Prep Baseball Report

Quick Hits - Louisiana Preseason I.D.


Alex Armand
Louisiana Scouting Director

The Louisiana Preseason I.D. took place on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the beautiful Live Oak Baseball Complex.  The event saw over 40 of the state's top prospects from the 2021-2024 classes.

Today we take an early look at some of the standout performers from the event. 

 

LEFT HANDED PITCHERS

-2022 Dawson Curtin (Live Oak HS) remains uncommitted, but that shouldn't be for long, as the southpaw was definitely a standout from last Saturday.  On a freezing cold day at Live Oak, Curtin flashed a heavy 81-83 mph FB, topping out at 84 mph.  During November's Louisiana All-State Games, Curtin was up to 87 mph, in warmer weather, and we expect that velocity to jump back up this spring.  His 75-77 mph SL was the pitch that has seen a ton of improvement over the last couple of months, as it had late, breaking action in the hitting zone sitting 75-77 mph.  

 

RIGHT HANDED PITCHERS

-2023 Konnor Graham (Hammond HS) has an ultra-projectable 6'5" 195 lbs. frame.  Repeatable delivery with a short, quick arm action, and a FB that got up to 84 mph, again on a freezing cold day, should excite college recruiters.  Expect Graham to also make a nice velo jump come spring time.  2022 Hunter Bethel (Walker HS) was another interesting RHP on the day, as he ran his FB up to 84 mph, sitting 82-83 mph.  Also flashed a near "12-6" shaped CB that he consistently landed for strikes.

 

CATCHERS

-We've talked a lot about 2022 Caleb Webb (Walker HS) and he had another good showing on Saturday.  He continued to flash pull side power during his BP round and also showed a velo jump from the catching position, reaching 77 mph.  2024 Cooper Winchester (St. Paul's HS) also stood out behind the dish.  The freshman showed advanced receiving and blocking during bullpens as the day ended.  

 

OUTFIELDERS

-2022 Crawford Courville (Barbe HS) had another good day on Saturday, continuing to show that his tools are starting to translate to his on-field play.  Produced a 90 mph exit velocity during BP, consistently squaring up baseballs.  Also, posted a personal best 87 mph positional velocity.  His teammate, 2023 Ashton Quiller (Barbe HS), also had a good showing.  Quiller ran a 6.91 in the 60 and showed a short, compact swing during BP that produced hard contact to all fields.  He also threw 83 mph from the OF.

 

INFIELDERS

-2023 Matthew Keller (Zachary HS) continued to show his gritty, hard nosed style of play in the infield by showing athletic actions, clean exchanges, and a personal best 81 mph positional velocity and 7.56 in the 60.  2022 Bryce Babin (Chalmette HS) showed the ability to multiple things on the field and do them all well on Saturday.  Ran a 7.40 in the 60, threw 85 mph from the INF and OF, and posted an 83 mph exit velocity, while repeating his short and simple stroke.