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Fall Rising Stars ID: Quick Hits

September 28, 2022
Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

PBR Georgia hosted the Fall Rising Stars ID on Thursday, September 22nd at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA. This event, for the class of 2027 and 2028 grads, is intended to provide younger prospects a glimpse of what a showcase is all about. Prospects participated in a pro-style workout, just as their high school counterparts do. All-in-all, 22 prospects made their way to Emerson, along with 14 pitchers.

Our event analysis so far has dealt exclusively with a look at the statistics collected thanks to our partners at Swift Performance and TrackMan. First, we had a “Stats Story” that looked at the traditional metrics collected at a showcase: 60 yard dash, exit velocity, arm strength, and pop times. We went deeper in our next article, “Data Dive”, going into some of the advanced metrics that Swift and TrackMan collected.

Today, we are going to provide our initial thoughts from the event. Who stood out at first glimpse, and who jumped off the stat sheet.

Quick Hits

SS/RHP Patrick Hassan (North Oconee, 2027) continues to be one of the most impressive prospects we have seen at this age. Standing 5-foot-10, 155-pounds, Hassan already has lean strength throughout. He is athletically advanced compared to his peers, as evidenced by his 7.07 60 yard time. The arm strength he possesses is elite, 86 across the infield, 84.9 on the mound. Hassan is more than just a flamethrower though. He has two offspeed pitches that flash above average, a sharp slider and a sinking changeup. At the plate, Hassan took some of the best BP on the day, working gap-to-gap.


Coming to us all the way from Virginia, OF/1B Rylan Jessee (2027) set the tone early in batting practice with a loud round, recording an event best 93.0 exit velocity. Jessee already carries some physicality in his broad 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame, with much more on the way, as is the case with all of the prospects we will mention. A right-handed hitter, he has a well sequenced swing and quick/powerful hands that accelerate through contact.
Only a 2028, SS Lio Garcia (North Gwinnett, 2028) has present tools and loads of potential. Garcia is an athlete at 5-foot-8, 135-pounds. He ran the 2nd fastest 60 time, 7.39, for his class and the 3rd fastest overall. His athleticism shines throughout his game. At the plate, Garcia has a consistent approach, peppering the gaps with line drive contact. He did flash the ability to drive the ball pull-side with intent. Defensively, there are no questions about his ability to stay on the left-side of the infield. There is plenty of arm strength, topping out at 80 across the infield and 83 from the outfield.
We got our first up close look at OF/RHP Jayzen Johnson (Lumpkin County, 2027) following his championship run at the 2022 PBR Junior Future Games, playing with Team Mid-Atlantic. Johnson has a large build at 5-foot-9, 160-pounds with strength throughout. His strength is evident at the plate where he produced dirven contact middle/pull. It also carries over into the field. Johnson showed off a big arm, leading the event in outfield velocity at 84 mph. He also topped out at 78.9 on the mound.
3B Aden Rucker (Carrollton, 2027) showcased one of the better swings of the day. Rucker has good sequencing and timing in his swing. There is real intent behind it as well, as he aggressively whips the barrel through the zone. Rucker created elevated, driven contact to the pull-side. An athletic 5-foot-5, 140-pounds, there is much more to come from him. Rucker posted the fifth fastest 60 time at 7.51 seconds.
OF/3B Spencer Norman (Mount Vernon, 2028) physically stood out in this group of prospects, checking in at 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. He then ripped off the 2nd fastest 60 at the entire event, a 7.35. During batting practice he sprayed line drives gap-to-gap, keeping things simple throughout.
C/RHP Max Maher (Walton, 2028) defensively looks the part behind the dish. He has an athletic frame that allows for him to sink into a good receiving position with flexibility throughout. His 2.22 pop time was an event best, as he showcased a 63 mph arm strength. While this is all noteworthy, his ability to put throws right on the target really stood out. Maher also hopped on the mound and topped out at 73.9 mph, the top fastball for a 2028 at the event.

Southpaws 1B/LHP Liam Collier (Locust Grove, 2027) and LHP/OF Hunter Duchaj (North Paulding, 2027) will be ones to keep an eye on. Both prospects have advanced frames with power potential. Additionally, the two of them had strong showings on the mound, working up to 73.7 (Collier) and 72.5 (Duchaj).

OF/RHP Raiden Sexton (Calhoun, 2027) had one of the strongest arms at the event, touching 75.2 with his fastball and clocking in at 76 from the outfield. The 5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitter alo flashed power potential at the plate, and ran a 7.55 60.

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