Preseason All-State Central Showcases Talent at Diamond Xtreme Training in Kernersville

The Preseason All-State Central brought together a strong collection of prospects from across the region, following the same structure and evaluation process as the East event. This invite-only showcase — determined through player evaluations and scout recommendations — provided an early look at players expected to impact the upcoming high school season and beyond.

Pitchers opened the day with a controlled bullpen session while TrackMan captured detailed ball flight data, giving scouts measurable feedback on velocity, spin characteristics, and pitch movement profiles.

Position players followed with a full offensive and defensive workout. During the offensive session, TrackMan and BLAST Motion technology tracked swing metrics and ball flight, helping evaluate both bat speed and quality of contact. Defensively, players worked out at their primary positions, allowing scouts to evaluate arm strength, pop times, footwork, exchange, and release efficiency in a game-like evaluation setting.

Athletic testing rounded out the workout with laser-timed 30-yard sprints, jump metrics, and grip strength measurements, offering an objective snapshot of each player’s physical tools and explosiveness.

In the coming weeks, we will break down individual performances and highlight names to follow across the 2026–2029 graduating classes as players begin to separate themselves heading into the spring season.

Roster and full stats Here

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QUICK HITTERS - PITCHERS

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

Eli Cash, RHP/C, Corinth Holders, 2027
UNC Wilmington Commit. Attacked the zone with explosive arm speed, peaking at 91.0 mph, and showed natural sink and run that will induce ground balls consistently. Max Fastball: 91.0 mph Avg Fastball IVB: 16.9 in

Jake Ciampi, RHP, Weddington, 2027
Showcased high-end arm strength, running the fastball up to 89.0 mph, and featured a sharp 11/5 breaker that consistently spun over 2502 rpm. Max Fastball: 89.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 2502 rpm

Dru Gaddy, LHP/1B, Surry Central High, 2027
Demonstrated a power-pitcher profile, topping out at a highly impressive 88.0 mph. Max Fastball: 88.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 2161 rpm

Ethan Gilchrist, SS/RHP, Garner, 2027
Demonstrated a high-spin fastball with good life through the zone, and missed barrels up in the zone thanks to 20.3 inches of vertical carry. Avg Fastball IVB: 20.3 in Avg Fastball Spin: 2327 rpm

Jason Kuvik, RHP/OF, Garner, 2027
Attacked the zone with explosive arm speed, peaking at 89.0 mph. Max Fastball: 89.0 mph Avg Slider Spin: 1493 rpm

Elijah Martin, RHP/1B, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2027
Showcased high-end arm strength, running the fastball up to 90.0 mph. Max Fastball: 90.0 mph Avg Slider Spin: 2157 rpm

Nicholas Trogdon, RHP/1B, Northwest Guilford, 2027
Featured a lively fastball that reached 84.0 mph. Solid mover. More in the tank in the coming years. Max Fastball: 84.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 1721 rpm

Gabriel Velazquez, SS/RHP, Grace Christian School, 2027
Featured a sharp 11/5 breaker that consistently spun over 2496 rpm, and worked comfortably with a fastball that touched 86.0 mph. Avg Curveball Spin: 2496 rpm Max Fastball: 86.0 mph

Jesse Covington, SS/RHP, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2028
Exhibited elite carry on the heater with 16.7 inches of induced vertical break, and unleashed a heavy, overpowering fastball that reached 92.0 mph. Max Fastball: 92.0 mph Avg Fastball IVB: 16.7 in

Mikey Papciak, SS/RHP, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2028
Brought elite velocity to the mound, touching 89.0 mph with the heater. Max Fastball: 89.0 mph Avg Slider Spin: 2295 rpm

Keaton Larsen, SS/RHP, Pinecrest, 2029
Worked comfortably with a fastball that touched 84.0 mph, and showcased a true power curve with exceptional spin rates averaging 2606 rpm. Avg Curveball Spin: 2606 rpm Max Fastball: 84.0 mph

CJ Nixon, LHP/OF, Grace Christian School, 2029
Featured a lively fastball that reached 84.0 mph, and featured elite spin characteristics on the fastball, allowing it to play up. Avg Fastball Spin: 2357 rpm Max Fastball: 84.0 mph

Owen Todd, LHP/1B, Pinecrest, 2029
Showcased a true sweeping breaking ball, logging spin rates around 2303 rpm, and missed barrels up in the zone thanks to 15.8 inches of vertical carry. Avg Fastball IVB: 15.8 in Avg Slider Spin: 2303 rpm

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Class of 2027

Benjamin Carter, RHP/3B, West Forsyth, 2027
Featured advanced spin characteristics on the fastball, allowing it to play up, and worked comfortably with a fastball that touched 86.0 mph. Avg Curveball Spin: 2420 rpm Avg Fastball Spin: 2202 rpm

Leo Lupienski, OF/RHP, Middle Creek, 2027
Showcased a firm heater topping out at 87.0 mph. Max Fastball: 87.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 2241 rpm

Ben Wade, SS/2B, Morehead, 2027
Showed a solid feel for a repeating delivery, working the fastball up to 81.0 mph. Max Fastball: 81.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 2180 rpm

Matthew Winser, 2B/RHP, Homeschool (NC), 2027
Demonstrated arm strength, topping out at a highly impressive 88.0 mph, and threw a tight slider that spun at 2586 rpm on average. Max Fastball: 88.0 mph Avg Slider Spin: 2586 rpm

Roddy Woodard, RHP/OF, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2027
Exhibited elite carry on the heater with 15.9 inches of induced vertical break. Avg Fastball IVB: 15.9 in Max Fastball: 83.0 mph

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Class of 2028

Parker Brendle, 3B/RHP, Fuquay-Varina, 2028
Spun a high-level curveball with elite rotation, averaging 2681 rpm, and worked comfortably with a fastball that touched 84.0 mph. Avg Curveball Spin: 2681 rpm Avg Fastball Spin: 2212 rpm

Tyson Cameron, C/RHP, Pro5 Academy, 2028
Showed a solid feel for a repeating delivery, working the fastball up to 83.0 mph. Max Fastball: 83.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 2085 rpm

Brandon Forrest, 3B/SS, Davie County, 2028
Showed exceptional raw spin on the heater, resulting in late life and jump. Avg Fastball Spin: 2209 rpm Max Fastball: 80.0 mph

Zachary Hopkinson, RHP/OF, West Forsyth, 2028
Missed barrels up in the zone thanks to 15.8 inches of vertical carry. Avg Fastball IVB: 15.8 in Max Fastball: 83.0 mph

Aiden Kirk, LHP/OF, Grace Christian School, 2028
Showed natural sink and run that will induce ground balls consistently. Max Fastball: 83.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 2264 rpm

JACKSON SESSOMS, 3B/OF, Middle Creek, 2028
Worked comfortably with a fastball that touched 85.0 mph, and missed barrels up in the zone thanks to 16.4 inches of vertical carry. Avg Fastball IVB: 16.4 in Max Fastball: 85.0 mph

Carter Sheridan, SS/2B, Northwest Guilford, 2028
Solid carry with 16.8 inches of vertical carry. Max Fastball: 80.0 mph

Evan Stowe, OF/RHP, Carrboro, 2028
Showcased a true downer curve with advanced spin rates averaging 2542 rpm. Avg Curveball Spin: 2542 rpm Max Fastball: 83.0 mph

Thurman Thomas, LHP/OF, Willow Springs High School, 2028
Competed in the zone with a multi-pitch mix, highlighted by a 80.0 mph fastball. Max Fastball: 80.0 mph Avg Slider Spin: 1644 rpm

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Class of 2029

Hiroki Hasegawa, RHP/SS, Carrboro, 2029
Showed a solid feel for a repeating delivery, working the fastball up to 75.0 mph. Max Fastball: 75.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 1870 rpm

Talon Lassiter, SS/RHP, Roanoke Rapids High School, 2029
Featured hard, boring action on the fastball with advanced horizontal movement. Max Fastball: 75.0 mph Avg Curveball Spin: 1590 rpm

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