Prep Baseball Report

Gulf Coast Open: Positional Player Reports


PBR Mississippi Staff

 

Biloxi, MS - The Gulf Coast Open was held on Sunday, September 24th at MGM Park in Biloxi, MS. This event was an open event that consisted of prospects from the 2023-2026 classes. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, participated in defensive evaluations, ran the 60 yard-dash using Swift Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in a bullpen setting and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement & much more. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Saturday.

Continuing our post-event coverage for the event, we take a look at the individual scouting reports for each position player in attendance. Keep checking back as we will continue to release post-event content, including scouting reports on all pitchers at the event.

Click HERE to view all statistics from the event.

 

Positional player Reports

 

Owen Ballanger, Gulfport (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-6, 145-pounds.
Hits: RHH. Tall, narrow stance with high handset, rhythmic load and stride with small knee lift. Fairly level bat path with pull side line drive approach. Shows some ability to work the middle of the field.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 78.2 MPH. 292' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-73 mph. Quick, loose arm with some length
Defense: 2.12-2.16 pop times. Conventional set up behind the plate, quick feet with good direction and boby control. Advanced skill set with blocks and bunts.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60.

Connor Fadalla, Baker (AL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds. Solid, durable frame
Hits: RHH. Wide stance with high handset. Short, quick load and stride. Stride was slightly inconsistent. Power out front with some aggression into contact. Pull side approach though showed some ability to drive the ball to the opposite gap.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 82.2 MPH. 328' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-74 mph.Quick arm action with accuracy
Defense: Played smooth around 1B. Good footwork and positioning with accurate throws to other bags. Solid defender
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60.

Gavin Gibson, Patrick Taylor Science & Tech Academy (LA), 2025
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-8, 135-pounds. Projectable frame
Hits: RHH. Wide, athletic stance with relaxed hand set. Creates some separation in load with slight knee lift, level bat path and works the baseball to all fields.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 76.2 MPH. 288' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-67 mph.Long arm action
Defense: Solid footwork and range. Good body positioning on all angles. Transfer gets a little long.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60.

Will Howard, Catholic (LA), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hits: RHH. Wider open stance with some preset load, high hand set Developing power with some launch to bat path. Aggression at contact out front. Works middle to pull side
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 80.2 MPH. 301' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-71 mph. OF-81 mph. Quick arm action
Defense: 2.06-2.08 pop times. Larger frame in crouch, Smooth footwork and direction on throws. Solid positioning on blocks and good transition and movements on bunts.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60.

Elijah Johnson, Home School (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Lean, projectable frame
Hits: RHH. Conventional, balanced stance Smooth, balanced load and small stride, level bat path throughout the swing. Works the baseball all fields
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 74.8 MPH. 279' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-77 mph.OF-79 mph. Loose arm action with developing accuracy
Defense: Good range and quickness with developing hands. Solid on transfers.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.

Mack Jones, West Lauderdale (MS), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Lean, projectable frame
Hits: RHH. Tall, slightly open with some preset load. Long stride Developing power with aggression out front. Likes to pull but can go the other way with force. Solid up and coming bat.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 69.5 MPH. 277' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-72 mph. Loose arm action
Defense: 2.12-2.12 pop times. Another bigger frame target in crouch. Solid upside at catching position. Moves well with good lines on throws. Still developing with body.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60.

Cortorian Keeton, Gautier (MS), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean, wiry frame
Hits: RHH. Tall stance with high handset Short, quick load and stride, could be more rhythmic with movements. Level bat path with line drive approach. Works off back side. Works the middle of the field well.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 80.1 MPH. 280' max distance.
Arm: RH. OF-79 mph. Lengthy, loose arm action
Defense: Good footwork on ground balls, fields baseball outfront to the glove side, accurate on throws

Brein Ledford, Catholic (LA), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 158-pounds. Lean, projectable frame
Hits: RHH. Tall balanced stance with high handset Big rhythmic load with toe tap. Aggression into contact with slightly upward swing path and gap to gap approach.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 71.5 MPH. 234' max distance.
Arm: RH. OF-79 mph. Loose arm action
Defense: (OF) approaches baseball with good feet, fields baseball out front to glove side, solid carry on throws with accuracy
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60.

Jordon May, Biloxi (MS), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds.
Hits: LHH. Tall balanced stance with handset close to body
Power: 76 max exit velocity, averaged 71.9 MPH. 268' max distance.
Arm: LH. INF-72 mph.Short arm action
Defense:
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.

William Parker, Biloxi (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds. Big, solid frame
Hits: RHH. Wide stance with high handset Small, controlled load and stride. Very quick bat though tends hit off a unbalanced front foot. Solid bat path with some loft. Aggression into contact with power potential.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 74.5 MPH. 325' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-71 mph. Short quick atm action
Defense: 2.10-2.15 pop times. Wide set up behind the plate. Very good direction and quick, controlled footwork on throws. Solid body positioning on blocks and bunts. Advanced skill set presently.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60.

Tolar Raybourn, Gulfport (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds. Lanky, lean frame to build on
Hits: SH. Tall, slightly open stance from both sides of the plate Easy, controlled load and stride from both sides with slightly more loft to swing from right side. Gap to gap approach with developing pop.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 77.6 MPH. 304' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-78 mph. Loose, long arm action
Defense: Solid defender with bounce, good range and solid hands. Accurate on throws with some carry. Next level upside
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.

Chesley Rhodes, St. Stanislaus (MS), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Long, lean, athletic frame
Hits: RHH. Tall, slightly open stance with relaxed hand set Easy, controlled load and stride with tons of aggression. Loft in swing with pull side approach. Current power with next level upside.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 90.3 MPH. 393' max distance.
Arm: RH. OF-83 mph.
Defense:
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60.

Mason Roach, St. Joseph Catholic (MS), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds.
Hits: RHH. Tall stance with some preset load. Quick bat and level swing path. Creates contact out front with all fields approach.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 78.6 MPH. 297' max distance.
Arm: RH. OF-80 mph. Quick arm action
Defense: Good footwork, agressive to the baseball and fields outfront. Accurate on throws
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.

Cameron Sandel, West Harrison (MS), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-6, 150-pounds.
Hits: RHH. Wide set up at the plate with high hands Big load and stride with toe tap. Uses all fields with short compact swing and level bat path.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 71.9 MPH. 276' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-72 mph.Loose, quick arm action
Defense: Still developing footwork at infield position. Shows good body positioning and angles on ground balls.
Run: 8.39 runner in the 60.

Alton Shorts, De La Salle (LA), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-9, 142-pounds. Lean, athletic frame
Hits: RHH. Conventional balanced stance, slightly open Smooth, balanced load with leg lift, level bat path throughout swing. Works the baseball all fields
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 68.5 MPH. 270' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-74 mph.Loose arm action with whip
Defense: Good range and quickness with developing hands. Solid on transfers. Could develop into very solid infield prospect
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60.

Bryan Travis, Harrison Central (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Solid, durable frame
Hits: RHH. Conventional set up with higher hand set. Smooth, controlled load and stride. Weight stays on back side with some lift to bat path. Pull side approach.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 74.7 MPH. 323' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-70 mph. Some length to arm, though loose
Defense: 2.11-2.17 pop times. Solid set up in crouch, good footwork and direction on throws though head tilt pulls him away from some throws. Solid fundamentals with blocks and good transition on bunts.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.

Ben Wade, Holy Savior Menard (LA), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Solid, durable frame
Hits: RHH. Balanced stance with high handset Controlled load with small knee lift. Good extension at contact. Quick bat with all fields approach.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80 MPH. 301' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-72 mph.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop times.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60.  

Haiden Wood, Ocean Springs (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-5, 130-pounds.
Hits: RHH. Conventional stance, slightly open Small load and stride with level bat path. Works the ball to all fields and should continue to develop more pop with body maturity.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 71.4 MPH. 255' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-67 mph. Short quick arm action
Defense: 2.29-2.37 pop times. Very solid behind the plate with controlled fluid movements. Shows upside at position and should continue to develop into catching prospect as strength comes. Good positioning on blocks and bunts as well.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.


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