Prep Baseball Report

2021 Georgia Rankings: 16 Newcomers


Blake Davis
State Director



Today we take a deeper look into the PBR Georgia 2021 Class Rankings by highlighting 16 newcomers to the rankings. This is a talented group filled with both committed and uncommitted prospects. We have tracked these players Spring, Summer and Fall, and they are new comers to the list by way of PBR Tournaments, Showcases and Prep Baseball Reports unparalleled boots on the ground approach covering high school baseball in the state.

86. Gehrig Frei, SS, South Forsyth (GA), 2021, Uncommitted
6-foot-0 165 pounds. Frei was another outstanding infielder the Jackets 17U National squad, he made his impact known defensively and offensively on the day. He had loud contact in half his at bats while drawing multiple free passes, the switch hitter only hit left handed on the day but there was a lot to like about Frei from the left side. Defensively, he turned heads when he made a play in the whole and made a strong accurate accurate jump throw to secure the out on the play. Frei is athletic and looked to be able to man any spot on the infield if called to do so. 
142. Avery Campbell, RHP, Dominion Christian (GA), 2021, Uncommitted

5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic build, strength in lower half. On the mound, arm works long, showing wide on the back-side, above-average arm speed to get out front to a ¾ slot, did a nice job repeating. Drop and drive delivery, starts on the first base side of the rubber, lands nearer the third base side, square to home, finishes athletically. Facing unfavorable conditions with wind gusts and a constant rain, did a good job controlling his fastball and curveball. Fastball, running action to both sides of the plate, sat 80-83, touched 85. Curveball showed depth, when down in the zone had late bite to it, 70.

81. Garrett Goblish, RHP, Woodstock HS (GA), 2021, Uncommitted

Medium framed right-hander with a full arm action that works easy, aggressive to the zone at 83-86 with more in the tank. shows good direction and extension to the plate. Flashes exit ramp life on 2-seam down in the zone.
61. Hunter Gulledge, RHP, Paulding County HS (GA), 2021 Uncommitted
On the mound he uses a full wind-up with good rhythm and loads his lower half well before delivering the baseball. He uses a high over-hand slot to create good down angle to the plate at times and his fastball ranges from 85-88.  His change-up is interesting as it has hand-speed and late diving action at the plate. His curveball plays as a downer type especially when he is on time, coming from that overhand hand spot. Interesting kid that is not done yet.

66. Thomas Botts, RHP, Cass (GA), 2021, Uncommitted
Stands an imposing 6-foot-4, 215-pounds, strength throughout frame, has the build to be able to continue to add more strength, definitely more in the tank as the weather conditions prohibited him from really letting it go consistently. Arm works short and methodical on the back-side, accelerates quickly to a high ¾ slot, quick hand speed. Controlled drop and drive delivery, works on-line, drags back leg down the mound before finishing on follow through, crosses over to finish. Fastball came out heavy at 84-86. Gets behind his slider extremely well, allowing for max velocity on pitch, ranged 80-81 with late downward action, swing and miss type pitch. An exciting prospect who should factor in as a big contributor for Cass High School this spring.

46. Braxton Roop, RHP, McIntosh HS (GA), 2021, Uncommitted

Roop announced his presence in a big way at the Deep South.  The medium framed right-hander stepped onto the mound at 6-foot, 175-pounds and showed off an athletic, polished side-step delivery.  Roop has a full arm swing with above average handspeed and creates good angle down in the zone to his fastball that is already up to 88 mph.  His curveball has good shape and spin at 72-74 and offers the kind of projection you are looking for in a future swing and miss pitch.  As Roop get stronger and his velocity increases look for jumps in his breaking ball also.  Roop stood apart due to his athletic delivery and ease of operation on the mound. Watch out for this young arm going forward.

29. David Bishop, 3B, Fellowship Christian, 2021, TCU Commit

6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic frame, projectable build. Offensively, takes a balanced, crouching setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter with pull-side power, advanced approach, looks for the ball middle/in so he can drive it pull/middle.  Pulled two hard hit line drives straight at the third baseman in first two at-bats, then had a base hit single in his third at-bat.

44. Fisher Paulsen, LHP, Allatoona (GA), 2021, Uncommitted

5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed pitcher, strong, athletic frame, has filled out frame considerably since the last time we saw him. Arm works clean and loose to a 3/4 slot, quick arm speed, consistent slot. Mechanically sound delivery, stays tall throughout, works on-line, finishes square to the mound, showed the ability to change timing effectively while still maintaining balance and arm slot. Fastball sat 86-87 (2280rpm) early on, settled in at 83-86, touching 87 throughout his entire complete game one-hitter in the semis of the PBR Fall Classic. Slider was his bread and butter, commanded to all parts of the zone, 73-76 (2250rpm), two-plane break, routinely caught the outside of the plate, gave hitters a problem the entire game, unable to figure it out.

51. Parker Lester, 3B, Calhoun HS (GA), Miami (OH) Commit
6-foot-3, 190-pound left-handed hitting third baseman, strong, athletic build, one of the more impressive bodies in attendance at the Adidas Three Stripe Classic, moves with smooth actions. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, long stride, great balance throughout. Ball jumps off the bat with little-to-no effort, short to the zone, long through, drives the ball gap-to-gap, looks to elevate and let it fly. Had multiple balls hit with 90+ exit velocities including a bases loaded two-run double in the championship that came off the bat at 94 mph.

67. Richard Westrop, RHP, Lambert (GA), 2021 Uncommitted

6-foot-2 205-pounds. Physical framed righty that looks intimidating when he steps on the mound. His delivery is smooth, but violent. He has a strong finish and gets good extension that gives him a powerful 2nd half of his motion. FB worked up to 88 in the 1st inning, he settled in at 85-87. Threw a heavy FB and a power SL at 75-77. The SL is a swing and miss pitch when he throws it with conviction and starts it at the bottom of the zone. He has a really strong lower-half that projects more velo to come given the frame. Another GA player that will be fun to follow at Lambert HS in a strong region.
36. James McCoy, OF/1B, Wesleyan School (GA), 2021, Kentucky Commit

6-foot-4, 190-pound switch-hitting outfielder and first baseman, long, projectable frame, athletically built, present strength with much more to come. An offensive force from both sides of the plate. Takes a wide, crouching setup, hands load back smoothly, reverse toe-tap stride, great balance throughout. Does a nice job of keeping things short and using his long levers to his advantage. Gap-to-gap type approach, drives the ball back up the middle with a short, quick swing, smooth actions at the plate. With improved launch angles, will be able to consistently hit the long ball.

82. Connor Larson, SS, Flowery Branch (GA), 2021 Uncommitted

5-foot-9 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, athletic build, strong lower half. Offensively, athletic, dynamic runner, crouching setup, smooth rhythm throughout, hands load back as he uses a leg kick timing trigger, gets good use of his legs. Gap-to-gap type hitter, drives the ball, flashed the ability to elevate for power.

193. Tyler Reynolds, SS, Lakeside (GA), 2021 Uncommitted

6-foot-1 160-pounds. One of the most athletic SS on the upper class side. Well built, athletic frame has all the actions of an elite SS. He fields the ball well to both sides of his body, as well comes to get the slow rollers and throws it well on the run. Shows well at the plate. Has a simple swing with quick hands that made solid contact all weekend. 

136. Skyler Thellman, SS, Lakeview Academy HS (GA), 2021 Uncomitted
6-foot-3 175 pounds. Thellman flat banged all weekend long, it didn’t matter the velocity or the type of arm he was facing, he just flat raked and was on base in 5 of 7 appearances alone on Sunday. He had two doubles, one in each gap to show off his true gap to gap pop. Thellman also showed a tremendous awareness for the strike zone drawing multiple walks on the day to have himself a day. Defensively he made a couple of really nice defensive plays including a backhand in the hole to nail a runner advancing to third on the groundball. Thellman left the scouts with a tremendous impression and there is a lot to like about the prospect.

78. Clifford Pless III, OF, Veterans HS (GA), 2021 Uncommitted
 

2021 OF (Game On Stealth / Veterans HS, GA), a thin 5-foot-10, 140-pound left-handed hitter, is a premium runner. Looks to bunt early and often, and rightfully so; showed sub-3.7 run times earlier in the tournament. On Friday, he slapped a double down the left field line and was 4.18 on the turn. Possesses game-changing speed.

74. Matthew Strand, C, North Gwinnett HS (GA), 2021 Uncommitted  5 foot 11, 185-pound average build.  Hits from the right side with a tall, relaxed setup using wood during his batting practice rounds.  Short stride during his load with his hands working slightly back, creating some bat angle. Fluid swing with his barrel working short to the ball.  Worked mostly middle to his pull side with some feel for his barrel. Gets his barrel through the zone with better than average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 91 mph.  Quick, fluid feet with a quick exchange and carry to his throws to second base from a high ¾ slot. Pop times ranged from 1.98-2.07. Positional velocity topped at 78 mph from a crouch position.  Plays with some rhythm on the infield with fluid feet and above average hands. Funnels to the midsection after catch, using different slots on his throws to first base. Some accuracy across the diamond with his arm topping at 83 mph.  Recorded a 7.35 in the 60.

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