EMERSON, GA: The Southeast Select tournament delivered before the 17u National Championship with Future Games on the horizon. Tons of talent throughout the week with everything to uncommitted 2027s to standout 2030s. Check out a loaded Scout Blog with over 50 players across 13 states mentioned. 

Southeast Select: Scout Blog 

Hudson Williams, 3B, 2027, Thomas County Central (GA)
Uncommitted. Despite finding himself on base one time in a few ABs, the skill set was on display in the box for Williams as each was highly competitive. The approach is clear, showing intent to work back towards the pitcher by staying inside the ball. His first AB, leading off B1, he roped the first pitch into the oppo gap for a standup 3B before coming into score. His next two ABs didn’t result in knocks, but were good looks from the leadoff spot. He worked 2 good counts and was able to increase the PC, grounding out in his 2nd AB before running into some tough luck, lining out at 96EV to CF. The compact look generates strength from both halves and he stands very grounded in the box. The hands work from a lower slot in his load, but the barrel control and flat attack path provide for consistent, hard contact. With the summer winding down, Williams should continue to be a quality bat that can produce hits with more juice to come, making him a guy to stay on the lookout for his upcoming senior campaign. 

Jonathan Sommers, OF, 2028, Arch Bishop Moeller (OH)
Sommers (6-foot-0, 156-pounds) had the two biggest plays of the game in their Friday nail biter that went all 7. After a couple weather delays and an hour plus of wait time, Sommers was given his final AB of the game with a man on down 1-0. The cut gets right on plane with a very quick fired trigger, and the arms get great separation allowing for some sneaky pop. He unloaded on a middle in pitch that was caught slightly out front, but right on the barrel, as it was sent well over the LF fence for the 2R go-ahead HR (90.7 EV for 347’). In the bottom half of the inning, the ball found him in RF during a bases loaded jam, but he covered great distance to make a difficult play in the gap, colliding with his CF but holding on to the ball to end the threat. Being able to stay mentally composed after a long break in between ABs and a high adrenaline inning in the RF shows maturity that should continue to develop both physically and mentally. 

Tyler Hickman, C, 2029, Cartersville (GA)
The #5 ‘29 backstop in the Peach state had a great opportunity this week as he played up two age groups. It was consistent, comfortable ABs working the BS for two high quality knocks. He had a clear approach to work counts and see pitches, but each AB started quickly as he got 2Ks early on. The mentality remained collected and poised as he grinded it out. After fouling a few off, he fired a ball right on the line over the 1B head in the upper 80s for a 2B. Later, in a similar situation, he found the 4-hole at 90 EV for his second hit into RF. Both of these came with a shortened load and swing as he had intent to simplify and trust the hands. At 5-foot-10, 191 pounds and with a growing hit ability, Hickman was able to produce consistently above his class. 

JT Reed, 2028, C, NC
Reed showed out in the pool play game at the plate going 3-3 with 2 RBIs. His ability at the plate to use the whole field when hitting with that being BS, PS, or up the middle was very impressive. His swing path stays on plane for a long time, producing hard line-drive contact while giving him the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He remains under control through contact, keeps his head quiet, and finishes with good balance, which helps him make consistent adjustments against different pitch locations. Reed also was like a wall behind home plate letting nothing get by making it hard for runners to advance.