Magnolia State Games: Quick Hits, Outfielders
June 18, 2026
RIDGELAND, MS — The 2026 Magnolia State Games was held on Tuesday June 9 and Wednesday June 10 at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland, MS that featured top talent from the 2027-2030 classes. Players went through a pro-style workout with TrackMan and VALD Performance tech, while pitchers threw in a game play setting and were able to get data and metrics on our TrackMan unit.
Some prospects built on past showings, while others made strong first impressions.
We continue our post-event coverage with a look at some of the standout outfielders from the event, with more breakdowns and full scouting reports coming soon.
+ View all event stats HERE.
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QUICK HITS: OUTFIELDERS
+ OF/RHP Christopher Poole (2028) of Oak Grove High School is one of the more toolsy and athletic prospects in Mississippi’s 2028 class, and all signs point toward a potential breakout over the next year. Poole possesses an impressive blend of speed, arm strength, and offensive upside that immediately grabs attention. He posted a blazing 6.59-second 60-yard dash, one of the better times in the class, showcasing the type of athleticism that impacts every aspect of the game. Defensively, Poole’s arm strength is a major weapon in the outfield, where he reached 92 mph and showed the ability to make throws that few players his age can match. At the plate, the right handed hitter continues to flash significant offensive upside, producing exit velocities up to 99 mph and demonstrating the bat speed and strength needed to become a dangerous hitter. The physical tools are already present, and there is still plenty of room for growth as he continues to mature and gain experience. What makes Poole especially intriguing is the ceiling. The combination of elite athleticism, arm strength, speed, and offensive potential gives him one of the higher upside profiles in the class. If the bat continues to take the next step, this summer and the 2027 spring could very well be the period when he emerges as one of the breakout prospects in Mississippi. He is definitely a player recruiters should be paying close attention to moving forward.
+ OF Case Simmons (2028) of Brookhaven Academy is an exciting young prospect whose offensive upside continues to stand out every time he takes the field. The left-handed hitter possesses an advanced approach for his age and consistently shows the ability to drive the baseball with authority. Simmons produced an impressive 101.4 mph exit velocity, a number that immediately catches attention and highlights the strength and bat speed already present in his game. What stands out most offensively is his ability to stay through the baseball and drive it to the opposite field. Simmons works with a clean, level bat path and a mature approach at the plate, allowing him to consistently find quality contact rather than simply selling out for power. His athleticism is another asset, as evidenced by a strong 6.87-second 60-yard dash that adds value both on the bases and defensively. The combination of athleticism, advanced hitting traits, and emerging power makes Simmons a very fun player to watch. With continued physical development and experience, he has all the ingredients to keep getting better and become one of the more intriguing prospects in Mississippi’s 2028 class.
+ OF/LHP Tucker Elliott (2029) of Myrtle High School is a young prospect whose future is often discussed because of his upside on the mound as a left-handed pitcher, but the offensive side of his game deserves attention as well. Elliott continues to show promise as a two-way player and possesses the athleticism and foundation to develop into a legitimate contributor on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he showed arm strength up to 86 mph from the outfield, demonstrating the type of arm talent that translates well across multiple positions. At the plate, the left-handed hitter produced exit velocities up to 86 mph and showed encouraging signs of offensive potential. While there is still physical development ahead, the swing works, and the bat projects to improve as additional strength arrives. As his body matures and he continues to add muscle, the power ceiling should rise, making his offensive profile even more intriguing. Because of his projection, athleticism, and natural left-handed arm talent, Elliott remains a player to watch closely. The pitching upside may currently draw the most attention, but the bat continues to show enough promise that his long-term future as a two-way prospect is becoming increasingly realistic. With continued development, he has a chance to make a significant impact in multiple areas of the game.
+ OF Drew Butler (2027) of Northwest Rankin High School is an athletic prospect with a toolset that immediately catches your attention. The right-handed hitter posted a strong 6.88-second 60-yard dash, showcasing the athleticism that translates well across all facets of the game. Defensively, Butler showed arm strength up to 84 mph from the outfield, giving him the ability to make plays and impact the game with his arm as well as his athleticism. At the plate, Butler looks intent on doing damage every time he steps into the box. He produced exit velocities up to 93.4 mph and showed the type of bat speed and strength that suggest there is even more offensive production on the horizon. The ball comes off his bat well, and he has the look of a hitter who wants to attack pitches and punish mistakes. With his combination of speed, arm strength, athleticism, and offensive upside, Butler possesses plenty of tools for recruiters to be excited about. He is definitely a player worth following closely, and it will be exciting to see how those tools translate into game action this spring.
+ OF Chyles Crawford (2028) of Lewisburg High School is a highly intriguing young prospect with a well-rounded skill set and plenty of upside. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Crawford already possesses a strong, athletic frame that projects well as he continues to mature. One of the more impressive aspects of his profile is his ability to swing it from both sides of the plate, showing a similar look and feel from each side with a repeatable stroke and balanced approach. During workouts, Crawford consistently checked boxes across the board. He produced exit velocities up to 96.2 mph, showcasing present strength and the ability to impact the baseball with authority. Defensively, he showed arm strength up to 81 mph from the outfield and moved well throughout the event. What stands out most is how complete the overall package looks. He does everything well, without many glaring weaknesses, and continues to show the athleticism and tools that project favorably moving forward. The switch-hitting ability, physical frame, and overall polish make Crawford a very exciting prospect in the 2028 class. As he gains more game experience and continues to develop physically, there is plenty of reason to believe his stock will continue to rise. He is a player we are eager to watch this spring to see how his impressive workout tools continue to translate into game action.
+ OF Jack Vance (2028) of Kosciusko High School is a physically imposing young prospect with a frame that immediately stands out. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Vance already possesses significant size and strength, yet still has plenty of development ahead of him as he continues to mature. The left-handed hitter showed an impressive offensive foundation during workouts, producing exit velocities up to 95.7 mph and flashing the type of raw power potential that is difficult to teach. What makes Vance particularly intriguing is how well the swing works for a player of his size. He shows a good-looking stroke from the left side with developing power and the ability to drive the baseball with authority. As he continues to refine his approach and add strength and athleticism to an already impressive frame, there is reason to believe the power numbers will continue to climb. Defensively, he showed arm strength up to 80 mph from the outfield, adding another tool to an already promising profile. The combination of size, strength, left-handed power potential, and long-term projection makes Vance a player worth following closely. With continued development, he has the tools to become a very impactful player over the next few years.
+ OF Eli Murphy (2029) of Hartfield Academy turned in a very impressive performance at the Magnolia State Games and continues to look like one of the more exciting young athletes in Mississippi’s 2029 class. The 6-foot, 185-pound prospect already possesses a strong, athletic build and showed off a well-rounded tool set that should only continue to improve as he matures physically over the next several years. Murphy flashed impressive arm strength from the outfield, reaching 86 mph, while also showing the athleticism and body control needed to impact the game defensively. At the plate, he produced exit velocities up to 96.6 mph, an eye-opening number for a player his age that highlights the strength and bat speed already present in the profile. The ball jumps off his bat, and there is every reason to believe even more power is coming as he continues to develop. Perhaps the most exciting part of Murphy’s profile is how much time remains for growth. With several years before college recruiting reaches its peak for his class, he already possesses many of the physical tools recruiters covet. The combination of athleticism, arm strength, offensive upside, and projection makes him a player worth following closely. Murphy was one of the brighter young standouts at the event, and he should be a lot of fun to watch develop over the next couple of years.
+ OF/LHP Bowen Vaughn (2028) of Oxford High School continues to be one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in Mississippi, and his development over the past several years has been impressive to watch. A former Junior Future Games participant, Vaughn has steadily added to his skill set and continues to show exactly what player development is supposed to look like. The athletic prospect has taken meaningful steps forward both offensively and on the mound, making him a valuable asset in multiple areas of the game. At the plate, Vaughn continues to impress with a swing that we have long been fans of. He produced exit velocities up to 93.9 mph, showing the ability to impact the baseball with authority while maintaining a smooth, repeatable approach. Defensively, he displayed arm strength up to 85 mph from the outfield, further highlighting his athleticism and versatility. His ability on the mound remains a significant part of his profile as well, giving him legitimate value as a true two-way prospect. What stands out most about Vaughn is the steady progression he has shown year after year. The tools continue to improve, the confidence continues to grow, and the overall game keeps moving forward. With his combination of offensive ability, arm talent, and upside on the mound, Vaughn remains a prospect worth following closely as he continues his development at Oxford High School.
+ OF/LHP JB Boykin (2028) of Amory High School continues to establish himself as one of the top young two-way prospects in Mississippi. We first came away impressed with Boykin at a Rising Stars event in North Mississippi a couple of years ago, and since then he has continued to make noticeable gains in every aspect of his game. The athletic prospect showed off his tools once again at the Magnolia State Games, reinforcing why he remains a player worth following closely. Boykin's athleticism stands out immediately. He posted a 6.71-second 60-yard dash, showcasing the speed and explosiveness that translate well both defensively and on the bases. He also displayed a strong arm from the outfield, reaching 83 mph, while producing exit velocities up to 98 mph at the plate. The offensive upside continues to trend upward as he develops physically and gains more experience. What makes Boykin especially intriguing is his potential on the mound. He looked very good during his work at the Magnolia State Games, further strengthening his profile as a legitimate two-way prospect. The combination of athleticism, arm talent, offensive upside, and pitching ability gives him multiple avenues for success moving forward. He continues to take positive steps in his development, and recruiters should absolutely begin taking notice of what he brings to the table.
+ OF Kiptyn Figueroa (2028) of Mooreville High School was one of the more athletic and well-rounded performers at the Magnolia State Games. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound prospect immediately caught attention with his overall athleticism and the ease with which he moves on the field. Figueroa posted an impressive 6.74-second 60-yard dash, showcasing the speed and explosiveness that allow him to impact the game in multiple ways. Defensively, he showed solid arm strength from the outfield, reaching 82 mph while displaying the athletic actions and body control that project well moving forward. More than any one metric, it was the complete athletic package that stood out. Figueroa looks comfortable on the field, moves with confidence, and possesses the type of natural athleticism that often translates into continued development as a player matures. His performance at the Magnolia State Games reinforced why he is a prospect worth monitoring closely. With a strong athletic foundation, plenty of room for physical development, and the tools to impact the game in several areas, Figueroa is a must-follow player in Mississippi’s 2028 class and one we look forward to tracking in the years ahead.
+ OF Parker Hawkins (2028) of Sumrall High School continues to establish himself as one of the more well-rounded athletic prospects in Mississippi’s 2028 class. Hawkins first grabbed significant attention with a breakout performance at the Top Prospect Games at Mississippi State, and he has continued to build on that momentum with each opportunity to showcase his abilities. The athletic outfielder possesses an impressive combination of speed, strength, and overall tools that make him a player to watch closely moving forward. His athleticism is evident in a blazing 6.64-second 60-yard dash, one of the better marks in the class, while his arm strength reached 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, the switch hitter showed the ability to impact the baseball at a high level, producing exit velocities up to 98.7 mph and demonstrating the strength and bat speed that project well for future offensive production. The tools are beginning to come together, and the confidence in his game continues to grow. What stands out most about Hawkins is how complete the profile has become. He impacts the game with his athleticism, has developing power at the plate, and continues to make strides in all facets of his game. With the foundation he has already established and the continued progression he is showing, there is every reason to believe a very successful high school career lies ahead. Hawkins remains one of the more exciting young prospects to follow in the 2028 class.
+ OF Adam Rugg (2027) of Biloxi High School, a Jones College commit, turned in a very strong performance at the Magnolia State Games and continued to reinforce why he is one of the more reliable all-around athletes in Mississippi’s 2027 class. While he may not be the biggest player physically, Rugg consistently plays bigger than his size thanks to his athleticism, instincts, and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. One of the first things that stands out is his speed. Rugg posted an outstanding 6.64-second 60-yard dash, showcasing the explosiveness and athleticism that make him a threat on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he showed arm strength up to 80 mph from the outfield and displayed the type of range and athletic actions that allow him to cover ground effectively. At the plate, he continued to impress by producing exit velocities up to 96.9 mph, demonstrating that there is plenty of strength and offensive ability packed into his frame. The overall performance was another reminder of just how complete Rugg’s game has become. He runs well, defends well, impacts the baseball, and competes at a high level every time he takes the field. The Jones College commit continues to validate his reputation as a quality prospect, and his showing at the Magnolia State Games only further solidified his abilities. He is a player coaches love to have in their lineup because of the energy, consistency, and versatility he brings to the field.
+ OF Sawyer Finnie (2027) of Hartfield Academy made a strong first impression at the Magnolia State Games and looks like a prospect whose recruitment could begin to gain momentum in a hurry. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound athlete showed off a well-rounded skill set and the type of athleticism that immediately stands out during workouts. Finnie posted an impressive 6.69-second 60-yard dash, highlighting his speed and ability to move effortlessly around the field. His quick first step was evident throughout the event, allowing him to cover ground defensively and showcase the athletic actions that project well moving forward. He also displayed arm strength up to 80 mph from the outfield, further adding to an already intriguing profile. More than any single metric, Finnie's overall performance stood out. He moved well, competed well, and consistently looked comfortable in every phase of the workout. The combination of athleticism, speed, and projectability should place him squarely in the middle of the recruiting conversation moving forward. As coaches continue to evaluate the 2027 class, Finnie is a player whose name should continue to surface, and one we look forward to seeing more of in game action.
+ OF Luke Moberley (2029) of Tri-County Academy is an exciting young prospect who continues to show the traits of a player with a very bright future. The right-handed hitter turned in a strong overall performance and consistently did the little things right throughout the event, showcasing a well-rounded skill set and a mature feel for the game that stands out for his age. Offensively, Moberly showed promising bat speed and offensive upside, producing exit velocities up to 93.6 mph. The swing works well, and he consistently showed the ability to square up baseballs with authority. Defensively, he displayed arm strength up to 80 mph from the outfield, further highlighting the athleticism and tools already present in his game. What makes Moberly particularly intriguing is the amount of physical development still ahead of him. As his body continues to mature and he adds strength, there is reason to believe his tools will take another significant step forward. The foundation is already in place, and the combination of athleticism, offensive potential, and overall baseball instincts makes him a player we are eager to continue monitoring over the next several years. Moberly is definitely a young prospect with plenty of upside still to come.
UPCOMING 2026 SUMMER EVENTS ⤵️
| SHOWCASE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Central Mississippi Summer ID | 06/23 | Clinton HS - Clinton, MS |
| Central Mississppi Rising Stars ID | 06/23 | Clinton HS - Clinton, MS |
| Starkville Summer ID | 06/30 | Starkville HS - Starkville, MS |
| Starkville Rising Stars ID | 06/30 | Starkville HS - Starkville, MS |
| Hattiesburg Summer ID | 07/07 | University of Southern Miss - Hattiesburg, MS |
| Hattiesburg Rising Stars ID | 07/07 | University of Southern Miss - Hattiesburg, MS |
| Oxford Summer ID | 07/14 | Oxford HS - Oxford, MS |
| Oxford Rising Stars ID | 07/14 | Oxford HS - Oxford, MS |
| Jackson Summer ID | 08/08 | Jackson Prep - Flowood, MS |
| Jackson Rising Stars ID | 08/08 | Jackson Prep - Flowood, MS |