South Texas Series
May 7, 2020
TEXAS- The South Texas Series is the first of a five-part series that will give recognition to a few select players of each region. In the next coming days, we will release a series to highlight each region. Today our focus is on the South Region areas south of San Antonio and Houston and also known as the RGV, an area filled with hard-nosed ballplayers that have an edge to them and possess a toughness that seems to be unmatched. Here’s a look a few top players from the region.
RIGHT-HANDERS
| NAME | CLASS | SCHOOL |
| Jared Kelley | 2020 | Refugio |
| Marco Raya | 2020 | United South |
| Xavier Perez | 2022 | Veterans Memorial |
| Francisco Hernandez | 2020 | Laredo Alexander |
| Wyatt Wiatrek | 2022 | Sinton |
*Jared Kelley
"Kelley is the quintessential Texas pitching prospect. He has an extra-large, durable frame at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds and blows hitters away with a plus-plus fastball. While his slider is inconsistent, the Texas recruit showed another plus pitch last summer in a low-80s changeup with power sink and fade."-Nathan Rode
"A recent Florida commit. A quick South Texas arm, that has been up to 91 this spring. Competitive bulldog on the mound. Makes the big pitch when he needs it." - PBR Texas Staff
LEFT-HANDERS
| NAME | CLASS | SCHOOL |
| Jose Valadez Acuna | 2021 | Veterans Memorial |
| Austin Flores | 2023 | PSJA |
| Victor Loa | 2021 | Los Fresnos |
| Justin Lamkin | 2022 | Calallen |
| Nicolas Solis | 2021 | Weslasco |
| Victor Sanchez | 2022 | Sharyland |
* Justin Lamkin
"One of the top uncommitted southpaws in the country, Lamkin’s upside is sure to draw plenty of crowds this summer when he is back toeing the rubber once again." -Shooter Hunt
BALLPLAYERS
| NAME | CLASS | SCHOOL |
| Aaron Nixon | 2020 | McAllen |
| Kobe Andrade | 2020 | Veterans Memorial |
| Rylan Galvan | 2022 | Sinton |
| Malachi Lott | 2021 | Gregory Portland |
| Luke Smith | 2021 | Calallen |
| Jacob Ruiz | 2021 | Eagle Pass |
| Jacob Guzman | 2021 | Alice |
| Viggo Lopez | 2022 | PSJA |
* Aaron Nixon
"Listed as 6-feet, 190-pounds, the No. 15 ranked senior in the state has extremely strong and explosive actions, both on the mound and at the plate." - PBR Texas Staff
* Rylan Galvan
"In Texas, C Rylan Galvan (Sinton HS, TX), takes No. 1 spot in the state with a plus arm behind the plate and projectable power from the right side." - Shooter Hunt
CATCHERS
| NAME | CLASS | SCHOOL |
| Chris Bernal | 2021 | McAllen |
| Walker Janek | 2021 | Gregory Portland |
| Blake Mitchell | 2023 | Sinton |
| Devon DeLeon | 2020 | PSJA |
| Evan Maldanado | 2020 | Sharyland Pioneer |
| Emmanuel Garza | 2021 | Rio Grande City |
| Scott Siebenthall | 2020 | CC King |
| Sam Canales | 2020 | CC Ray |
* Chris Bernal
"Texas State Recruit & PBR Future Games participant, Bernal has a stout, powerful frame that exudes physicality at 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. He is max effort in all of his actions." - PBR Texas Staff
SHORTSTOPS
| NAME | CLASS | SCHOOL |
| Orlando Salinas | 2020 | CC Ray |
| David Lopez | 2020 | Eagle Pass |
| Jake Rabe | 2021 | Veterans Memorial |
| Sergio Garcia | 2020 | Laredo Alexander |
| Thomas Lyssy | 2022 | Harlingen |
* Orlando Salinas
"Oklahoma State Recruit & PBR Future Games Participant. One of the most well-rounded players in the state with confident body language." - PBR Texas Staff
BEST BATs
| NAME | CLASS | SCHOOL |
| MJ Rodriguez | 2020 | Veterans Memorial |
| Daylan Pena | 2021 | Veterans Memorial |
| Diego Zuniga | 2022 | Sharyland |
| Eduardo Balboa | 2023 | Weslasco |
| Collin Coker | 2022 | Sweeny |
| Canon Chester | 2022 | Sinton |
| Elija West | 2020 | McAllen |
* MJ Rodriguez
"Oklahoma State Recruit & PBR Future Games Participant. Rodriguez has made a serious push as one of the top hitters in the Texas 2020 class. He has a great mix of power, barrel awareness, and ability to use the whole field that is not easy to find." - PBR Texas Staff
* Daylan Pena
"Texas State Recruit & PBR Future Games Participant. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Pena put on a strong showing during his defense work and put on a powerful display at the plate during BP as he shot balls out to and over the fence. He is athletic in his frame, showed plus bat speed with some length into contact" PBR Texas Staff
Rodriguez and Pena hail from a talented Veterans Memorial HS team down in Corpus Christi and for those that follow Corpus Baseball, they have two of the biggest power bats in the state on one team.