Hattiesburg, MS - The Mississippi Open was held on Wednesday, June 8th at Pete Taylor Park on the campus of The University of Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, MS. This event consisted of some of the top prospects from the 2023-2027 classes. These players went through a pro-style workout and took batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion to record hitting metrics. Pitchers were able to throw in a bullpen setting and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement & much more. 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 at the event. 

Today we are continuing to release our individual scouting reports on each player present as we take a look at the infielders from the event.

 

Jon Parker Dees, Manchester Academy (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Conventional set up, slight preset load Very short stride, stays inside legs well at contact, line drive approach while using all fields.
Power: 77.2 max exit velocity, averaged 71.8 mph. 240’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short, quick arm action.
Defense: Solid, yet still developing footwork and movement patterns.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

Brooks Wallis, Northwest Rankin (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, rhythmic stance, easy controlled load and conventional stride, hands work inside the ball well through contact. At the moment, looks to pull with developing pop.
Power: 87.3 max exit velocity, averaged 79 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Quick arm action with some length.
Defense: Solid footwork, still developing, though shows a clear understanding of the fundamental movements of the infield position.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

Cody Presley, Germantown (MS), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 181-pounds. Strong durable frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic set up with hands close to head. Creates leverage into load, easy controlled short stride with aggression and extension into contact. Current pull side pop.
Power: 92.2 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 348’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Loose arm action with whip.
Defense: Good footwork and movements, works well to both sides of the ball.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Corey Watkins, Madison-Ridgeland (MS), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Strong durable frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, quiet stance, slow tempo with load creating some leverage, slight knee lift with tempo increasing into contact, looks to drive baseball to all fields with more developing power, level path with slight launch.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.1 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 78 mph. Shorter, yet quick arm action.
Defense: Solid footwork at 1B and developing consistency on throws.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60. 

Walker Van Meter, St. Andrews Episcopal (MS), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/1B
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Solid, projectable build.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance with slight preset load. Quick, short stride, hands drop into load with level attack angle through contact, some aggression.
Power: 90.7 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Good path with some quickness.
Defense: Quick feet and still developing footwork, positioned body well on all angles.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

Phillip Herring, Greene County (MS), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-2, 235-pounds. Big, solid frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, open stance, controlled load with toe tap into a long stride. Looks to attack out front with current power. Gap to gap approach with slight lift and plenty of pop to all fields.
Power: 96.1 max exit velocity, averaged 84.9 mph. 369’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, quick arm action on throws from 1st.
Defense: Solid footwork and feel for position. Good accuracy on throws. Moves well for a big frame.
Run:  runner in the 60. 

Jaxson Moore, Harrison Central (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 275-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open stance, high hand set, small load creating leverage in hands. Slight, quick toe tap with aggression into contact. Pull side approach, level swing path with occasional launch.
Power: 85.8 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long, fairly loose arm action.
Defense: Developing footwork, fields the ball out front slightly to the side. Developing accuracy on throws.
Run: 9.43 runner in the 60. 

Jack Dye, Madison-Ridgeland (MS), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, with a high handset. Easy, controlled load into conventional stride. Solid bat path and ability to use all fields with a line drive approach.
Power: 84.1 max exit velocity, averaged 77 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Quick arm action.
Defense: Great range and feel for middle infield. Good angles on ground balls. Solid hands and easy quick transfers with accuracy on throws.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Max Garrett, Hancock (MS), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic stance, up tempo load, slight toe tap into stride. Short compact swing with all fields approach with launch.
Power: 90.4 max exit velocity, averaged 85.4 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Loose, quick arm action.
Defense: Quick feet, solid range and developing hands. quick transfer with accuracy.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60. Solid runner, quick start.

Alex Lambert, Madison-Ridgeland (MS), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-7, 135-pounds. Athletic, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open, athletic stance with high handset. Small controlled load into conventional stride. Hands work well into contact. Level swing path and solid line drive approach using all fields. Occasional slight launch.
Power: 82.7 max exit velocity, averaged 76.9 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Quick arm action.
Defense: Advanced movements, good range though still developing. Soft hands with solid positioning on all angles.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Chavez, Central Hinds (MS), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Conventional, athletic stance. Easy, controlled load creating leverage into conventional stride. Solid bat path and ability to use all fields with a line drive approach. Cuts swing off a little early.
Power: 89.2 max exit velocity, averaged 80.4 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Loose, 3/4 arm action.
Defense: Solid footwork and feel for position. Good accuracy on throws from the lower slot. Shows range and good positioning.
Run: 7.93 runner in the 60. 

Kasen Hogbin, Lewisburg (MS), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic stance. Conventional load and stride. Level bat path with some pop. Looking to drive the ball to all fields.
Power: 89.2 max exit velocity, averaged 77 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Long arm action with some restrictions.
Defense: Good footwork, Solid glove positioning and all angles. Clean, natural exchange
Run: 8.06 runner in the 60. 

Samuel Steelman, Central Hinds (MS), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance with elevated handset. Easy controlled load and stride. Good hand direction and works barrel to all fields. As the body matures, pop will come.
Power: 82.9 max exit velocity, averaged 74.8 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Loose, lengthy arm action.
Defense: Solid footwork, developing glove work and consistency on throws.
Run: 8.50 runner in the 60. 

Kyler King, Picayune (MS), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance with high handset. Easy load with slight knee lift. Aggression into contact with level swing and gap to gap approach. Advanced upside.
Power: 89.8 max exit velocity, averaged 82.3 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Very quick, loose arm action.
Defense: Polished look and solid athletic footwork. Showed good range and positioning on all ground ball angles.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Parrow, Madison Central (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Conventional, athletic stance, slightly open. Conventional stride. Level bat path (slight launch) with some pop. Looking to drive the ball to all fields.
Power: 91.1 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Quick arm action.
Defense: Athletic, slightly choppy footwork. Clean, natural transfer. Consistent accuracy on throws.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Carson Schmelzer, Oxford (MS), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. 
Power: 93.3 max exit velocity, averaged 84.9 mph. 338’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Loose, lengthy arm action.
Defense: Good footwork, solid glove positioning and all angles at both infield spots. Clean, natural exchange.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Tre Adcox, Forest  (MS), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic, still developing frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic open stance with slight preset load. Small load with easy controlled stride. Hands work well into contact with pull side approach and developing pop. Tons of upside.
Power: 88.3 max exit velocity, averaged 81.6 mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Loose, lengthy arm action.
Defense: Very solid footwork with advanced upside. Strong, accurate arm.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Cannon Turner, Purvis (MS), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds. Long, lengthy frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance with relaxed hand set. Quick load into a slight crouch and creates some leverage. Stays behind the baseball well at contact with good extension. Works gap to gap with line drive approach.
Power: 83.3 max exit velocity, averaged 71.1 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Decent length to arm action.
Defense: Good footwork, Solid glove positioning and all angles. Clean, natural exchange.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Brett Whitten, NorthPoint Christian (MS), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 230-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Conventional, athletic stance. Big load into short stride, pull side approach with level bat path with occasional launch.
Power: 90.3 max exit velocity, averaged 83.8 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Decent length to arm action.
Defense: Solid footwork, developing glove work and consistency on throws.
Run: 8.02 runner in the 60. 

 

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