Prep Baseball Report

A Look Inside 2021 Rankings


Ronald Sims
Mississippi Scouting Director

Prep Baseball Report Mississippi released its initial Class of 2021 Rankings, after our scouting staff tracked down the top emerging talent at high school games, tournaments and showcases during the spring and summer months.

To see the Mississippi 2021 rankings release story, click HERE.

To see the entire class of 2021 rankings from Mississippi, click HERE.

Today we take a look several prospects that made their way into the initial list.

 

Parker Ryan C / OF / Jackson Academy, MS / 2021

Lean with proportional strength throughout his athletic, 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame. Displayed quality level of athleticism posting a 6.9 60-yard dash time. Defensively showed flexible hips and quick feet, gaining ground working through the ball on throws to second with a quick release and strong throws with pop times between 1.85-1.97 (77 mph from crouch). At the plate, the left-handed hitter sets up with a solid base with his weight evenly distributed. Weight shift back with a knee knock load that triggers minor hand movement back, his barrel works uphill through the zone with strength and quickness that is aided by aggressive hips. Balanced throughout, barrel shows some lag in the zone which may allow him to drive the ball to both gaps producing an exit velocity of 85 mph.

Nikolas Mazza SS / RHP / Madison Ridgeland Academy, MS / 2021

 

Lean, athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. The left-handed hitters starts from a tall stance, then loads back with a subtle leg lift before taking a short stride forward, landing into an athletic launch position. Good bat lag through the zone with quick-strong hands for his class. Flat path and loose finish of the barrel creates leverage to the gaps with an exit velocity of 80 mph. Solid defender plays through the ball with rhythm, plays out front with soft hands, makes accurate throws from different slots, posting a positional velocity of 85 mph. Right-handed pitcher working from a high-¾ release, with quick arm stroke, solid balance, smooth rhythm, and effort in delivery. Slightly uphill front-side working down mound with in-line direction, and finishes athletically. Fastball sat 84-85 mph and jumped out of the hand. Breaking ball showed gradual 11/5-shape and spin at 62-63 mph and change was thrown at 70-71 mph.

Cole Tolbert 3B / 1B / West Jones, MS / 2021

Long-limb 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with room to continue to fill. Right-handed pitcher works from high slot with a long takeaway from the glove into a long arm stroke through extension. Tilts his shoulders at balance before working down the mound with a drop and drive delivery, landing square and finishing athletically. Fastball was thrown at 80-81 mph and was commanded around the zone. Breaking ball showed early spin at 68-69 mph and change was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 67-69 mph.