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Preseason All-State Underclass: Staff Selections

January 22, 2026
Prep Baseball Georgia
Staff

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - The Preseason All-State Underclass Showcase travels to IVSA where this invite-only event that features the top prospects from the 2028 and 2029 grad classes. Every year, the Preseason All-State Showcase highlights the "Who’s Who" of the Georgia baseball landscape. This event is limited and exclusive to the top prospects in Georgia and serves as a springboard as you enter the high school season. 

View all stats from the event HERE 

Today, we take a closer look at the "Staff Selections" of the top performers from the event on Saturday . ⤵️

Preseason All-State Underclass: Staff Selections

Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA)

Biggest Winner: Caelen Frederick, OF, 2028, Milton -We have felt like this breakout for Frederick has been imminent for quite some time, but seeing it all put together at preseason all-state was a treat. Significant good weight added to the projectable, broad-shouldered 6-foot-2 frame (Up 13lb. since June) with noticeable muscle in the upper half. The ability to rotate for Frederick is immense, posting max rotation acceleration numbers north of 28 with equally impressive bat (78.8) and hand speed (26.4) from the left side. Showed advanced feel for the barrel in a quality round of BP, showing ability to sync up extremely well from a lower hand slot and generate consistent hard-hit contact. Batted ball numbers were up across the board, while leading the event in avg. EV (96.8), max distance (398ft.) and 2nd in max EV at 104.7. Physical tools improved in all facets as well as the outfielder showed strong footwork and actions in outfield drills with an above-average arm showing (88 OF Velo). Showed burst in the 30 with a strong 3.73 (1.58 10yd) and cutting a tenth of a second from his time in the summer. There’s becoming a real chance for Frederick to stick in CF with limitless potential in the stick. Stock way up heading into the spring and should be a vocal point for Milton.

Favorite Bat: Breck Hemphill, OF, 2028, Harrison
As if Georgia’s 2028 class could get any stronger, we saw the full impact of the outfielder who moved to the Peach State from Pennsylvania this past summer. Hemphill is an imposing figure at 6-foot-2, 218-pounds that still holds projection as the frame is just beginning to mature physically. Violence from the left-side with big-time bat speed (Max 75.0) in a well-leveraged path that boasts advanced accuracy in the barrel. Easy loft at contact that generates effortless pull-side power and led the entire event in average distance at 306ft. (Max 391ft.) and max EV (105.6). There’s a significant ceiling in the hit/power combo going forward for the 4th ranked player in Georgia’s sophomore class. Defensively, Hemphill has the tools to profile across the outfield with plus-plus arm strength for the class (95 OF Velo) paired with a sneaky foot speed that could potentially allow him to stick in CF if needed. Harrison has talent in all facets heading into this spring, and Hemphill is likely to be an important factor if whatever success they have.

Favorite Arm: James Callaway, RHP, 2028, Denmark
The upside on the mound for Callaway has been something we’ve been bullish on as a staff and it’s beginning to show itself more and more with each look. Ultra-projectable frame at 6-foot-5, 212-pounds with present body control that shows in a slow, methodical delivery that has taken big steps in repeatability. Working out of a three-quarters slot, the fastball jumps out of the hands for Callaway in the upper-80s with bore and much more velocity to come as the frame matures physically. Slider is starting to show signs of being a swing-and-miss offering with a tight, gyro shape that plays off the fastball extremely well at 75-79 while creating depth and showing feel to land on the inner half frequently. Circle-change is coming along quite nicely as well for the sophomore with ability to kill spin (819 RPM) and velocity alike at 75-77 with a ton of depth to generate whiffs. As he continues to build feel for the pitch, could have above-average upside sooner than later. Going to have a chance to grow and gain experience this spring around a veteran staff and could be just scratching the surface on what's to come.

Favorite Two-Way (Swiss-Army Knife): Carter Radics, OF/RHP/C, 2029 Wesleyan
So much to be said for the performance that Radics had at Preseason All-State as the freshman put the class on notice to open the spring. Strength throughout the athletic 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame that he utilizes across the diamond in one of the most well-rounded profiles in the class. The day started with an explosive round in BP where Radics displayed excellent hand (22.5) and bat (76.9) speed in a well-optimized path through the zone. Shows present accuracy in the barrel with ability to drive the ball with intent to all fields. Finished the day in the top-five in average (93.8) and max (102.0) exit velocities for the event. Carried over into OF drills where Radics shows good footwork with accuracy and arm strength alike (88 OF Velo) to look the part as someone to get reps in CF in time. With an opportunity to earn reps as a freshman behind the plate this year, Radics showed athleticism and flexibility in the crouch, posting consistent sub-2.00 pops (1.89 Best) with the arm strength showing as well with an on-target 78 MPH. Closed the day by showing what I was most bullish on coming into the day, and that’s the pitchability on the mound. Worked mid-80s with feel to land to all quadrants and consistent arm-side run. CH has a chance to be the best offering in the mix with advanced tunneling and depth at 75-77 and beginning to show feel for two distinct breaking balls for strikes. It’s the complete package at the age but what’s more impressive is the work ethic and room for much more growth as he develops. Stock way up heading into the spring.

Sleeper Standout: Matthew Zander, 3B/RHP, Calhoun
It’s almost hard to even call Zander a standout at this point. The talented 5-foot-11,180-pound two-way grew in nearly every way throughout 2025, finishing with some memorable performances with ProStock and now looks to make a statement in the high-school season. Hitterish actions in the box with a quiet setup and quick trigger to maintain balance through the zone. Keeps the barrel on-plane with some feel to manipulate in a gap-to-gap approach. Impact in the barrel is growing rapidly as shown in the average EV taking a huge jump from the summer, going from 78.6 to 92.0, with the max taking a jump as well (97.9). Chance for a high-level hit tool is in there for Zander with legit pop as well. Improvements shown on the mound as well with velo gains across the board, including showing a true power curveball now at 75-78 to combine with the innate strike throwing ability. The role for Zander this spring has a chance to be significant and the sophomore could really be an X-factor for Calhoun while becoming a household name at the same time.

Spring Pick To Click: Jax Nystrom, 2B, 2028, Denmark
With a clean bill of health,added strength throughout the frame, and one of the deepest lineups in the region, all signs point to the Jax Nystrom breakout this spring. Compact and explosive in the 5-foot-8, 162-pound frame, the middle-infielder has shown advanced bat speed and feel to hit from a young age, but now growing into barrel feel at a rapid rate. Syncs up well at the plate with minimal wasted effort through the zone in an uphill path. Gap-to-gap approach is growing with increasing ability to turn on the ball to generate pull-side carry. 93.7 average EV on the day (Max 101.7) would be 4th on the day backed by a 75% hard-hit rate. As bullish as I can be at this point on the hit/power ceiling and I fully believe this spring is when we start to see the full capabilities of Nystrom at the plate.

Smitty’s Standouts

  1. Junwoo Jang, OF, 2028, North Gwinnett
  2. Graysen Radics, OF, 2029, Wesleyan
  3. Tripp Sapp, SS/RHP, 2028, Loganville
  4. Nicolas Culotta, 2B/SS, 2028, Walnut Grove

  5. JD Floyd, OF/LHP, 2029, Pope

  6. Braxton Lovett, C, 2028, Mary Persons
  7. Merrik McGrath, 1B/RHP, 2028, South Forsyth

  8. Felix Joiner, 2B. 2029, Maynard Jackson
  9. Landry Boling, RHP/3B, 2029, Jefferson
  10. AJ Jackson, OF, 2028, Southeast Bulloch
  11. Santiago Fuenmayor, C/RHP, 2028, Duluth
  12. Jayden Bibby, 1B/3B, 2028, Kell

Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR)

Biggest Winner: Gavin Gebhardt, SS/RHP, 2028, Cambridge
Gebhardt just put a stamp on a successful summer with a breakout year on the way at Cambridge. The fastball was 90-92 and threw one ball under 89. The constituency on the mound may take a little bit of time with the added velo, but he is just going to get better as the season goes on. He will be lock down at SS with a chance to make a real impact with the bat this spring. The athleticism was on full display at All-State with a 3.63 30-yard dash and 30in vertical.


Favorite Bat: Zach Koons, SS, 2028, GAC
Koons is coming off an impressive freshman year with some added physicality and will look to lead this GAC team in 2026. The consistency in the field and at the dish is one of his biggest attributes and the valuable experience gained playing nearly every game as a freshman is going to be big headed into 2026. The metrics were up across the board at Preseason All-State with +5mph on the exit velo with the average exit velo up as well. He is up 11 pound since August that is going to be big for his ability to drive balls in the gap at the dish.

Favorite Arm: Cal Williamson, LHP, 2028, North Atlanta
We have talked about it before, but Williamson has been the model of consistency over the last couple of years and will carry a big work load for North Atlanta this spring. He competes in the zone with a low to mid 80’s fastball that is going to keep getting better as he adds strength to the 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame. There is advanced feel for the off speed and he understands how to tunnel effectively. He has a plan on the mound and understands who he is facing and what the situation is.

Favorite Two-Way: Thomas Gentry, SS/RHP, 2028, Citizen Christian
Gentry made his mark in May during the GIAA state championship series, showing some electric stuff on the mound and gamer qualities that really stood out. He skyrocketed the ranks in the 2028 class and gained some serious follow attention from across the country. We always look for these freshman/sophomores to make that next “jump” and Gentry clearly put in the work over the off season and even added a swing from the left side to his tool belt. It is hard not to bet on kids like Gentry that put in the work, and he looks primed to be the 1-2 punch with one of the top arms in the country in Blake Bryant.

Sleeper Standout: Hudson Pursell, OF/RHP, 2029, Wesleyan
I wouldn’t really call Pursell a “sleeper” at this point, but with an event littered with the top 2028’s in the state Pursell was a standout amongst. We have been watching him perform over the last 2 years and capped off the summer at Junior Future Games. At times we worry about players making that jump from 8th grade to freshman ball, but with Pursell he looks poised to contribute early whether its in the line up or on the mound. I have a feeling we will see Pursell being a 90 arm in the near future (summer), but no need to rush with some of the most potential in the 2029 class.


Spring Pick To Click: Kingston Jones, SS, 2028, Pope
Jones has been performing since his 12u/13u days and will get his chance to be one of the guys this year at Pope. The gamer qualities and playmaker abilities have always stood out, and now with added strength his game could reach a whole new level this spring. He is up nearly 12lbs since we saw him over the summer. His exit velo was up nearly 7mph with his average up considerably since his last event. There is obvious athleticism in his game with smooth actions in the dirt and easy arm strength to match. The Greyhounds are excited to get Jones in the line up and should have some John Stuetzer type spark plug attributes to fill the loss from a year ago.

Huddy’s Standouts

1.Hudson Bradford, C, 2029, Woodstock


2. Gavin Greene, C, 2028, Blessed Trinity


3. Chase Michelson, SS, 2029, Lovett

4. Brooks DeRosa, OF, 2028, North Gwinnett

5. Cole Roberts, INF/RHP, 2028, Walnut Grove

6. Brodie Lewis, SS, 2028, Hebron Christian

7. Truitt Stafford, C, 2028, North Cobb Christian

8. Ty Page, C, 2028, Blessed Trinity


9. Garrett Parsons, SS/RHP, 2029, Archer


10. Brant Davis, OF/RHP, 2029, PCA


11. Aaron Higgins, OF, 2028, Kennesaw Mountain


12.Fitz Stone, SS/RHP, 2028, Calvary Christian

Avery Fouts (@AveryFouts24)

Biggest Winner: Jacob Dockter, 1B/LHP, 2029, Mount Vernon-The 2025 Junior Future Gamer has made significant strides to his game in just a few short months. Stands a physical broad-shouldered 5-foot-10, 187-pounds with plenty more to project and well-connected LH swing. Shows good balance in the stride as he transfers weight well with present bat speed through the zone and advanced feel for the barrel. Ability to spray the ball to all-fields and finished the day with an average (92.6) and a max (97.0) exit velocity to go with a max distance of (364ft.). His hitting metrics were significantly up across the board from his numbers in July which were an average (80.6) and a max (88.6) exit velocity and max distance (306ft.) Dockter looks to make a real two-way impact this Spring for Coach Beckham as he boasts present pitchability on the mound with good feel for a deep four-pitch mix. Fastball shows hard arm-side run at 81-83 with command throughout the zone. Changeup creates late-depth off it at 70-72 and mixes in two breaking-balls in the upper 60’s to low 70’s. Freshman name to know heading into the Spring.

Favorite Bat: Jackson Lee, SS, 2028, Landmark Christian-The switch-hitting SS provided yet another strong look on Saturday as his numbers were up across the board from August. Boasts tons of projection and athleticism in a wiry 5-foot-10, 152-pound frame. Transfers weight well through the zone with good balance and excellent barrel feel in an on-plane path backed by present hand (Max 25.3) bat (75.7) speed, which allow him to handle premium velocity and spin in-game. His hitting metrics jumped up from a max (82.6) exit velocity in August of '25 to now a max (94.4) exit velocity. On the mound, Lee moves well down the mound with feel for a quality 3-pitch mix. Fastball sits in the low 80's and curveball tunnels off it with 12/6 depth. Splitter consistently landed at the bottom half of the zone with tumble at 70-73. Lee will look to carry a major two-way impact once again this Spring after holding down an everyday role last season and a breakout could certainly be on the horizon.

Favorite Arm:Derrick Aull, RHP, 2028, Union Grove-We heard rumblings of the velo jump for Aull this off-season and it came to fruition as the right-hander put together an impressive pen to kick off the weekend. Stands a physical, broad-chested 5-foot-11, 182-pounds and deploys a long and loose operation with whippy arm speed. Excellent mover and creates drive down the mound with ability to repeat well out of a low slot. Showed good feel for a deep four-pitch mix as the fastball was heavy at 85-86 (T87 MPH) with 2400+ RPM. Sinker consistently spotted on the inner half to righties with sink and run at 84-85. Feel to spin a sweeper at 72-73 with command throughout. Changeup thrown at 78-80 with ability to tunnel well off the fastball. Aull looks to shoulder a significant amount of innings in the rotation for Union Grove with a potential breakout in the works.

Favorite Two-Way: Lawson Moore, LHP/1B, 2028, Gatewood-The potent two-way profile was on full display for the Gatewood sophomore across the entirety of the event. Stands a physical 6-foot-0, 213-pounds with a stout lower half and aggressive drive down the mound followed by a quick, strong arm. Innate feel for a 3-pitch mix and operates from a repeatable higher slot. Fastball shows excellent carry through the zone at 86-87 (T88 MPH) and pairs a two-plane curveball with sharp break off it at 76-79. Quality third offering as well with a late, arm-side fade changeup at 80-82. At the plate, Moore is armed with immense strength in the stout frame and real impact in the barrel from a potent LH cut. Pull-side oriented approach with explosive bat-speed (Max 84.7) through the zone and great utilization of his lower half. Finished the round with a max (99.5) exit velocity. Moore will hold a major two-way role this spring and has a chance to climb in a massive way in the ‘28 state and National ranks.

Sleeper Standout: Cooper Rice, 1B/LHP, 2028, Jones County -Rice burst onto the scene this Fall and has been a big winner amongst staff these past few months with another standout showing at Preseason All-State. Loads of strength in the physical 6-foot-2, 214-pound frame. Syncs up well with a leg-kick load and generates strength from the ground-up with minimal wasted effort from a LH cut. Hands stay quiet and creates huge bat speed (Max 84.0) through the zone with accuracy in the barrel (Max EV: 95.8). Also posted a Max Distance of 363ft. On the mound, Rice creates deception from a tough angle with good feel for the 3-pitch mix. Fastball sat 83-85 with arm-side run and slider plays well off of it at 71-74 with feel to spin and sharp break. Changeup creates tumble with ability to consistently land at the bottom half of the zone at 72-73. Rice will look to be a fixture on both sides of the ball for Jones County this upcoming Spring and could see a jump up in the rankings with a strong circuit.

Spring Pick To Click: Carter Jeske, RHP, 2028, Kennesaw Mountain- It was nothing short of a standout showing for the right-hander this past weekend. Compact athleticism in the 5-foot-11,160-pound frame with a strong lower half and present arm speed. Shows an immense ability to repeat from a higher 3/4 slot and all pitches tunnel effectively off one another. Fastball lived in the mid 80's (T86 MPH) with heavy arm-side run and showed feel to spin the curveball at 75-76 2600+ RPM. Mixed in a short, tight slider that paired well with the fastball at 78-81. Jeske is armed with obvious pitchability and will look to shoulder significant innings for the Mustangs this Spring with a breakout likely.

Avery’s Standouts

1.Bates Harrison, SS, 2029, Metter

2.Chance Thomas, OF/3B, 2028, Hapeville

3.Connor Tysver, C, 2028, St.Pius X

4.Thomas Davis, 3B, 2028, North Hall

5.Rylan Long, C/OF, 2029, Mount Paran

6.Andrew Akopov, OF, 2028, Mount Paran

7.RJ Westbrook, LHP/OF, 2029, Mount Paran

8.Dylan Schmidt, SS/RHP, 2028, Rabun Gap

9.Wesley Thiry, RHP/OF, 2028, Norcross

10.David Pruitt, 1B/RHP, 2028, Haralson County

11.Christian Osborne, C/RHP, 2028, Pierce County

12.Jax Choi, RHP/OF, 2029, Mill Creek

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Showcase State Date Location
East Georgia Rising Stars GA 1/31 IVSA Training Facility
Peachtree Rising Stars ID GA 2/7 Home Plate Facility
Athens Rising Stars ID GA 2/8 The Yard Training Facility
LakePoint Rising Stars ID GA 2/16 LakePoint Sports
South Georgia Rising Stars ID GA 2/22 Southern Pines Indoor Complex

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