Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Rising Stars Preseason All-State: Quick Hits

March 5, 2024
Hudson Graham and Ian Smith
Prep Baseball Staff

Emerson, GA: On Sunday, March 3rd we kicked off the first Rising Stars event of the year on the new turf at LakePoint Sports. The Rising Stars events are designed to teach players how the showcase process works, as well as establish base line numbers to build on in the years to come. We also evalute players to follow as they go into high school, as well as identify layers for future events, like the Junior Future Gamas. 

To view all stats from the event, CLICK HERE

Quick Hits

Lio Garcia, SS/OF, 2028
High-level tools litter the profile for Garcia in a 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. Simple actions from the right-side, Garcia shows present bat speed and balance in a line-drive approach that found consistent loud contact. Produced one of the highest average exit velocities of the day at 85 MPH and hitting a max of 90.5. Present plus arm strength for the class showed in both the outfield and across the dirt with numbers of 88 and 82 respectively. Rounded out the day with the 3rd best run time of the day with an impressive 7.11 in the 60. The Junior Future Game alum is already showing signs of a sky-high ceiling.

Spencer Norman, OF, 2028
Bat speed jumps out for the 6-foot-0, 180-pound Norman. Staying very compact from the right-side, the 2023 Junior Future Game alum incorporates a quick toe-tap trigger before firing the barrel in a linear bat path. Ball explodes off the barrel (Max EV 88.4) with excellent carry and significant power potential as he continues to mature. Future above-average to plus runner with a sub-7.1 run time that plays up in the outfield with ability to cover a ton of ground from a long stride.

Ryder Baldwin, MIF, 2028
Standing a physical 5-foot-9, 170-pounds, Baldwin stood out on both sides of the ball on Sunday. Staying simple from the right-side, Baldwin utilizes a minimal leg kick while doing a great job keeping his hands back before showing ability to leverage the barrel through the zone well. Uphill bat path found consistent line-drives to the pull-side. Quality actions in the dirt with soft hands and flexibility in the lower half. Showed present arm strength (77 IF velo) with accuracy across the diamond. Impressive first step that showed up with the glove and in the 60 with a strong run time of 7.12.

Xavier Rodriguez, C/1B, 2029
Rodriguez displayed one of the best swings from the class of 2029 players in attendance at Preseason Rising Stars. Does a great job of keeping his head still while staying through the ball in a simple approach from the right-side. Rodriguez has a good understanding of weight transfer for the age and gets impressive plate coverage on the swing. The feel to hit is evident in the 13-year-old and will be one to watch in the next few years.

Jax Nystrom, SS, 2028
Our first look at Nystrom was an impressive one. Athletic 5-foot-7, 135-pound frame, the middle infielder really looks the part in the dirt. Advanced ability to bend with present lateral range and quality footwork that allows Nystrom to move with confidence to the ball. Good arm strength (76 IF velo) with ability to make throws from multiple angles. At the plate, Nystrom creates easy leverage from a potent left-handed swing that boasts present bat speed and great use of the lower half. Chance for a strong hit/power combo is real as he matures.

Grant Chaffin, OF, 2028
A big winner from the day, Chaffin looks like an impact player with tools throughout the profile. Standing 5-foot-10, 155-pounds, the outfielder opened the day with a blazing 6.98 in the 60, shaving two-tenths of second from when we saw him in November. Easy arm strength that showed plenty of carry from outfield and topping out at 82. Impressive hand speed at the plate with good feel for the barrel. Showed ability to spray balls to both gaps with ease. Stock continues to rise for Chaffin overall.

Gavin Greene, C, 2028
Greene may have put together the best round of BP of the day. With a presently physical frame at 5-foot-10, 165-pounds, the high-level backstop drove the ball with impact with minimal effort. Starting with quiet hands, Greene gets great hip to shoulder separation in his load before showing above-average bat speed and an innate ability to create leverage to the pull-side. Generated the highest exit velocity of the day at 91.6 and was on the barrel throughout the round. Behind the plate, Greene shows athleticism in the crouch with the best pop-times of the day and real arm strength that will only continue to get stronger as matures. Big-league bloodlines paired with the impressive toolset will make Greene a major factor in the class.

Dominic Rossy, C/1B, 2028
Another Junior Future Games alum with a great showing at Preseason Rising Stars. XL frame at 6-foot-2. 189-pounds showing big-time strength and athleticism already. Swing has made major strides since we’ve seen him last, eliminating some drift in the hands and starting to incorporate a strong lower half. Hands really snap through the zone with authority and the power potential only continues to grow.

Banks Halcomb, OF, 2028
With simple actions at the plate and highly-projectable 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame, Halcomb made a strong impression among his peers this weekend. Showing feel for the barrel, Halcomb gets great length and leverage through the zone from a steep bat path. High-level quarterback as well, Banks looks like the next impact two-sport Halcomb brother at North Gwinnett.

Max Maher, SS, 2028
As well-rounded of a middle-infielder as you’ll find in Georgia’s 2028 class. Maher has sound tools throughout the profile, and flashed it on Sunday. Working out of a narrow base at the plate, Maher does a good job staying compact in a short-to-long swing with good feel for the barrel. Good actions with the glove with range moving laterally and above-average arm strength (82 IF velo). Impressive foot speed as well with one of the better 60 times of the day at 7.17.

Micah Von, C/IF, 2028
Von flashed one of the more well-rounded profiles of the day in a 5-foot-10, 140-pound frame. Good runner with a great first step that led to an outstanding 7.13 run time. Showed strong hands and wrists at the plate that created easy line-drives to both fields. Primary backstop with an accurate, strong arm (71 C velo) that also showed up in the outfield as well.

Camden Shirley, 1B, 2028
Some of the loudest barrels of the day came from physical first-basemen. Standing 6-foot-1, 207-pounds, Shirley found the sweet spot at a 70% clip throughout his round with simple actions from the right-side that boast fast hands and a ton of power from his lower half. Second-highest exit velocity of the day at 91.2 with much more in the tank.

Kingston Jones, SS, 2028
2023 Junior Future Gamer. Jones has athleticism throughout his game, and has begun to fill out the frame, and really add some power in the swing. He drove balls in the gap during BP, and showed pop to the pull side. He has a strong arm that he put on display during the defensive portion of the event. He has been one of the more steady producer on the youth circuit, and the ability plays up in games where he lets his athleticism take over.

James Brooks, SS, 2028
5-foot-10 150-pounds. Brooks looks considerably stronger from the fall when we last saw him. He has filled out the frame, and looks like he could fit on a high school team right now. With the added strength he was having balls carry to the gaps. The actions are smooth and efficient in the field with a strong arm over to first.

Trent Harrison, RHP, 2028
6-foot-1 200-pounds. Strong bodied frame. Moves well on the mound. Effortless delivery, with a strong lower half. Works out of a high ¾ slot at 75-77 with the fastball. He filled up the zone, and kept the fastball in the bottom half of the zone. He had a feel for spin with the curveball in the mid 60’s. As Harrison develops he has the arm action, and frame to really be a power arm in the future.

Wesley Thiry, RHP, 2028
6-foot-1 160-pounds. The wiry frame from Thiry packs some natural arm strength/speed that will continue to develop. On the mound the fastball was up to 82.3mph with tons of life. He had great feel for spin in the low 70’s He flashed a promising change up that will continue to develop. He moves well in the field, and had an infield velocity of 82mph over to first. He has a smooth swing at the plate. It is simple and compact, the hands stay quiet and explodes through the ball. Thiry is a strong 2-way prospect to keep an eye on in the ‘28 class.