Magnolia State Games: Data Dive, Pitchers
June 29, 2024
HATTIESBURG, MS - The 2024 Magnolia State Games was held on June 18th and 19th at Pete Taylor Park on the campus of Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, MS. This event was an invite-only event that consisted of some prospects from the 2025-2028 classes across all parts of Mississippi. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw simulated innings during gameplay 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 at the event.
Continuing our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look at some of the standouts from the Magnolia State Games. Below, you can find the leaderboards on the pitchers from the Magnolia State Games.
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FASTBALL
MAX VELOCITY (MPH)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
1 | Cannon Hensarling | MS | OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 91.2 mph |
2 | Maddox Miller | MS | Oak Grove | 2025 | 1B | 89.3 mph |
3 | Bankston Walters | MS | PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 88.2 mph |
4 | Sawyer Bates | MS | Canton Academy | 2025 | LHP | 86.9 mph |
5 | Jackson Meehan | MS | Northwest Rankin | 2026 | SS | 86.8 mph |
6 | Rylan Kentner | MS | North Pontotoc High School | 2027 | RHP | 86.8 mph |
7 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 86.6 mph |
8 | Elijah Sanders | MS | Lewisburg High School | 2026 | RHP | 86.2 mph |
9 | Aiden Peets | MS | MADISON RIDGELAND ACADEMY | 2026 | 2B | 86.0 mph |
10 | Rece Atkinson | MS | Kosciusko | 2027 | RHP | 85.9 mph |
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Grady Mitchell | MS | CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 2266 rpm |
2 | Bankston Walters | MS | PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 2241 rpm |
3 | Rylan Kentner | MS | North Pontotoc High School | 2027 | RHP | 2226 rpm |
4 | Cannon Hensarling | MS | OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 2209 rpm |
5 | Parker Orr | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | OF | 2180 rpm |
6 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 2172 rpm |
7 | Connor Simpson | MS | DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | LHP | 2171 rpm |
8 | Maddox Miller | MS | Oak Grove | 2025 | 1B | 2093 rpm |
9 | Conner Black | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 2065 rpm |
10 | Jackson Meehan | MS | Northwest Rankin | 2026 | SS | 2060 rpm |
Spin Rate: This metric calculates the rate of spin on the baseball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Historical data shows that high-spin fastballs lessen the impact of gravity, allowing for more ‘rise’ (or less fall, in other words) as it carries through the zone. Low-spin fastballs typically indicate the pitch has greater horizontal action, often making it tougher to square up, but generally easier to make contact with, leading to more ground balls, while high-spin fastballs show a correlation with swings and misses.
SPIN EFFICIENCY% (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Efficiency % (avg) |
1 | Eli Bagley | MS | Hernando | 2027 | OF | 94 % |
2 | Weston Stanton | MS | MYRTLE ATTENDANCE CENTER | 2027 | RHP | 94 % |
3 | Tanner Harris | MS | LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | 94 % |
4 | Tre Adcox | MS | BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 | 3B | 94 % |
5 | Jaxon Herod | MS | WEST UNION ATTENDANCE CENTER | 2028 | 2B | 92 % |
Spin Efficiency: This metric is the percentage of the raw spin rate that directly impacts pitch movement; so while raw spin is measured by revolutions per minute (rpm), spin efficiency is the ratio of true spin divided by raw spin. It’s important to understand that more is not always better when it comes to spin efficiency. The optimal spin efficiency on a pitch depends on the pitch type and should be understood in the context of a pitcher’s entire arsenal. Regarding the true four-seam fastball, a spin efficiency close to 100 percent is preferable, indicating that nearly all the backspin generated on the ball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand is contributing to the “riding” action the pitch has as it enters and exits the strike zone, making it especially effective in the upper third of the strike zone.
INDUCED VERTICAL BREAK (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) |
1 | Connor Simpson | MS | DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | LHP | 18.5 in |
2 | Eli Bagley | MS | Hernando | 2027 | OF | 17.8 in |
3 | Aiden Peets | MS | MADISON RIDGELAND ACADEMY | 2026 | 2B | 17.8 in |
4 | Grady Mitchell | MS | CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 17.5 in |
5 | Jaxson Moore | MS | HARRISON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 17.5 in |
Induced Vertical Break: Used in short form as "IVB," this metric is most important on fastballs for creating rise and on curveballs for creating depth – it can also have some use when measuring sliders and cutters as well. Sliders tend to be closer to zero inches while cutters are generally between 5 and 15 inches. Usually fastballs and curveballs with large IVB have higher spin efficiencies as well. Sliders generally have very little (closer to zero) IVB and very low spin efficiency. You could also categorize IVB into spin rate as this is part of the “useful movement” you’re looking for. IVB is also a huge part of the vertical approach angle.
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Woods Roberson | MS | Hartfield | 2025 | RHP | 16.8 |
2 | Weston Stanton | MS | MYRTLE ATTENDANCE CENTER | 2027 | RHP | 16.5 |
3 | Rylan Kentner | MS | North Pontotoc High School | 2027 | RHP | 15.7 |
4 | Cash James | MS | Presbyterian Christian School | 2026 | OF | 15.7 |
5 | Tre Adcox | MS | BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 | 3B | 15.5 |
Horizontal Break: Outlined on TrackMan’s own website: “... horizontal movement is measured in inches between where the pitch actually crosses the front of home plate side-wise, and where it would have crossed home plate side-wise if had it traveled in a perfectly straight line from release. A positive number means the break was to the right from the pitcher’s perspective, while a negative number means the break was to the left from the pitcher’s perspective.”
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Bankston Walters | MS | PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 70 % |
2 | Cannon Hensarling | MS | OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 68 % |
3 | Houston Williams | MS | CANTON ACADEMY | 2026 | RHP | 66 % |
4 | Hayden Lundine | MS | Marshall Academy | 2025 | OF | 60 % |
5 | Eli Withers | MS | FRENCH CAMP ACADEMY | 2026 | RHP | 58 % |
^ | Wyatt McDaniels | MS | MOOREVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 | C | 58 % |
Average MLB pitchers throw 62 percent strikes, and better pitchers throw strikes 65 percent of the time, or a ratio of roughly 2:1, strikes to balls.
CURVEBALL
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | James Blackwood | MS | OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | 2423 rpm |
2 | Conner Black | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 2409 rpm |
3 | Cash James | MS | Presbyterian Christian School | 2026 | OF | 2318 rpm |
4 | Parker Orr | MS | Jackson Academy | 2027 | OF | 2298 rpm |
5 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 2197 rpm |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Sawyer Bates | MS | Canton Academy | 2025 | LHP | 17.6 |
2 | Woods Roberson | MS | Hartfield | 2025 | RHP | 17.6 |
3 | Conner Black | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | -15.0 |
4 | Wil Drew | MS | Copiah Academy | 2026 | RHP | -12.3 |
5 | James Blackwood | MS | OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | OF | -11.4 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Cooper Richardson | MS | DeSoto Central | 2025 | RHP | 80 % |
^ | Jaxson Moore | MS | HARRISON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 80 % |
2 | Connor Young | MS | HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 75 % |
^ | Rece Atkinson | MS | Kosciusko | 2027 | RHP | 75 % |
3 | Ayden Dartez | MS | St. Stanislaus | 2027 | C | 69 % |
4 | Wyatt McDaniels | MS | MOOREVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 | C | 66 % |
^ | Aiden Peets | MS | MADISON RIDGELAND ACADEMY | 2026 | 2B | 66 % |
^ | Wil Drew | MS | Copiah Academy | 2026 | RHP | 66 % |
^ | Reid Garrett | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 66 % |
^ | Hayden Lundine | MS | Marshall Academy | 2025 | OF | 66 % |
5 | Weston Stanton | MS | MYRTLE ATTENDANCE CENTER | 2027 | RHP | 63 % |
SLIDER
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Cannon Hensarling | MS | OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 2539 |
2 | Rylan Kentner | MS | North Pontotoc High School | 2027 | RHP | 2510 |
3 | Bankston Walters | MS | PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 2409 |
4 | Conner Black | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 2409 |
5 | Hayden Wilson | MS | MADISON CENTRAL | 2026 | SS | 2359 |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Matthew McKinley | MS | JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 2025 | LHP | 13.6 |
2 | Conner Black | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | -13.5 |
3 | Kellen Garcia | MS | SUMRALL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | -11.6 |
4 | Sawyer Bates | MS | Canton Academy | 2025 | LHP | 11.6 |
5 | Reid Garrett | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | -11.1 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Jackson Meehan | MS | Northwest Rankin | 2026 | SS | 100 % |
^ | Ayden Dartez | MS | St. Stanislaus | 2027 | C | 100 % |
2 | Reid Garrett | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 80 % |
3 | Houston Williams | MS | CANTON ACADEMY | 2026 | RHP | 66 % |
^ | Matthew McKinley | MS | JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 2025 | LHP | 66 % |
4 | Parker Hicks | MS | NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 | 3B | 55 % |
5 | Cannon Hensarling | MS | OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Maddox Miller | MS | Oak Grove | 2025 | 1B | 50 % |
^ | Bankston Walters | MS | PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Jax Coker | MS | TUPELO CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Sawyer Bates | MS | Canton Academy | 2025 | LHP | 50 % |
CHANGEUP
SPIN RATE (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) |
1 | Jax Coker | MS | TUPELO CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 2024 rpm |
2 | Hayden Wilson | MS | MADISON CENTRAL | 2026 | SS | 1974 rpm |
3 | Connor Simpson | MS | DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | LHP | 1930 rpm |
4 | Rece Atkinson | MS | Kosciusko | 2027 | RHP | 1839 rpm |
5 | Cannon Hensarling | MS | OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 1830 rpm |
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) |
1 | Rylan Kentner | MS | North Pontotoc High School | 2027 | RHP | 19.2 |
2 | Aidan Strong | MS | ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 18.1 |
3 | Weston Stanton | MS | MYRTLE ATTENDANCE CENTER | 2027 | RHP | 16.4 |
4 | Tre Adcox | MS | BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL | 2027 | 3B | 15.9 |
5 | Jackson Meehan | MS | Northwest Rankin | 2026 | SS | 15.5 |
STRIKE ZONE RATE%
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
1 | Rylan Kentner | MS | North Pontotoc High School | 2027 | RHP | 100 % |
^ | Hayden Wilson | MS | MADISON CENTRAL | 2026 | SS | 100 % |
^ | Jackson Meehan | MS | Northwest Rankin | 2026 | SS | 100 % |
^ | Connor Simpson | MS | DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | LHP | 100 % |
^ | Houston Williams | MS | CANTON ACADEMY | 2026 | RHP | 100 % |
2 | Tanner Harris | MS | LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | C | 80 % |
^ | Conner Moore | MS | South Jones | 2025 | LHP | 80 % |
3 | Conner Black | MS | CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | SS | 75 % |
^ | Hayden Smith | MS | MAGNOLIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 75 % |
4 | Jaxson Moore | MS | HARRISON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 66 % |
^ | Austin Sanders | MS | PISGAH HIGH SCHOOL | 2026 | RHP | 66 % |
5 | Matthew McKinley | MS | JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 2025 | LHP | 50 % |
^ | Woods Roberson | MS | Hartfield | 2025 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Sawyer Bates | MS | Canton Academy | 2025 | LHP | 50 % |
^ | Weston Stanton | MS | MYRTLE ATTENDANCE CENTER | 2027 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Cannon Hensarling | MS | OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | 2025 | RHP | 50 % |
^ | Aiden Peets | MS | MADISON RIDGELAND ACADEMY | 2026 | 2B | 50 % |
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- MS Magnolia State Games: Data Dive, Pitchers 6/29/24
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- MS Easley Scout Day: Catcher Reports 6/28/24
- MS Magnolia State Games: Data Dive, Positional Players 6/28/24
- MS Easley Scout Day: Outfielder Reports 6/27/24
- MS Magnolia State Games: Vizual Edge Scoreboard 6/27/24
- MS Easley Scout Day: Infielder Reports 6/26/24
- MS Magnolia State Games: Swift Performance Leaderboards 6/26/24
- MS Magnolia State Games: Blast Motion Board 6/25/24
- MS Magnolia State Games: TrackMan Files 6/24/24