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Senior Superlatives: Top Defensive Shortstops

November 28, 2019
PBR Georgia Staff



It has been a busy few weeks for Prep Baseball Report and PBR Georgia regarding the Class of 2020 and the approaching 2020 MLB Draft. First, we had the update of the 2020 National Rankings, with Georgia being well-represented, followed by the combined High School, Junior College and College 2020 Draft Board. Extending over the next few weeks, we are going to dive into the 2020 Georgia rankings and give our take on the prospects who possess the top tools in the state. Yesterday, we began by looking at the top-5 left-handed bats, top-5 right-handed bats, top power hitters, top speed, top defensive outfielders, and top defensive catchers in the state. Today, we look at the top-5 defensive shortstops in the state's 2020 class.

Top Defensive Shortstops

Caleb Ketchup SS / Holy Innocents' Episcopal, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 238 / POS: 52

Georgia commit. #1 ranked 2020 SS in GA. Ketchup plays well above his 5-foot-9, 145 pound listing. Shows gap-to-gap power to all fields, as evidence by a triple to RF. 4.0 on the turn, with a slight hesitation. Launches from backside and has barreled balls every time we have seen him. Flashed smooth infield actions. Athleticism surely plays on both sides.

 

Dylan Strickland SS / Loganville, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 430 / POS: 87

Good frame with broad sloped shoulders, Strickland stands in at 6-1/180.  The word steady comes to mind watching him move around.  He shows solid approach and good bat to ball skills.  The DNA of his swing is good, but he can get hard to his front side at times.  Defensively he shows all the requisite actions; ball goes into his glove clean and shows the footwork and athleticism to stick, and will make all the throws necessary to man the spot for the Jackets.  There is a reason shortstops get locked up by colleges early these days and it is apparent here.

Harold Coll SS / Georgia Premier, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 21 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 276 / POS: 60

5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Continues to flash above average defensive skills, throwing 91 mph across the diamond with an easy arm action. The foot work is solid and he moves laterally well. The ability to stay at shortstop is present. The foot speed is 7.05 and will hover around the 7.0 mark as he makes his way through college. The bat has a tee exit velocity of 92. The set up is wide in base, uses a knee to knee approach as the ball enters the hitting zone. The hands are clean and fluid through contact, gap to gap guy at the present time.

James Heramb-Eckert SS / RHP / Grovetown, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 132 / POS: 23

Yet another athletic middle-of-the-field prospect who can really pick it defensively. Heramb-Eckert plays the game with a hop and shows a good baseball clock and instincts. Offensively, he needs to add some strength and incorporate his lower half more, but the bat-to-ball skills are in place, just needs add that strength to his quality of contact.

Brendan York SS / 2B / Mill Creek, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 79 / POS: 11

It has been fun to watch York of the last couple springs as he anchors the middle of the diamond for Mill Creek.  York is a hard-nosed player who can defend. Offensively, he has sneaky pop for a smaller guy and can run. Another uncommitted middle-of-the-field player that is still looking for the right fit.

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