Preseason All-State: Upperclass - Quick Hits
January 24, 2025
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - The Preseason All-State Underclass Showcase travels to IVSA where this invite-only event that features the top prospects from the 2025 and 2026 grad classes. Every year, the Preseason All-State Showcase highlights the Who’s Who of the Georgia baseball landscape. This event is limited and exclusive to the top prospects in Georgia and serves as a springboard as you enter the high school season. Throughout the week here at PBR, we will be pumping out the content from this event. Today, we present our quick hits and the players that stood out to our scouting staff during the event. More articles and content wil be on the way to break down the entirety of the data collected.
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Quick Hits
Jordan Johnson, RHP, Loganville, 2026
Johnson has been a staple name in the 2026 class ever since his 14u year. He recently had some setbacks with injury and he came out on Sunday ready to be a name to know again. He was up to 91.6 with an electric fastball down in the zone at 88-90. The frame has leaned out some, and looks really strong. He put together one of the strongest pens of the day with 3 pitches for strikes. Johnson is one of top uncommitted arms left in the 2026 class.
2026 RHP Jordan Johnson @LHSdevilball
— Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR) January 20, 2025
FB: 89-91.6🔥 (2300+)
CH: 80-82
SL: 77-80
Physical, 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. Impressive 3 pitch mix w/ life on the fastball. Starting to find is stride after not being on the mound for a while. #GAPASUpper25 | @PB_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/JdHIWtyfGI
Carter Hayes, SS, Wesleyan, 2026
Hayes continues to be a put together ball player that is going to make a team better at the next level. He has been a steady performer over the last couple years and keeps getting stronger. The exit velocities are going to be crazy high, but he is going to be a consistent bat that will contribute even more with the glove.
2026 SS Carter Hayes
— Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR) January 20, 2025
Wesleyan HS
Hayes has been one of my favorite performers in games the last couple of years.
Heavy line drive round of BP at #GAPASUpper25
Gamer mentality. @PB_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/fwFrqcwF6A
Matthew Franatovich, OF, Lambert, 2026
Fresh off an all region year in football, Franatovich is primed for a big spring. The feel for the barrel is some of the best in the class, and with his middle to back side approach he is a tough guy to beat at the plate. Expect a breakout junior year that will lead him into his 17u summer.
2026 OF Matthew Franatovich @LambertBaseball
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 21, 2025
6-foot-2, 185-pounds with plenty of projection remaining
Gets the barrel head out front well with ability to create some loft. Max EV 92.2@PB_Uncommitted #GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/rfuzgsiv7G
Knox Bingham, IF, Wesleyan, 2026
Bingham has been putting in some serious work in the off season. Just a year ago he was under 180-pounds and fast forward to Sunday and he is pushing 190 with a defined lower half that he did not have over the summer. Grip strength has been a new piece of equipment we use at events over the last year and his numbers from in the low 100’s to 144. It has all translated to the plate as well, with louder, more consistent contact. Bingham has always been a guy that will run into a ball with his quick twitch swing, but now with strength throughout he will see much more consistent power numbers.
2026 MIF Knox Bingham@WesleyanWolves
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 15, 2024
6-0 185lbs#GAPSA24 pic.twitter.com/dQxvEsOjuv
Michael Gregozeski, C, Dunwoody, 2026
Gregozeski has made some huge jumps since we last saw him at Top Prospect Games in June. He took his exit velocity up nearly 10mph and his average exit velocity went up almost 12mph. We could see him put up some serious power numbers this spring at Dunwoody. He has always had the feel for the barrel and now the power could take his game to the next level.
2026 C Michael Gregozeski @Dwoodbaseball
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 24, 2025
Has made some huge strides since June.
Max EV 89.3->97.9
Avg. EV 81.6-> 90.7
Took some big hacks w/ a big junior year otw this spring. #GAPASUpper25 | @PB_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/7yyx4axvNz
Noah Odom, OF, Houston County, 2026
Odom is another player that showed up to Sunday’s event with added strength and size. He has always been a speedster, but now with added strength we could see his game take off at the plate. He posted the top 30-yard dash time on Sunday at 3.63. He will be an uncommitted junior that could have a breakout spring.
2026 OF Noah Odom@hocobaseball
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 20, 2025
5-foot-10, 170-pounds
Really starting to put things together at the plate.
98.6 EV max, 94.3 EV avg
74.4 bat speed avg.
3.63 30 💨#GAPASUpper25 | @PB_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/7bpuoawR7G
Daniel Mendez, 3B, Ola, 2026
Mendez has a smooth left handed swing that really plays up in game. He put on some strength and increased all his trackman numbers from the last time we saw him in June. Mendez will be a consistent bat to keep an eye on as he heads into his junior spring and summer.
2026 3B Daniel Mendez @olabaseball1
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 24, 2025
Lean, 6-foot, 180-pounds
Mendez was a guy we got to see the in ‘24 playoffs and showed up Sunday with added strength.
Great approach w/ a max EV of 90.5 and sweet spot at 77.8 %#GAPASUpper25 | @PB_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/7yzCQZaLDn
Colin Thomass, RHP, Paideia, 2026
Thomas showed up to the event on Sunday up 20 pounds since we last saw him in a showcase setting. He came out 88-90 with electric life down in the zone. He flashed his usual change up and curveball for strikes. Both coming out of the same slot with great tunnel off the fastball. He has always had pitch ability and now with added life he will be a top uncommitted arm in the 2026 class.
2026 RHP Colin Thomas
— Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR) January 21, 2025
Paideia School
Up 20 pounds since the summer. Has always been able to pitch/compete in the mid 80’s.
Made the jump to 88-90 🔥
Arm works w/ 3 pitches for strikes. Sharp SL at 74-76. CH falls off the table at 80-83. #GAPASUpper25 | @PB_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/IZkEHgwXCR
Garrett Ray, OF/RHP, Creekview, 2026
Ray was a Junior Future Gamer in 2022 and is a player that we have seen a lot of the last few years. The pitch ability on the mound has always stood out. He has been around the low-mid 80’s mark and went to work when the summer ended. He showed up on Sunday at 85-86 with a pull down of 94mph from the outfield. The natural arm strength has always been there and now he has tapped into it on the mound. He has feel for 3 pitches with the ability to put them where he wants. He will be one to watch as a 2 way prospect, but especially on the mound this spring and summer.
2026 RHP/OF Garrett Ray @CVHSGrizzBSB
— Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR) January 21, 2025
Another top @PB_Uncommitted arm that has made the jump since summer.
FB: 86-87
CB: 73-76 🔨
CH: 80-83
Tons of pitch ability and present arm strength pulling down 94 from OF. More OTW 📈#GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/HLNVlbI0TO
2026 OF/RHP Garrett Ray @CVHSGrizzBSB | @GeorgiaJackets
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 20, 2025
Loud day all around for Ray. Has seen a jump across the board in his game. Pitching video to come 👀
93 EV max
94 OF velo 🔥#GAPASUpper25 | @PB_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/TaBuCKmzbk
Martin Shelar, OF, Marist, 2026
This event last year was the jump off point for what was soon to be a breakout sophomore campaign that included a Future Games bid and SEC commitment, and if Sunday’s performance is any indication, we are in for even more in 2025. The Mississippi State blew the roof off with his first swing of 102.1, then proceeded to get louder throughout the round. 11 balls hit in the round, just two were under triple digits off the bat. Shelar averaged 100.4 with a max of 106.2 and max distance of 406ft, it was truly as good as it gets in the class. The arm strength is only growing in the outfield as well with Shelar posting a new personal best of 92. It’s an explosive blend of tools and ceiling that makes the junior of the top outfielders in the class.
Set the tone ‼️
— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) January 19, 2025
2026 OF Martin Shelar with an outlandish round this morning.
103.1…103.6…104.0…104.7…106.2 👀
Well-leveraged barrel with plus bat speed that drives balls to all-fields with ease.
92 OF velo as well@HailStateBB commit.@PrepBaseballGA // #GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/IAQO87gPvg
Brandon Mercer, SS, Veterans, 2025
Mercer quietly put down one of the best performances of the weekend, showing massive tools on both sides of the ball. Working short to long with loose hands and massive bat speed, the uncommitted senior posted a robust 100% hard-hit rate in his round while spraying balls across the yard. Mercer finished the round with an average EV at 94.7 (max 98.0). Showed the power arm in both infield drills, where he grabbed 93 twice and on the mound, living 88-90 with four pitches showing. A bit under the radar in the class, but a performance like this has quickly peeked the interest of many.
2026 SS Brandon Mercer • Veterans
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 22, 2025
The @PB_Uncommitted junior had the full toolshed on display on Sunday.
Avg. EV 94.7
Max EV 98.0
Hard-hit 100%
IF Velo 93 🔥
Also, up to 90.4 on the bump while showing four pitches. #GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/xU6gKcLI7l
Reiston Durham, SS, Dacula, 2026
Yet another showing from the two-time future gamer that further raises the ceiling. In one of the most consistent and loud rounds of the day, the Texas commit found the barrel at a 78% hard-hit clip while flashing outlandish bat speed in an extremely efficient path. Minimal wasted movements for Durham, who finished the round with average EV of 94.7 (Max 99.6). Arm strength continues to tick up (86 IF Velo) with rangy lateral actions that point to the junior sticking at the 6 long-term.
The twitch and athleticism for 2026 SS Reiston Durham make strides every time we see him.
— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) January 20, 2025
Premier bat speed flashing today (Max 81.3) while generating hard-hit contact throughout an advanced round of BP. Avg. EV 94.7 (Max 99.6)@TexasBaseball commit.@PrepBaseballGA //… pic.twitter.com/hIq6gc241E
Neyland Hulsey, C, Rockmart, 2026
Hulsey continues to build on his high-floor profile with another quality showing this past weekend. Bat-to-ball skills have always been strong but now there's some strength developing that's allowing the uncommitted backstop to drive balls on a line to the pull-side. Max EV 93.9. An advanced receiver, Hulsey showed some explosion in the crouch, besting his pop time three straight throws with a best of 1.90. The junior will be a major factor as Rockmart looks to win a region title this spring.
2026 C Neyland Hulsey @Rockmartdugout
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 23, 2025
5-foot-7, 189-pounds
Really strong all-around day for the @PB_Uncommitted junior.
Used the whole field in an advanced round of BP, Avg. EV 85.7 (Max 93.3)
1.90-1.96 Pop-times with on-target throws.#GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/YW6kc191he
Ace Allen, SS, Cedartown, 2026
A high-level glove has led the profile forever for Allen, but is now beginning to make strides with the stick and pushing towards a really well-rounded profile. Creates some separation with a well-leveraged barrel through the zone that creates decent carry to the pull-side and budding impact. Raised his average EV for 77 to 86.5 in just 6 months with a max of 95.2. It’s a huge spring for the uncommitted junior, and this was a great jump off point.
2026 SS Ace Allen @CedartownB
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 22, 2025
Projectable 6-foot-1, 168-pound frame
Already armed with an above-average glove, and now looks poised for big strides in 2025. Well-leveraged with carry to the pull-side and present bat speed. Max EV 95.2@PB_Uncommitted #GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/fNIVPQG0uO
Taylor Casson, OF/RHP, Landmark Christian, 2026
Casson has been steadily improving in nearly every facet over the past few months and that progress was on full display this past weekend. Using his imposing 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame well, Casson flashed impressive bat speed (Max 78.2) while firing line–drives into both gaps and significant power to project. Arm strength continues to grow, showing plus-plus potential from the OF, grabbing 96 twice as well as running in up to 91 on the mound with quick improving pitchability. Casson is growing into one of the most intriguing uncommitted pliers in the class.
2026 OF/RHP Taylor Casson • Landmark Christian
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 20, 2025
The @PB_Uncommitted junior continues to stack big performances.
Huge bat speed (Max 78.2) & strength in the 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame. Max EV 97.2
Plus-plus arm strength flashing w/ an event best 96 🔥 from the OF.#GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/sibZflzN9k
2026 RHP/OF Taylor Casson
— Prep Baseball Georgia (@PrepBaseballGA) January 21, 2025
Landmark Christian HS
6-foot-4, 193-pounds
FB: 88-91 🔥
CH: 79-8
Continues to clean up the delivery and velo keeps climbing. Could see him in the low 90’s this spring.
A top @PB_Uncommitted in the ‘26 class. #GAPASUpper25 pic.twitter.com/qjdhmySomx
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