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Thu January 27, 2022
On Saturday, January 15th, the PBR Georgia staff hosted the invite-only Preseason All-State at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA, for all high school aged prospects. The event brought together over 100 of the state's top prospects, who took part in a pro-style workout in front of our evaluators.
We began our event analysis by taking a look at the top statistical performers in our Statistical Analysis.
Now, at the event’s conclusion, our scouting staff has collaborated with a few notes from the day’s standouts inside this Quick Hits piece. Below you’ll find which players' performances caught the attention of our scouts and a brief nugget on them.
Southpaws
Arguably the top arm at the event, ‘23 LHP Jake Hembree (North Paulding; Georgia commit) looked every bit of the SEC recruit that he is. Working with four pitches, Hembree has great feel for his entire arsenal. There is more fluidity in his arm stroke on the back-side, allowing him to get out front on time and work down in the zone. The fastball, already in midseason form, sat 87-89. The offspeed stuff is swing and miss. His curveball takes a 1/7 shape and sits in the low 70s with an average 2,378 spin rate. The slider differs in shape taking a tighter more lateral path and comes in at 75-78 with an average 2225 spin rate. Maybe most impressive is the changeup that falls off the table at 78-80 mph. Overall, Hembree looks poised for another big spring season.
Similar to Hembree, ‘22 LHP Dawson Coe (Loganville; Uncommitted) looked sharp throughout his bullpen. At 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, Coe has strength throughout his frame with room for more. The fastball came in at a crisp 86-88 with a 2360 spin rate on a cool, windy afternoon. Coe’s ability to spin it specifically stood out on this day. He showed a tight sweeping slider at 74-76 and a 1/7 curveball with depth at 74-75. Both pitches have swing and miss qualities too. The lefty also has a fading changeup in his back pocket if he needed even more.
#Uncommitted ‘22 LHP Dawson Coe (@LHSdevilball) looked sharp in his bullpen, showing a 4 pitch mix with lots of swing and miss potential.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) January 17, 2022
FB: 86-88, 2360 rpm
CB: 74-75, 1/7
SL: 74-76, tight, 2225 rpm
CH: 81-83, fade@PBRGeorgia @PBR_Uncommitted #GAPAS22 @DawsonCoe2 pic.twitter.com/AAA8oBbpDz
Right-Handers
Big bodied, 6-foot-4, 220-pound ‘22 RHP Connor VanSumeren (Tift County; West Georgia commit) worked 83-86, touching 87 with a 2318 spin rate. Given his size and physicality, it is easy to assume that VanSumeren has a lot more in the tank, and we have seen him up to 90 in the past. The right-hander works with a four pitch arsenal. His curveball looked to be the best of the bunch with sharp 12/6 action.
‘22 RHP Quin McManmon (Jones County; Georgia State commit) entered Preseason All-State as an uncommitted prospect. A week later, McManmon announced his commitment to Georgia State. At 6-foot-5, 205-pounds, the right-handed is ultra-projectable. His arm works short and quick, allowing for him to get out front routinely. He showcased a fastball in the low 80s with 19.9 average IVB, has been up to 86 in the past. McManmon mixes in a tight cutter, a fading changeup and an 11/5 curveball.
One of the top performers at LakePoint in the summer of 2021, ‘23 RHP Davis Budd (North Paulding; Uncommitted) continues to steadily trend upwards. At 6-foot-2, 210-pounds there is physicality throughout his frame. Budd has feel for a four pitch arsenal, throwing all for strikes and doing a good job tunneling. The fastball sat 85-87, but there is plenty more in the tank. His curveball showed two plane break, and looked to be the favorite of the three offspeed.
#Uncommitted ‘23 RHP Davis Budd (@north_paulding) is a physical 6-2, 210 pounds. Tunnels 4 pitches well and can throw them for strikes.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) January 17, 2022
FB: 85-87
CB: 74-76, 2 plane break
SL: 76-78
CH: 77-79@PBRGeorgia @PBR_Uncommitted #GAPAS22 @dbudd_25 pic.twitter.com/bPVQGokaAP
‘24 SS/RHP Ryan Johnson (@CHSHurricaneBSB) is going to be one to watch. Long, lanky 6-4, 160, projectable build. Long, loose arm, quick speed, more to come as he fills out.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) January 17, 2022
FB: 84-86
CB: 65-70
CH: 74-79@PBRGeorgia @ShooterHunt #GAPAS22 @Zip_2024 pic.twitter.com/OrV80ZI73t