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The I-75 to 285 Chronicles: Future Games Hopefuls

April 6, 2026
Ian Smith
Assistant Scouting Director

The spring is the biggest time of the year for our staff. Covering each corner of the state has become one of our constant goals and something that I’ve taken extreme pride in since moving here three years ago.

The I-75 to 285 Chronicles speaks to those travels in full as I take a broader look at the state of Georgia as a whole.

I know it’s only April, but Future Games scouting and preparation is a year-round event here for our staff here in the Peach State.

Georgia’s 2028 class has had long-standing talent at the top with multiple nationally ranked players but the depth has really begun to show over the last 12 months, and especially this spring.

The breakouts have been across the state in the 2028 class and for me, it seems to be at least 3 names a week that are putting themselves into consideration for the biggest scouting event of the year.

Earlier this week we released a list of over 50+ sophomores who have stood out among our travels this spring. Take a look at that HERE

As the spring ends and champions are crowned the evals of the 2028 class don't stop. The coverage will roll into the summer with all the players in one place at Top Prospect Games June 2 and 3. This is where the final touches will begin for the 25 spots on Team Georgia and 12-13 spots on Team Southeast. 

Outfield has been one of our biggest strengths in the past few teams I’ve helped put together, and this summer will be no different.

It starts with two names that have shined in multiple looks this spring in Breck Hemphill and Caelen Frederick.

A newcomer to Georgia this year after moving in from Pennsylvania, Hemphill has made an immediate impact across multiple settings while showing one of the highest ceilings in the state. Frame jumps out at 6-foot-2, 215-pounds with present strength throughout and still showing even more projection to tap into. The power potential jumps out already for the outfielder with flashes of double-plus raw power at peak that shows already. It started at Preseason All-State in January where Hemphill put the class on notice with ability to generate exit velocities north of 105 at the plate and showing present plus arm strength from the OF with an underclass-best 95 MPH. The in-game results this spring have been equally impressive with an eye-performance across two weekends of GDC including double-digit XBH and launching HR to all-fields. Barrel feel is advanced for the age and class and maintains balance through a longer swing path extremely well with significant length in-zone. This is easily the best left-handed power we have in the class with real tools to match throughout the profile, and could have a top-of-the-class type ceiling.

We’ve been waiting for the breakout from Frederick for a couple of years now, and we’re beginning to see the beginning stages of a high-level prospect. Projection throughout for the Milton outfielder with a lean, high-waisted 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame that has become considerably more physical over the last year. Alongside that has been the impact in the barrel that has looked to be growing at a rapid rate and shining in multiple settings this spring. Stays balanced in his quiet load from the left-side with a flatter path through the zone that shows ability to stay on-plane and budding barrel accuracy in the pull-side heavy approach. There’s a chance for a significant hit/power ceiling as the physical maturity is only going to continue to grow. Defensively, Frederick shows sneaky speed with ability to cover ground quickly from a long stride paired with excellent flexibility in the hips to attack in all directions. Arm strength continues to grow and can be an above-average tool that can help the outfielder stick in all three spots long-term. Easy to be bullish on the long-term profile for Frederick and giving himself to present that on the biggest stage possible.

Rylan Jenkins is the definition of a spark-plug with potent tools littered throughout a compact, physical 5-foot-8, 170-pound frame. One of the true plus-plus runners in the class with an explosive first step that shows out often in the outfield as well as putting constant pressure on base paths. To be honest, the game speed could be even better than the 6.3 speed he’s shown in the 60, and the gap-to-gap approach only takes that to another level. Compact left-handed cut stays compact through the zone with innate bat-to-ball skills that have shown up for years and starting to show ability to generate some in-game pull-side power that stood out at GDC. There’s no question that Jenkins brings 100% energy at all times with electric tools to match that can make for an invaluable profile at times.

We’ve seen Brooks DeRosa steadily build his profile over the last few years while showing an advanced hit tool across nearly every setting. The lean 6-foot-0, 160-pound has been slowly adding muscle over the last 12 months and the impact is showing quickly at the plate. Quiet, balanced setup, the outfielder exudes excellent barrel control through the zone backed by present bat speed in the well-leveraged right-handed cut. Uses the whole field extremely well with ability to work deep counts and spoil good pitching regularly. DeRosa is getting a chance to profile the glove in CF this spring, showing quality routes and closing speed that can help further the profile going forward. There’s plenty of polish here already with an equal amount of projection to match.

The outfield depth that is showing this spring has been another big development for our staff with names like Jackson Lee, Grant Chaffin and Truitt Grubbs having breakout campaigns, and then you have Jude Smith and Anthony Agah who continue to push themselves into that conversation.

Smith has become a focal point in the Holy Innocents lineup in a hurry as the sophomore is curing hitting over .350 on the spring in a near everyday role. Lean 6-foot-2 frame holds plenty of projection and already looks the part of a future impact defender in the corner with range arm strength that showed up in multiple looks this spring. Utilizing a wide base at the plate, Smith shows strong plate coverage with strong hands through the zone in the line-drive oriented path. Drives balls to both gaps with ease, and will only grow into more power as he develops physically.

Agah exploded on the scene for our staff this past summer and carried into multiple good looks this spring as the sophomore has already forced himself into the leadoff spot for the War Eagles. Does an excellent job staying well-connected throughout a big leg-kick and displays a well-leveraged, uphill path that generates loft with ease. Tools show well in the corner with present arm strength foot speed that can be above-average at peak.

Infield decisions will be some of the toughest choices that we will make this summer as the impact across the dirt comes from across the state.

3B Colin Anderson and SS Lio Garcia represent two of the top infielders in the country and provide some of the highest ceilings you’ll find in Georgia’s sophomore class.

I've talked in length about the type of Anderson brings with top-of-the-class power potential but the glove continues to grow at a rapid rate while showing ability to profile at multiple positions this spring. The flexibility in the lower half has improved greatly with lateral range that has shown in strong up-the-middle actions that can only take the premier profile to another level. The bat will still carry the profile with potential for double-plus raw power that shows often in-game and could have a chance to put on one of the more prestigious rounds of BP in Future Games history, given the opportunity.

Garcia has exuded immense polish throughout the profile since my first look back in 2024 and only continues to grow as a well-rounded prospect. Instincts and athleticism at the 6 is as good as you’ll see in the state with a chance for a 60 in both the glove and arm while showing long-term potential at the position. Bat speed has been among the best in the state for years while staying extremely compact through the zone while working through the middle of the field well. It’s hard to poke holes in the profile for Garcia with an impressive floor to match the high ceiling.

SS David Vargas stepped into a veteran Cartersville lineup last spring as a freshman and has continued to build the profile over the last two years to potential power-four upside as we stand today. A silky defender in the dirt, Vargas shows significant range working in all directions backed by soft hands and advanced body control to make accurate throws from multiple angles. Ceiling with the bat continues to grow as Vargas shows advanced ability to sync up a longer load while creating quality separation before showing present plus bat speed in an uphill path. Mature feel to work backside in the gap-to-gap approach while the barrel feel grows by the day.

One of my “picks to click” this spring was 2B Jax Nystrom, and the sophomore infielder has shined for a talented Denmark roster while tapping into massive power potential at a rapid rate. Nystrom shows an optimized path from the left-side, creating immense barrel length through the zone with a compact, lofty path that's geared for damage. Bat speed jumps out while generating a ton of strength from the ground up despite a compact 5-foot-9, 165-pound frame and has shown the ability to drive balls over the fence to all-fields against quality competition. Easy to be bullish on the power potential going forward while the hit tool will be close behind. Advanced actions in the dirt with excellent instincts and positioning to make difficult look routine often. There’s upside at both 2B and 3B where the glove and offensive profile can provide huge value at the next level.

We came into the spring with a fairly firm grasp on the talent in the 2028 class but one new name for me has stood out in a big way in SS Cash Cauley. Rangy defender at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, Cauley shows flexibility at the waist and soft hands that allows to be a vacuum in the dirt and accuracy allows the average arm strength to play up. At the plate, the left-handed hitter displays a wide, open stance with simple actions pre-pitch that gets him into hitting position with ease while showing a well-leveraged path that generates present pull-side pop that has stood out in-game. Cauley has the profile as a left-handed hitting SS with pop that will be a hot commodity in the summer and I don't think we have seen anything close to a ceiling yet.

While infield decisions will be tough, the impact this sophomore catching class is providing this spring will make for even more difficult choices for the staff. We have names like Logan Arnett, Gavin Boykin, Truitt Stafford, among others making huge jumps plus the usual suspects and newcomers making noise.

Long-standing as the top catcher in the class, Gavin Greene continues to build the well-rounded profile as the bat is catching up to the glove in a hurry this spring. Filling multiple roles in the top of the lineup for Blessed Trinity, Greene shows excellent pitch recognition with a line-drive oriented path that stays on-plane well with budding barrel feel in an all-fields approach. Learning quickly to stay within himself this spring and the results have shown quickly. Watching Greene behind the plate is a treat every time as the blocking and receiving is as good as you’ll see at this age with mature instincts and confidence that exudes every time that mask comes on. Controls the bases with ease with accuracy and arms strength in spades and when you make catching Joseph Contreras and his plus pitch mix look easy, then I believe you’re doing something right.

When we had the first chance to see Hank Drew last January, we had 5-foot-10, 170-pound baby-faced 15 year old and fast forward to today where Drew stands a physical 6-foot-2, 205-pounds while making huge strides across the whole profile. The sophomore backstop displays easy power from the left-side that has been eye-opening this spring as Drew creates massive loft from an uphill path with accuracy in the barrel that is growing quickly. Bat speed and strength in the frame are substantial and feels like the power potential can be substantial. Defensive actions are mature with flexibility in the crouch despite a tall frame with strong blocking showing at a young age. With big-league bloodlines and high-ceiling tools in an XL frame, Drew fits the profile of a breakout star this upcoming summer.

The value that Gus Steve is providing this spring for Hebron Christian has been a hot topic among our staff and beginning to show a very-high floor across the entire profile. Positional flexibility is strong for the sophomore with strong actions behind the plate and at third base. Accuracy in the arm stands out at both positions while the footwork and athleticism only further the defensive profile. Added strength to the stout 5-foot-11, 180-pound has been tremendous for the batted-ball profile for Steve with the hit/power combo coming through daily. Strong hands/wrists in a compact right-handed cut with ability to manipulate the barrel in-zone and do real damage against mistakes. The lack of chase and swing-and-miss is noticeable and will be vital as the offensive profile is nowhere done growing.

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