As the 2024 Louisiana high school season nears, and we finish up our last round of rankings update of the year, we take a look at some players that are primed and ready for big years.  This can be a pivotal year for many of these players, as some will earn starting spots on their varsity squads, and others will be relied on as key contributors.  Today, we continue our "Pick to Click" series, by highlighting several right-handed pitchers below that we feel are primed to make a splash in 2024.  Be sure to follow along the next few days, as we will be releasing additional "picks to click" for different position groups.  

LOUISIANA PICKS TO CLICK: RIGHT-HANDED PITCHERS

+ 2024 RHP Austin Pounds (Archbishop Hannan HS)

The projectable 6'3" 170 lbs. right-handed hurler was a newcomer to last month's state rankings update for the 2024 class, debuting at #52 overall.  Pounds gradually builds-up in his delivery before using a long & loose arm stroke to release the ball from a 3/4-high 3/4 slot.  His FB sits in the mid-80's, which we feel will likely tick up this spring, and he also showed the ability to land his CH to both RHH's and LHH's.  The Archbishop Hannan product also uses an "11-5" shaped low-70's CB to round out his three-pitch mix.  Programs looking to an add arm in the 2024 class should definitely give Pounds a look during the high school season.

+ 2024 RHP Hudson Spangler (Zachary HS)

Durable 6'2" 195 lbs. frame with a physical lower-half.  The Zachary HS product just finished up his senior football season, where he led the Broncos to the state title game, as their "QB1".  Spangler will now have his sights on helping Zachary on the baseball diamond this coming spring on both sides of the ball.  On the mound, is where we see his greatest upside, as he commands an upper-80's FB, to go along with a sharp mid-70's SL.  A two-sport athlete, Spangler is ultra-competitive and is another uncommitted senior that deserves a look this coming spring.

+ 2025 RHP Cade Durbin (Parkview Baptist HS)

The former Future Gamer is one of several Eagles arms that we're eyeing to see this coming spring.  Athletic and wiry 6'0" 155 lbs. frame; Durbin is an athletic mover down the slope with a quick arm.  His FB has been in the 83-85 mph range, but that will likely tick up this coming spring.  Durbin's feel for spin, however, is his separator, as he owns one of the best breaking balls in the state with spin rates that near 3,000 RPM's.  Uncommitted for now, he's a really good 2025 arm to get out and see in a couple of months.  

+ 2025 RHP Samuel Mitchell (Parkview Baptist HS)

We said that the Eagles have several arms that are worth seeing this spring didn't we?  Long and lean 6'1" 165 lbs. frame with plenty of room to grow; Mitchell was a standout on the mound at this fall's State Games.  Mitchell works quickly throughout a deliberate delivery and uses a loose & easy arm stroke to release the ball from a 3/4 slot.  His FB sits in the mid-80's with arm-side sink & run, and plays best when down in the zone.  He pairs his heater well with a 73-75 mph SL with short/lateral break that he can land for both strikes and swing & miss.  

+ 2026 RHP Logan Sorrel (Dunham HS)

Physical and projectable 6'3" 190 lbs. frame.  The Dunham HS product recently rose up our 2026 National Rankings to #121 overall, and after this spring, he'll have the opportunity to firmly put himself into the Top 100, if not higher.  There's an ease to Sorrel's operation that really makes him appealing, as he's able to generate a FB up to 90 mph with little effort.  He also shows aptitude for spin with a sharp, late-breaking 78-80 mph SL that has the makings of a future out-pitch.  

+ 2026 RHP Hayes Holton (Loranger HS)

Much like Sorrel above, Holton was another guy that jumped up our rankings, both at the state and national level, as he rose to #4 and #212 respectively in each.  The 6'3" 175 lbs. righty is another athletic mover down the mound with a super quick arm and a FB up to 90 mph.  He also has feel for a mid-70's SL with short/tight lateral break to go along with a low-80's CH.  We suspect that Holton will make quite the name for himself this coming spring at Loranger.