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Preseason All-State: Quick Hits - Catchers

January 17, 2024
Ian Smith and Hudson Graham
Prep Baseball Georgia

Flowery Branch, GA: The Georgia Preseason All-State has been one of the most highly anticipated events leading up to the 2024 high school season in a while. 140 players made their way to IVSA Training in Flowery Branch to show off their progress they made in the off season. From power 5 committed 2025's to the #1 ranked 2027 in the state, this preseason event had a wide range of talent that did not dissapoint. The players completed a pro-style workout along with our tech partners, Trackman, Blast, Vizual Edge and Swift Performance. The content from this event is just beginning, today we will take a look at some of the catchers that made an instant impact. Check back tomorrow as we will release the infielders with the outfielders and pitchers to follow in the coming days. 

To view all stats from the event, CLICK HERE

2025

Nathan Rowland, North Paulding
It was an utterly impressive day for Nathan Rowland on Sunday, and that might be selling it short. It started with an eye-opening look in the 30-yard dash with a 1.59 10-yard split in the midst of the fastest time of the day at 3.72 from a physical 6-foot-0, 200-pound frame. The uncommitted backstop proceeded to put together one of the loudest rounds of the day in BP. Utilizing a quiet load with a low leg trigger that keeps Rowland consistently well-balanced. Hands explode through the zone with present plus bat speed (Max 79.9) and an efficient path to contact. The impact in the barrel is substantial with an average exit velocity of 94.3 and max over 100, and creates easy leverage to the pull-side. The raw power has a real chance to be a plus tool. Defensively, it’s about as physical as it gets. Plus arm strength from both the outfield and behind the plate with numbers of 94 and 83 respectively, which would be highs of the event. You factor in the athleticism mixed with sub-2.00 pop-times, and the profile gets even stronger. Rowland made real changes to his body over the course of 2023, and could be poised to be among the best uncommitted players in the state with a strong upcoming spring with North Paulding.

Michael Hunter Stonecipher, ECB Academy
The Kennesaw State commit just impresses in every setting we him in, and Preseason All-State was no different. Showing strong bat-to-ball and barrel control from the left side with a toe-tap trigger and advanced ability to snap the barrel through the zone. The bat path creates leverage with ease, and shows some heaviness in the barrel with an average exit velocity of 91. Stonecipher has a chance for a strong hit/power combo, which is always a rare find behind the dish. That being said, the real strength in Stonecipher’s game is the ability to maximize a pitcher. Excellent receiver with advanced framing and blocking out of the crouch. Not to mention, a 1.96 pop that’s backed by present arm strength (83) with accuracy. There’s a fantastic makeup with Stonecipher that only rounds the profile even more, and all in all, is why he is one of the best catchers in the state for the class of 2025.

2026

Branson Crawford, Gainesville
I couldn’t be higher on the upside and potential in the Gainesville backstop, and the tools continue to grow. Advanced barrel feel for the class with minimal wasted effort in the box with a quiet load and short leg kick. Present bat speed and line-drive approach that allows Crawford to stay on-plane extremely well while showing ability to turn on balls pull-side. The chance for an above-average or better long-term hit tool is significant, and the power is not lacking far behind. On the other side of the ball, the arm talent from Crawford is already plus with hoses from behind the plate (82) and the outfield (93), which would be clear bests for the 2026 class, and there’s even more to project as he matures into his athletic 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame. Explosive out of the crouch with consistent sub-1.95 pops and best of 1.84, that would lead the day. This is a plus athlete behind the plate overall and starting to trend among the best catchers in the class, not just the state.

Chip Glogorski, Kings Ridge Christian
Big-time juice in the bat of Glogorski. With a swing that’s better classified as controlled violence, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound sophomore shows impressive barrel control and leverage through the zone. Barrel head explodes to impact due to present above-average rotational acceleration (Max 27.9) and bat speed (Max 72.2). Generated the hardest exit velocity of the event at 101 and everything off the bat was 90+. There’s a chance for Glogorski to have some of the best raw power in Georgia’s 2026 class. Behind the plate, the Kings Ridge Christian product is as well-rounded as you’ll find, showing one of the best pop-times on Sunday at 1.90 that’s backed by a huge arm that maxed out at 81 and consistently on-target. What may be the strongest part of Glogorski's profile is the makeup. This is a natural-born leader and a 70-grade kid. Was the last player in the building on Sunday to make sure we didn’t need any help cleaning up, which wasn’t overlooked. A great overall day for the backstop who continues to raise his stock.

Kenny Foudy, North Hall
Foudy was a bigger winner at the bat this Fall for me, and continued to show a potent barrel this past weekend. Armed with a compact, short-to-long swing from the right-side, Foudy creates substantial impact at the plate with outlier metrics including max rotational acceleration (32.5) and bat speed (83.4). It’s a line-drive, all-fields approach that plays even better in-game, but still hammered balls throughout his round with an average exit velocity of 91.0, which was among the best in the 2026 class. Foudy is comfortable in both the crouch and off a knee, showing strong, on-target throws from both. Good athleticism out of a physical 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame for the North Hall backstop who could be in-store for big sophomore season.

Alexander Reyes, Brookwood
A very strong all-around showing for the Brookwood sophomore on Sunday. It started at the plate where Reyes deploys a simple approach and direct path to the baseball. There’s present above-average bat speed (Max 74.5) and electric ability to snap the barrel through the zone with 29.9g of rotational acceleration. There’s potential for above-average raw power when you factor in the great incorporation of his lower half and overall strength in the 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame. Reyes is yet another 2026 catcher with an absolute cannon behind the plate topping out at 81 with good accuracy. There’s real athleticism to match with sub-2.00 pop-times. Brookwood will have a solid ballclub this spring, and Reyes looks poised to have quality impact. 

Mason Meehan, West Forsyth
Meehan has been on the rise since his Junior Future Games perfomance in 2022. He lets his athleticism take over his game, and there is not much he can't do behind the plate. His pop times were 1.88-2.01 and popped a 78 on his velocity to 2nd base. At the plate he continues to get more and more powerful. He has flatened out his bat path allowing for most consistent contact, producing one of the more complete rounds of the day. The load is simple and effortless getting the foot down on time consistently. He is also super versatile in the field, he could stick at catcher long term or end up in the outfield. 

Landyn Dykes, North Oconee
Dykes was the most imposing catcher of the day, standing at 6-foot-3 200-pounds. Depsite the size, he moved withe ease behind the plate. He posted a max exit velocity of 93, and average of 89 during his BP round. The experience Dykes will gain this year at North Oconee could progress his game to the next level after a full varsity season under his belt. 

Vance Bock, Buford
Bock posted one of the top exit velocities of the day at 97 with a max distance of 360ft. The power potential from Bock is there, and the production we have seen from him in game has been consitent over the last coupe of years. He has the ability to be a middle of the order bat long term, and produce big power numbers for years to come. 

2027

Lee Holt, Kings Ridge Christian
As I’m a new full-time Georgia resident, These preseason events give me a chance to see some of the players I haven’t seen before the spring season starts, and I walked away blown away with Lee Holt. Substantial projection in a 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, the freshman showed thunder in the barrel during his round of BP. Utilizing a steep bat path, Holt creates easy loft to the pull-side while transferring weight well and keeping his head down through contact. Generated exit velocities up to 94.0 and had a max distance of 363, which was second-best of the day. Premium arm talent for the class with 78 behind the plate and an impressive 89 across the infield. Holt would hop on the mound as well and show well to close his day. Low-80s fastball has good carry through the zone with arm-side run. High-60s curveball shows real potential with big shape that creates consistent depth that will miss bats. Strikes with both pitches. Holt has high-level upside and will be a major factor in the 2027 class