This 2025 Class contains many unbelievable jumps into the relevance of our rankings. Just like the Top 10, the players in this article contain a good mix of current ability and projection. Most importantly, they’re all natural baseball players with tons of feel. Let’s get into some deep analysis of the rocket ship these five players are riding, and what got them here. This is Part 2 of a 2 part series, you can read Part 1 by PBR Georgia Assistant Scouting Director Justin Goetz, HERE.

 

Henry Akopov CF / Mt. Paran Christian , GA / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 160 / POS: 2 Uncommitted. 6-foot, 180-pounds. You may not find a prospect in the entire country with more speed than the Peach State’s very own Henry Akopov. The speedster turned heads at the Underclass Games in June when he posted an event all-time best 6.44 60. Thanks to our partners at Swift, we were also able to see Akopov post a 10 yard split of 1.65, 30 yard split of 3.66, and get to a max speed of 22.0 mph. And we can confirm, the speed plays in game. He can seemingly cover the entire outfield by himself, and watch out once he is on base because Akopov is blazing a trail. The swing has continued to trend upwards throughout the summer. A right-handed hitter, he uses a reverse toe tap stride with hands pre loaded in his setup. Akopov’s lower half is twitchy with present strength, generating huge amounts of force and quick rotational acceleration. The barrel path works with some length to the zone but with present bat and hand speed, he is able to get it level with some extension through the zone. The power potential is evident when you see the ball jump off the bat. Using a middle approach, Akopov can spray the gaps with driven contact, routinely 90+ mph exit velocities. There is a lot to like in Akopov, and he is only scratching the surface of his potential abilities.

Julian Carter SS / Riverwood, GA / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 182 / POS: 51 Uncommitted. 6-foot, 160-pounds. Arguably the top defensive shortstop in the class, Carter is as slick as they come up the middle. Simply put, he is a natural. He has quick, instinctive footwork, playing through the ball with a confidence few have at this age. Carter makes plays to either side look easy with his range, and there is an undeniable swag to his game. He knows his glove is as good as there is, and shows it off. The hands and exchange are lightning quick, getting rid of the ball almost immediately. An athlete, there is always intent behind his actions. No question that shortstop is his long term home on the diamond. At the plate, Carter is more contact over power presently, with a middle, line drive approach. His swing operates short to the zone, spraying contact to all fields. He has a looseness and athleticism in his hands that allow for him to manipulate the barrel. As he continues to mature and add strength to his frame, the swing will take off as all the ingredients are there for him to be a multi-tool prospect.

Xavier Hill OF / Harrison , GA / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 6 OverallRank: 357 / POS: 57 Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. If there was a potential sleeper in this class prior to the updated rankings, then it was Xavier Hill. Nowadays though, Hill is a nationally ranked prospect (No. 357), and should be a known name throughout the state. Athletically built, a 6.8 runner, with a high waist, he is just starting to fill out with strength, and there is sure to be a lot of it when it is all said and done. We have already seen flashes of the raw power potential. Still a bit raw at the plate, Hill takes a tall, open setup, he strides out to a balanced, power position, gain separation and letting his strong lower half work to his advantage. His athletic hands get the barrel through level where he can create hard contact to all fields, especially middle and pull-side. We may not see much of Hill this fall though, as he is QB1 at Harrison.

Hayden Bradley LHP / OF / Buford , GA / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 39 / POS: 5 Uncommitted. 6-foot-5, 205-pounds. There might not be a more impressive looking prospect than Hayden Bradley. Standing all of 6-foot-5 with present strength, a high waist, and room for a lot more. An athlete on the mound, there is a smooth pace and methodical build up to his delivery. He stays tall on his back-side, utilizing his height well and letting him work from an advantageous angle of attack. The slow build up allows for his longer arm action to unfurl out front from a low ¾ slot. He gets advanced extension down the mound with his long arms, allowing his stuff to play up. For the most of summer at LakePoint Bradley sat 84-86, touching 87 with his fastball. Don’t sleep on Bradley at the plate either. He has huge power projection there. The barrel works short to, long through in a sweeping fashion out front. With his length and present strength there is power to all fields.

Michael Fredette RHP / Mount Paran Christian School, GA / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 48 / POS: 13 Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Fredette announced his presence in early June at the Underclass Games. Our takeaway from that appearance was that he was one of the advanced arms in the class with three potential swing and miss pitches, and lastly, he is an athlete. Fredette’s repertoire is a high spin fastball, approximately 2400 rpm, that can get into the upper 80s. The offspeed is the true separator. His slider plays in the low to mid 70s with a 2400+ rpm spin. It has a downer action and tunnels well with his fastball. He can kill the spin on his changeup, with a near 1000 rpm difference between it and his fastball. It can also be a true weapon with heavy fading action. There is plenty more in the tank across the board for Fredette. His arm operates with easy effort, full arm circle on the back-side to a ¾ slot. He stays synced up throughout and has a smooth delivery.

 

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