Prep Baseball Report

North Mississippi Preseason ID: Quick Hits


Matt Miller
State Director

HERNANDO, MS - The North Mississippi Preseason ID was held on Sunday, January 12th at The Gatorade Fieldhouse in Hernando, MS. This event consisted of players from the 2026-2028 classes in Mississippi. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, ran the 30-yard dash using VALD Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw during gameplay and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement while facing live hitters in simulated innings. 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 this week.

Continuing our post-event coverage for this event, we look at some of the top performers from the North Mississippi Preseason ID. Please continue to check back over the next week, as we will release other leaderboards along with scouting reports on all players in attendance.

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QUICK HITS

John Baker Boykin LHP / OF / Amory, MS / 2028

Our first extended look at Boykin and the freshman from Amory did not disappoint. The lean and wiry lefty showed off an advanced fundamental approach in the box during his batting practice round. Primarily looking to pull, he did show some ability to drive a pitch to the opposite field when needed. On the mound Boykin had solid arm side action with his fastball  and developing feel for his secondary arsenal. As the frame matures look for JB to make a big splash in the recruitment process.

Parker Israel OF / RHP / Lewisburg, MS / 2028

We first laid eyes on Israel at a Rising Stars event last year and it's evident his development has taken a positive step. The 6-0, 195 pounder has a sound swing and some pop in the bat with exit velocities already into the low 90’s but his ability on the mound is what sticks out at the moment. The righty from Lewisburg throws his fastball for strikes and already gets it up to 86 mph. His secondary stuff, which includes a hard slider and change up, should get better as both pitches have good shape to them. Yet another arm from the Lewisburg program making their mark. 

Carlos Robinson Jr. OF / RHP / South Panola, MS / 2026

Robinson gained attention right out of the box with a very quick 3.78 in the 30 yard sprint (weather kept the group from running 60’s). He kept the attention with an impressive batting practice round as well with line drives to all fields and exit velocities consistently near 90 mph. With his lean, athletic frame Robinson definitely looks the part and shows quality tools that need to be seen. We look forward to seeing him in game action this spring. 

Ethan Killough C / RHP / Kossuth, MS / 2028

The #2 ranked player in Mississippi’s 2028 class continues to progress. Even with the cooler temps the wiry, athletic catcher from Kossuth looked ready to get his freshman season going. One of the more polished receivers in the class, Killough, a former Junior Future Gamer, delivered consistent pop times to second with an event best 2.0 and 72 mph throws from behind the plate. The footwork is advanced and his metrics should continue to get even better. During batting practice is when he really shines using a middle to pull side approach with a slightly upward bat path which could produce some towering home runs in the very near future. 

Lanston Kent RHP / SS / Saltillo, MS / 2028

Kent was another no doubt dual prospect from the event on Sunday, showing consistency in all phases of the workout. During his batting practice round the freshman from Saltillo used a polished swing and level bat path while primarily working the middle of the diamond with line drives. Kent left his biggest impression on the mound though as the righty worked his fastball up to 86 mph on the day. His secondary offerings are still developing command but the action on both his changeup and slider are advanced. 

Ashton Hoots 3B / RHP / Itawamba Agricultural, MS / 2027

Hoots has continued to progress steadily on the mound since the first time we got to see him at an EBC Scout Day in May of 2023. His arm works well with a looseness to it creating some whip. The sophomore  from Itawamba has seen his fastball velocity grow over the last two seasons at a good pace and now sits in the low to mid 80s with more coming. Command is still developing with all pitches and he did show signs of a plus change in the works on Sunday.

Drew Stanton C / OF / Myrtle Attendance Center, MS / 2028

One of the top power hitting prospects on the rise was back at it on Sunday with an event high 94 mph exit velocity and that number will increase as he matures. Stanton’s swing is advanced with some loft and a primarily pull side approach though he will definitely deliver some doubles to the opposite field gaps given the pitch on the outer third. The freshman from Myrtle gives coaches options to get his big bat in the lineup as well by playing both the catcher and outfield positions. 

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Central Mississippi Preseason ID 1/19 Madison-Ridgeland Academy - Madison, MS
South Mississippi Preseason ID 1/20 Mississippi Gulf Coast CC - Perkinston, MS
Mississippi Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) 1/26 Clinton High School - Clinton, MS
Central Mississippi Rising Stars ID 3/30 Southern Performance Institute - Madison, MS
North Mississippi Rising Stars ID 4/5 The Gatorade Fieldhouse (Elevate) - Hernando, MS

 

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