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Team Georgia Quick Hits: Day 1

July 27, 2023
PBR Georgia
Staff

The Junior Future Games got off the a perfect start for the 2 14u teams and our 13u team. The bats came alive to produce 39 runs between the 3 teams. The Georgia boys will look to keep things rolling into day 2. Below we will take a look at some strong perfomances from day 1. 

Matthew Franatovich, OF,2026
One of the top players here this weekend at the PBR Junior Future Games and it is easy to see why. His already advanced 6-1 180 LB frame is loaded with easy athleticism and projection. What separates Matthew from players his age is the sweet left handed swing, the fluidity in and out of launch is glaring along with his ability to create natural loft. Matthew routinely makes contact out front allowing for consistent hard contact. He left the yard today, after seeing 2 breaking balls, a FB was left over the plate and it surely was not missed. Exciting 2026 to keep following!

Isaiah Galason, SS 2027
An athletic RHH SS that showed intriguing traits in the box today. His ability to slow the game down and grind at bats was impressive, ultimately it led to him coming up big with a RBI single to keep the rally going and extend the lead. What stood out the most was his simple, quiet swing that is built on a repeatable trigger and a knob led path. Isaiah showed he could manipulate his barrel with relative ease, adjusting his hands+posture for an inside FB sending it right back up the middle. Exciting young SS.

Jax Lathem, C, 2027
5-foot-9, 160 pounds. As a switch-hitting catcher, he stands out but also batted the best ball of the game, with a bases-clearing hit to the left-center wall, which he hit at 85 EV. His secondary position is RHP, where he didn’t make an appearance but is something of note to keep an eye out for. He’s got a solid swing with a controlled hand load which I like for his age. Plenty of room to still fill out but he will be someone to keep an eye on as he progresses. 

Ryan Johansen, 2B/SS, 2027
What I liked to see with Johansen was with how he worked the bat. He adjusted well during his swing to go inside-out and barrel the ball up the middle to begin the 3rd inning rally for Team Georgia. He displayed the ability to manipulate the barrel to make contact and his pitch recognition abilities. At just 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, he has room to fill out and gain power. 

Caleb Hudson, RHP/OF, 2027
Hudson showed a simple & athletic operation,cruising at 80-83 grabbing whiffs & weak contact! Spinning a short 68-71 MPH SL that changed the pace and limited Team Minnesota to no runs. 

Braden Little, LHP, 2027
5-foot-7 142-pounds. Little came in out of the pen and gave the bats a chance to get hot. He filled up with zone with his fastball at 72-75. He kept the ball down in the zone, and forced contact. He did a great job throwing first pitch strikes, and located the fastball on both sides of the plate. Little will be a excting, young south paw to watch over the next few years. 

Hunter Dillard, OF, 2027
5-foot-4, 112 pounds. RHH that came out swinging against Connecticut in game 1. Dillard led off the game with a hard hit triple to opposite field. In his next ab, Dillard followed it up with an RBI single and advanced to second due to his heads-up baserunning. He showed off his speed as he made his way around the bases and in center field. He has a simple, repeatable swing that allows for consistent hard contact to all fields. His controlled load allows him to get his foot down on time. Dillard still has plenty of time for the frame to continue to fill out and will be a fun follow from the 2027 class for the next few years. 


Liam Collier, 1B/LHP, 2027
5-foot-10, 168 pounds. LHH that had an impressive day at the plate in game 1 against Connecticut. Tall, athletic frame for his age that was able to consistently square up balls to all fields. In his first ab, Collier smoked one into the gap for a bases clearing double to extend Georgia’s lead. In his next ab, Collier drove one through the infield with an exit velocity of 107 mph (Drop 5). Collier displays a simplified swing and controlled load that allows him to get consistent high ev’s. Collier’s efforts helped lead Georgia to a comfortable win in game 1 of the Junior Future Games.  

Spencer Norman, OF/3B, 2028
5-foot-10, 160 pounds. Athletic RHH that performed well in game 1 v.s Connecticut helping Georgia secure the win. Norman went 2-3 on the day consistently squaring the ball up and having good ab’s. In his second ab of the day, Norman got a hold of one sending into the LCF gap and over the wall for a 2 RBI double. Norman did well to adjust to the offspeed and lace one into the gap. He displays a powerful swing and impressive strength at his age. Norman will be a fun player to watch as he continues to develop. 

Kingston Jones , SS/RHP, 2028
Came out of the pen and kept Team Connecticut at bay for 2 innings of work. Showing an athletic operation and feel for his FB/CB combo. Cruised at 75/78 FB grabbing whiffs then ripped off a big 64 MPH CB for freezes.
Max Maher, SS/RHP, 2028
Pounded the zone with his FB/CB mix, forcing ugly swings and weak contact routinely. Consistently got ahead with his FB sitting 75/78 and played well with his big 64 MPH CB. Exciting young arm that will be fun to follow moving forward.

Ryan Trout, RHP, 2027
Trout was impressive in his outing against some really tough competition, pitching 4 innings with 4 strikeouts and 1 earned run. For a day that has been relatively offense heavy, Trout shined on the mound. He has a tall, slender build with long levers at 6-foot, 150 pounds. Overhead delivery at a ¾ arm slot. Hides the ball well with deceptive arm action, allowing his pitches to play up. Fastball ran 80-83 and had a strong feel for it. Curveball ran 69-72 that he would carefully paint the edges with. Also flashed a changeup, running at 76. Impressive arm that will be interesting to watch as he continues to get better. 

Tyson Ganas, RHP, 2027
Ganas came in relief today and performed well for Team Georgia against some tough competition. At 5-foot-9. 125 pounds, he has a medium, wiry frame that works well for him and makes him all more impressive. Solid compact delivery with explosive movement, good footwork creates good direction in pitch. Hides the ball well with deceptive arm action, allowing his pitches to play up. H3/4 arm slot. All pitches in his arsenal were working well for him. Fastball running 78-81 that worked well in any count, a curveball running 62-64 that generated a good amount of whiffs, and flashed a changeup that ran at 72. As Ganas fills out, he can only get more crafty and powerful.