With the conclusion of the off-season and the spring season set to get underway in just a few short days, our staff has updated the state's 2024 Rankings for the first time in 2023. Though there's not much shakeup on this new board, we have expanded the rankings by a handful of names, rising and adding a few names as a result.

Below you'll learn more about these updated rankings for the state's current junior class, including more information on prospects that climbed and those who debuted for the first time.

 

TOP RISERS & NEWCOMERS

+ RHP Ian Herrington (West Lauderdale, 2024)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 185-pounds. Is an intriguing right-handed arm that displays plenty of projection to the wiry, lean and athletic frame. Last fall, made an appearance over at the Alabama Fall Games in late August, consistently filling up the strike zone with a live fastball at 86-88 mph. Repeatable arm-action that played with an OTT arm slot, mixed in a breaking ball as a secondary offering at 68-70 mph with good depth. High upside, will continue to develop and make strides in velocity.

+ RHP Jack Ketchum (Heritage Academy, 2024)
Ketchum uses unusually long arm action on the mound with stuff galore. The 6-3 205 pound righty featured an event best at the MS Preseason All-State, with an 88 mph fastball with very solid arm side action and 2300 spin. His sweeping slider will get tons of swings and misses with sharp late action and spin rates hovering around 2400. Right handed hitters will not enjoy facing Ketchum this spring and his uncommitted tag will probably be removed in the near future.

+ OF Jackson White (Wayne Academy, 2024; Pearl River CC)
White stands out with his lean and athletic frame at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, a lot of tools to go along with the body as well. Was another standout from the event in Madison on January 21st, had a noteworthy round of batting practice to go along with a handful of others from the event. Creates some natural lift and tilt in the swing, easy and loose hands with solid barrel control, posted a top EV at 96 mph from the event, defensively was clean from the outfield, athletic arm that was up to 88 mph. Interesting prospect follow in the 2024 class.

+ 3B Jayson Smith Jr. (Southaven, 2024)
Smith was another guy from the MS Preseason All-State that immediately jumped onto the radar of our scouts from the event. A heavier set body that moves well for the size of the frame at 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. In the box, shows aggression with each swing, finds the barrel consistently with effortless pop to all parts of the field. A balanced set up in the box, controlled and smooth stride. Shows upside with the glove and is solid defensively. Look for Smith to make some noise in the northern part of the state this spring.

+ 1B Chap Cook (Canton Academy, 2024; Pearl River CC)
Cook carries a big, strong frame with him. The first baseman from Canton Academy used a line drive approach with slight loft to send several line drives into the right center field gap with authority. Cook was consistently in the mid 90’s with his exit velocities with an event high 97 mph. Shows a mature approach in the box, at the MS Preseason All-State in January, Cook had multiple liners back up the middle of the field, found loud barrels consistently. Smooth and easy stroke from the left side.

 

TOP-5 UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS

MISSISSIPPI TOP-5