On yesterday Wednesday, Nov. 14th, prospects were officially eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI), binding their commitment to attend that school and continue their playing careers. Mississippi’s 2019 class has already showcased its depth with well over 100 prospects having already signed to their respective schools or made verbal commitments, including 25 D1 commitments while 10 of those being to SEC schools.

Over the next few weeks Prep Baseball Report Mississippi will take a look at in-state recruiting classes across the Magnolia State.  We begin our coverage with the in-state recruiting classes of the Big 3, Mississippi State, Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi, as they collectively nabbed a total of twelve in state prospects in the 2019 class. 

To see a complete list of commitments from around the state, Click Here.

Mississippi State
+ Logan Tanner (George County HS) is a stocky-strong 5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed pitcher and catcher that has been up to  95 mph this summer. The fastball flashes some arm side life, and also mixes in an 80-82 mph slider. Arm strength also plays well behind the plate when he is catching, as he has shown quality catch and throw ability. Where Tanner lacks in flashy size, he makes up for it with his resilience as a competitor.

+ Infielder Kamren James (Desoto Central HS) has a lean, athletic frame at 6-foot, 170-pounds which could potentially project him to a corner position in college. Working with soft hands, James understands angles and hops, allowing him to show some range on the infield. The right-handed approach at the plate should also play well with solid bat speed creating consistent line drive power to both gaps. Would be hard to imagine him not being a productive player at the college level.

+ Austin Kelly (Washington HS) is a skilled receiver and blocker who displays solid athleticism behind the dish. Kelly also adds a solid left-handed bat with a solid approach and gap-to-gap ability.

+ Right-handed pitcher Joshua Hill (Indianola Academy) came onto the scene late but made a big impact, running his fastball up to 89 mph. His ability to command the zone combined with a quality-breaking ball could prove to be a challenge to opposing hitters at the next level. The arm works well from a high-¾ slot and Hill has the look of an arm with more in the tank.

+ Hunter French (Desoto Central HS) is a right-handed hitter with short, compact swing, flat path and a quality plate approach. Most likely projects as a second baseman flashing soft hands, enough arm strength and the fundamental knack to play the game.

Southern Mississippi
+ Outfielder and corner infielder Billy Garrity (Sumrall HS) is strong physical left-handed hitter with rotational power. A two-sport athlete, Garrity hit .341 with eight home runs, and stole five bases in his junior season. Creates some good leverage and lift through the zone, with the ball exploding off his barrel.

+ Dallas Dyar (Clinton HS) is a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher with projectable build. The lean, athletic frame allows arm to work cleanly, producing a low 90’s fastball. Dyar finished his junior season with an ERA of 2.7 while striking out 56 opposing hitters. Should become a very nice college arm if the command continues to improve to supplement the fastball velocity.

+ Ben Ethridge (West Lauderdale HS) is another projectable righty that works with a mid to upper 80’s fastball. Ethridge is the typical pitchability guy when he has command of his three quality pitches. In his junior year, Ethridge finished with a 9-2 record with a 1.07 ERA and 90 strike outs.

+ Dustin Dickerson (West Jones HS) is a middle infielder and right-handed pitcher that has shown soft hands defensively, a gap approach at the plate as well as a solid understanding of the game. On the mound, Dickerson’s fastball can reach the low 90’s combined with sharp breaking ball.  The arm strength, athleticism and baseball IQ should make Dickerson  an impact player for the Eagles.

University of Mississippi
+ Two-sport athlete, Jerrion Ealy (Jackson Prep) displays centerfield tools as he has an elite run tool with good instincts and tracking speed.  He hits from the right side with smooth rhythm and has continued to flash the ability to find barrel and drive the ball from gap-to-gap. The quick-twitch athleticism will definitely translate well to the next level and will also be why he will hear his name called early in June.

+ Hayden Dunhurst (Pearl River Central HS) is a durable and athletic catcher with the athleticism to move to a corner outfield position if needed. Dunhurst has shown high level catch and throw ability with good hip flexibility and elite arm strength from behind the plate. The left handed bat should also play well at the next level, as he has displayed the potential to hit for power with strong wrists and whippy hands through the zone.

+ Mitch Murrell (Ocean Springs HS) is a physically built right-hander and has continued to solidify himself as one of the top pitchers in the state. Murrell has run his fastball into the low 90’s this past summer flashing a solid secondary pitch. Has shown the ability to create deception in his athletic delivery, allowing pitch to get on hitters quickly, which could prove to be a challenge for hitters at the next level.