Peach State Games: Top 5 Defenders

August 28, 2018
Blake Davis
State Director, Georgia

This was a tough group to separate, because of the deep group of talented defenders that showed up for the 2018 Peach State Games. Its a diverse group in terms of age and ceiling, but feel very comfortable saying these players have a chance to be impact defenders on defense.

Top 5 Defensive Players:

1.

James Heramb-Eckert SS / RHP / Grovetown, GA / 2020

Topping the defensive list Heramb-Eckert, he moves with some ease of operation around the infield. While he needs to add strength to his offensive game, none of that is an issue on defense. Very few prospects have the luxury of being a prospect and have yet to come close to their potential with the bat. You have to play a premium position and you better really be able to defend, and Heramb-Eckert has those pocket aces. First he makes it look easy and has enough arm with a loose easy projectable arm stroke. Ball goes into his glove clean and he never seems to break a sweat and always plays through the baseball. Heramb-Eckert's defense is good enough to buy the bat time and if it only develops into a bottom of the order type bat, then I think somebody is going to live with that just fine that also.

2.

Kyran Coleman SS / 2B / Inspire Academy Home School, GA / 2019

Coleman has a chance to be an impact type defender and has the blessing and curse of being a guy with plus range. That means he is going to get to balls that others cannot and increase his chances of making errors. But Coleman has the feet to work through it and appears to have a good head on his shoulders. He is very good right now laterally, but still needs to work on attaching and playing through the baseball. He has a high ceiling both as a shortstop and centerfield, but see zero reason he can't make it happen in the dirt. Impact defensive skill set for Coleman.

3.

Kyle Lavender OF/ Lassiter , GA / 2019

Lavenders low center of gravity plays and he is a heads up type kid that shows good routes and reads. His first step and speed are going to save some runs at the next level. He shows plenty of arm for center-field and has some swagger to his game in the grass. I am high on this under-sized center-fielders game on both sides of the ball, because he has some feel for who he is on the baseball field.

4.

Hayden Gross OF / 2B / Sonoraville, GA / 2022

Young and smooth are two words that come to mind when talking about Gross. He has some glide and ease of operation to his game. Even as one of the younger kids at the Peach State Games, Gross fit the field and showed projectable tools and present feel to play.

5.

McDonald McCommons C / RHP / Lake Oconee Academy, GA / 2022

McCommons is another youngster who showed excellent promise as a defender. He is loose and flexible behind the plate and showed the ability to be sudden from the crouch position. He receives the ball well and has a nice easy set-up behind the plate.