Georgia Class of 2028 Rankings: Initial Release
December 18, 2024
It is finally time to release the initial 2028 rankings. These players are getting ready to tryout for their high school teams for the first time. We were able to see tons of players from the 2028 class in tournaments and our showcases, but we know that has barely scratched the surface of. We look forward idendifying more players throughout the preseason and 2025 high school season. We will kick off our preseason on January 4th in South Georgia. The preseason events are a great way to get on our radar early in your career.
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As always, the evaluation process is a fluid and ongoing process with multiple viewings in order to get the best feel for players abilities. It’s important to note that as players continue their development some show marked improvement at a much more rapid pace. That doesn’t indicate that other players got worse or went backwards, it’s just how player development works. As the year unfolds, players make improvements and new prospects pop up on the radar expanding the PBR rankings universe. In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in Georgia and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen.
To see all 100 players in the 2028 rankings CLICK HERE
The Top 10
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Dexter McCleon Jr OF / RHP / Buford, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 1 / POS: 1
I use the term “alien” when referring to Dexter McCleon Jr. among peers often, and it’s almost impossible not to see why. Standing a highly-athletic 6-foot-3 with plenty of projection remaining in the frame, McCleon is the definition of a five-tool player at 15 years old. Already flashing near 85 MPH bat speed at the plate, the two-way talent demonstrates obvious feel for the barrel with loose hands in a compact bath that gets on-plane well. Already shows a willingness to work backside with impact while also showing effortless carry to the pull-side when he turns on the ball. There’s highest-level power upside with a chance for an above-average hit tool right behind it. Present 6.6 runner with a fantastic first step and athleticism to maintain or get even faster as he develops while showing plus arm strength in the outfield. Leading me to the mound where McCleon holds immense upside and potential. Boasting electric arm speed in a compact three-quarters slot, the RHP already lives 88-91 while running it up to 92-93 with ride and feel to spin (2400+ RPM). A tighter slider at 77-80 plays well off the fastball with some late horizontal break. Changeup is developing quickly in the mid-to-high 70s with some fade and will be a solid third offering. You rarely see this type of profile as a freshman, but McCleon has the makings of being a star and has already shown the upside consistently against older competition. There’s a good chance we are looking at the top player in the country as we head into a debut high school spring for this 2028 class. |
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Colin Anderson 3B / OF / Etowah, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 1
Anderson is headed into his freshman season at Etowah, where they look to defend their state title. He will look to make a loud impact as a freshman. Anderson was a Junior Future Gamer in 2023, and looks like a totally different kid standing over 6-foot now. The power at the plate is a premium and now with added strength and size he should fit right in at Etowah. Other than his power the instincts throughout his game can’t be taught. He is able to slow the game down, and lets the plays come to him. The actions in the field are smooth and effortless with an above average arm for the class. |
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Lio Garcia SS / OF / Buford High School, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
It’s not often you project a plus glove on a freshman, but Lio Garcia has the makings of being a game changing defender in the middle infield. Bouncy actions in the dirt with confident footwork and lateral range to get in front of everything. Soft hands with a vacuum-like glove and present arm strength from multiple angles allow Garcia to make accurate, strong throws in all directions. The former junior future gamer is no slouch at the plate either, showing tremendous bat and hand speed in a linear bat path that he can manipulate well. It’s a present all-fields approach that generates hard-hit contact from a wiry yet twitchy 5-foot-10 frame. You add in that the shortstop is also a sub-7.0 runner and this is a well-balanced profile for Garcia that holds plenty of projection in both the dirt and at the plate. Look for the freshman to carve out a role early this upcoming spring for the perennial powerhouse in Buford. |
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Andrew Cochran OF / RHP / MOUNT PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 2
The Blessed Trinity pipeline runs deep, and they have another high-level talent coming up in Andrew Cochran. Long and lean at 6-foot-0, 155-pounds, the outfielder utilizes a lower hand slot pre-pitch with excellent ability to get on-plane from loose, fast hands and feel for the barrel. Covers all quadrants of the zone well while using the gaps where his above-average speed can thrive. It’s hit over power presently but Cochran is quickly adding strength with the type of frame to add lean muscle with ease. Arm strength and actions have allowed the outfielder to profile at all three spots with potential to grow into a long-term home in center. The multi-sport athlete has his eyes set on a breakout spring after a big fall on the gridiron with Blessed Trinity football. |
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Easton Holmes RHP / OF / Denmark, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1
I've recently talked about the depth Denmark has in the ‘26 and ‘27 classes, but this upcoming freshman class has a chance to be special and it’s led by Easton Holmes. Big-time arm talent in a physical, high-waisted 6-foot-0 frame. Operating from a low slot with a whippy arm action, Holmes generates good carry on a mid-to-high 80s fastball that jumps on hitters quickly from significant extension down the mound. Shorter slider at 74-76 plays off the fastball well with some late depth that creates swing-and-miss. Advanced feel of the changeup in the mid-70s with disappearing fade allows Holmes to throw to both sides of the plate with positive results and looks like a future above-average offering. It's a mature pitch mix for the right-hander with much more velocity to project and could have a path to quality innings as early as this spring for the Danes. |
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Isaiah Cador 2B / SS / Union Grove High, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 1
Lightning in a 5-foot-7 bottle is what Isaiah Cador is. A well-proportioned frame with a healthy combination of strength and speed that shows up well in the field and at the plate. Quiet actions for the left-handed bat with ability to get synced up consistently while matching planes throughout the zone to spray balls across the field where his plus speed can change the game. Already clocked sub-4.0 home-to-first and even faster on the turn. Middle-infield actions for Cador are pure with soft hands and quick transfers while playing primarily 2B. Twitch and present range alongside remaining projection point towards Cador seeing time at SS as well throughout his HS career. |
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Rylan Jenkins OF / LHP / Washington County High School, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 3
The pure speed continues with Jenkins, who brings his track speed to the diamond as a present plus runner with an electric first step in a physical 5-foot-7 frame. Advanced routes and ability to track backed by the foot speed should allow Jenkins to not only stick in centerfield long-term but thrive as an impact defender. With the stick, the outfielder uses a well-leveraged barrel to create fairly loft to both gaps while also boasting excellent bat-to-ball to form a well-rounded batted ball profile that points towards a strong hit tool down the line. There’s plenty of impact in the overall profile for Jenkins and checks in as one of the top outfielders in the class for a reason. |
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Chase Alonso / RHP / Rabun County Middle School, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 1
After a breakout summer that included a standout showing for Team Georgia at the Junior Future Games, Alonso carried plenty of helium into the fall where he continued to stack quality outings and now finds himself top 10 in the class. With a strong, athletic 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame, Alonso is a quality mover on the mound utilizing a long and loose arm action that he repeats very well. Fastball jumps out of the hand from a higher three-quarters with tons of carrying life at the top of the zone in the high 80s and much more to come. Mid-70s power curveball is the go-to breaking ball for Alonso with ability to be a put-away offering from late barrel-missing depth and budding feel. Changeup is used sparingly at 77-78 but flashes some fade and ability to tunnel. There’s plenty of polish with Alonso already, and the arm talent screams much more is on the way. |
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Lawson Moore LHP / 1B / Gatewood, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1
First look at Moore early this fall, and the physical left-hander put on an eye-opening performance. Stout 6-foot-0, 200-pound frame with big-time strength in the lower half that Moore uses well. A fast mover on the mound with ability to get downhill and repeat that allows the left-hander to attack with tremendous confidence. Explosive fastball from the three-quarter slot that generates excellent through the zone while creating swing-and-miss at will when elevated. Moore is going to throw much harder as the frame continues to mature and presents the makings of a potential power arm. Slider does a great job of keeping hitters off-balance at 69-72 with shorter, late break and ability to paint both sides of the plate for called strikes. It’s been a highly-effective two pitch already for Moore and beginning to add feel for a changeup that will take the profile to another level. |
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Grant Chaffin OF / RHP / Central, GA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 4
The Junior Future Games alum has impressed in every setting we’ve seen him in the last 12 months, and we are nowhere close to seeing the ceiling. An explosive athlete with sub-6.8 speed and tremendous ability to generate power from the ground up. At the plate, Chaffin has an advanced left-handed cut that finds barrels at a high clip. The outfielder stays well-connected and compact with tremendous plate coverage through the zone. Chaffin displays an all-fields approach already where he uses the gaps well and lets his above-average speed thrive. The impact in the barrel is quickly growing with present bat speed and ability to rotate that produces exit velocities in the low-90s. Chances for an impact glove in the outfield are likely with advanced ability to cover ground in all directions backed by present arm strength that will only continue to grow. |
Instant Impact
Joseph Nystrom, 2B/SS, Denmark
An athletic 5-foot-8, 150-pound frame with already sneaky strength to project on. The left-handed hitter possesses a quiet confidence at the plate while displaying a well-connected stroke with fluidity through the zone and innate bat-to-ball to match. Hit tool really shined throughout the fall and could be a carrying tool for Nystrom. Quality actions and soft hands will keep the freshman up the middle long-term and could be an important piece as early as this spring for Denmark.
Caelen Frederick, OF, Milton
Frederick comes into his freshman spring with the combination of “what they look like” and raw tools that are as enticing as anyone you’ll find in the class. Standing a lean, high-waisted 6-foot-0, 160-pounds with significant room to grow, the outfielder displays tools at the plate that could lead to substantial power projection. Frederick creates great hip to shoulder with excellent length in-zone that allows his hands to get extended consistently. Some whip and impact in the barrel allows Frederick to drive balls both to the backside and pull-side with ease. There's present arm strength and athleticism that allows Frederick to handle either corner outfield spot well, and with the potential in the stick, could force himself into meaningful innings as a freshman for Milton.
Thomas Davis, 3B/SS, North Hall
First it was at a Rising Stars event in May, then a quality Junior Future games performance in July, and finally all through the fall, all Thomas Davis does is hit. The freshman third baseball displays a short, direct path to the ball that has led to significant contact rates in an all-fields approach. Can really snap the barrel through the zone to find hard-hit contact to both gaps and should grow into big raw power as he hills out a lean 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame. An already advanced glove at the hot corner with quality instincts and flexibility working laterally. Davis shows enough arm strength to make all the throws necessary, and obvious more to project as he matures. There’s a good chance Davis could compete for the starting 3B role on a loaded North Hall squad this spring with the ability to raise his stock even more.
Cal Williamson, LHP, North Atlanta
Nearly impossible not to be intrigued by the profile. Standing an imposing, XL 6-foot-4, 210-pounds, Williamson shows impressive body control for the frame/class while operating out of a lower three-quarters slot. Fastball jumps out of the hand, working in the mid-80s while running it up to 86 at times. Heavy sink and run backed by strong command allowed Williamson to create soft contact and in-zone misses throughout the quick outing. Curveball works at 68-70 with a shorter, gradual break that plays well at the bottom of the zone presently. Changeup shows real potential as a put-away pitch at 73-75 boasting advanced feel and tumble that creates swing-and-miss and flashing ability to land right-on-right. There’s no question that Williamson is going to continue to throw harder and with the development of the breaking ball and offspeed, there’s a chance for premier projection in the profile going forward.
Truitt Stafford, C/RHP, North Cobb Christian
Standing a lean, athletic 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, Stafford shows real signs of a high-level hit tool. Showing quiet actions at the plate, Stafford shows great balance throughout a well-leveraged left-handed cut. Hands stay back creating quality separation with a strong ability to pick up spin out of the hand. Never looked overmatched against any pitching and showed ability to use the whole field with ease. Equally impressive on the mound, Stafford showed why he's one of the better two-way prospects in Georgia's 2028 class. Working downhill from an over-the-top slot, the freshman RHP can run it up to 85 while living 81-84 with carry that creates tons of swing and miss at the top of the zone. Curveball and changeup show promise in the low-70s with the latter being a weapon to LHH with some late arm-side fade. North Cobb Christian gives players a chance to play early, and Stafford could be a breakout candidate this spring.
Tripp Swords, SS, Eastside
Swords was a big winner early in the summer at the Central Georgia ID series followed by a standout week at Junior Future Games, hitting .750 for Team Georgia with an impressive glove in the middle-infield. Broad shouldered at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, Swords boats strength throughout with ability to tap into well at the plate without selling out. Excellent balance allows the shortstop to stay in his back hip well in a direct, well-leverage path. Present feel for the barrel allows for some manipulation through the zone and shows advanced ability to pick up spin out of the hand. Good flexibility and soft hands lead the actions in the middle for Swords with good lateral range and arm strength to make accurate throws from multiple angles. There's a high floor with the freshman, but potential for a lofty ceiling as well.
Jake Adamson, OF, East Forsyth
6.50 speed is a fairly rare trait for an incoming freshman bat, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Jake Adamson with even more to project from the plus athlete. Foot speed is electric from the first step with the ability to reach top speed and cover ground quickly that creates havoc on the bases as well as pointing towards future above-average glove in centerfield. The two-time junior future gamer utilizes a compact right-handed swing at the plate that boasts strong bat-to-ball skills while staying through the baseball extremely well. It's the type of profile you should expect to see in a leadoff role for East Forsyth very early in his high school career.
NAMES TO KNOW
1 | Dominic Rossy | Walton | C/RHP |
2 | Gavine Greene | Blessed Trinity | C |
3 | Aiden Watson | Harrison | SS |
4 | Zach Koons | Greater Atlanta Christian | SS |
5 | Logan Arnett | Harrison | C/RHP |
6 | Ty Page | Blessed Trinity | SS |
7 | Kingston Jones | Pope | UTL |
8 | Will Dudley | Blessed Trinity | OF |
9 | Hudson Huff | Franklin County | RHP/INF |
10 | Bradley Willingham | Central | SS/RHP |
11 | Wyatt Garfinkle | Westminister | RHP |
12 | Aiden Oates | Homeschool | 3B/RHP |
13 | Ian Haase | Cambridge | OF |
14 | Max Maher | Walton | UTL |
15 | Colby Yeager | West Forsyth | 1B/OF |
16 | Gianni Gandy | Homeschool | SS |
17 | Micah Von | Lakeside | SS |
18 | Brody Lutz | West Forsyth | C |
19 | Asher Allen | Central | SS |
20 | Wesley Thiry | Norcross | RHP/3B |
Upcoming Events
SHOWCASE | DATE | LOCATION |
South Georgia Preseason ID | 1/04 | Lowndes High School - Valdosta, Ga |
Augusta Preseason ID | 1/05 | Augusta Christian School - Augusta, Ga |
East Georgia Preseason ID |
1/11 | Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga |
LakePoint Preseason ID | 1/12 | LakePoint Sports Complex - Emerson, Ga |
Preseason All-State: Underclass | 1/18 | Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga |
Preseason All-State: Upperclass | 1/19 | Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga |
East Georgia Rising Stars ID (2029 and 2030 grads) | 2/1 | Infinite Vision Sports Academy - Flowery Branch, Ga |
LakePoint Rising Stars ID (2029 and 2020 grads) | 2/17 | LakePoint Sports |
- GA 2025 Georgia Preview: North Springs Spartans 2/10/25
- GA East Georgia Rising Stars Preseason ID: Pitcher & Catcher Reports 2/09/25
- GA East Georgia Rising Stars Preseason ID: Outfielder Reports 2/09/25
- GA East Georgia Rising Stars Preseason ID: Infielder Reports 2/09/25
- GA 2025 Georgia Preview: Flowery Branch Falcons 2/09/25