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Players To Watch For In 2016

January 11, 2016


Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana

The 2016 season for Louisiana high school baseball is just around the corner, and excitement is brewing. Today we look at few things to watch for in 2016 throughout the state of Louisiana.

In the last few months several prospects around the state have significantly improved their draft stock heading into their spring seasons. It is still very early in the draft process, but lets take a look at a few players that lead the way in Louisiana’s class.

+ Jake Slaughter, INF, Ouachita Christian HS
The Louisiana State commit has been a known commodity for some time now. He showed well a year ago at the Super 60 and has continued to surge this fall. A 6-foot-2, 198-pound infielder with a strong, athletic frame. He is an outstanding defender with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange and plays through balls athletically. A right-handed hitter that hits from athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half and solid balance. Gap to gap type hitter with fluid rhythm, level path and explosive bat speed that produced an exit velocity of 97 mph. He has consistently shown an advanced ability to hit for average and power. A quality athlete that has also posted a 6.66 60 yard dash.

+ Zach Watson, INF/OF, West Ouachita HS
Another Louisiana State commit, Watson has gained enormous traction this fall in regards to the draft. A premium athlete that possess elite level fast twitch actions (6.5 60 yard dash), Watson could find himself moving to centerfield at the next level. A right-handed hitter that has shown the ability to hit recently with a simple, compact stroke, strength at contact and bat speed.

+ Michael Kirsch, INF, Brother Martin HS
The Tulane commit has seen his stock skyrocket in the last few months after his coming out party at the Pre-Season All-State Games. Kirsch was a relative unknown in the scouting industry, having played nearly all of his baseball within the city limits of New Orleans and not attending the national events that are hotbeds for professional scouts. Kirsch is a 6-foot-1, 200-pound infielder with a strong, athletic frame. Outstanding athlete that posted 6.51 60 yard dash. Quality defender with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange and plays through balls athletically. Right-handed hitter that hits from athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half and solid balance. Gap to gap type hitter with fluid rhythm, level path, and explosive bat speed that produced an exit velocity 96 mph.

+ Ryan Reynolds, INF, Ouachita Christian HS
The son of former Major League pitcher, Shane Reynolds, is another prospect that has been a known commodity for some time. The Texas commit is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound infielder with a large, physical, strong frame. Quality defender with soft hands, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchange, playing through balls well. Switch hitter that hits from a balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, explosive lower half and solid balance. Gap to gap, power hitter with fluid rhythm, level path and strength at contact that produced an exit velocity of 95 mph. Reynolds has a long player history where he has shown advanced power potential from both sides of the plate, as well as an ability to hit for average. Also posted a 7.26 60 yard dash.

+ Haden Erbe, RHP, Crowley HS
The Louisiana-Lafayette commit is a dark-horse prospect in the upcoming draft. He possess a prototypical 6-foot-3, 190-pound strong, athletic frame. Short arm action into high-3/4 release with lightning quick arm speed and regular effort. Smooth rhythm, level shoulders, in-line direction, lands square and finishes athletic. Fastball sits 89-92 mph with heavy sink. Breaking ball shows 11/5 shape with near fastball arm speed, early break and occasional tight spin at 75-77 mph. Also shows a changeup with near fastball arm speed and fade action at 76-78 mph.

+ Keelyn Johnson, C, Pineville HS
A late addition to the Louisiana State 2016 recruiting class, Johnson has been a fast riser this fall. The premier catching prospect in Louisiana has a 5-foot-10, 165-pound strong, athletic frame. Outstanding defender with soft hands, quick footwork, quick transfer, and stays athletic. Short arm action into high-3/4 release with accuracy and plus life on throws that produced a positional velocity of 79 mph and a pop time of 1.8 seconds. Right-handed hitter that hits from athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half, and excellent balance. Gap to gap type hitter with fluid rhythm, level path and explosive bat speed that produced an exit velocity of 92 mph. Also posted a 7.12 60 yard dash.

In addition to these names, keep an eye on the Brother Martin pitching staff. Louisiana State commit, LHP Blair Frederick has an athletic delivery with a loose, fast arm and has run his fastball up 94 mph. Tulane commit, RHP Keagan Gillies stands at a towering 6-foot-8 and possess a fastball that ranges from 88-91 mph with severe tilt.

Looking even further ahead, Louisiana’s 2017 class is loaded with premium prospects. Louisiana State commit, OF Daniel Cabrera has one of the purest left-handed strokes in the country and should only improve on his insanely productive sophomore campaign. Louisiana State commit, RHP Blayne Enlow, exploded on to the scene at last summer’s Underclass Trials and turned a lot of heads at the Future Games with his quick arm, premium breaking ball and his fastball reaching 92 mph this fall. Mississippi State commit, OF Jacob Pearson is another prospect that showed out at last year’s Underclass Trials. A premium athlete that has shown above average hitting ability and plus power, Pearson is one of the most exciting players in Louisiana high school baseball.

Upcoming Events       

1.16.16 Winter Prospect Showcase
3.12.16 Future Prospects Showcase & Educational Camp
5.21.16 Underclass Trials

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