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Tennessee Preseason All-State - Underclass: Quick Hits - Pitchers

February 17, 2025
Hunter Martin
Tennessee Scouting Director

GALLATIN, TN - The Prep Baseball Tennessee Preseason All-State: Underclass was held on Saturday, February 8th at Liberty Creek HS. Players went through an extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman, ran the 60-yard dash using Vald Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to get numbers and metrics on TrackMan during a bullpen setting. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing at the event.

Continuing our post-event coverage for the event, we take a look at the some of the standouts from the event. Please be sure to continue to check back as we release other leaderboards from the event, along with the scouting reports on all players in attendance.

Click HERE to view all position stats from the event.

 

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QUICK HITS: Pitchers

Riley Martin: Martin is a guy that we have known about for some time as he was a standout last year at Preseason All-State up to 89/90. Coming into this year, he looks much more physical at 6 foot 2 and 190 pounds. The fastball also played up sitting 90-91 mph. The shape will need to improve as it doesn’t profile with a ton of vertical or horizontal at the moment and feedback on this should only help him as he continues to develop. The slider has a chance to be a legit weapon in the 73-76 mph range with quality spin (2300-2600) to go with with almost 14 inches of average HZM. I think he should be able to throw it harder than he does now and could be a serious weapon long-term. The CH needs refinement and shows signs of killing spin. He comes with high upside and will have a lot of top-tier division 1 schools requesting his signature come next fall. 


Gaven French: The 6 foot 1 prospect continues to be one of my favorite players in the 2027 class of TN. Long and lean with sneaky athleticism should only continue to help him long-term on the mound where I think he projects his highest potential. The fastball works clean at 89-90, while also showing higher at times. Shows two separate shapes on his breaking-balls with a slider that carries 13 inches of HZM on average and a curveball that carries 9 inches of vertical drop on average. The changeup in my opinion is his best offspeed where it comes in at 82-84 with an insane 18 inches of average HZM with present feel for release point and usage. I am high on French and I think a lot of Power-4 schools will be too this fall. 


Braydin Jones: Jones continues to trend upwards and the frame continues to blossom where he measured in at 6 foot 2 and 181 pounds. I sneakily wish Jones stayed at South Gibson County to be the number 2 behind Cade Allen but USJ will see the return on him as he gets going for his sophomore year. The arm speed/action works cleanly with some twitch in the movements. The velocity worked 88-90 with present 2-seam action. I really like the slider with 7 inches of average HZM on the zero vertical line. He currently throws that pitch around 72-74 mph, while I think there could be an uptick in velocity with the present stuff. The changeup works at 75-77 with 12 inches of average HZM with the ability to use the offering. Jones is another guy that I am extremely high on as I love the makeup and the competitiveness he comes with. Still somewhat raw in his pitching tenure leads to a very high projection in what he can become. Medina, TN continues to produce high level baseball talent. 


Seth Hooks: Hooks is a guy that you just have to watch compete and you will fall in love with him. Not the hardest thrower and never will be but he doesn’t need that to be successful. He is so talented, pitching at 81-83 mph with present command on both sides of the plate. The slider is still developing in terms of pitch shape and will be something D1 schools will look at when recruiting the southpaw. The changeup is a pitch that can play now at the next level with 15 inches of HZM with the manipulation to use it in any count. He doesn’t get behind and may be the best pure attacker on the mound in this 2027 pitching class of TN. I am really high on Hooks and think he is the best pure pitcher in this class at this conjecture, while he will be a steal of a prospect for whoever gets him at the next level. 


Caleb Carpenter: Carpenter has put on some really good weight over the last year coming into PAS at 6-1, 187 pounds. The arm continues to develop where he sat 85-88 mph. The arm speed is late as he coils in his leg-lift on explosion. The command is also there on the heater where he does a great job of attacking the plate. The slider shows the right ingredients with present ability to throw strikes with the offering at 74-76 mph. I love the changeup and think it is his best secondary offering currently with killed spin in the 1500 rpm’s carrying 15 inches of average HZM. Carpenter comes in with a lot of projection with a very high IQ on the diamond. He should be the number 1 for his high school this season after pitching behind the number 1 RHP in the 2024 class of TN and current Auburn freshman last season. 


Liam Dougherty: Dougherty was someone that we got on last winter at PAS where he produced one of the hardest fastball velocities at the event. He sustained an injury that knocked him out of most of last spring and this summer. This was our just our second time getting eyes on him at an event and was all that impressive yet again with the arm speed. The fastball sizzled at 89-91 with late jump out of hand. Now the fastball is very intriguing and obviously catches our attention but Dougherty still has a way to go. He hasn’t shown the ability to command a game yet and the jury is still out on the actual pitchability. He does offer high upside but the reality is, he hasn’t proven himself yet. There are some things that need to be cleaned up with him if he wants to pitch at a really high level and he will be the ultimate deciding factor on that.


Xander Kollias: The St. George’s product comes into PAS with a lot of interest as we got to see him a few times over the last year. The body continues to develop and shows signs of future projection but there is a lot to like in the 6 foot frame. The arm syncs together with the body well down the mound and probably will be due for some uptick as the high school season progresses. The fastball carries hop up in the zone at 85-86 mph, while topping 87. The curveball shows signs of future ability and carries both induced vertical break and HZM down in the zone at 72-74 mph. The spin is something that he will need to focus on improving as it lacks a lot of sharp bite below 2000 rpm’s. The changeup however looks to be his best secondary pitch with killed spin at 1300 rpm’s with almost 14 inches of average HZM. The feel is apparent and the ability to use it in any count will be something that sets himself apart as he pitches for a talented high school pitching staff. 


Brayden Holland: Holland projects with 2-way potential but continues to garner our attention on the mound where the arm speed looks in line to hold increased future velocity. Already coming in with arm speed with insane low to mid 80’s on throwdowns, Holland carries that over to the mound where he sat 85-87, topping 88 mph. The fastball carries late life in the zone and should be able to miss barrels in the zone alone. The changeup already profiles at a legit offering with almost 15 inches of average HZM with late tumble. The slider offers a lot to like at 71-74 mph with 2400 rpm’s and 12 and half inches of average HZM. Again, the velocity could uptick here with the current stuff and should be something Holland continues to focus on into this season for the defending state champions in DII-2A. 


Aiden Britton: The summit high school sophomore continues to impress and looked crisper with the actions on the mound. Already showing 89 mph across the diamond, Britton should be able to hold increased velocity as he matures. He would sit 85-86, topping 87 twice. He showed feel for repeating his delivery with consistent release points on all his pitches. The slider is hoppy at 73-75 with decent shape at 4-5 inches of average HZM. He presents the ability for command with the offering and looks to be able to use it as a strike pitch and off the plate. The changeup shows great tumble down in the zone with late drop and will be an advanced weapon to left-handed hitters. We are excited about Britton’s potential as he offers some 2-way projection but may have his more upside on the mound. 


Jay Insani: Coming in at 6 foot 2 and 188 pounds, Insani carries some strength in the profile with more projection to come as he matures. The arm is live with late explosion out of hand from a calm wind-up. The fastball would work up to 88 mph, while sitting in the 86-87 mph range. The heater carries some hop and should be able to play above barrels but will need to continue to work on spin as that could take him to the next level. The slider works and stays on the vertical line with almost 7 inches of average HZM. The spin at 2200-2400 isn’t bad either as it looks to be a major weapon for him that should be able to generate a lot of swing and miss. The changeup offers knuckle action with outlier metrics (700-850 rpm’s). Control will be the main issue with that offering but if he can find some familiarity with the release point, he has the upside for three really quality pitches.


Treyson Derry: The southpaw is someone that we have been a fan of for two years now and he continues to get better, especially on the mound. The fastball already carries advanced velocity at 85-86 mph from a deceptive lower arm-slot that he was able to repeatedly fire in the lower quadrant of the plate. Already works in an advanced slider with 15 inches of average HZM with only 1 inch of negative vert. The changeup shows the right ingredients for a potential legit 3-pitch mix. Should continue to grow and offers projection as he goes into his sophomore year.


Cooper Daniel: The 5 foot 9 sophomore prospect comes in with a very live arm that shows fluid patterns from hand break to ball release out of hand. He generates exceptional velocity for the frame that should be able to hold significantly more strength and weight as he matures. The fastball worked 84-86 with command of the plate. Also shows the workings of an advanced slider at 2700+ rpms with 17 inches of average HZM (outlier pitch shape) with present command of a changeup that carries 16 inches of average HZM. Daniel was a starting pitcher last season for CPA as a freshman and should see his innings uptick this year with the valuable experience. CPA looks loaded and has a strong chance of taking home the state title when it is all said and done. A lot of that is dependent on how well Daniel does this season. 


Bryon Weber: Byron continues to grow and is already way bigger than a lot of his peers for his age. The feet and mechanics also look a lot more refined from when we saw him last. The arm worked well down the mound where he sat 85-86 (T87) with 19 inches of average vertical break. The 6 foot 3 right hander should continue to fill out and will also carry additional velocity as he matures. The CB works as a powercurve that many kids, especially his age, never seem to be able to throw. Coming in at 75-80 mph with both vertical and horizontal plane break with surprising command of the offering. The changeup also offers potential at 77-78 mph (1400 rpm’s) with 12 inches on average of HZM. Weber impressed and will be someone that we follow along this spring and summer.


Cruz Jones: The left-handed arm gave us our first look on the bump and was impressive during his outing. At 6 foot 1 and 177 pounds, Cruz is likely to continue to fill out the frame and should be able to hold a considerable amount more velocity in the profile. Fastball worked 82-83 mph with some late run. The slider also worked in the lower 70’s with late hop and ride on the break, while also showing a changeup that is still developing, but offers upside with killed spin in the 1300 rpm range. 


Jack Lauer: The Ravenwood sophomore didn’t log that many innings a season ago but will be someone the Raptors will rely on in key situations this season. The fastball worked 80-83 mph with 18 inches of vertical break, which should allow him to play it up in the zone. The curveball showed some bite in the 72-73 mph range with quality shape carrying both depth and horizontal break, while also showing feel for release point. The changeup shows promise at 73-74 with killed spin with ability to use in different counts. 


Jack Emerson: The sophomore from Lawrence County isn’t the biggest kid at this point in his development coming in at 5 foot 9 and shy of 140 pounds. However, it's that fact that left us intrigued. The arm shows real speed with the ability to hold velocity sitting 83-84 mph on the fastball. The curveball is also a major weapon showing advanced metrics at 72-73 mph. The offering would carry 2600-2700 rpm’s over 16 inches on average of vertical break with tilt at 12 inches. That is one of the best CB shapes that I have seen and should be something that will get him looks as he develops overall. He also flashed a changeup with current late tail at 1300 rpm’s. Overall had a really strong showing on metrics alone and will be someone we follow going forward.  


Fisher green: The 5 foot 10 two-way prospect is a staff favorite on the mound and was lights out at the Junior Future Games this past summer. The fastball worked 86-87 with present control without overthrowing for velocity. The body works down the mound with the arm in synchronization. Shows feel for two separate breaking-ball shapes with a curveball at 70-72 and a slider at 74-76. Will immediately get thrown into the fire this season as he looks to be the number 1 on the mound. 


AJ Dungan: The freshman will get a major dose of experience this spring as he looks in line to be one of the top pitchers on a loaded Lipscomb Academy team looking to get back to the state tournament. Measuring in at 6 foot 4 and 165 pounds, Dungan has a wiry build with length that should hold more mass as he matures. The number 4 ranked prospect in the 2028 class of TN shined at PAS showing electric stuff with good sequencing down the mound. The fastball worked 89-90 with low carry down in the zone. The slider also carries some zip in the 76-78 mph range with developing command, while also showing a changeup with the right makeup at 79-81 with 1400 rpm’s and 14 inches of average HZM. We are high on Dungan, as he carries a very high ceiling with a lot of projection left to be had. 


McClain Ridler: One of my favorite arms in the class, Ridler is smooth as butter down the mound and has been taught really well up until this point in his development. He already carries a lot of athleticism with 2-way upside but offers a very high ceiling on the mound where he will have a lot of suitors in the coming years working to get his signature. The southpaw shows controlled movements down the slope with repeatable actons. He tunnels pitches well with intent and arm speed, which should lead to a lot of swing and misses. The fastball worked 82-85 mph (T86) with late run down in the zone. The CB shows signs of future development, while also coming in with an advanced changeup that he can work to both righties and lefties with 14 inches of average HZM. I am extremely impressed with Ridler and he should get all he can ask for this spring pitching in Williamson county where he projects to be a top-tier arm for the club. 


Owen Knight: The freshman comes in at 6 foot 4 and 187 pounds with a frame to dream on. The highly projectable arm comes with an easy OTT arm action that has late life out of hand. He struggled this summer when I saw him with command but that is to be expected for an 8th grader that is way ahead of his body. He looks likely to continue to grow into the present velocity with more to come. The fastball worked 89-91 mph (2100-2200) with firmness. The CB shows downward action, especially down on the plate. The changeup currently carries the best shape with 16 inches on average of HZM at 79-80 mph. Extremely high upside and should get a large amount of innings this season at Beech. He will just have to consistently throw strikes to get the most out of this season.


Reid Bostic: Reid is another 2-time Junior Future Game participant and comes in with a lot of meaningful baseball game experience as we got another look at the middle IF/RHP at PAS. Bostic offers upside on the mound where he carries calm actions with a timed up arm on ball release. There also is a lot of more projection in the frame as he gets his freshman campaign underway. The fastball worked 82-84 with heavy boaring action, especially down in the zone. The fastball offers outlier metrics with heavy run with hop at an already great rpm range (2100-2200). The slider also carries upside with almost 8 inches of average HZM on the vertical line. At 72-75 mph, it isn’t slow either and should creep up into the 80 mph range by the time he gets to his senior year, will need to increase spin profile however on the shape. The changeup is also another pitch that shows the right ingredients with killed spin, but will also need to increase its choke on the offering for additional tumble. Bostic is another guy that will be vying for pitching time for a reloaded Lipscomb Academy team looking to get back to the state tournament. 

Joseph Mosley: The freshman had a standout day both metrically and in his performance. Already showing fluid actions defensively and with the bat in his hand, Mosley also flashed ability on the mound where he comes in with advanced arm strength ( FB:82-83) with some feel for the plate. The slider is an absolute weapon that carries off the chart metrics with 16 inches of average HZM on the vertical line. Also flashed upside with the changeup that shows potential for 3 potential offerings. 


Will Sloane: The Green Hill product comes in at 6 foot 1 and 190 pounds with more mass yet to be added. The mechanics work with an arm that has room for increased elasticity. The fastball carries firmness at 83-84 without overthrowing. The mechanics are clean and he does a good job of repeating his actions, while also showing the right ingredients for two offspeed offerings. 


Brayden Greene: The 8th grader was the only participant for his class on last summer’s junior future game team, which should aid his overall development playing up, especially as he steps onto the varsity field this season for Webb. Greene has an electric arm in the profile, even being on the smaller side currently. The body works methodically with a presence of calmness to it that you want to see from a pitcher. The fact that he already shows some understanding of this bodes well for his future ability. The fastball offers a lot of life at 81-84 with more to come (87 OF velo). The slider worked 73-77 with advanced metrics at 2700-2800 rpm’s. Will need to increase its HZM but shows right signs and is already way ahead of his age. He will be someone that we follow heavily over the next 5 years.