Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Georgia 2023 MLB Draft Guide: Part 1 - Tools & Separators

July 3, 2023
Justin Goetz
Assistant Scouting Director

The countdown to the 2023 MLB Draft is well underway, as we are just over 6 days away from Day 1! While the Peach State won’t have 2 of the first 4 picks like Druw Jones and Termarr Johnson last year, it is highly likely that there will be more HS players drafted within our borders this year. While there were a solid 8 HS players selected from the 28 total GA picks in 2022, I feel that there is more depth in this class and we could easily be in the range of 10-15 HS players selected in 2023. There are a handful of players in this article that are likely to go Day 1 - Early Day 2, and there are more than a handful of sleepers with real opportunities to go mid Day 2 through the end of Day 3. Without a doubt the 1st player from GA selected this year will be future 5 tool player and ‘21 Future Gamer, SS Colin Houck.
The majority of the players below won’t be drafted this year due to signability and lack of track record, but there are surely some special players in this class who will make a big name for themselves in college. While I’ll be releasing in-depth scouting reports on my long term favorites and the most likely players to hear their names called in the coming days, it’s important to give our readers an outlook on the standout tools of this interesting class and what separates them.

ATHLETICISM (Current Grade) - The best athletes typically have the best chance at reaching their ceiling. This tool isn’t just about speed. The ability to adjust on the fly, swing/delivery mechanics, overall actions, explosiveness, effortlessness, and balance are some of the traits taken into account.

  1. Tai Peete: Excellent. Separators - Overall Actions, Swing Mechanics, 2 Way, Body Balance.

  2. Kaleb Cost: Excellent. Separators - Dual Sport, Fast Twitch Fibers, Change of Direction, Sprint Speed.

  3. Jason Walk: Excellent. Separators - Switch Hitter, Effortlessness, Fast Twitch Fibers, Sprint Speed.

  4. Cooper Milford: ++. Separators - Overall Actions, Effortlessness, Balance, Aptitude, Sprint Speed.

  5. Antonio Anderson: Plus. Separators - Aptitude, Swing Mechanics, Body Control, Overall Actions.

  6. Drew Burress: Plus. Separators - Aptitude. Swing Mechanics, Fast Twitch Fibers, Body Control. 

  7. Dylan Cupp: Plus. Separators - Aptitude. Defensive Actions, Swing Mechanics, Effortlessness, Body Control. 

  8. Colin Houck: Plus. Separators - Dual Sport, Swing Mechanics, Bat Speed.

  9. Kyle Henley: Plus. Separators - Fast Twitch Fibers, Sprint Speed, Effortlessness

  10. Isaiah Drake: Plus. Separators - Fast Twitch Fibers, Sprint Speed, Change of Direction

  11. Luke Dotson: Plus. Separators - 2 Way, Swing Mechanics, Overall Actions

  12. Zach Lyles: Plus. Separators - Dual Sport, Swing Mechanics, Change of Direction

  13. Trey King: Plus. Separators - Aptitude, Overall Actions, Dual Sport, Body Balance.

  14. Mikhai Grant: Plus. Separators - Delivery, Balance, Fast Twitch Fibers.

  15. Tryston McCladdie: A/AVG. Separators - Aptitude, Swing Mechanics, Gait. 

  16. Jevarra Martin: A/AVG. Separators - Dual Sport, Delivery, Effortlessness

HIT FOR AVG (Future Grade Only) - MLB AVG BA = .248. Not only is the hit tool the most important tool for the long term success of a position player (other than C), but it involves the most intangible skills of all 5 tools. A hitter cannot survive long term at the MLB level without intangibles. This is a future grade only because no current HS player could currently hit at the ML level.

  1. Dylan Cupp: A/AVG. Separators - Pitch Recognition, Timing, Hand Eye, Manipulates Barrel, Confidence.

  2. Tryston McCladdie: Strong Avg. Separators - Hand Eye, Reaction Time, Plate Discipline, Approach, Bat Speed+Bat Strength.

  3. Trey King: Strong Avg. Separators - Pitch Recognition, Plate Discipline, Effortlessness, Swing Mechanics, Manipulates Barrel.

  4. Colin Houck: AVG. Separators - Swing Mechanics, Body Control, Hand Eye, Bat Speed+Bat Strength.

  5. Antonio Anderson: AVG. Separators - Pitch Recognition, Plate Discipline, Swing Mechanics, Manipulates Barrel.

  6. Jason Walk: AVG. Separators - Hand Eye, Switch Hit, Approach, Run Tool.

  7. Drew Burress: AVG. Separators - Pitch Recognition, Plate Discipline, Hand Eye, Manipulates Barrel.

  8. Landon Stripling: AVG. Separators - Swing Mechanics, Timing, Approach, Plate Discipline.

  9. Luke Dotson: Near Avg. Separators - Swing Mechanics, Athleticism, Manipulates Barrel.

  10. Carson Kerce: Near Avg. Separators - Hand Eye, Reaction Time, Baseball IQ.

  11. Eric Guevara: Near Avg. Separators - Bat Speed, Swing Mechanics, Body Control

  12. Zach Lyles: Near Avg. Separators - Bat+Speed Bat Strength, Hand Eye, Swing Mechanics, Athleticism.

  13. Vahn Lackey: Near Avg. Separators - Hand Eye, Pitch Recognition, Swing Mechanics, Effortlessness.

  14. Armani Guzman - Near Avg. Separators - Effortlessness, Approach, Linear Swing Path.
     

RAW POWER (Current and Future) - This is one of the more straightforward tools that can be measured in BP and in game. The hitting ability of a player will determine how often their raw power shows in game, which is called power production. The raw power tool generally stands for how often can the player hit the ball out of an MLB ballpark in BP, and how far over the wall? HS players will get stronger, hence the current and future grades.

  1. Pete Craska: Plus/Excellent. Separators - Mass, Bat Speed+Bat Strength, Swing Mechanics.

  2. Sam Parker: Plus/Excellent. Separators - XL Frame, Projection, Leverage, Bat Strength.

  3. Kaden Brown: Plus/Excellent. Separators - XL Frame, Mass, Bat Speed+Bat Strength, 

  4. Colin Houck: A/AVG/++. Separators - Fast Twitch Fibers, Raw Strength, Bat Speed+Bat Strength. 

  5. Tai Peete: A/AVG/Plus. Separators - Fast Twitch Fibers, Swing Mechanics+Path, Projection

  6. Isaiah Drake: A/AVG/Plus. Separators - Fast Twitch Fibers, Raw Strength, Bat Speed, Intent. 

  7. Zach Lyles: AVG/Plus. Separators - Strength, Bat Speed+Bat Strength, Intent.

  8. Kaleb Cost: AVG/Plus. Separators - Fast Twitch Fibers, Bat Speed, Strength.

  9. Antonio Anderson: AVG/Plus. Separators - Hand Eye, Efffortlessness, Swing Mechanics, Frame. 

  10. Drew Burress: AVG/Plus. Separators - Bat Speed, Hand Eye, Intent.

  11. Luke Dotson: AVG/Plus. Separators - Projection, Swing Mechanics, Loft.

  12. Tryston McCladdie: AVG/Above Avg. Separators - Bat Speed+Bat Strength, Hand Eye, Strength. 

  13. Eric Guevara: AVG/Above Avg. Separators - Bat Speed, Swing Path, Hand Eye

  14. Armani Guzman: Near Avg/Above Avg. Separators - Raw Strength, Bat Strength, Hand Eye.

RUN (Current) - This is the most “now” tool there is. While players can get somewhat faster in college/pro ball, the majority will either stay the same as they physically mature (some even slow down). Although Georgia is known for producing big time speed in drafts, this class of burners and gliders in the Peach State is one of the fastest I’ve seen. There are also some players without draft interest who are running sub 6.5 (Desmond Cofer, Washington-Wilkes).

  1. Kyle Henley: Excellent (6.20 60 yd @ ECP)

  2. Jason Walk: Excellent (6.30 60 yd @ ECP)

  3. Isaiah Drake: Excellent (6.37 60 yd @ ECP)

  4. Cooper Milford: ++ (6.3 - 6.4 range 60 yd)

  5. Kaleb Cost: ++ (6.44 60 yd)

    Kyle Jones: Plus/++ (6.57 60 yd)

  6. Tai Peete: Plus (6.6 60 yd)

  7. Drew Burress: A/AVG. 

  8. Zach Lyles: A/AVG (6.67)

  9. Colin Houck: A/AVG (6.67)

  10. Antonio Anderson: A/AVG (6.68 60 yd)

  11. Armani Guzman: A/AVG (6.70 60 yd)

  12. Carson Kerce: A/AVG (6.72 60 yd) 

FIELD (Future Only) - Like the Hit for Avg tool, there are very few HS defenders who could field at an AVG clip if they were thrown in MLB today. While there are a few on this list that I think could, it takes some time to adjust to the huge jump in exit velocity, hang time, etc. So we are sticking to future grades only here. This is a tool that can make an impact every inning of every game, and every defender on this list plays a premium defensive position (CF, SS, C).

  1. Cooper Milford: ++. Separators - Anticipation & Instincts, Change of Direction, Routes, Closing Speed, Arm Strength. 

  2. Dylan Cupp: Plus. Separators - Footwork, Instincts, Hands, Exchange, Body Balance.

  3. Kaleb Cost: Plus. Separators - Instincts, Change of Direction, Tracking Ability, Closing Speed.

  4. Jason Walk: Plus (CF). Separators - 1st Step, Range, Instincts, Long Speed.

  5. Tai Peete: A/AVG. Separators - Anticipation, Footwork, Range, Body Balance.

  6. Trey King: A/AVG. Separators - Anticipation, Instincts, Hands, Exchange.

  7. Drew Burress: A/AVG. Separators - Anticipation, Inctincts, Effortlessness, Arm Strength.

    Kyle Jones: A/AVG. Separators - Anticipation, Range, Instincts 

  8. Kyle Henley: Strong Avg. Separators - 1st Step, Range, Arm Strength, Ceiling.

  9. Cale Stricklin: Strong Avg. Separators - Blocking, Baseball IQ.

  10. Vahn Lackey: Strong Avg. Separators - Receiving, Anticipation, Blocking.

  11. Carson Kerce: Strong Avg. Separators - Anticipation, Instincts, Hands, Exchange.

  12. Isaiah Drake:  Strong Avg. Separators - 1st Step, Change of Direction, Range.

THROW (Current & Future) - Like the run tool, this is another tool that can play every day defensively. Arm strength can improve (due to reaching physical ceiling) or decrease over time (due to wear & tear). But it's very rare for a senior in HS to go from a below average arm to an A/AVG or plus arm. Arm strength in a position player doesn’t typically make dramatic jumps like it can with a projection arm on the mound. A full grade jump would typically be more due to accuracy than velocity.

  1. Drew Burress - ++/Excellent. (99 mph OF). Separators - Arm Action, Arm Speed.

  2. Tai Peete - Plus/++. (T95 as RHP). Separators - Exchange, Arm Speed. 

  3. Cooper Milford - Plus/++. (94 OF). Separators - Arm Action, Carry, Arm Accuracy.

  4. Dylan Cupp - A/AVG/Plus. (92 IF). Separators - Exchange, Arm Accuracy.

  5. Antonio Anderson - A/AVG/Plus. (T91 as RHP) Separators - Arm Strength, Effortlessness.

  6. Vahn Lackey - A/AVG/Plus (1.88-1.92 pop time). Separators - Transfer, Release, Arm Accuracy.

  7. Cale Stricklin - A/AVG/Plus (1.88-1.95 pop). Separators - Arm Strength, Arm Accuracy.

  8. Colin Houck - A/AVG/Plus (T91 as RHP, 91 IF). Separators - Arm Strength.

  9. Kyle Henley - A/AVG/Plus (92 OF). Separators - Effortlessness, Arm Speed.

  10. Eric Guevara - A/AVG/Plus. Separators - Arm Speed, Arm Strength.

    Kyle Jones: A/AVG/Plus. Projection, Long Levers, Arm Speed 

BEST FB (Future Grade Only) MLB AVG FB Velocity (Starters & Relievers combined) = 93.9 mph. The average MLB velocity is skewed by all of the upper 90’s relievers, and the ML AVG starter velocity is more in the lower 92 mph range. While velocity is currently king, there are other traits that can make a FB play up. Pitch movement/life, command, spin rate, VAA, angle, and deception to name a handful.

  1. Mac Heuer: ++. Separators - Velocity (93-95 T97), Pitch Life (Bore), Steep Plane, Angle.

  2. Mikhai Grant: Plus. Separators - Velocity (92-94 T96), Deception, Angle.

  3. Garrett Lambert: Plus. Separators - Extension, Pitch Life (Cut+Ride), Top of Zone VAA, Velocity (91-93 T95).

  4. Connor Crisp: Plus. Separators - True Spin (Avg 2.5k, T2.8k), Pitch Life (Bore up, Turbo SNK down), Top of Zone VAA, Velocity (91-94).

  5. Tate McKee: Plus. Separators - Pitch Life (Run+Sink), Velocity (91-94), GS Command, SL Life.

  6. Andrew Dunford: Plus. Separators - Projection in Frame, Velocity (91-94 T96), Pitch Life (Heavy SNK), Control.

  7. Bo Rhudy: A/AVG. Separators - Top 1% MLB Spin Rates (Avg 2.7k, T2917), Pitch Life (Ride AS, Cut+Ride GS), CB Life.

  8. Porter Buursema: A/AVG. Separators - Spin Rates, Pitch Life (Late Cut+Ride), SL+CB Life.

  9. Francesco Capocci: A/AVG. Separators - Spin Rates (T2750), Pitch Life (Cut+Ride GS, Ride+Run AS), OH Slot, Velocity (90-94)

  10. Jordan Stephens: A/AVG. Separators - Velocity (92-95), Steep Plane.

  11. Luke Wiltrakis: A/AVG. Separators - Velocity (91-94) Extension, Pitch Life (Carry), Hip/Shoulder Separation.

  12. Jansen Kenty: A/AVG. Separators - Angle, Control, IVB, Spin Rates, Holds Velo

  13. Dylan Alonso: A/AVG. Separators - Velocity (91-94), Steep Plane, Pitch Life (Bore), CB Life.

  14. Jevarra Martin: A/AVG. Separators - XL Frame, Athleticism, Angle+Plane.

BEST BREAKING BALL (Future Grade Only) This is one of the GA best classes of breaking balls I can remember, and it's very rare to see this many future A/AVG or better CB/SL/SLV’s coming out of one state. For context, this class has a much better group of breaking balls than the ‘22 or ‘24 class overall.

  1. Porter Buursema: (SL) Plus. Separators - Spin Rates (2.8k), Consistent Pitch Shape, Sharpness.

  2. Tate McKee: (SL) Plus. Separators - Spin Rates (2.7k), FB Trajectory, Velocity, Late Life (Sweep & Depth).

  3. Blake Dean: (SL) Plus. Separators - Spin Rates (3k+), Tight Shape, Late Bite, Command.

  4. Mikhai Grant: (SL) Plus. Separators - Velocity, Suddenness, Deception, Intent.

  5. Brayden May: (CB & SL) Plus & A/AVG. Separators - Spin Rates (CB 2.7k, SL 2.9k), Sharpness, Consistent Shapes, Natural Feel, Intent.

  6. Jake Hembree: (CB & SL) A/AVG & A/AVG. Separators - Command, Distinct Pitch Shapes, Sharpness, Confidence.

  7. Bo Rhudy: (CB) A/AVG. Separators - Spin Rates (2.8k), Tunnel off FB, Pitch Life (Sweep+ 2 Plane Depth)

  8. Francesco Capocci: (CB) A/AVG. Separators - Velocity, Spin Rates (2.7-2.8k), Pitch Shape+Depth.

  9. Caden Carroll: (SLV) A/AVG. Separators - Spin Rates (T3.2k), HZB, Control.

  10. Dylan Alonso: (CB) A/AVG. Separators - Velocity (75-77), Sharpness+Suddenness, Pitch Life (2 Plane Depth).

  11. Ethan Sutton: (CB) A/AVG. Separators - Consistent Shape (11-5), Pitch Life (2 Plane Depth), Deception.

  12. Bryson Thacker: (SLV) A/AVG. Separators - Consistent Shape, HZB, Control. 

  13. Luke McNeillie: (SL) A/AVG. Separators - Consistent Shape, Control.
    Andrew Dunford: (SL) Strong Avg. Separators - FB Tunnel, Late Depth, Velocity, Control.

  14. Sims DeLong: (CB) Strong Avg. Separators - Angle, Spin Rates, Pitch Life (Sweep+Depth).

BEST CH (Future Grade Only) - What many have long believed to be the most important pitch in the game is making a big comeback in the ‘23 class. Having a well developed CH by the end of a pitcher’s HS career is one of the quickest ways to see early success in college/pro ball. It takes so much pressure off the FB, and can be a lifesaver on a day where the breaking ball isn’t as sharp. It’s no surprise that most of the players on the CH rankings have advanced pitchability and get outs on a consistent basis.

  1. Noah McMahon: Plus. Separators - HZB, Spin Rates (2.4k), Late Depth, Control

  2. Tai Peete: Plus. Separators - Athleticism, Pitch Life (Fade+Depth), Deception.

  3. Brooks House: Plus. Separators - Deception, Pitch Life (Fade+Depth), Command. 

  4. Ethan Sutton: A/AVG. Separators - Pitch Life (HZB, Late Depth), Deception, FB Tunnel.

  5. Ryker Chavis: A/AVG. Separators - Command, FB Tunnel, Deception.

  6. Trevor Bagwell: A/AVG. Separators - Command, Pitch Life (Sudden Fade), FB Tunnel.

  7. Jake Hembree: AVG. Separators - Command, Unpredictability, Deception. 

  8. Connor Crisp: AVG. Separators - Deception,  HZB, Control, FB Tunnel.

  9. Jansen Kenty: AVG. Separators - FB Tunnel, Control, Deception. 

  10. Brayden May: AVG. Separators - Pitch Life (Late Fade+Depth), Deception, Intent. 

  11. Bryson Thacker: AVG. Separators - Pitch Life (Depth), Deception, Control.

  12. Mikhai Grant: AVG. Separators - Deception, FB Overall, Athleticism. 

COMMAND OVERALL (Future Grade Only) - Command is the ability to execute a pitch exactly where you want in the zone. To develop command, you must first have control (the ability to throw strikes). There is a large difference between command and control. It is very difficult to be a consistent ML starting pitcher without at least strong average command. The only way to bypass that is by having dominant stuff and good control. Even then it will be tough to stick long term as an SP. Here are the best pitchability arms in the class.

  1. Jake Hembree: Plus. Separators - Current AVG Command (4 Pitches), Delivery, Feel for Pronation+Supination, Balance.

  2. Trevor Bagwell: Plus. Separators - Current Near AVG Command (3 Pitches) Delivery+Direction, Effortlessness, Feel 2 Pronate+Supinate.

  3. Luke McNeillie: A/AVG. Separators - FB+SL Control, Athleticism, Delivery, Repeatability.

  4. Brooks House: A/AVG. Separators - CH Control, Repeatability, Body Control, Delivery.

  5. Ethan Sutton: A/AVG. Separators - Delivery, 3 Pitch Control, Body Control, Arm Action. 

  6. Robert Hunt: A/AVG. Separators - Effortlessness, FB+CB Control Body Control, Consistent Release Point.

  7. Noah McMahon: A/AVG. Separators - Delivery, FB+CH Control, Athleticism.

  8. Tate McKee: A/AVG. Separators - Athleticism, FB+SL Control, Repeatability, Consistent Release Point.

  9. Ryker Chavis: A/AVG. Separators - Athleticism, FB+CH Control, Delivery, Effortlessness.

  10. Porter Buursema: A/AVG. Separators - Balance, Direction, SL+CB Control.

  11. Bryson Thacker: A/AVG. Separators - Athleticism, Delivery, Direction. 

  12. Jansen Kenty: Strong Avg. Separators - 3 Pitch Control, Repeatability.

  13. Garrett Lambert: Strong Avg. Separators - Extension, FB Control, Delivery, Overall Feel. 

  14. Andrew Dunford: Strong Avg. Separators - Athleticism, 3 Pitch Control, Repeatability.


    Related Content