Our goal at Prep Baseball Report is to promote high school players, and give them the exposure they need to be able to play at the next level. With the 2020 high school season cancelled, we want to continue to be able to promote players, even when baseball is not being played. We have sent surveys out to coaches around the state and got their input on the first weeks of the season. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight the season and standout players, team by team.

Dalton Catamounts

Record: 7-6

2020 Standouts:

Rhett Hammontree, SS, Dalton, 2020
Lipscomb recruit.

3/6/20 - 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, lean, athletically built frame, wiry strength. Simple, relaxed setup at the plate, balanced, low hands smoothly load back, short stride, great balance throughout. Takes a middle approach, drives the ball gap-to-gap, somewhat uphill swing path. Showed the ability to make consistent hard contact.

Bryce Houghton, RHP, Dalton, 2020
Cleveland State recruit.

Brant Bagely, 1B, Dalton, 2020
Tennessee Wesleyan recruit.

2021 Standouts:

Kaleb Valdez, 1B/OF, Dalton, 2021
Uncommitted.
Season stats:  13 games - .368 avg., 7BB/2K, 4 2B, 7 RBI

Coach’s notes: Uncommitted LHH - 1B/OF - Extremely hardworking - Great kid on and off field - Above avg. range and arm in the OF - Great hands and feet around the bag at 1st.

Underclass Standouts:

Brady Pendley, RHP/INF, Dalton, 2022
Uncommitted.
Season stats: 20 IP,  8 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 29 K,  1.40 ERA

Coach’s notes:  6-foot-1, late bloomer - Has a lot of potential to improve on the mound. Easy 82-85 now.

3/6/20 - 6-foot-1, 165-pound large frame, will carry more mass and strength as he continues to physically mature. Arm works long and clean on the back-side to an over-the-top slot, maintaining a high front side. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 81-84. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 70-72, consistently dropped in for strikes. Went the distance against Harrison allowing one run, was unlucky to pick up the loss in a 1-0 game.

Caleb Nix, RHP/1B, Dalton, 2022
Uncommitted.
Season stats: 13 games - .395 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI

Coach’s notes: 6-foot-6, 245-pounds (still maturing) - Found his swing this year - made more consistent contact and continued to improve. Pitching - Has a ton of potential. Expect it to click and someone is going to get a gem - Power hitting and power pitching.

Tyler Neises, MIF, Dalton, 2023
Uncommitted.
Season stats: 13 games - .489 BA, 3 HR, 6 2B, 21 RBI

Coach’s notes: Very Mature hitter - great attitude - hard worker - anything to help the team attitude - thinks the game well - great teammate - good range and glove. Great pitching potential, as well.

3/6/20 - 6-foot-2, 180-pound left-handed hitting infielder, large, projectable build, strength throughout frame, one of the top ranked 2023s in Georgia, offensive-minded prospect. Balanced setup, high hands drop as he strides, good balance throughout. Has a nose for the ball, swing path works with some incline, gains extension through the zone, has shown the ability to consistently drive the ball to all fields.

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