastball. It’s a projectable 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame with stuff that’s getting better in every outing and can be a great add at multiple levels. 

Ryder Hood, 3B/RHP, 2027, Calhoun
Uncommitted. Hood is stepping into a huge role for Calhoun this spring and looking the part in a high-floor two-way profile. Physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame continues to get stronger with the raw power showing well this spring to match. Synced up well from the right-side with loose hands in a level path through the zone. Caught one of the loudest barrels of the night with nothing to show for it as he ripped a frozen rope directly at the CF. Hopped on the mound late as well and locked down some huge outs in a big moment. Growing in all facets and starting to show a profile that can make impact at the next level. 

Robert Turner, OF, 2026, Pickens
Gadsden CC commit. Embodies the term “hair on fire” as he never ceases to bring the energy on the diamond and brings a plethora of tools with high-level competitiveness to both sides of the ball. Boasts tons of athleticism and twitch in an athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. The RHH set the tone out of the leadoff spot all night long as he reached base 4-times with a 2 RBI 2B and a 2 RBI 3B as well. Stays well-balanced with present bat speed through the zone and leverage in the barrel in a gap-to-gap approach. Turner, a field general in CF, would make a ridiculous diving catch later in the game as he possesses above-average foot speed and excellent routes to the ball to match. Tuner sets the tone for the Dragons and will provide tons of value on both sides of the ball during a nightly basis.

Peyton Chancey, OF, 2027, Gilmer
Uncommitted. The CFer came through with a massive swing against cross-town rivals to put the Bobcats up early. Boasts easy strength and projection in a physical, athletic 6-foot-0, 200-pound frame. Stayed on a center cut fastball with 2-strikes and didn’t miss it as he hammered it over the RF wall for the no-doubt 2-run homerun. The LHH stays balanced and delivers a well-leveraged barrel through the zone backed by some present bat speed and fluidity throughout. Chancey offers a quality glove in CF as well with present athleticism and foot-speed to match. The junior will look to be a steady piece in the heart of the order while anchoring the outfield defense on a nightly basis for the Bobcats.