Top Prospect Games Underclass: Data Dive, Pitchers
November 9, 2023
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 take a look back at some of the top performers and standouts from Saturday. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release different statistical leaderboards for the event along with other pieces of content.
View all positional stats HERE.
FASTBALL
MAX VELOCITY (MPH)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
1 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | 90.4 mph |
2 | JD Harvey | MS | SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | 86.9 mph |
3 | Caleb Authement | MS | BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | 2026 | C | 86.9 mph |
4 | Rece Atkinson | MS | Leake Academy | 2027 | RHP | 86.1 mph |
5 | Cooper Bierman | MS | LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | 3B | 85.8 mph |
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Ashton Hoots | MS | Itawamba | 2027 | 3B | 2296 rpm |
2 | Wil Drew | MS | Copiah Academy | 2026 | RHP | 2201 rpm |
3 | Caleb Authement | MS | BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | 2026 | C | 2192 rpm |
4 | Parker Orr | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | OF | 2170 rpm |
5 | Peyton Patridge | MS | Tri County Academy | 2026 | SS | 2061 rpm |
Spin Rate: This metric calculates the rate of spin on the baseball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Historical data shows that high-spin fastballs lessen the impact of gravity, allowing for more ‘rise’ (or less fall, in other words) as it carries through the zone. Low-spin fastballs typically indicate the pitch has greater horizontal action, often making it tougher to square up, but generally easier to make contact with, leading to more ground balls, while high-spin fastballs show a correlation with swings and misses.
SPIN EFFICIENCY% (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Efficiency % (avg) |
1 | Cole Gregg | MS | HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 93 % |
2 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | 91 % |
3 | Whit Davis | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | 1B | 89 % |
4 | Cooper Bierman | MS | LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | 3B | 89 % |
5 | Miller Finn | MS | PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 89 % |
Spin Efficiency: This metric is the percentage of the raw spin rate that directly impacts pitch movement; so while raw spin is measured by revolutions per minute (rpm), spin efficiency is the ratio of true spin divided by raw spin. It’s important to understand that more is not always better when it comes to spin efficiency. The optimal spin efficiency on a pitch depends on the pitch type and should be understood in the context of a pitcher’s entire arsenal. Regarding the true four-seam fastball, a spin efficiency close to 100 percent is preferable, indicating that nearly all the backspin generated on the ball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand is contributing to the “riding” action the pitch has as it enters and exits the strike zone, making it especially effective in the upper third of the strike zone.
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Cole Gregg | MS | HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 17.2 in |
2 | Peyton Patridge | MS | Tri County Academy | 2026 | SS | 16.0 in |
3 | Crews Albritton | MS | Tri-County Academy | 2027 | OF | 15.9 in |
4 | Miller Finn | MS | PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 15.7 in |
5 | JD Harvey | MS | SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | 15.3 in |
Induced Vertical Break: Used in short form as "IVB," this metric is most important on fastballs for creating rise and on curveballs for creating depth – it can also have some use when measuring sliders and cutters as well. Sliders tend to be closer to zero inches while cutters are generally between 5 and 15 inches. Usually fastballs and curveballs with large IVB have higher spin efficiencies as well. Sliders generally have very little (closer to zero) IVB and very low spin efficiency. You could also categorize IVB into spin rate as this is part of the “useful movement” you’re looking for. IVB is also a huge part of the vertical approach angle.
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Cooper Bierman | MS | LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | 3B | 15.1 |
2 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | 14.0 |
3 | Whit Davis | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | 1B | 13.6 |
4 | Cole Gregg | MS | HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | -10.6 |
5 | Austin Sanders | MS | PISGAH HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 9.5 |
Horizontal Break: Outlined on TrackMan’s own website: “... horizontal movement is measured in inches between where the pitch actually crosses the front of home plate side-wise, and where it would have crossed home plate side-wise if had it traveled in a perfectly straight line from release. A positive number means the break was to the right from the pitcher’s perspective, while a negative number means the break was to the left from the pitcher’s perspective.”
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Whit Davis | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | 1B | 69 % |
2 | Cole Gregg | MS | HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 57 % |
3 | Cooper Bierman | MS | LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | 3B | 47 % |
4 | Parker Orr | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | OF | 46 % |
5 | Ashton Hoots | MS | Itawamba | 2027 | 3B | 45 % |
^ | Hayden Wilson | MS | MADISON CENTRAL | 2026 | SS | 45 % |
Average MLB pitchers throw 62 percent strikes, and better pitchers throw strikes 65 percent of the time, or a ratio of roughly 2:1, strikes to balls.
CURVEBALL
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | 2601 rpm |
2 | Parker Orr | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | OF | 2317 rpm |
3 | Ashton Hoots | MS | Itawamba | 2027 | 3B | 2267 rpm |
4 | Caleb Authement | MS | BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | 2026 | C | 2152 rpm |
5 | Cooper Bierman | MS | LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | 3B | 2057 rpm |
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Crews Albritton | MS | Tri-County Academy | 2027 | OF | -9.8 in |
2 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | -8.0 in |
3 | Peyton Patridge | MS | Tri County Academy | 2026 | SS | -7.5 in |
4 | Cayden Berryhill | MS | Pearl | 2026 | OF | -6.2 in |
5 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | -6.0 in |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | JD Harvey | MS | SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | -16.2 |
2 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | -12.7 |
3 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | -12.5 |
4 | Ashton Hoots | MS | Itawamba | 2027 | 3B | -11.9 |
5 | Cayden Berryhill | MS | Pearl | 2026 | OF | -10.2 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Peyton Patridge | MS | Tri County Academy | 2026 | SS | 100 % |
2 | Ashton Hoots | MS | Itawamba | 2027 | 3B | 71 % |
3 | JD Harvey | MS | SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | 66 % |
4 | Caleb Authement | MS | BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | 2026 | C | 55 % |
5 | Cooper Bierman | MS | LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | 3B | 50 % |
^ | Whit Davis | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | 1B | 50 % |
CHANGEUP
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | 2099 rpm |
2 | JD Harvey | MS | SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | 1718 rpm |
3 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 1664 rpm |
4 | Whit Davis | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | 1B | 1649 rpm |
5 | Caleb Authement | MS | BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | 2026 | C | 1566 rpm |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Taylor Latham | MS | Hartfield Academy | 2026 | RHP | 16.3 |
2 | Whit Davis | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | 1B | 15.7 |
3 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 12.6 |
4 | Parker Hicks | MS | NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 | 3B | 11.3 |
5 | Ashton Hoots | MS | Itawamba | 2027 | 3B | 11.1 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Caleb Authement | MS | BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | 2026 | C | 100 % |
2 | Ashton Hoots | MS | Itawamba | 2027 | 3B | 50 % |
^ | Whit Davis | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | 1B | 50 % |
3 | Miller Finn | MS | PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 33 % |
^ | JD Harvey | MS | SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | 33 % |
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