STARKVILLE, MS - The Top Prospect Games: Underclass was held on Saturday, October 28th at Dudy Noble Field on the campus of the Mississippi State University. This event was an invite-only event that consisted of some of the top prospects from the 2026-2027 classes across all parts of Mississippi. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated outings during gameplay and were able to get numbers and metrics. 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 at the event.

Continuing our post-event coverage for this event, we now take a look at the scouting reports from the event. Next, we look at all catchers from the TPG Underclass. Check out the Top-5, along with the best of the rest.

*Please note that all scouting reports are in alphabetical order*

View all positional stats HERE.

 

THE TOP-5

Mason Ballard C / 3B / Tupelo , MS / 2027 Mason Ballard, Tupelo (MS), 2027 Positional Profile: C/3B Body: 5-8, 164-pounds. Strong look to the lower half, athletic body. Proportional throughout. Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched stance with balance. Hands set just in front of back shoulder. Smooth load as hands push back to create more leverage. Fairly level bat path and a middle of the field to pull side approach. 65.4 mph bat speed with 15 G's of rotational acceleration. Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 332' max distance. Arm: RH. C-79 mph. Quick arm action Defense: 1.91-1.97 pop times. Strong set up with advanced footwork on throws to 2nd. Very good direction on throws. Advanced body positioning and fundamental approach to blocks and bunts. Still maturing body. ATH: 7.15 runner in the 60. 21.00 max vertical.

Ayden Dartez C / 3B / Saint Stanislaus , MS / 2027 Ayden Dartez, Saint Stanislaus (MS), 2027 Positional Profile: C/3B Body: 5-10, 181-pounds. Stocky-like, athletic body. Physical, present strength throughout. Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open stance with hands just above back shoulder. Smooth load and stride with slightly upward bat path and gap to gap approach. Aggression into contact. 63.3 mph bat speed with 16 G's of rotational acceleration. Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 76.0 mph. 322' max distance. Arm: RH. C-72 mph. Quick arm action. Defense: 2.03-2.13 pop times. Solid set up behind the plate with advanced footwork on throws to 2nd and 3rd. Good direction on throws. Advanced body positioning on blocks and bunts. ATH: 7.24 runner in the 60. 17.10 max vertical.

Tanner Harris C / 3B / Lafayette , MS / 2026 Tanner Harris, Lafayette (MS), 2026 Positional Profile: C/3B Body: 6-1, 168-pounds. Projectable frame, room for added mass Hit: RHH. Conventional stance with normal hand set. Easy load and stride. Pushes hands back in load to create leverage. Works the whole field with developing power to pull side. Fairly level bat path. 66.9 mph bat speed with 11 G's of rotational acceleration. Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.4 mph. 335' max distance. Arm: RH. C-78 mph. Loose arm action. Defense: 1.99-2.15 pop times. Still developing and maturing body though has tremendous upside at catching position. Advanced feet and quick transfers. ATH: 7.59 runner in the 60.

JD Harvey C / RHP / Seminary , MS / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 5 JD Harvey, Seminary (MS), 2026 Positional Profile: C/RHP Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Projectable frame, room for added mass, wiry Hit: RHH. Wider stance with hands relaxed just above back shoulder. Small, controlled load and stride with level bat path and some current pop. Middle of the field approach with some pull side power potential. 68.4 mph bat speed with 7 G's of rotational acceleration. Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 327' max distance. Arm: RH. C-79 mph. Quick arm action. Defense: 1.97-2.02 pop times. Polished look though body gets a little high at times. Good footwork and lines on throws. Good body positioning on blocks and bunts. ATH: 7.43 runner in the 60. 24.00 max vertical.

Coleman Yoder C / RHP / Hartfield Academy, MS / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 2 Coleman Yoder, Hartfield Academy (MS), 2026 Positional Profile: C/RHP Body: 5-11, 202-pounds. Bigger bodied frame, present strength throughout. Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open stance with hands just above back shoulder. Controlled load with small knee lift before stride. Level bat path with middle of the field approach. 66.7 mph bat speed with 10 G's of rotational acceleration. Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 78.8 mph. 321' max distance. Arm: RH. C-75 mph. Quick arm action. Defense: 1.90-2.00 pop times. Another big frame with even more upside. Quick, feet and transfers along with solid arm and accuracy. Advanced on blocks and bunt coverages. ATH: 7.09 runner in the 60. 19.20 max vertical.

 

THE BEST OF THE REST

Caleb Authement, Brookhaven Academy (MS), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 243-pounds. Bigger bodied frame, XL build. Stronger and sturdy base.
Hit: RHH. Conventional, balanced stance with slightly higher than normal hand set. Controlled load and stride. Slightly upward bat path with some aggression into contact. Pull side approach. 65.7 mph bat speed with 15 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 374' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-76 mph. Length to arm path.
Defense: 1.97-2.00 pop times. Big frame to throw to. Easy to split. Can get east Weston throws, though arm strength can make up for it. Good positioning on blocks and bunts.
ATH: 7.98 runner in the 60. 15.40 max vertical.

Jacob Matthews, Booneville (MS), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 161-pounds. Athletic and leaner body, can continue to add size to the frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced stance with hands slightly higher than back shoulder. Conventional load and stride as hands push back to create more leverage. Level bat path with a middle to pull side approach. Works off back leg slightly. 66.7 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 84.8 mph. 326' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-72 mph. Quicker arm action.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. Very polished with mature set up. Still developing quickness to feet. Good direction on throws. Solid on blocks and bunts.
ATH: 7.34 runner in the 60. 17.90 max vertical.

Sawyer Pettit, Tri-County Academy (MS), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6-0, 151-pounds. Athletic build, lean frame with room to add more mass.
Hit: LHH. Tall, slightly open stance with normal hand set. Controlled load and with knee lift into stride. Level bat path with a middle of the field approach. 65.4 mph bat speed with 20 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 77.7 mph. 323' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-70 mph. Quick arm action.
Defense: 2.06-2.21 pop times. Lean body still developing though has a very solid foundation to build on. Good direction on throws. Quick transfers. Quick movements on blocks and bunts.
ATH: 7.34 runner in the 60. 22.20 max vertical.

 

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Mississippi Preseason ID	1/20	Holmes CC - Goodman, MS
Mississippi Preseason All-State (Invite-Only)	1/27	Clinton High School - Clinton, MS

 

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