Prep Baseball Report

Georgia Top Prospect Games: Elite 11 Pitchers


By Blake Davis
Georgia State Director

On May 28, the PBR Georgia team hosted its Top Prospect Games showcase at our LakePoint facilities. The event featured some of the state’s best 2020 talent, nearly all of whom remain on the market. You can find all of the measured data taken from the event here, as well as our rapid analysis here.

Below, we’re going to be breaking down the top 11 arms from this event in detailed scouting report form. There was a ton of premier talent that visited us in LakePoint, so let’s dive right in (the prospects below are listed in no particular order).

SCOUTING REPORTS

Austin Little, RHP, Walnut Grove, 2020
Checking in at 6-foot, 130 pounds, Little is a medium-framed right-hander with fast arm. He runs his fastball up into the low- to mid-80s (sat 83-85 mph) with compact arm action from an overhand slot. His breaking ball shows good depth at (67-70 mph) and he also shows feel for a fading change at (73-74 mph). At times, Little will rush and front shoulder will fly, when he stays on-line and does not rush, his velocity climbs.

Jaylen Paden, RHP/SS, Decatur, 2020
At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Paden’s size does not tell the whole story. Paden has proven to be an elite competitor and it was apparent on this day also. He is aggressive with all three of his pitches, and he’s able to repeat well and execute his arsenal effectively and consistently. Paden’s high ¾ slot allows his arm to work loose and free. His fastball topped out at 89 mph, and there’s more in tank on its way, due to his hand-speed and athleticism. His curveball has shape to it at 76-77 mph. Also is located a change-up with late fade. This athletic two-way player still has upside even though he is not large in stature. His lack of fear and willingness to challenge hitters is a separator for him going forward.

Jake Haynes, RHP/SS, Prince Avenue Christian, 2020
Standing in at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Haynes has an excellent pitcher’s frame. He pitches with a heavy 84-88 mph fastball from a high ¾ slot, and also showed a little more later in the tournament, running his fastball up to 89 mph. When he stays over the rubber he gets through his slight stab a little more consistently. His curveball flashes shape at 71-73 mph and also features a changeup at 72-74 mph. This is a good-bodied kid with some nice upside to an already maturing arsenal.

Geoffrey Watkins, RHP/1B, Lassiter, 2020
Watkins is a tall and lanky righty, at 6-foot-6, 195 pounds. He creates good leverage in his delivery and uses a high ¾ slot to deliver the baseball. His arm works off-line slightly and with a low front side, this costs him some deception. He has a power pitcher’s delivery with regard to his hip load, and with added strength, you can see Watkins coming into even more velocity. We have had Watkins in the upper-80s in the past and believe he at least regains that kind arm strength, considering he was more 84-86 mph at the May event. He is showing the ability to spin a quality breaking ball for strikes and plays up off of his fastball because they come out of the same tunnel. His change is a distant third pitch at this time, but will really benefit from getting a higher and stronger front side and giving hitters more to look at.

Thomas LeMaster, LHP/1B, Peachtree Ridge, 2020
Checking in at 6-foot, 175 pounds, this lefty works from a high ¾ slot with his fastball and breaking ball. He gets deception from working with these two pitches out of the same slot. LeMaster is also able to repeat his delivery effectively and his arm works well. It looks like if he’s able to use his backside more he’d be able to gain power, too. LeMaster is a finesse lefty with shape to his breaking ball, but will slow his arm due to starting the pitch early and behind him and he’s not always able always finish it. With added strength, LeMaster projects as a tough-look for lefty bats, with his combination of fastball and breaking ball, but he’ll need to develop more of a third pitch to be an effective starter at the next level.  

Jayce James, LHP/OF, Lakeside (AL), 2020
At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds,  James attacks hitters from a high ¾ slot. The athletic lefty will pitch to both sides of the plate with his mid-80s fastball flashes cut action on occasion. He maintains hand-speed and slot on his changeup and it is a swing-and-miss pitch for him. James’ curveball is used as a get-me-over type to steal early strikes. He also has the ability to go in and away glove side with his fastball and lengthen the plate with his above-average change. James has all the equipment to be a quality starter at the next level, and though he does not have above-average size, he still offers some projection in his athleticism. He knows how to pitch.

Noah Gilbert, LHP, North Forsyth, 2020
Gilbert is a deception lefty who has good size, at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. He works out a high ¾ slot with his fastball, which tops out at 81 mph, and he hides the ball well. He almost turns his back to the plate with his delivery, which makes it a tough look on batters. Gilbert repeats his delivery and appears to be a strike-thrower, as he is under control and is not afraid of contact. His curveball has shape and lands it at 67-68 mph. Gilbert has a quality look to his changeup, but will occasionally drop his slot and tip hitters. Right now, he’s a strike-throwing finesse type pitcher at the next level.

C.J. Harrison, RHP/OF, Winder-Barrow, 2020
This athletic looking medium-framed right-hander has a fast arm. He offers sinking life down in the zone, from his high ¾ slot. The 6-foot, 180-pound righty uses a compact arm action and an uptempo delivery for added deception, which makes his 90 mph that much tougher to square up. His curveball has big shape, as it jumps up out of his hand. Harrison’s changeup projects well, due to his hand speed, and as he uses it more and he’ll learn to finish the pitch. Harrison is an aggressive arm who should find a good fit at the next level.

Andrew Hermann, LHP, Campbell, 2021
Hermann is another deception lefty from this showcase, who checks in at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds. His size, uptempo finish, and the way he throws his strong front-side at hitters, gives him above-average deception. He can use his fastball to both sides of the plate topping out at 86 mph. His curveball offers shape and he’s shown the ability to land it for strikes. Hermann’s deception and maintained hand speed allow his changeup to play up, too. He knows who he is as a pitcher and is aggressive in his ability to attack hitters. He could be a valuable left-handed pitcher at the next level.

Tanner Bastings, RHP, Paulding County, 2020
At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Bastings is a big kid. He comes at hitters from a lower slot and hides the ball very well. His fastball (85 mph) and slider (69-73 mph) play up on that deception. He repeats a simple delivery and is a strike-thrower. The slider plays off length over depth, and the fastball seems to get on hitters quick. He’s an interesting reliever-type prospect at the next level, and is well-equipped to glide through a lineup one time through.

Graham Yntema, LHP, Parkview, 2020
Checking in at 6-foot-3, 213-pounds, Yntema has great size from the left side. He has a repeatable, deliberate delivery from a ¾ slot. The Parkview southpaw offers a three-pitch mix with his fastball that is up to 84 mph, curveball that works in the 69-72 mph range, and changeup, 77 mph. Yntema projects as a bottom-of-the-zone lefty who should throw a heavy fastball, because of the way it comes out of his hand. He has a promising arsenal and size that should make him an intriguing prospect as he continues to learn how to command at the bottom of the zone.

RELATED CONTENT