EMERSON, GA - The 2026 Georgia Senior Games  were held September 5th at LakePoint Sports Complex, bringing together over 175 of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2027 class from across the state. Over 20 + college coaches were in attendance to see these players as the Fall circuit kicks off with the spring season on the horizon. 

Today, we take a closer look at some of the top performers from the catching group. ⤵️ 

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Quick Hits: Catchers

Cayden Hunter, C, 2027, Taylor County
Hunter was a standout during our looks this spring and has carried it over ever since with another notable performance this past weekend. Physical 6-foot-1, 182-pounds with some present athleticism throughout. Ran a 7.06 60-yd that ranked among the top for the catching group. Posted a max 96.5 exit velocity in batting practice along with a multi-hit in-game performance highlighted by a backside triple. Hunter utilizes a toe-tap trigger and gets into his lower half well as he keeps a level path with bat-to-ball skills that work well through the middle of the field. Present hand speed (Max 25.8) stands out with feel to move the barrel around the zone and boasts good pitch recognition to match. Defensively, Hunter holds quality actions with a 2.07 pop and 71 MPH C velo, with athleticism throughout that allows the tools to play up in-game and would notch a caught stealing as well. Overall, it’s a profile that can provide immediate value at the next level and a huge senior campaign appears to be well under way. 

Charlie Bates, C/OF, 2027, Evans
Uncommitted. Bates had an outstanding showcase exhibiting a quality look at his toolsy game and what he can add to a program. The physical C showed off incredible strength in a solid round of BP smashing balls one after another with an avg. 90 EV. He got up to 96 EV for his max throughout BP. Bates has a well-connected setup and generates power from the ground up with an uphill path resulting in lift. Behind the dish, he has raw strength in the arm reaching a max of 80 with a pop time of 1.97-2.07 sec. Bates is still projecting and has room to fill out in his 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame. Bates is going to have a breakout senior season and will be a great find for any ballclub at the next level. 

Lucas Pietro, C/RHP, 2027, N/A
Uncommitted. Pietro came to play at the 2026 Senior Games with an impressive workout bringing it into the games. The stout 6-foot-2, 207-pound backstop is very quick and powerful, throwing with a pop time of 1.93 sec. Pietro’s above average arm strength at 78 helps him throw out a lot of runners stealing. The B2B skills are very intrinsic and noticeable right away with loud contact to the PS in a potent round. Pietro has quiet hands and hips firing right at contact catching barrels off a firm front leg. The ball doesn’t come off Pietro’s bat lightly with a max EV of 94. Pietro is an intriguing C to keep an eye on with M2C this spring as teams look at him for the next level. 

Jackson Gore, C, 2027, Cherokee
The physical 5-foot-11, 180-pound backstop put together an impressive all-around day. Defensively, Gore posted a pop time range of 1.90-2.05, showing quick transfers and efficient footwork. During BP, Gore showed consistent impact in the barrel, posting a max EV of 95.6 with an average EV of 89.4, and a max distance of 373ft. Gore stays balanced throughout the swing with a sturdy lower half and strength in the hands at contact. Hands finish high with some length in-zone and barrel control that stands out. High-level gap-to-gap BP round with the ability to generate lift to the pull side. During gameplay, Gore continued to impress, launching a 3R home run to LF. Overall impressive showing from Jackson Gore, who looks to continue success this spring at Cherokee. 

Rigsby Booth, C, 2027, Peach County
Statement showing from Booth to open the fall as the talented backstop showed big jumps on both sides of the ball. Physicality showing throughout the 5-foot-11, 194-pound frame and still has room to add good weight as he matures. Simple setup at the plate, staying tall in the box with a compact, well-leveraged path that shows loose hands and a heavy barrel. Drove balls with intent through both gaps while showing some carry to the pull-side in a loud round of BP while posting strong EVs with an average at 90.9 and Max 97.4. Defensive showing was one of the better looks of the day regardless of position as Booth would show explosiveness out of the crouch matched with above-average arm strength that would help lead the day in both pop-time (1.87) and C Velo (81). Blocking and receiving remain as strength as well and could have multiple carrying tools behind the dish going forward. In-game performance has always been there and now the tools continue to grow, with sights on a big senior season in a few months.

Bryan Smith, 2027, C, South Forsyth
Another impressive showing from the 5-foot-11, 198-pound backstop. Smith continues to hit in each setting, and this time, paired it with a 1.98 pop time. The swing shows an innate line-drive approach, with plenty of rotational acceleration (26.2g max) and barrel impact with a max EV of 95.2 (88.9 average). Smith stays balanced throughout the swing with an attack angle conducive to line drives. Defensive showing was highlighted by efficient transfers and an accurate delivery. During gameplay, the swing continued to do damage, one hopping the LF wall for an RBI 2B. Overall impressive performance from Smith, who continues to produce across multiple settings. Will be a fun follow at South Forsyth and is poised for a big spring. 

Conor Nix, C/RHP, 2027, Berrien
Nix put together one of the more intriguing 2-way performances of the event. Offensively, Nix led the way, posting a max EV of 104.9 and an average EV of 98.3. Increasing both by 4mph since the Upperclass Top Prospect Games in June. Nix has a clear line drive approach in the box with plenty of barrel impact. Strength is littered throughout the 6-foot-1,198-pound frame. Defensively, Nix also made strides dropping the low pop time from 2.04 in June to 1.87 in this event. On the mound, Nix continued to impress, with a FB sitting 83-85, T86, with some ASR and sink. The CB showed good shape, generating plenty of chase and in-zone whiff. The offering sat 69-72 and reached 2585rpm. Nix also mixed in a SL at 75-76 on occasion. The physical frame explodes downhill and from a ¾ slot. Overall, a very impressive showing from a high-upside two-way in South Georgia.
 

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