Prep Baseball Report

Updated 2018 Ranking


Ronald Sims
Mississippi Scouting Director

 

MS, USA - It has been several long months since we last updated our Mississippi 2018 Rankings and the rankings have now been expanded to 160 players. From our Preseason Prospect event in January, to the start of the high school season with tournaments and district play, our scouting staff has seen a ton of the top talent throughout all corners of Mississippi. The 2018 class has pretty much solidified itself, with several guys continuing to improve their stock as they move throughout the season.

+ Not much has changed at the top, with Mississippi State commit, RHP/SS JT Ginn (Brandon HS) keeping the No. 1 spot locked up. In early season games this spring we have seen Ginn have several quality outings. Working from a high-¾ slot with an explosive arm stroke, the right-hander has pumped fastballs that have ranged 93-97 mph, with his best bolt touching 99 mph. Ginn’s electric fastball and wipeout slider continue to show late action through the zone. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has also hit .490 with nine homeruns.

+ Staying in the No. 2 spot is Mississippi signee, OF Joe Gray (Hattiesburg HS). The right-handed hitter has easy rhythm, and has displayed strong pull side power potential. The ball jumps off his bat, generating easy gap power.

+ INF Drew Bianco (Oxford HS), a Louisiana State recruit, really knows how to play the game. At 6-foot, 200-pounds he has compact strength, and a knack for making plays for his team. He has a confident approach at the plate where he features quick hands and the ability to drive the ball to the gaps.

+ Moving up one spot to No. 4 is Mississippi State signee, RHP/3B Regi Grace (Madison Central HS). The right-hander has continued to throw well displaying solid feel to command three pitches in the zone. With a long arm stroke, and repeatable delivery Grace has pitched with his fastball at 88-92, in several outings. His curveball has good spin with depth and 11/5 shape at 76-78 mph and is part of the reason Grace has recorded 57 strikeouts already this season.

+ Rounding out the top five is RHP Brandon Smith (Richland HS, MS), a Mississippi State recruit. Smith has a projectable frame and room for added strength. He pitches at 88-91 mph with easy effort and command to both sides of the plate. He also shows a 72-75 mph breaking ball with solid depth and tightness

Other notable risers include: UTL Dexter Jordan (Hattiesburg), OF Bryce Brock (Lewisburg) OF Willie Joe Garry Jr. (Pascagoula), LHP/OF Bailee Hendon (Vancleave), RHP/SS Brendan Hardy (Harrison Central), INF Austen Izzio (Pearl River Central), LHP/OF Kasey Donaldson (West Harrison) to name a few.

Below is a look at the Top Twenty. To see the entire list, CLICK HERE.

Rank Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 JT Ginn MS Brandon 2018 RHP Mississippi State
2 Joe Gray MS Hattiesburg 2018 OF Mississippi
3 Drew Bianco MS Oxford 2018 SS Louisiana State
4 Regi Grace MS Madison Central 2018 RHP Mississippi State
5 Brandon Smith MS Richland 2018 RHP Mississippi State
6 Landon Jordan MS Hancock 2018 SS Mississippi State
7 Dexter Jordan MS Hattiesburg 2018 OF Louisiana-Lafayette
8 Luke Hancock MS Houston 2018 C Mississippi State
9 Hunter Eldridge MS West Lauderdale 2018 RHP Mississippi State
10 Knox Loposer MS Madison Central 2018 C Mississippi
11 Chance Denson MS West Lauderdale 2018 RHP East Mississippi CC
12 Aaron Greene MS Warren Central 2018 RHP Mississippi
13 Logan Savell MS Madison Central 2018 RHP Mississippi
14 Aubrey Gillentine MS Amory 2018 RHP Southern Miss
15 Bryce Brock MS Lewisburg 2018 OF Mississippi State
16 Willie Joe Garry Jr. MS Pascagoula 2018 OF Pearl River CC
17 Blake Johnson MS Gulfport 2018 C Tulane
18 Hunter Blalock MS Madison Central 2018 OF Mississippi State
19 Bailee Hendon MS Vancleave 2018 LHP Jones County JC
20 Brendan Hardy MS Harrison Central 2018 SS Jones County JC

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