Superlatives: Preseason All-State West Position Players
February 11, 2025
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The Preseason All-State events have rapidly become one of the premier showcase events in North Carolina. Now in their seventh year, these events serve as a launching point for the high school baseball season, allowing Prep Baseball to identify emerging talent to monitor throughout the spring. Additionally, they play a key role in assembling the Team Carolina watchlist for prestigious events such as the Prep Baseball Future Games, Super Sophomore Games, NC/SC Border Battle, and more.
These high-caliber events provide players with an opportunity to showcase their offseason development while competing alongside top talent from across the state. The Prep Baseball staff frequently observes physical transformations, increased strength and agility, and athletes achieving personal bests throughout the Preseason All-State workout.
The Preseason All-State workout follows a professional, combine-style format, allowing players to record key performance metrics and analytics both on the field and in controlled athletic testing environments. While these events take place early in the year—when players are still ramping up for the season—they provide the Prep Baseball scouting staff with valuable insights into a player's current skill level and potential for growth.
This year’s events commenced with pitchers and catchers participating in defensive evaluations. Catchers are given the opportunity to record full-length pop times at each hosting facility, followed by pitchers throwing controlled bullpens. TrackMan technology is utilized to capture comprehensive ball flight data, providing advanced analytics on each pitch.
As bullpen sessions conclude, position players transition into athletic testing. Using VALD Performance lasers, each athlete completes a laser-timed 30-yard sprint, including a 10-yard split measurement. Players also undergo various jump tests and grip strength assessments. Following the athletic testing, infielders and outfielders participate in defensive workouts, while hitters conclude the day with live batting practice. BLAST Motion technology collects pre-contact swing metrics, and TrackMan captures detailed ball flight data off the bat.
Following the event, the Prep Baseball scouting team meticulously analyzes all collected data, video, and scouting notes. This information is then distributed to college coaches, professional scouts, and baseball enthusiasts across the state who are eager to identify and track North Carolina’s top prospects
CLICK HERE to see the full roster and statistical out put from the Preseason All-State West.
Preseason All-State West By The Numbers
+ 1 player recorded an exit velocity over 100mph
+ 8 hitters recorded an exit velocity of 95mph or higher
+ 5 hitters had a BLAST bat speed of 75mph of higher
+ 5 players had a max distance of 330ft or longer.
+ 7 pitchers had a fastball at 85mph or higher
+ 7 pitchers had their fastball spin recorded higher than 2200rpm
+ 4 pitchers had their breaking ball spin at 2400rpm or higher
+ 5 catchers recorded a pop time of 2.10 or better
+ 8 outfielders had arm strength at 85mph or better
+ 8 infielders tested with arm strength across the infield at 80mph or higher
Preseason All-State West - Position Player Superlatives
Top Hitters
Jalen Boyd, OF, Covenant Day School, 2026
Gabriel Diaz, 3B, Palisades HS, 2027
Parker Filipek, C/INF, TC Roberson HS, 2027
Evan Hogg, SS/C, SouthLake Christian Academy, 2026
Hayes Hillier, C, Asheboro HS, 2025
Drew Bonhag, 2B, Cox Mill HS, 2025
Daniel Eber, OF, Hough HS, 2026
Leyton Guhl, C, Carmel Christian, 2027
Austin Baxter, SS, Hopewell HS, 2028
Alfred Seaman, OF, Independence HS, 2026
Zeke Adwaters III, SS, TC Roberson HS, 2026
Colby Epperly, 1B, Ardrey Kell HS, 2026
Best Power Tool
Luke Ponczka, 1B, West Rowan HS, 2026
Alfred Seaman, OF, Independence HS, 2026
Jacson Taplin, 1B, Ambassador Christian, 2027
Top Athletes
Jacob Cesarz, SS, Pro5 Baseball, 2026
Hayes Hillier, C, Asheville HS, 2025
Carter Rodgers, SS, Palisades HS, 2026
Daniel Eber, OF, Hough HS, 2026
Leyton Guhl, C, Carmel Christian, 2027
Henry Tutera, C/OF, Christ School, 2028
Drew Bonhag, 2B, Cox Mill HS, 2025
Benjamin Edwards, OF, Hough HS, 2026
Colby Epperly, 1B, Ardrey Kell HS, 2026
Zeke Adwaters III, SS, TC Roberson HS, 2026
Best Defensive Tools
Drew Bonhag, 2B, Cox Mill HS, 2025
Gabriel Diaz, 3B, Palisades HS, 2027
Parker Filipek, C/INF, TC Roberson HS, 2027
Jacob Cesarz, SS, Pro5 Baseball, 2026
Zeke Adwaters III, SS, TC Roberson HS, 2026
Jalen Boyd, OF, Covenant Day School, 2026
Henry Tutera, C, Christ School, 2028
Hayes Hillier, C, Asheville HS, 2025
Darrow Holder, C, Hickory HS, 2026