Hattiesburg Summer ID: Quick Hits

Zac McCain RHP / C / Columbia Academy, MS / 2027

RHP Zac McCain (2027) is an impressive right-handed pitching prospect in the 2027 class from Columbia Academy and a commitment to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder possesses long levers that he uses exceptionally well, creating downhill angle and leverage through a clean, repeatable delivery. His fastball has climbed to 91 mph and features quality arm-side run, making it a difficult pitch for hitters to square up. McCain complements the fastball with an advanced 82-84 mph changeup that closely mirrors his fastball arm speed, giving him an effective weapon against hitters on both sides of the plate. His 77-78 mph curveball continues to develop, showing solid shape and the potential to become another dependable offering. With his projectable frame, polished mechanics, and quality three-pitch mix, McCain has significant upside on the mound and should continue to develop into a major contributor at the next level.

‘27 RHP Zac McCain
Columbia Academy@mccain_zac @ca__bsb

6-2, 190pounds

FB - 91 mph
CH - 82-84
CB - 77-78 #HattiesburgSID26 || @MGCCC_Baseball pic.twitter.com/I9C5iDkRXQ

— Prep Baseball Mississippi (@PrepBaseballMS) July 8, 2026

Ayden Demoran RHP / SS / Jackson Academy, MS / 2027

RHP/INF Ayden Demoran (2027) is a high-end two-way prospect in the 2027 class out of D'Iberville High School and a University of Southern Miss commit. On the mound, the right-hander features a quick arm from a three-quarter slot, running his fastball up to 90 mph with heavy arm-side life. He complements it with an advanced 82-84 mph changeup and a sharp 78-82 mph slider that spins up to 2,500 rpm, giving him a quality three-pitch mix capable of missing bats. Offensively, Demoran shows legitimate impact potential, producing exit velocities up to 97.3 mph while working a middle-to-pull side approach with authority. He also posted a 6.84-second 60-yard dash, showcasing the athleticism to move well around the diamond. With his combination of arm talent, athleticism, and offensive upside, Demoran is one of the premier two-way prospects in Mississippi's 2027 class and a player with the tools to make an impact at the next level.

Brayden Thornhill 3B / RHP / Columbia, MS / 2027

RHP/3B Brayden Thornhill (2027) is an imposing two-way prospect in the 2027 class from Columbia High School and a Pearl River Community College commit. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound third baseman/right-handed pitcher is an impressive athlete for his size, posting a 7.05-second 60-yard dash while moving well throughout the event. Offensively, Thornhill generated exit velocities up to 95 mph with a pull-side approach and while adding loft in his swing, giving him the ability to drive the baseball with authority. Defensively, he shows reliable hands on defense along with a strong, accurate arm that reached 83 mph across the diamond. On the mound, Thornhill's upside is equally intriguing. His fastball climbed to 88 mph, complemented by a 78-79 mph changeup that effectively kills spin and creates deception, while his breaking ball continues to show solid shape and develop into a quality third offering. With his physical frame, athleticism, and promising tools on both sides of the ball, Thornhill possesses significant upside and is a player to continue following closely at the next level.

Terrence Gray SS / RHP / Biloxi, MS / 2029

RHP/INF Terrence Gray (2029) is an exciting two-way prospect in the 2029 class from Biloxi High School with one of the more well-rounded skill sets in the class. The 5-foot-8, 150-pound shortstop/right-handed pitcher put together an impressive all-around performance, beginning with a 6.80-second 60-yard dash that highlighted his athleticism and explosive first-step quickness. Defensively, Gray was outstanding at shortstop, showing smooth actions, impressive range, and an 87 mph arm across the diamond with the accuracy to remain on the left side of the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter displayed a mature line-drive approach, using the entire field while producing exit velocities up to 92 mph. He also showed plenty of promise on the mound, running his fastball up to 87 mph with developing command while flashing a solid changeup and curveball to round out his arsenal. With his athleticism, defensive ability, offensive consistency, and upside on the mound, Gray is a true two-way talent and a 2029 prospect that recruiters should be following closely.

‘29 RHP/INF Terrence Gray
Biloxi HS
@BiloxiIndiansBB

5-9, 150 pounds

FB - 87 mph
CH - 73-75
CB - 67-69 #HattiesburgSID26 pic.twitter.com/p9u9pfqmEJ

— Prep Baseball Mississippi (@PrepBaseballMS) July 8, 2026

Tripp Lee OF / 3B / Petal, MS / 2029

OF Tripp Lee (2029) is an impressive 2029 outfielder from Petal High School who turned in one of the stronger performances of the event. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder combines athleticism with emerging power, posting a 6.81-second 60-yard dash while producing exit velocities up to 100 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter features a middle-to-pull side approach with occasional loft, showing the ability to drive the baseball with authority and project even more power as he continues to mature. Defensively, Lee looked comfortable in the outfield, displaying confident actions and a strong arm that reached 84 mph. With his combination of athleticism, present strength, and offensive upside, Lee is another talented 2029 prospect who should be firmly on the radar of college recruiters as his development continues.

Greyson Smith OF / OF / Purvis High School, MS / 2029

OF Greyson Smith (2029) from Purvis High School, continues to establish himself as one of the more intriguing young outfielders in Mississippi. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound prospect turned in an impressive workout, posting a 7.33 60 with plenty of room to improve as he continues to mature physically. Offensively, Smith showcased one of the better swings of the event, producing exit velocities up to 91 mph while consistently driving line drives from gap to gap with an advanced all-fields approach. Defensively, he displayed fundamentally sound actions in the outfield with clean arm action, and his arm strength projects to take another step forward as he develops. With his polished offensive foundation, projectable athleticism, and overall upside, Smith is another 2029 prospect that college recruiters should have firmly on their radar in the coming years.

Walker Whitehead 1B / RHP / Pisgah, MS / 2028

RHP Walker Whitehead (2028) from Pisgah High School, continues to emerge as one of the more promising young arms in the state. The 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher and first baseman impressed with a polished three-pitch mix, working from a low three-quarters slot with a fastball that reached 83 mph. His changeup was particularly effective, mirroring his fastball arm speed while showing late tumble and fading action that projects as a quality secondary offering. Whitehead also demonstrated advanced feel for a slider, consistently locating it just off the plate to right-handed hitters with sharp shape and swing-and-miss potential. With his ability to command multiple pitches, deceive hitters, and continue adding velocity as he matures, Whitehead has the tools to become a difficult matchup and is a 2028 arm that recruiters should be following closely.

Mitch Caldwell 3B / RHP / Sumrall, MS / 2030

RHP/INF/OF Mitch Caldwell (2030) from Sumrall High School, enjoyed an impressive showing and continues to look like one of the more intriguing young prospects in Mississippi. The 6-foot, 205-pound third baseman and right-handed pitcher showcased significant strength at the plate, producing exit velocities up to 93 mph with a naturally leveraged swing that creates loft and projects for considerable power as he continues to mature. He consistently worked the middle of the field to the pull side while showing the offensive upside to develop into one of the better power bats in the state's 2030 class. Defensively, Caldwell displayed solid actions and the versatility to contribute in both the infield and outfield. On the mound, he ran his fastball up to 79 mph while showing impressive feel for both a changeup and a breaking ball, throwing all three pitches with solid command. With his combination of present strength, two-way ability, and long-term projection, Caldwell is a young prospect worth monitoring closely over the next several years.

Reed Kelly SS / RHP / Oak Grove High School, MS / 2030

INF/RHP Reed Kelly (2030) from Oak Grove High School, turned in an impressive all-around performance and looks like a young prospect whose name will become much more familiar over the coming years. The infielder and right-handed pitcher showed advanced athleticism for his age, posting a 7.49 60 while still having plenty of room for physical development. He moved well throughout the workout, displaying fundamentally sound actions and the traits of a future two-way player. Offensively, Kelly stood out as a switch hitter with very similar swings from both sides of the plate, producing exit velocities into the mid-80s while consistently using a line-drive approach and driving the ball to all fields. With his athleticism, balanced skill set, and long-term projection, Kelly is an exciting young talent who should continue to make significant strides as he develops.