BEST OF THE REST

The 2025 Forest Acres Classic brought high-level baseball action to A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, SC, showcasing some promising high school talent in the region. Over the course of the tournament, standout performances lit up the diamond – from clutch plays to dominant defensive efforts, several players separated themselves from the pack with their impressive skill sets and leadership. These athletes made their mark and left a lasting impression on Prep Baseball SC scouts and spectators alike. Here’s a look at the standout players who defined this year’s Forest Acres Classic.

Reidar Carlson, 2027, RHP, Lexington

Long 6-3 180-pound frame with some strength present and plenty more to be added on. Shows patience in delivery, didn’t get too rushed down the mound against an imposing lineup in his outing. Long AA with quality and consistent arm speed from a H3Q slot. Good carry on FB up in zone at 84-87 and touched 88. Most impressive pitch of his arsenal was a FC at 79-81 with strong spin between 25-2600 RPM at times. Pitch was effective to both LH and RH hitters, running through the backdoor to freeze LHH and breaking hard into opposite batter’s box vs RHH. Frisbee-like action on pitch that was akin to a hard SL, plays very well off FB coming out of same slot, not to mention he only started consistently throwing this pitch about a month ago. Also mixed in a solid CH at 80-81 with big fade that garnered swing and miss to LHH, maintaining the same tunnel from FB/FC. Also flashed a CB with big depth at 70-71. Ran out of gas into the 6th inning but was efficient overall, finishing with a line of 5.1 IP with 8 punchouts, 5 hits and 2 walks.

2027 RHP Reidar Carlson @BaseballLex

Lean frame with plenty of projection remaining. Mixing 3 showing feel for each. FC for swing & miss to RH/LH. Flashed CB at 70-71.

FB: 84-87 T88, carry
FC: 79-81
CH: 80-81, fade to LHH@ForestAcresClas #FACClassic @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/A6AGXnnQnX

— Prep Baseball South Carolina (@PrepBaseball_SC) April 16, 2025

Walker Godwin, 2026, SS/RHP, River Bluff

Uncommitted. Lanky frame with plenty of room for more at 6-0 160-pounds, right-handed hitter. Stands with a wide and slightly open base with crouch in the knees, hands even with ear leve land a high back elbow. Good simple load sinking into back hip directly from starting position with a low leg lift. On time stride forward puts him in a decent hitting position and shows good fast hands in the zone with a level and short path. Possibly some holes in swing if not exactly on time with pre-swing movements and footstrike but appears to know his swing well and has a nice approach to the opposite field. More gap-to-gap power to come as he keeps adding on. Athletic player that hopped on the mound as well with a FB up to 82. Hitting line for the FAC: 4-14, 4 singles, 2 RBI, 2 SB

2026 SS Walker Godwin @RBHSBaseball

Drives one deep out to CF for a sac fly. Good short swing with fast hands in zone. Wiry frame with some natural loft. @ForestAcresClas pic.twitter.com/zMSn0xR3lG

— Prep Baseball South Carolina (@PrepBaseball_SC) April 14, 2025

Dominick Norton, 2026, 1B, River Bluff