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The 10 Fastest Players in the 2025 Class

January 14, 2023
Justin Goetz
PBR Georgia Assistant Scouting Director

As a good MLB hitter will typically be in the .280-300 range, a lot of hitting involves failing. Home runs are fun to watch, but raw power doesn’t play every day even for the elite middle of the order bats. Speed is a tool that never slumps. 

As they say, you can’t steal first base. Very true, but speed can get you hits from 40 mph exit velo dribblers that might be essential getting out of a slump. Guys with elite speed can lay down a mediocre bunt and get a hit or force an error. For the burners and gliders with some plate discipline, they can get you 1 bag & score on a single, or 2 bags and score on weak contact or a passed ball. The top of the scale guys can even score from 2nd on a passed ball, like Billy Hamilton. 

On defense, high end speed makes an impact every single game of the year. To win championships, you have to save runs. Nowhere is speed more important than SS(+7 runs adjusted), 2B(+3 runs adjusted), and CF(+2.5 runs adjusted), 3 of the 4 most valuable defensive positions in baseball (other being C, +9 runs adjusted). Speed saves games on a nightly basis, as well as the arms on a pitching staff.

Fielding range is the first sabermetric calculation for runs saved. 5 of the top 10 players on the MLB defensive runs saved leaderboard (2022 season) have elite speed - CF Michael A. Taylor (20 runs saved), SS Taylor Walls (19 runs saved), 2B Tommy Edman (18 runs saved) CF Myles Straw (17 runs saved), 2B Andres Gimenez are also at the top of the sprint speed leaderboard. Sprint speed also heavily correlates to the runs scored leaderboard, but I’ll save that study for another time.

High end speed comes in different builds & frames, just like the fastest cars do. We’ve got McLarens, Lambos, Aston Martins, and Ford GT’s on this list. Now that we understand how important speed is, I will go in depth on the 10 players in Georgia’s 2025 class with the most impactful run tool, and grade their current and future speed potential.

1. CF Henry Akopov, 6’0 180, Mount Paran Christian - Current Run : Excellent. Future Run : Excellent.

60 Time - 6.44 (PBR Swift). Run Speed - 22.0 mph. Home to 1st (Best Time) - 3.99 

10 yard split - 1.62 Jump Power - 1,708.


Akopov has wheels unlike any other in his class. The 22 mph run speed he clocked in at our 2022 Underclass Games would have been 5th in the NFL of all 2021 runs, and 3rd in the NFL of 2022 runs. We can’t quantify his speed to MLB metrics because they go by feet per second, not mph. But when you’re as fast as Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (22.13 mph), faster than Titans RB Derrick Henry (21.8 mph) and in the same realm as Tyreek Hill (23.24), its safe to say Akopov is one of the fastest players in the country regardless of class or sport. This benefits him greatly on defense, where his plus or better range and instincts put him head to head with the No. 1 player in his class, Cannon Goldin. I would consider Akopov a burner more than a glider, as he creates compact, powerful bounds that chew up grass. He runs with impressive form and balance. There’s more aggression he can dig for on home to first times, but he’s going have lots of infield hits. He’s an absolute blur on the bases, with extremely fluid hips allowing him to get clean jumps.
2. CF Alec Waller, 5’10 145, Tucker - Current Run : Plus. Future Run : Excellent.

60 Time - 6.67 (PBR Swift). Run Speed - 20.2 mph. Home to 1st (Best Time) - N/A.

10 yard split - 1.60 Jump Power - 1,741. Jump Height - 36.6 in.

This incredible athlete stole the show at our UGA Campus Tour event with one of the most explosive 60’s I’ve seen an underclassmen run. When people say, “he runs like he was shot out of a cannon” they’re probably talking about Waller. This is a player with extreme quick twitch fibers who runs with efficient form and long explosive strides, so explosive he looks like he’s running in fast forward! He also jumps out of the gym with a 36.6 in vert, putting him in an entirely different level of athleticism. The most exciting thing about him as a runner? He’s only 145 pounds, can you imagine how fast he’ll be at 160? He has the chance to have break the scale type speed in the future. Alec’s twitch works at the plate too, producing 94 EV this fall. He’s on his way to being an impact defender in CF with the potential for elite range.
3. SS Eli Pitts, 6’0 185, North Gwinnett - Current Run : Plus. Future Run : ++.

60 Time - N/A. Run Speed - N/A. Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.07. 10 yard split - N/A

We haven’t been able to get Pitts run on our Swift lasers yet, but he does have future top of the scale speed with reports in the 6.5 - 6.6 range. Those reports match up with my fastest recorded home to 1st time on Pitts in 2022. He accelerates with ease and has one of the quickest first steps in the class out of the box, on the basepaths, and on the dirt. This gives him a big advantage in a game of inches. He’s one of the better defenders in the class, and we feel his range could be in the same echelon of Akopov & Goldin if he were to play CF. Instead he shows off plus range at SS. This is a run producer, creator, and saver.
4. OF Jake Gaskill, 5’10 155, North Gwinnett - Current Run : Plus. Future Run : ++.

60 Time - 6.68 (PBR Swift).  Run Speed - 21.2 mph. Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.09

10 yard split - 1.61

Gaskill is one of the most exciting players in the class to watch, with blazing speed and an incredibly efficient swing path that allows him to put his speed to use often. If you blink you might miss him, and that’s how most catchers in the nation feel when they look up and he’s already on 2nd. He has the best recorded 10 yard split in the state, showing just how unbelievably quick his first step and initial burst are. Not only does he have blinding speed, he’s very instinctive and that makes it even harder to get him on the basepaths. Unsurprisingly, he has exceptional range in all 3 outfield positions and is known to make acrobatic catches. When he fills into his frame with more lean strength, he has a legit chance to be first on this list by the time he leaves HS.


5. CF Cannon Goldin, 6’0 185, Buford - Current Run : Plus. Future Run : ++.

60 Time : 6.71 (PBR Swift). Run Speed - 20.0 mph. Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.01

10 yard split - 1.70 Jump Power - 1,718. Jump Height - 30 in

No one in the country has run more 60 or 40 yard dashes than the No. 1 player in the 2025 class. His dad has been preparing NFL and MLB draft hopefuls (among other sports) for combines and big events for decades in the Peach State, with GATA (Goldin Athletic Training Association). Officially and unofficially, Cannon has run in the 6.5 to 6.6 range and his game speed matches up with anyone above him on this list. His raw power and strength thru contact at the plate are elite for his age at the plate, but that's another story. This is a dual sport monster who uses his speed to light up ball carriers in football, and save a ridiculous amount of runs in CF with current plus range and a cannon for an arm. His on field effort and off field work ethic is unmatched by anyone in the class and he plays with his hair on fire, which adds to the speed element. As he continues to perfect his body, running form, and explosive actions, there’s undoubtedly more speed on the way.
6. SS Maddox Monsour, 5’11 185, Carrollton - Current Run : Plus. Future Run : ++.

60 Time - 6.72 (PBR Swift). Run Speed - 20.1 mph. Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.09

10 yard split - 1.64

The Texas Longhorn commit took over the scene in 2022, with many multi hit, multi SB games. Despite being more compact and somewhat stocky frame wise, Monsour runs like an actual deer. He’s a glider who’s light on his feet and runs more on his toes, he runs very naturally. We now have an updated run time on him from the Preseason All State event. Without a doubt, he’s got some of the quicker feet at SS that I saw this Summer. It helps him take make reads and the most direct path to the ball with a high level of efficiency. It’s more of the same once he reaches 1st base, an automatic green light who puts fear in opposing pitchers/catchers. He’s a sure bet to continue taking his speed to new levels.


7. OF Wesley Bass, 6’2 177, Blessed Trinity - Current Run : A/AVG. Future Run : ++.

60 Time - 6.73 (hand time). Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.13

Bass is an uber projectable athlete who plays with high energy and glides effortlessly wherever he goes on the field. He gets to top speed quickly and stays low early in the run to maximize efficiency, with a good forward lean as the run develops. His upper & lower half are very well sequenced during the run, and his arms create just as much positive momentum as the legs do. With a broad shouldered, long levered build, he’s surely going to get faster as he fills the frame with more lean muscle. He uses an advanced approach at the plate to get on base often, where he shows off some of the lowest effort speed around. This is an aggressive base runner who will compete with the best in the speed department.


8. C Dominic Stephenson, 6’1 170, Harrison - Current Run : A/AVG. Future Run : Plus.

60 Time - 7.00. Run Speed - 19.7 mph. Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.15

10 yard split - 1.72 Jump Power - 1,434

The most tooled up catcher in the Peach State since Harry Ford has a legit chance to be as fast as Ford. The 2022 Future Games legend has some of the most athletic running form in the state regardless of class. He might be the most effortless runner, with perfect gliding strides that look like what you’d see in a D1 WR. Young and still growing into his well built frame, I only see his run tool ticking up year by year as he reaches more of his strength potential. He swiped bags all Summer with ease, and is very instinctive on the basepaths. His athletic feet lend him exceptional lateral agility behind the plate which lead to some exciting catches on foul balls and impressive blocks.


9. SS Julian Carter, 6’0 160, Riverwood - Current Run : A/AVG  Future Run : Plus.

60 Time - 6.88 (hand time).  Run Speed - 18.8 mph Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.19

10 yard split - 1.73 Jump Power - 1,493 Jump Height : 30 in

Just like No. 6 on the list Carter has quite impeccable running form that you could mistake for a Gazelle at a glance. He has lengthy strides, staying compact early in the run then gradually stretching it out later to very upright. His speed helps him a ton at SS, where he’s got advanced actions with quick feet, glove to match, and developing more and more range. Somewhat of a lanky body type, Carter has the look of a pro sprinter. With his strength being just at the tip of the iceberg currently, I wouldn't be surprised to see him go beyond a plus runner in the future.


10. MIF Mason Davis, 5’9 165, Parkview - Current Run : A/AVG. Future Run : Plus.

60 Time - 6.89. Home to 1st (Best Time) - 4.18

This is pound for pound one of the twitchier players in the class and he shows off his speed regularly in all facets. He’ll use his speed to leg out infield hits, steal multiple bags for easy runs, and show off his serious range with ridiculously quick feet to cut down distance on throws. Whether at 2B or SS, it's a sure bet he’s going to snag everything on his side of the bag, even the other side if you let him. He runs with short, quick strides, good forward lean, and will only get faster.


Honorable Mentions - Peyton Robidoux (6.99), Jayce Jones, Samford Halcomb (7.01).

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