Georgia Class of 2019 Rankings: Update

On Wednesday, our national team published its latest update to the Class of 2019 Rankings, one that features several prospects from our own state perched right at the top. With the help of our nationwide team of state directors, PBR National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt was able to update the top-500 rankings within this senior class.

There were 12 prospects from Georgia ranked inside the top 100, and 45 are ranked on the entire top 500.

Without further ado, here’s a deeper look at Georgia’s top prospects within its 2019 class and its top-100-overall representatives.

+ Daniel Espino, No. 2 overall:
Espino is a physically mature RHP who burst onto the scene last spring, putting up big numbers on radar guns on a regular basis. Due to inclement weather and logistical issues it has been slow getting out of the gate for Espino – not from a stuff standpoint but getting early innings.  The physical righty has a simple delivery, with a long arm action that he repeats well, for the most part. He can run his fastball up in the very high 90s, even flashing triple digits. He has a hard slider that has been an effective outpitch playing off of his premium velocity. He also flashes a quality changeup that he hasn’t really needed at this stage in the game. Espino and his premium stuff will be a fun to follow over the course of the spring and on draft day. Where risk and reward collide is when it’ll be time to call his name in June.

+ C.J. Abrams, No. 4 overall:
Abrams is already having a strong spring. He is visibly stronger and is showing the ability to play and stay at shortstop. Abrams’ hands play and he’s showing a quick release to go with an accurate arm, most of his defensive miscues are the product of his range running him into very tough plays. At the plate Abrams, he’s putting together good at-bats and is using more of the big part of the field, spraying balls from gap to gap for extra base hits. Though he profiles as a left-handed lead-off-type who can go deep into counts, most of the time Abrams is jumping the first good fastball he sees and, for the most part, it’s been early contact throughout the spring. Abrams is a very good combination of athlete and baseball player, that will play a premium position with a premium tool.

+ Landon Sims, No. 18 overall:
This sturdy built righty has as good of an arm as anybody in the state of Georgia, who’s been into the upper 90s. Sims is a medium-framed, barrel-chested RHP who has some bulldog to his game and, at times, will just bully hitters with his fastball-breaking ball combo. Sims showed the big stuff all summer, but at times this spring he’s backed off and pitched to the bottom of the zone effectively. Both skillsets will be important down the line, and it is impressive that he can show both abilities at a young age.

+ Nasim Nunez, No. 21 overall:
When it comes to playing the shortstop position, I have not seen many smoother than Nasim Nunez. This alone carries huge value in the amateur draft. Nunez is a known commodity when it comes to his defense, and anything he adds from the batter’s box, where hits switch, or any strength he can tack onto his frame will be a big plus when it comes to his draft stock in the three months prior to the draft.

+ Alex McFarlane, No. 27 overall:
(From PBR National Supervisor Nathan Rode): Athletic and projectable, he has quick arm that produces a fastball up to 95 mph. He sat 91-94 early on in his outing and was 88-92 by the end, tossing 78 pitches in five innings of work. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out six. His 59 percent strike rate eludes to his current control, but his athleticism should allow him to easily repeat his delivery as he develops. The fastball has run to it and he pairs that with an above-average slider that has late bite at 77-80. He also tries to mix in a curveball, but his low-3/4 arm slot makes that a tough pitch to land. He also flashed a changeup, but wasn’t repeating his arm action on it.

+ Andre Tarver, No. 40 overall:
Andre Tarver is a physically mature outfielder from Ringgold, GA. Tarver profiles as more of a corner outfielder, a position that requires the kind of strength someone like the Mississippi State recruit is bringing to the table. The Ringgold senior is using the spring to show scouts that he has both the bat and power potential needed for his grown-man profile. Tarver has shown flashes of the ingredients needed be an elite bat. This spring, Tarver has displayed good patience and has made pitchers come to him, and the numbers he's posting are reflective of his newfound approach.

+ Jonathan French, No. 79 overall:
This compact-bodied backstop who knows how to win and lead. He is an asset behind the plate and plays low to the ground back there. Aside from his defense, French has the strength to handle the bat. Few spots carry as much profile risk as the high school catcher (the power and arm profile), and while French has strength and some pull-side power, his profile is more of what Max Stassi’s was out of high school, someone who can both receive and hit.

+ Michael Harris II, No. 82 overall:
Harris II is a legit two-way prospect. On the mound, we’re still waiting for him to return to his form from the summer, and as it heats up outside, look for him to do the same. At the plate this spring, he’ll give scouts his first real look at his offensive game. He’s plenty athletic enough for an everyday role, too. The bat speed, leverage, barrel feel, and overall ability to impact the baseball are real. Keep a close eye on this one down the stretch.   

+ Gavin Collyer, No. 92 overall:
There are plenty of things to talk about with this lanky high school righty. Collyer pitches to all parts of the zone with a solid-average fastball, and projects to touch a little more. He has feel and creativity on the mound, changing shapes and speeds with his breaking ball. Collyer is a great combination of now and future, but the thing that stands out the most with the young’un is his moxie. For the second year in a row I have watched him take an elite high school program and for the second year in a row, he showed zero fear and mowed through very good high school hitters. Whether it’s this year or after his career at Clemson, this kid will be a factor in the MLB draft.

+ Myles Austin, No. 94 overall:
Austin comes from baseball bloodlines and the Alabama commit sure does look the part. He has strong baseball actions and offers plenty of intrigue at the plate. On the field, there is still plenty of debate as to weather his future home will be in the dirt on roaming center field. He has good athleticism and projection to his game. If Austin proves he can make consistent contact at the plate, look for his draft stock to rise.  

+ Will Childers, No. 95 overall:
Still waiting for this Georgia commit to get going this spring. Childers has all kinds of baseball bloodlines as his father and uncle played in the TV league. I have a sneaking suspicion Childers is going to make a power move this Spring. Stay tuned!

+ Brett Thomas, No. 98:
Thomas is finally back on the mound after almost two years on the shelf. He has wasted no time gaining some attention as he topped out at 96 in his first outing. He is a stretch-only guy, but his delivery and arm work fairly well, leading to some debate as to which profile he will ultimately lean toward: starter or reliever. The scouting community is still trying to make heads or tails of Thomas in the early going, but make no mistake, if he keeps putting up velo, then the scouts will keep showing up.

UPDATED GA 2019 RANKINGS

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