Data Dive: Preseason All-State South Position Players
March 2, 2026
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Preseason All-State South Wraps at Arena Lake Norman in Mooresville
Held Sunday, February 15, 2026, the Preseason All-State South assembled a talented group of prospects from the greater Charlotte and southern North Carolina region. As an invite-only showcase — built from prior evaluations and scout recommendations — the event offered an early season look at players expected to make an impact this spring and into future recruiting cycles.
Pitchers began the workout with a controlled bullpen session while TrackMan captured ball flight data, allowing scouts to evaluate velocity, spin traits, and pitch movement profiles through objective metrics.
Position players then moved into a full offensive and defensive evaluation. The offensive workout incorporated TrackMan and BLAST Motion technology to measure swing efficiency, bat speed, and contact quality. Defensively, players worked from their primary positions so scouts could evaluate arm strength, pop times, footwork, exchange, and release in a realistic workout setting.
Athletic testing completed the day, featuring laser-timed 30-yard sprints, jump metrics, and grip strength testing to provide a measurable snapshot of each player’s explosiveness and physical tools.
In the coming weeks, we will break down individual performances and identify names to follow across the 2026–2029 classes as players begin to separate themselves heading into the high school season.
DATA DIVE - POSITION PLAYERS
VALD PERFORMANCE
Top 30-Yard Split
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | 30-yd |
| 1 | Ryder Sheffield | NC | North Stanly | 2029 | SS | 3.67 s |
| 2 | Maddox Siebenaler | NC | Cuthbertson | 2027 | 2B | 3.73 s |
| 3 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 3.75 s |
| ^ | Levi Kerr | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | SS | 3.75 s |
| 4 | Luke Douglas | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | OF | 3.77 s |
| ^ | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 3.77 s |
| 5 | Owen Shirey | NC | Providence Day | 2027 | SS | 3.78 s |
| ^ | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 3.78 s |
| 6 | Grayson Broadway | NC | Davidson Day School | 2028 | LHP | 3.81 s |
| 7 | Dylan Rodkin | NC | Stuart W. Cramer | 2027 | RHP | 3.82 s |
| ^ | Cameron Walker | NC | Christ School | 2028 | RHP | 3.82 s |
| 8 | Connor Kullman | NC | Hopewell | 2028 | OF | 3.83 s |
| ^ | Holden Kafes | NC | Heritage | 2027 | RHP | 3.83 s |
| ^ | Michael Marelli | NC | Providence | 2029 | OF | 3.83 s |
| ^ | jack dwyer | NC | Hickory Grove Christian | 2027 | SS | 3.83 s |
| 9 | Corban Thomas | NC | Independence | 2029 | 3B | 3.84 s |
| ^ | Griffin O'Connell | NC | Ballantyne Ridge High School | 2028 | OF | 3.84 s |
| 10 | Colton Ouellette | NC | Weddington | 2027 | OF | 3.86 s |
Max Vertical Jump
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Jump Height (max) |
| 1 | Holden Kafes | NC | Heritage | 2027 | RHP | 28.8 |
| 2 | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 28.2 |
| ^ | Luke Douglas | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | OF | 28.2 |
| 3 | Colton Ouellette | NC | Weddington | 2027 | OF | 27.2 |
| 4 | Ryder Sheffield | NC | North Stanly | 2029 | SS | 26.1 |
| 5 | Owen Shirey | NC | Providence Day | 2027 | SS | 26.0 |
| 6 | Connor Kullman | NC | Hopewell | 2028 | OF | 25.9 |
| 7 | Grayson DeBerry | NC | Butler High School | 2027 | SS | 25.8 |
| 8 | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 25.4 |
| 9 | Chase Kafes | NC | Heritage | 2029 | C | 25.0 |
| ^ | Levi Kerr | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | SS | 25.0 |
| 10 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 24.7 |
TRACKMAN
Max Exit Velocity
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Exit Velocity (max) |
| 1 | Houston Lancaster | SC | Blue Ridge | 2027 | 3B | 106.3 mph |
| 2 | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 105.2 mph |
| 3 | Luke Ponczka | NC | West Rowan | 2026 | 1B | 105.0 mph |
| 4 | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 102.9 mph |
| 5 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 102.7 mph |
| 6 | Levi Kerr | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | SS | 102.5 mph |
| 7 | Colby Epperly | NC | Ardrey Kell | 2026 | 1B | 101.7 mph |
| 8 | Harrison Mears | NC | South Brunswick | 2027 | C | 101.3 mph |
| 9 | Austin Baxter | NC | Hopewell | 2028 | 2B | 101.3 mph |
| 10 | Luke Douglas | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | OF | 100.0 mph |
| 11 | Alex Hampton | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | 1B | 99.8 mph |
| 12 | Lucas Barga | NC | Lake Norman Charter | 2028 | C | 99.8 mph |
| 13 | Lucas Cox | NC | South Rowan | 2028 | C | 99.7 mph |
| 14 | Cooper Selph | NC | Middle Creek | 2028 | C | 99.4 mph |
| 15 | Ellis White | NC | Cox Mill | 2028 | OF | 98.8 mph |
Highest Avg. Exit Velocity
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Exit Velocity (avg) |
| 1 | Luke Ponczka | NC | West Rowan | 2026 | 1B | 98.9 mph |
| 2 | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 95.2 mph |
| 3 | Colby Epperly | NC | Ardrey Kell | 2026 | 1B | 95.1 mph |
| 4 | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 94.5 mph |
| 5 | Austin Baxter | NC | Hopewell | 2028 | 2B | 93.5 mph |
| 6 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 92.3 mph |
| 7 | Houston Lancaster | SC | Blue Ridge | 2027 | 3B | 92.2 mph |
| 8 | Davis Kemp | NC | South Rowan High | 2028 | 2B | 91.7 mph |
| 9 | Alex Hampton | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | 1B | 91.1 mph |
| 10 | Cooper Selph | NC | Middle Creek | 2028 | C | 90.8 mph |
Exit Velocity: This metric measures the speed of the ball, in miles per hour, as it comes off the bat at the moment of impact.
Max Batted Distance
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Distance (max) |
| 1 | Levi Kerr | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | SS | 396 ft |
| 2 | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 393 ft |
| 3 | Luke Ponczka | NC | West Rowan | 2026 | 1B | 388 ft |
| 4 | Cooper Selph | NC | Middle Creek | 2028 | C | 380 ft |
| 5 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 375 ft |
| 6 | Austin Baxter | NC | Hopewell | 2028 | 2B | 372 ft |
| 7 | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 370 ft |
| 8 | Luke Douglas | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | OF | 370 ft |
| 9 | Jace Parker | NC | West Forsyth | 2027 | C | 363 ft |
| 10 | Alex Hampton | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | 1B | 360 ft |
Highest Sweet Spot%
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Sweet Spot % |
| 1 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 90 % |
| 2 | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 75 % |
| ^ | Mason Iser | SC | River Bluff | 2028 | 3B | 75 % |
| 3 | Charlie Tonne | NC | William Amos Hough | 2029 | C | 72 % |
| ^ | Garrett Dietmeyer | NC | South Iredell | 2029 | RHP | 72 % |
| 4 | Harrison Mears | NC | South Brunswick | 2027 | C | 71 % |
| 5 | Luke Ponczka | NC | West Rowan | 2026 | 1B | 70 % |
Sweet Spot Rate: This metric is determined by how often the player produces a batted ball during the session with a launch angle between 8 to 32 degrees.
BLAST MOTION
Highest Avg. Peak Hand Speed
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Hand Speed (avg) |
| 1 | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 24.3 mph |
| 2 | Houston Lancaster | SC | Blue Ridge | 2027 | 3B | 23.5 mph |
| 3 | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 23.2 mph |
| 4 | Davis Kemp | NC | South Rowan High | 2028 | 2B | 22.9 mph |
| 5 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 22.5 mph |
| 6 | Drew Dixon | NC | Burns | 2026 | OF | 22.3 mph |
| 7 | jack dwyer | NC | Hickory Grove Christian | 2027 | SS | 22.2 mph |
| 8 | Connor Kullman | NC | Hopewell | 2028 | OF | 22.0 mph |
| 9 | Chase Woodley | NC | Charlotte Christian | 2029 | 3B | 21.8 mph |
| 10 | Sean Rodesiler | NC | Davidson Day School | 2028 | LHP | 21.8 mph |
Hand Speed: The observed speed measured on the handle of the bat (six inches from the knob). Peak Hand Speed occurs prior to impact, near the commit point in the swing when the wrists unhinge.
Highest Avg. Bat Speed
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Bat Speed (avg) |
| 1 | Sean Rodesiler | NC | Davidson Day School | 2028 | LHP | 76.8 mph |
| 2 | Luke Ponczka | NC | West Rowan | 2026 | 1B | 75.8 mph |
| 3 | Lucas Barga | NC | Lake Norman Charter | 2028 | C | 75.8 mph |
| 4 | Levi Kerr | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | SS | 75.1 mph |
| 5 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 74.8 mph |
| 6 | Emery Young | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | RHP | 74.8 mph |
| 7 | Houston Lancaster | SC | Blue Ridge | 2027 | 3B | 74.8 mph |
| 8 | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 74.4 mph |
| 9 | Wyatt Clewis | NC | South Brunswick | 2028 | OF | 74.2 mph |
| 10 | Luke Douglas | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | OF | 73.9 mph |
Bat Speed: The observed speed of the sweet spot of the bat at impact. The sweet spot is measured six inches from the tip of the bat.
Highest Avg. Rotational Acceleration
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Rot. Acc (avg) |
| 1 | Morgan Jones | NC | Weddington | 2026 | OF | 20.6 g |
| 2 | Henry Tutera | NC | Christ School | 2028 | C | 20.5 g |
| 3 | Corban Thomas | NC | Independence | 2029 | 3B | 20.4 g |
| 4 | Davis Kemp | NC | South Rowan High | 2028 | 2B | 19.5 g |
| 5 | Grayson Broadway | NC | Davidson Day School | 2028 | LHP | 18.7 g |
| 6 | Drew Dixon | NC | Burns | 2026 | OF | 18.2 g |
| 7 | Wyatt Clewis | NC | South Brunswick | 2028 | OF | 17.3 g |
| 8 | Giovanni Luisa | NC | Weddington | 2027 | C | 15.9 g |
| 9 | Austin Baxter | NC | Hopewell | 2028 | 2B | 15.7 g |
| 10 | Colton Pettinato | NC | Metrolina Christian Academy | 2029 | C | 15.5 g |
Body Rotation: A swing with proper relative contributions of body and bat rotations is efficient and powerful, maintaining proper sequencing. An efficient swing begins with the body’s initial movements, transferring energy to the arms and then the bat, maximizing Bat Speed through proximal-to-distal kinematic sequencing.
VIZUAL EDGE
Edge Score
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Edge Score |
| 1 | Bronx Carter | NC | North Stanly | 2029 | OF | 80.14 |
| 2 | Connor Simpson | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | SS | 80.04 |
| 3 | Alex Hampton | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2028 | 1B | 78.62 |
| 4 | Wyatt Clewis | NC | South Brunswick | 2028 | OF | 78.04 |
| 5 | Grayson DeBerry | NC | Butler High School | 2027 | SS | 76.07 |
The Edge Score is a comprehensive rating out of 100 that evaluates the core six visual skills. It provides athletes, parents, coaches, and scouts with a benchmark for assessing overall visual ability.
In general, the higher the Edge Score, the greater the chance of athletic success. Think of the Edge Score as the "Sixth Metric" alongside the traditional five tools of a ballplayer.
The average Edge Score for the 2020 MLB Draft Class was 79.3 among hitters who completed a Vizual Edge test. MLB players evaluated have typically shown stronger scores, with elite hitters consistently scoring above 87.0.