HATTIESBURG, MS - The Magnolia State Games was held on Tuesday, June 13th and Wednesday June 14th at the The University of Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, MS. This event was the top invite-only event that consisted of some of the top prospects from the 2024-2027 classes across all parts of Mississippi. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman, ran the 60 yard dash using Swift Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated innings during game play and were able to get numbers and metrics via TrackMan. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top performers and standouts from Tuesday. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release different statistical leaderboards for the event along with other pieces of content.

View all positional stats HERE.

 

 

quick hits

+ INF Reid Kent (Oxford, 2024) could have been the star of the show over our two days at the University of Southern Mississippi. The third baseman from Oxford had a solid showing both offensively and defensively during the showcase portion of the event, including a 101 mph exit velocity reading, and then carried it right over to gameplay with a few loud at bats. The uncommitted rising senior had a spectacular year for the Chargers and should be garnering quite a bit of interests this summer from recruiters. 

+ OF Chesley Rhodes (Saint Stanislaus, 2024) was another loud batting practice round with multiple high 90 mph connections, including a 100.4 on Tuesday. Rhodes, an uncommitted outfielder was solid for the Rock-a-Chaws this year while hitting at a .441 clip with 8 homers. On Wednesday he showed off his impressive in-game ability with a massive home run high off the new score board netting at USM. Rhodes has offers and could be getting close to making a decision which should boost that particular teams power output. 

+ OF Cade Fairley (Warren Central, 2024) is yet another bat with next level power potential. The uncommitted 2024 from Warren Central was very loud at the plate during his BP round on Tuesday with multiple mid to upper 90 mph exit velocities as well, including a 100 mph line drive to center. Fairley is also a sure handed outfielder with an arm (91 mph) in which he dares opposing runners to try and advance. 

+ OF South McCoy (Tupelo, 2025) is just an all around good baseball player. The 2025 from Tupelo had a well rounded showing on Tuesday with advanced metrics in most areas and his ability transfers to game play most definitely. McCoy uses a line drive approach with occasional loft which will allow him to hit for power though most of his damage should come in the gaps at the moment. He can also play multiple positions on the field with a strong arm and very good instincts. 

+ INF Dayne Wray (Tupelo, 2025) turned plenty of heads this week with advanced play in multiple infield positions. The rising junior from Tupelo ran well (6.83) which increases his range, which combined with sure hands, fluid movements, and a strong arm, should create multiple opportunities to break into most lineups. At the plate Wray used a line drive, middle of the field approach with exit velocities averaging in the mid 90's. 

+ INF Baylor Roberts (Saltillo, 2025) could be arguably the smoothest glove in state and showed why on Tuesday and Wednesday both in defensive evaluations and during game play. The uncommitted rising junior from Saltillo just keeps getting better in all areas too. One thing we were waiting on was his body to mature and he has added size and more pop to his game. Roberts picked up 5 home runs on the season for Saltillo and that number could increase as he continues to mature. 

+ C Ethan Walker (Purvis, 2025) has emerged in to one of the top catching prospects in the 2025 class in Mississippi and on Tuesday and Wednesday we got an extended look at how much he has developed. Using quick feet and transfers, along with a strong arm (77 mph) from behind the plate Walker turned in solid pop times ranging from 1.91 to 2.09 with next level blocking and receiving skills. At the plate Walker keeps his hands inside the baseball well with a middle to opposite field line drive approach.

+ RHP/INF Cannon Hensarling (Ocean Springs, 2025) stepped up to the mound and made everyone pay attention. The rising junior from Ocean Springs worked up to 89 with ease on Tuesday during game play, while rarely dipping below 88 mph. Hensarling showed very good arm side run which made squaring anything up hard for opposing hitters. He also had good feel for a slider that had late biting action which also got plenty of swing and misses. The 2025 is a solid dual prospect that could be locked up by this fall. 

+ LHP Calvin Robinson (Northwest Rankin, 2024) has put in some work over the past several months and it shows. When we last saw Robinson, the rising senior from Northwest Rankin was up to 84, though the sync of his delivery needed work. On Tuesday, his body seemed much more in sync with velocity holding steady 86 to 88 mph (T89) with tons of arm side run. His change up was deadly at times and with continued work he could find himself adding even more velocity to all pitches and being counted on heavily at the next level. 

+ 3B/RHP Cannon Turner (Purvis, 2025) is an intriguing 2025 arm that continues to get better. The rising junior from Purvis has upside at the plate and on defense, though this week he created lots of chatter from recruiters during his time on the mound. With a tall 6-4 frame that is still developing sturdiness, and long loose arm action, his fastball which was up to 85 mph, could see a bump in the near future.

+ RHP Aiden Steht (DeSoto Central, 2025) was a pleasant surprise on the mound as the tall, lean righty from DeSoto Central showed us his easy controlled delivery and fastball which he worked up to 87 mph. Stent's fastball velocity continues to rise each time we see him which is very exciting as his body says more is on the way. He also has feel of his slider and change up, both quality pitches that work well off his fastball. 

+ C Seth Giamportone (Northpoint Christian, 2024) was impressive during catcher evaluations with a very strong arm (79 mph) and quick linear footwork that resulted in an event best pop time of 1.88. In one year, Giamportone, coming off a 2023 state championship with Northpoint Christian, has showed consistent development with arm strength, exit velocity, and pop times over the past year and should now be on most radars for college coaches. 

 

Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Mississippi
Follow on Instagram: @PBRMississippi
Follow on Facebook: Prep Baseball Report - MS

 

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Gulf Coast Open	7/11	Mississippi Gulf Coast CC - (Perkinston, MS)
Gulf Coast Rising Stars ID	7/11	Mississippi Gulf Coast CC - (Perkinston, MS)
PBR Junior Future Games	7/25	LakePoint Sports - Emerson, GA
PBR Future Games	7/26	LakePoint Sports - Emerson, GA

 

Related Content: