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Quick Hits: Preseason Prospect ID

January 30, 2019
Ronald Sims
Mississippi Scouting Director

JACKSON,MS - The second annual Preseason Prospect ID was a huge success, with over 50 players from around the state showcasing their skills. Although the weather was somewhat chilly, we could not have asked for a better day in January. Here is a quick look at what we saw this weekend. Be on the lookout tomorrow as we dive into the underclassmen performances.

Southeastern Louisiana commit, 2019 SS Bo Gatlin  (Oxford HS) was his usual self on Saturday as he found himself in the top of multiple categories. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound has developed the frame even more during the off season and it showed in performance as he blasted balls to all fields during BP and posted an exit velocity of 95 mph.

Mississippi State commit, 2019 RHP Josh Hill (Indianola Ac.) showed feel for four pitches with life on his fastball at 85-88 mph, a 73-75 mph curveball, a 77-81 mph slider, and he has a solid changeup that he throws for a strike with arm side run at 76-80 mph.The right-hander works from a high slot with a clean arm swing and an athletic delivery and good hip turn down the mound.

Mississippi Delta CC commit, 2019 3B/1B Calabe Collins (Raymond HS) hammered balls during his BP round. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitter was on the barrel and hit the ball hard from the middle to pull side.

 Several uncommitted seniors had solid days, including 2019 OF/RHP Noah Brown  (Germantown HS). Took an quality round of BP from the left-side taking fluid hacks. Got to the middle of the field well and produced an 82 mph exit velocity. 2019 Lanacus  Hudson (Raymond HS) ran a 6.94 60-yard dash and showed a balanced hack from the right side with an occasional long path and quick hands. 2019 1B Joseph Bauer showed an   improved approach at the plate squaring balls up during BP to the pull side gap. 2019 RHP/OF Cole Pittman (Porters Chapel HS) was his normal self on Saturday working up to 82 mph but did show some improvements in his ability to control the zone.

Batting practice was really solid for the 2020 class, and there were plenty of hitters that showed that they can handle the bat, including Trip Wilson (Tupelo HS) who laced line drives through the middle of the field from gap to gap with a top exit velocity of 92 mph off the tee as well as showing premium arm strength posting a postional velocity of 91 mph. Austin Lee (Germantown HS)   took an quality round during BP. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound left-handed hitter was on the barrel and hit the ball hard from the middle to pull side with natural lift in swing.

2020 1B/3B Wesley Sides (DeSoto Central HS) has an sturdy frame at 6-foot-1, 215-pounds. The right-handed hitter has a controlled aggressive hack with quality rhythm and loose hands. He hammered the ball around the yard and posted the top exit velocity of the day at 94 mph

The frame of 2020 OF/RHP Kyle Savell (Madison-Ridgeland Ac.) is lean an athletic at 6-foot-0, 170-pounds.The right-handed hitter took a solid round of BP displaying good feel for the barrel and bat speed that produced an 87 mph exit velocity. He threw 80 from the outfield where he plays through the ball with athletic actions and an accurate arm stroke.

2020 1B/3B Elijah Watts (Resurrection Catholic HS) flashed an aggressive approach at the plate with strength in swing. Starting from an open setup worked closed with a simple rhythm, Watts was able generate solid batspeed that produced an exit velocity of 85 mph. Also flashed solid arm strength across the diamond recording a positional velocity of 85 mph. 

2020 SS/RHP Robert Riggin (Raymond HS) showed solid improvement in his control on the mound. The 6-foot, 188-pound right-hander had a simple rhythm as he worked down the mound with in line direction and short quick arm stroke that allowed him to run his fastball up to 84 mph.