Each year, new freshman step on to campuses across the state, ready to make their mark at the high school level.  For our staff, it's also a time that we evaluate this new crop of freshman prospects, from all of the games and events that we've covered over the summer and fall months.  The 2025 class, in Louisiana, is looking like it is going to be another really good class, following in the footsteps of the 2023 and 2024 classes.  Today, we are excited to bring to you our first rankings release for the class.  There is talent up and down the board, especially at key positions on the diamond: pitcher, middle infield, and centerfield.  This is, however, just a starting point for the class, as we know there will be more prospects to join the list over the coming months.  Below, we take a look at a few prospects to keep your eye on, as we move into the spring!

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-2025 SS/RHP Jack Ruckert (Catholic BR HS)

A familiar name on the summer circuit; Ruckert takes the #1 spot in our initial Class of 2025 rankings.  An athletic two-way player; the Catholic BR HS product was a member of our 2020 Junior Future Games team, two summers ago, where he impressed both on the mound and at the plate.  Ruckert will run his FB into the mid 80's, sitting mostly 80-82 mph, while throwing both of his secondary offerings for strikes, in any count.  His carrying tool, however, is his bat.  A left-handed hitter, Ruckert has a simple set-up in the box with minimal movement, a flat bat path, with slightly uphill extension and gap to gap power.  Ruckert saw playing time as an 8th grader for the Bears last spring and we expect him to contribute even more this coming spring.

 

 

 

-2025 C Presley Courville (Barbe HS)

A two time Junior Future Games team member; Courville had a really good summer for the 2025 Knights Knational team and debuts as our #1 catcher and #4 overall player in the initial 2025 state rankings.  Courville gives you everything that you would want in a backstop defensively and as a leader, which is one of the biggest reasons why Coach Schlossnagle offered Courville last month and received a commitment from him just two weeks ago.  Garnering playing time at powerhouse Barbe isn't easy to do as a first year player, but we fully expect Courville to be in the starting lineup, at catcher, for Barbe this spring.

 

 

 

-2025 RHP/1B Karson Trichel (Ouachita Christian HS)

We had heard quite a bit about Trichel leading up to October's All-State Games at Alex Box Stadium and he turned in a really good performance on the big stage.  6'4" projectable and lean frame with plenty of room to continue to add strength.  Trichel attacked hitters with his FB at 84-86 mph and saw a lot of swings and misses, as nothing was straight.  Offensively, a left-handed hitter, Trichel took a couple of really good at-bats during the gameplay portion of the day.  An athletic mover down the hill, with an arm that works, we fully expect Trichel's velocity to continue to tick up as we move into the spring.  

 

 

 

-2025 C Cooper Smith (Live Oak HS)

The Live Oak HS backstop is another two time Junior Future Games team member who had a really good summer and fall and checks in at #5 in our 2025 state rankings release.  Compact, sturdy, and physical 5'10" 160 lbs. frame; Smith looks the part of a future catcher at the next level.  A left-handed hitter with a slightly upright stance and a simple load and stride.  Smith had a really nice BP round at our All-State Games in October and carried that over to gameplay with a couple of good at-bats as well.  Known for his pull side power, he showed the ability to drive the ball the other way with a simple approach and repeatable swing.  His defense continues to improve, as well as his arm strength, as he's increased his positional velocity from the crouch to 74 mph.  Look for Smith to contribute to Live Oak this spring and possibly even crack the opening day lineup behind the plate.

 

 

 

-2025 1B Mason Leblanc (St. Amant HS)

Physical and athletic 6'0" 170 lbs. frame; Leblanc was a staple in the middle of of a potent 2021 Jr. Future Games lineup this past summer and comes in at #14 in our 2025 state rankings release.  The left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open, upright, and balanced stance, striding out with his front leg back to center before launch.  Leblanc has that classic left-handed swing with a flat path and slightly uphill extension through the baseball.  Showed present pull-side power this summer with a max exit velocity of 92 mph.  A good runner as well that posted a 7.07 in the 60.  The St. Amant product will be a left-handed bat to follow closely in the 2025 class moving forward.

 

 

 

 

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