Prep Baseball Report

Rising Stars State Games: North Region Analysis


CJ Butts
North Florida Scouting Director

The inaugural Rising Stars State Games took place November 7-8 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, FL. The event featured some of the top 2024-2025's in the state competing for regional bragging rights. Day one featured two showcase workout and two live games. Day two featured four games.

After all the games were finished, the North Region came out on top and captured the Rising Stars State Games crown. If you missed our Stats Story, featuring all the stats from the Rising Stars State Games, CLICK HERE.

This week we will start breaking down every player from the Rising Stars State Games region by region. Today, we start with the North Region. Check out complete scouting reports on every player from the North. 

North Region Analysis

Brian Abram 3B / 2B / Fleming Island , FL / 2024

Positional Profile: 3B/2B - Uncommitted, More athleticism will come as he grows. The bat is not far behind and defensively he will only get better.
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Athletic frame, long limbs that he should fill into in the near future.
Defense: Upside defensively. Works feet and hands together. Moves laterally well enough and makes the tough plays. Hands are out front and picks the right hop consistently.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short to long. Plenty of arm from third base with carry across the diamond.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance, weight slightly back and feet shoulder width apart. Hands back and barrel up. Can get long at times. Drives through the ball when he keeps the weight back with a level path.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity.
Run: 8.22 runner in the 60. 

Donovan Bailey C / RHP / Samuel W. Wolfson , FL / 2024

Positional Profile: C/RHP - Uncommitted
Body: 5-foot-6, 150-pounds. Stocky, durable frame with some strength in the lower half.
Defense: 2.51-2.55 pop times. Raw behind the plate. Mobility and technique will come the more he plays.
Arm: RH. C - 60 mph. Over the top release. Needs to add a little extension but makes accurate throws.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, quiet body. Weight even with hands behind the ear. Gets around at times but keeps the barrel above the ball consistently.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity.
Run: 8.98 runner in the 60. 

Myles Bailey 1B / 3B / Lincoln , FL / 2024

Positional Profile: 1B/3B - Uncommitted, Advanced for his age. Above average athleticism for his size as he moves the feet well around the bag. Generates some serious bat speed and could turn into a real power hitter if he continues to progress.
Body: 6-foot-3, 225-pounds. Large, advanced frame. Long, thick limbs with wide hips and shoulders suggesting he could continue to grow. Raw strength throughout.
Defense: Gets low behind the ball with hands out front. Two hand gather. Also picks it well at first.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Quick arm action. High elbow with an over the top release.
Hit: LHH. Athletic base. Slightly opened and bent in the knees. Upper body upright with loose hands and weight on the back leg. Works uphill at times but gets the bat through the zone with authority. Stays inside the ball and backspins it to the opposite gap well.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity. Has the size and strength to develop into a serious power threat if he puts it altogether.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60.  

Tommy Brice SS / RHP / Episcopal, FL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/RHP - Uncommitted, Above average athleticism and the frame suggests he can add strength. Toolsy with a chance to fill out nicely.
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic frame. Wide shoulders and strength throughout.
Defense:  Chops feet to gain momentum. 2 hand gather and fields inside the left foot. Replaces feet and follows the throw.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 83 mph. Athletic arm. Quick and whippy as he gets the weight behind the throw. Has some arm talent.
Hit: RHH. Athletic stance, weight even with legs bent. Hands cocked with bat back. Quick, short swing. Tendency to pull but stays through the ball well.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. Quick burst and low force of gravity. Form suggests he could knock it down a few ticks. 

Alijah Curry OF / RHP / South Lake, FL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF/RHP - Uncommitted, High upside in the frame. Athleticism will come as he matures. Arm is loose and quick as he shows potential on the mound as well as the field and plate.
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Lean, long frame. Wiry arms and legs.
Defense: Solid footwork in the OF. Smooth prep steps before fielding. Gets behind the ball and creates momentum towards the target. Tracks balls with efficient routes.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Long arm out front. Quick and athletic action. Follows through consistently.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance, hands loose with bat straight up. Weight on the back leg, slightly open. Subtle lift. Hands stay tight and inside the ball with an up the middle approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Delivery:  Up tempo rhythmic delivery. Low effort, tall and fall to the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Whippy arm. Low 3/4 slot that's fast out front.
FB: T74, 71-74 mph. Commanded to both corners. 4-seam action. 

Gabe Gonzalez C / 1B / Providence, FL / 2025

Positional Profile: C/1B - Uncommitted, Potential for added growth in the long frame. Solid actions with upside both defensively and offensively.
Body: 5-foot-11, 162-pounds. Wiry, long frame. Should start to pack on the weight in the near future.
Defense: 2.18-2.22 pop times. Sure transfer. Solid base and replaces feet on throw downs. Moves laterally to dirt balls.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, long with the follow through. Adds carry to the bag.
Hit: RHH. Tall, upright stance. Weight on the back leg, bat behind ear with some movement in the hands. Keeps the barrel above the ball. Line drive approach. Can get long but has consistent contact ability.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity.
Run: 8.22 runner in the 60.  

Garrett Harper SS / RHP / Lincoln, FL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/RHP - Uncommitted, Above average athletic ability. Has some arm talent and flashes potential in the infield.
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Athletic build. Lean frame with strong limbs.
Defense: Quick first step. Works the feet well for timing. Keeps weight behind the ball with momentum going towards the target. Two hand gather and fields inside the left foot.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Loose, athletic arm action. Plenty on the throw from across the diamond.
Hit: RHH. Weight balanced, slight bend in the knees. Hands low and back. Level bat path. Gets the barrel on plane early and drives through. Backspins balls when he barrels it up.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Rhythmic, controlled windup. Gets to balance point and drives on line through the target.
Arm Action: RH. Short to long. Loose out front with extension.
FB: T81, 76-80 mph. Some arm side run to the corners.
CB: 64-67 mph. Sharp bite when he gets on top. 11/5 shape.

Noah Hayse C / 2B / Buchholz, FL / 2024

Positional Profile: C/2B - Uncommitted, High upside with an advanced feel for the game to go along with the talent.
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Athletic and lean. Wide shoulders, big chest with a chance to fill out as he matures.
Defense: 1.99-2.04 pop times. Fluid behind the plate with mobility. Advanced receiving skills at this age with soft hands. Quick transfer on throw downs . Blocks dirt balls and recovers quickly.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short, strong arm with an over the top release and backspin to the bag.
Hit: RHH. Upright. Bent knees with weight in the legs. Hands behind ears with bat flat. Gets barrel on plane early and finishes balanced. Keeps the hands inside and creates whip in the barrel.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity. Strong hands in the zone with an advanced feel for the swing. High upside with the stick.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.  

Branson Mann OF / 2B / Columbia, FL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF/2B - Uncommitted, Frame suggests he can add on some muscle to give him some juice in the bat.
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Strong, athletic frame with stocky legs.
Defense: Chops feet, fields out in front of body with momentum moving forward in the OF. Under control, chops feet with two hand gather in the INF.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. OF - 75 mph. Reaches back, long over the top from the OF. Straight back and over the top from the INF.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance, slight bend in the knees. Hands cocked in front of shoulder. Slight tilt in the shoulders causing him to lift a bit. Keeps the hands tight and controls the barrel through contact.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. Quick burst and smooth strides. 

Cooper Moss RHP / 3B / J Arnold, FL / 2025

Positional Profile: RHP/3B - Uncommitted, Advanced frame with a chance to make a big jump on the mound in the near future.
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Large, thick frame. Carries the weight well with long arms and thick legs.
Defense: Fields with weight behind the ball. Two hand gather with momentum to target. Replaces feet and follows the throw.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short to long, over the top release. Carry to the bag.
Hit: RHH. Crouched stance. Weight balanced with bat titled and hands behind the ear. Quick, strong swing. Can get in and out at times but shows a powerful stroke at times.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity.
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Methodical, rhythmic delivery. Compact and keeps the weight on the backside.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter in the back, long and loose out front with optimal finish.
FB: T80, 76-80 mph. Rides through the zone. Jumps on hitters.
CB: 65-68 mph. Commanded a 11/5 breaking ball at the bottom of the zone, to both sides of the plate.

Lakota Reinholtz OF / RHP / Mosley, FL / 2025

Positional Profile: OF/RHP - Uncommitted, Quick twitch athlete with a chance to develop some tools as he matures.
Body: 5-foot-8, 138-pounds. Lean build with fast twitch muscles. Room for added weight.
Defense: Keeps weight underneath. Chops feet behind ball, fields inside left foot and two hand gather with momentum toward the target
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. OF - 72 mph. High over the top release. Quick and loose out front.
Hit: RHH. Even stance, upright. Weight slightly back with a high elbow and hands in front of shoulder. Negative movement in the hands creates bat speed through the zone with a level path and simple approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Athletic, up tempo delivery. Drop and drive. Low effort release from multiple slots.
Arm Action: RH. Multiple slots. Mainly 3/4 to low 3/4, will drop down occasionally.
FB: T72, 68-72 mph. Sink to both sides of the plate.
CB: 60-63 mph. Sweeping, frisbee type. 10/4 shape.
CH: 61-62 mph. Fades and plays off the FB well.

Fisher Van Der Tulip RHP / C / Port St Joe , FL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/C - Long, lean athlete that competes with upside on the diamond.
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Wiry frame, wide shoulders with long limbs. Potential for added weight.

Delivery: Methodical, rhythmic delivery. Gets to balance point. Tall and fall to the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Reaches down and back. Short to long with a solid finish on line through the plate.
FB: T73, 70-72 mph. 2-seam action at times.
CB: 60-61 mph. 12-6 action from a high 3/4 slot.

Robin Vergara SS / C / Stoneman Douglas , FL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/C - Uncommitted, Advanced athlete with feel for the swing from both sides of the plate. Great actions in the infield with instincts.
Body: 5-foot-7, 160-pounds. Stocky frame with a strong build and present athleticism.
Defense: Smooth footwork, solid prep steps, fields low and behind the ball with quick timing allowing him to get rid of it right as he fields it.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Strong, accurate arm with above average arm talent making throws from multiple angles and slots.
Hit: Switch. Athletic stance, weight balanced with bent knees. Hands back behind ears. Displays barrel control from both sides. Gets on time and does damage out front with the barrel on top through the zone. Backspins balls and showed gap to gap potential.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60.  

 

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