Prep Baseball Louisiana: 2029 State Rankings Risers (June 2026)

Reed Sawyer RHP / Barbe, LA / 2029

The former Junior Future Gamer was thrown right into the fire this spring and responded with an outstanding freshman campaign on the mound for the Bucs. Sawyer finished the season with a 10-1 record, a 1.43 ERA, 65 strikeouts, and just six walks allowed all year, showcasing remarkable poise and command for such a young arm.

Working from a lower arm slot, Sawyer attacks hitters with a heavy 82-84 mph fastball that consistently fills up the strike zone. He complements it with a low-to-mid 70s changeup that features late fading action and shows developing feel for a low-70s slider. With a year of varsity experience now under his belt, Sawyer figures to take on an even larger role for the Bucs heading into his sophomore season.

2029 RHP Reed Sawyer (Barbe HS)

6-1, 215-pounds

The former Jr. Future Gamer came in for the save in the Bucs 5-2 win over Mandeville to advance to the quarterfinals.

Attacks hitters and fills the zone up with a three-pitch mix. #BeSeen

FB: 82-85
SL: 73-74
CH: 75-77… pic.twitter.com/KuMNH817Nk

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) April 25, 2026

Austin Hill OF / RHP / Sterlington, LA / 2029

Hill possesses a long, projectable 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame with plenty of room to add strength in the coming years. The freshman emerged as one of the pleasant surprises for Sterlington this spring, carving out a significant role and making an immediate impact in the lineup. He finished the season hitting .338 with 2 home runs, 5 doubles, 20 RBIs, and 20 runs scored. Hill saved some of his best baseball for the biggest stage as well, turning in an outstanding performance at the LHSAA State Tournament, where he went 5-for-11 (.455) across the week. With his size, offensive production, and remaining projection, Hill looks poised to be a key piece for Sterlington moving forward.

Brayden Watkins RHP / OF / Glenbrook School, LA / 2029

With a long, lean 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame and plenty of room to add strength, Watkins is one of the more intriguing young arms in the state's freshman class. He carved out a significant role at the varsity level this spring and delivered impressive results, posting a 1.98 ERA with 75 strikeouts across 53 innings pitched.

Watkins continued to turn heads this summer as well. Earlier this month at the prestigious Prep Baseball National Program Invitational, he caught the attention of our Area Scout Tyler Leary. A fluid athlete on the mound with a loose, whippy arm action, Watkins worked with an 85-86 mph fastball and showed advanced feel for spin with a sharp 71-74 mph slider. Given his projectable frame, athletic delivery, and present stuff, Watkins has all the ingredients to make a substantial jump as he continues to mature physically.

2029 RHP Brayden Watkins (Glenbrook HS)

6-3, 180-pounds

Strikes out 2️⃣ and allows 1 hit in a scoreless first inning of work.

The arm works and it’s easy to dream on future jumps that are likely to come. #BeSeen #NPI26

FB: 85-86
SL: 71-74@AlexArmandPBR | @Tyler__Leary pic.twitter.com/MnhIUzSLy1

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) June 4, 2026