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Preseason All-State: Quick Hits - Outfielders

January 23, 2024
Ian Smith
Assistant Scouting Director

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 outfielders that made an instant impact. Check back tomorrow as we will release the final group, the pitchers. 

To view all stats from the event, CLICK HERE

2025

Mason Archie, Brookwood
Archie offers a highly interesting profile as one of the youngest players in the 2025 class. Lean and high-waisted at 6-foot-0, 170-pounds, the junior outfielder has plenty of projection remaining and present athleticism. Quiet, high handset before showing loose hands with a ton of length in zone and some whip in the barrel. Archie does an excellent job staying in his back hip forever before firing, and generates consistent leverage. Gap power currently plays up in an all-fields approach, but don’t be surprised for more pop as he matures into his frame. Good footwork in the outfield with a fantastic first step that plays well on both sides of the ball, the junior put down the fastest 10 yard split of the day at 1.57. Solid arm strength as well with good carry and accuracy from a high slot. At just 15 years old still, Archie has considerable upside and potential in a well-rounded profile, and will be an intriguing name to watch this spring with Brookwood.

Cannon Goldin, Buford
Last time I saw Cannon Goldin, we were chatting in Milwaukee as he wheeled around on a knee walker rehabbing an ankle injury at the PBR All-American Game. Now, the injury is healed and after a full off-season of training looked explosive in the IVSA facility. Truly advanced round of BP, spraying balls across the field with both wood and aluminum. Utilizing a quick trigger, Goldin does a great job keeping his hands back creating barrel lag in-zone while incorporating his strong half well. Stays compact and well-connected on tight path to the ball paired with present bat speed. It’s one of the highest-level hit tools in the class. An explosive athlete with the glove as well displaying plus arm strength from the outfield with the best number of the day at 94 and nothing under 92. Attacks the ball with a great first step and shows great hands on the transfer. The Ole Miss commit is an above-average to plus runner that will play up on both sides, and can keep the Buford star in centerfield long-term. This is one of the top outfielders nationally for the 2025 class, and this spring I'm expecting we see every bit of that.

Collin Brightwell, Redan
An Oklahoma commit, the switch-hitting junior displayed an advanced feel for the barrel from both sides of the plate. Brightwell uses a compact, direct path from the right-side where he fills up the gaps with ease, and a steeper path from the left that adds some length and loft to the pull-side. Present above-average bat speed from both sides and should get more physical as he matures into a very lean, projectable 6-foot-1 frame. Athletic actions in the outfield with great ability to cover ground with equally impressive footwork. Consistent, accurate carry on his throws with enough present srm strength to stick in centerfield. Brightwell has the type of frame to maintain athleticism as he matures, and could have a chance to take another step as he develops.

KJ Hart, River Ridge
The loud two-way upside for Hart is only getting stronger as he heads into his junior season, and last week was a great start to the spring. With an imposing 6-foot-5 frame, Hart flashes substantial power potential from the right-side. With a compact swing and ability to manipulate the barrel, the uncommitted junior is able to generate plus bat speed (Max 79.9) and easy pull-side carry consistently. An easy mover in the outfield with long strides that cover ground with ease, Hart shows above-average arm strength (92) that comes out of the hand with ease. On the mound, the multi-sport athlete is a strike thrower with three. Hart repeats his delivery well with a compact arm action and great body control from three-quarters slot. Fastball gets significant ride at 90-92 with even more velo to project. Good feel to spin a high-70s slider with late bite and some sweep. Changeup kills spin with velo separation and arm-side fade at 79-81. The tools are fairly loud across the board for Hart, and will be a focal point for River Ridge this spring.

KT Thompson, Cherokee Bluff
Hitters hit, and that’s what KT Thompson does. Simple approach at the plate with strong wrists and outlier max bat speed (Max 87.6), the Georgia Southern is able to create substantial barrel whip and leverage through the zone. Thompson shows a strong ability to use both gaps well while flashing the raw pull-side pop. Strong 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame plays well at the plate and as a prototype corner outfielder as well. Present above-average arm strength in both the infield and outfield at 87 and 90, respectively with soft hands and flexibility to match. Cherokee Bluff will be as tough as any team in their region this spring, and Thompson should have a big hand in where this offense goes.

Jake Gaskill, North Gwinnett
Twitchy and athletic with a 5-foot-11, 155-pounds frame, Gaskill is the epitome of a gamer with tools to back it up. Fast hands at the plate with ability to flip the barrel with minimal wasted effort. Can create easy loft to the pull-side but primarily works a line-drive approach where the plus foot speed can play way up. The uncommitted outfielder has an exceptional first step and reached one of the highest top speeds as well (19.4).

Grant Hollier, River Ridge
Real strength was on display from Hollier in all facets of his day. Ultra-physical, athletic frame at 6-foot-4, 218-pounds with a massive lower half, Hollier started his day with an impressive 3.74 in the 30 (1.6 10-yd split) while reaching one of the top speeds of the day (19.1). BP round was nothing short of loud with exceptional feel for the barrel in a compact right-handed swing. Explosive hand and bat speed in a lofty path generates heavy contact with ease (avg. EV 91.2) and all-fields carry. It’s plus raw power potential, and present feel for the barrel allows for huge in-game potential as well. Hollier has the tools and athleticism to play across the outfield but is likely to profile best in a corner long-term. Hollier is truly a freak athlete, and will be a weapon alongside KJ Hart in River Ridge’s outfield this spring.

2026

Trevor Condon, Etowah
Condon has long had some of the best bat-to-ball skills in Georgia’s 2026 class, and is off to a great start to continue that this spring. With some twitch in the lower half, the Miami commit exudes a fantastic ability to keep his hands quiet before showing great length in-zone. Condon has some heaviness in the barrel (Max EV 93.1)from a steeper bat path that generates carry to both gaps frequently. Plus athlete at 5-foot-10, 155-pounds that can stick in centerfield with excellent foot speed and range that’s strengthened by present above-average arm strength (89). Etowah has one of the talented underclass groups in the state, and Condon is likely to be a major factor for years to come.

Ayden Lockett, Buford
Among some scouts and coaches I’ve talked to this spring, Ayden Lockett has been a name with serious helium and it was easy to see why in my first look. High-level projection in the frame at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds with athleticism and strength throughout. Strong hands and wrists in a line-drive approach with ability to impact the ball out front to both gaps. Good tools in the outfield as well with above-average arm strength (89) and advanced footwork. Buford is a perennial powerhouse in the state, and there’s a chance Lockett could earn a starting outfield spot as a sophomore. With a strong season, you could see the stock explode.

Geno Goralski, Denmark
Goralski continues to show one of the most potent barrels in Georgia's 2026 outfield class. Showcases an advanced ability to stay balanced in his back hip before driving into a strong lower half from a quiet load. Present barrel control with plus bat speed (Max 79.5) in a bat path that creates easy loft allows the Denmark outfielder to drive balls to the pull-side with minimal effort. The strength in the 5-foot-11,180-pound is evident but there’s more to come as he matures and could be ticketed for an above-average power tool eventually. A good athlete in the outfield as a sub-7.0 runner with a great first step and solid arm strength, Goralski is aimed for a big sophomore campaign after earning good playing time as a freshman with the Danes. 

Martin Shelar, Marist School
Loud is the easiest way to describe the day that Shelar had in Flowery Branch. A physical freak at 6-foot-1,190-pounds, the Marist School outfielder showed a thunderous barrel throughout his round of BP. Utilizing a quick twitch toe-tap, Shelar fires the bat through the zone with violence, showing present bat speed and significant barrel control to create impact consistently. One of the highest average and max exit velocities of the day at 93.9 and 100.1 respectively. Loud tools shine throughout the profile on both sides as a sub-7.0 runner and plus arm talent in the outfield (90). Not to mention, Shelar can pitch too. Feel for a three-pitch mix, the sophomore sat 85-87 T88 on the fastball while getting good carry and run. Low-70s slider creates a ton of sweep and flashed feel for a quality changeup that kills spin. The underclass pair of Shelar and 3B Jack Richerson will be a dynamic duo for Marist this spring and beyond.

Ellis Alldredge, North Forsyth
The quick-developing Alldredge continues to show a quality two-way profile that seemingly improves in every look. Using a wide base at the plate with a slight bat wiggle, Alldredge shows present bat-to-ball skills with some ability to manipulate the barrel to create loft and line-drives. Some strength at impact currently (Max EV 91.2) but as he matures into a lean 6-foot-1 frame paired with above-average rotational acceleration, the power potential will only continue to grow. Strong actions with plus arm strength (90) and confident footwork, Alldredge could profile throughout the outfield presently. Stepping on the bump, the North Forsyth weapon shows present arm speed from a three-quarters slot and feel for three pitches. Up to 87 with the fastball that gets good arm-side run. Low-70s gyro slider will create depth from the same arm slot and should miss bats, and changeup at 75-77 is a capable third pitch with some fade. Alldredge will have a major role for this North Forsyth club this spring in possibly multiple roles.

Dallas Peoples, North Atlanta
A really solid all-around day for Peoples who continues to raise his overall floor. From a strong 6-foot-2, 190-pounds frame, the sophomore brings athleticism to the plate where he does a good job creating separation backed by above-average bat speed. Some feel for the barrel in a gap-to-gap approach where the above-average run tool can thrive. Confident, efficient actions in the outfield with arm strength to play center if necessary. Big spring ahead for Peoples as he looks to make an impact for North Atlanta.

William Myhand, Mill Creek
With an already physical 6-foot-0, 180-pound frame that’s steadily getting stronger, Preseason All-State was just another opportunity to show the impact in the profile. Myhand has a great ability to create length in-zone from a longer swing with the ability to stay through the ball well. The sophomore creates leverage well with present bat speed that leads to consistently heavy barrels. Myhand finished the day among the best in the event with an average and max exit velocity at 90.3 and 97.4. Big-time arm strength in the outfield, topping 90 from a loose arm action with plenty of carry. Footwork and body control are present, and fills a corner outfield role well. As a top 20 player in the state, Myhand not only gives you the plug and play floor, but an immense ceiling as well.

David Jackson Jr, Alexander
In both the eye test, and with the data, David Jackson Jr. made a statement among his peers at Preseason All-State. Standing an uber-projectable, high-waisted 6-foot-4, 188-pounds, the sophomore displayed electric bat speed from the left-side with an outlandish max of 84.6 and averaging over 81. There's present feel for the barrel with the ability to create a ton of length in-zone to generate easy loft. The raw and in-game power potential for Jackson is dynamic, and could be a potential plus tool down the line. Long and loose arm action from the outfield with present carry and above-average arm-strength. Decent body control and ability to bend for the frame. The two-way upside is also intriguing for the Alexander sophomore with real arm talent as a left-handed pitcher. Fastball lives 82-85 T86 with good carry through the zone. Shorter, tighter slider in the mid-70s plays well on both corners, and changeup might be his best pitch st 74-76 with significant arm-side fade. You don’t find many with this type of raw upside with the frame to match often, Jackson’s stock is on the rise.

2027

Caden Dawson, Blessed Trinity
The top ranked player in our initial 2027 rankings and one of the top 10 players nationally, Caden Dawson is the type of bat you dream on. Already physical at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds with plenty of projection remaining, Dawson exudes advanced bat-to-ball skills for the class bolstered by above-average bat speed (Max 75.9) and a great ability to stay on-plane. There’s plenty of pull-side carry with present raw power to drive it backside as well. Highest-level hit/power potential for the class with a very high floor to boot. Athleticism in the outfield with present foot speed and arm strength (86) to profile well in a corner where the bat is going to thrive. Dawson is just scratching the surface of the potential, and has a great roster to develop around for the next few years at Blessed Trinity.

Brock Holcombe, Lakeside
Easily one of my personal favorite swings in the 2027 class, Holcombe has been a big winner among our staff throughout the Fall and Winter. The Lakeside freshman creates fantastic separation at the plate with an explosive ability to rotate to the ball (Max rotational acceleration 25.5) while staying balanced. Present barrel control stands out from above-average hand and bat speed. There’s already impact in the barrel for Holcombe (Max EV 92.2) but I’m rather bullish on the power potential as he matures into his frame. Glove plays in either corner outfield spot with good arm strength and ability to cover ground well. The upside for the freshman outfielder could be immense, and will be one to watch throughout the spring and beyond.