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Magnolia State Games: Quick Hits

June 21, 2024
Matt Miller
State Director

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.

Kicking off 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 scout notes and video from the event.

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QUICK HITS

+ RHP Cannon Hensarling (Ocean Springs, 2025) was a Future Gamer last summer and will be invited to the Senior Future Games this summer should he stay uncommitted before the late July event. Though after his solid showing this week, he may be locked up soon. The lean, athletic 6-1, 170 pounder used a fluid and repeatable delivery during his mound stint to generate fastball velocities up to 91 mph. His slider was arguably one of the most effective pitches of the event with feel, quick bite, and spin rates up to 2684. It's hard to imagine the rising senior will be available much longer.

+ 3B Tate Murphy (Saint Stanislaus, 2026) continues to impress each time we see him. His 5-9 stocky frame isn’t typically what you imagine holding down 3rd base but the rising junior plays much bigger. He has the arm to handle the position as well with accurate throws up to 87 mph. At the plate, the right handed hitter uses a middle to pull side approach with slight loft and exit velocities up to 96 mph. The next calendar year could be huge for Murphy.

+ RHP Rylan Kentner (North Pontotoc, 2027) tried to steal the show on Tuesday during his time on the bump. Just a rising sophomore, Kentner showed advanced feel, and command for a slider that produced lots of swings and misses and spin rates over 2700. He also added a fastball that sat 84-86 mph (T87) with arm side run and spin up to 2417. Kentner has upside as a two way prospect, though he really stood out on the mound this week. Big time follow!

+ C John Lindsey (Meridian, 2026) has light tower power and is only getting better. The left handed hitting catcher/third baseman is the type of hitter you pay attention to when he steps to the plate. Lindsey can drive the baseball to all fields but he’s looking for a pitch to pull and ultimately do lots of damage. Teams looking to add a major run producer will be knocking his door down soon. 

+ C/INF Ethan Barnes (Magnolia Heights, 2025) is a 2 time Future Games participant and still uncommitted which is hard to believe. We have liked Barnes since the first time we saw him as he excels defensively at multiple positions including behind the plate. His bat was slower to come but it's there now and there’s no reason he shouldn’t be one of the most sought after prospects available in the class. If still available, he is a perfect Senior Future Games invite!

+ LHP/OF Tyner Flynt (Presbyterian Christian, 2026) has definite next level two way ability and will probably have a busy fall speaking with recruiters. The left handed pitcher has a fastball that reaches the upper 80’s and solid secondary offerings. At the plate, the left handed rising junior can spray the baseball all over the field but does a very good job of driving it right back up the box. More power is coming though he projects as a gap to gap doubles type of hitter. 

+ 3B Cody Pigford (West Lauderdale, 2027) has a frame that is still maturing which is how it should be for a 2027, though Pigford plays the game with an advanced feel. He handles 3B very well with a sure glove and very consistent arm that reached 84 mph across the diamond this week. At the plate the right handed hitter works the middle of the field with line drives and finds the barrel like an upperclassman. He has current pop with exit velocities into the low 90’s with plenty more in the future. We definitely look forward to watching his continued progression.

+ OF EJ Booth (Oak Grove, 2026) is continuing to gain traction as one of the top outfield prospects in the country and looking at his development pattern we aren’t sure where his talent stops. This week he lowered his already swift 60 time to an even more impressive 6.33 while looking effortless in the process. At the plate the left handed hitter has elite pop to put it over the wall to all fields. The combination of speed and power will garner lots of attention this August from recruiters with pro scouts no doubt patiently waiting on the horizon. 

+ LHP Sawyer Bates (Canton Academy, 2025) had a very strong outing on Tuesday with a couple of scoreless innings during gameplay. We knew Bates had a good arm but the added command was evident as he was in the strike zone with multiple pitches. His fastball reached 87 mph with solid arm side run while using a change up away to righties that mimicked his FB arm action very well. The East Central CC recruit is still gaining command of a sharp breaking ball that will solidify his starter profile and make it tough on opposing hitters. 

+ RHP/INF Bankston Walters (Presbyterian Christian, 2026) is continuing his progression as one of the top 2026 arms in the state. We saw Walters a couple of times this season and he has gained some velocity since the end of the high school season. On Wednesday the 6-3 sturdy right handed had some jump in the strike zone while sitting 85-87 mph (T88) with his fastball and very good downward action to a breaking ball that worked in the 77-79 mph range with spin up to 2500. He is another dual prospect in the class with solid power potential from the left side of the plate. He. along with Tyner Flynt, could be keys to ending Jackson Prep's run of 7 state titles in a row. We will have to wait and see.

+ 3B Brannan Overstreet (Hernando, 2027) has a body that is continuing to add size and now stands at 6-3, 205 pounds. He projects to a corner infield position with a solid glove and strong arm that was up to 80 mph across the diamond, but there’s more velocity in there. At the plate, Overstreet hits from the right side and uses a middle to pull side approach with power on the way. We feel with overall body maturity he could gradually move up the class ranks and has the potential to battle for the top spot in the future. The body will tell the story.

+ RHP Jaxson Moore (Harrison Central, 2025) had one of the better outings among all pitchers during the two day event. The big righty threw a couple of scoreless innings with little to no contact. Moore, an uncommitted rising senior, showed command of three pitches including a fastball up to 84 mph. He had a very good feel for his secondary offerings that featured a breaking ball that he worked just off the plate to righties, while really killing the spin to his changeup. If you are looking for a true pitcher, follow this one.

+ CINF Collin Smith (Parklane Academy, 2025) found the barrel multiple times this week during game play including a double and a triple in game 2 on Wednesday. Both were baseballs that may have been out of most high school parks. The Mississippi Gulf Coast CC recruit has been a favorite of ours for a few years since we first saw him at a Golden Spikes Scout Day. He still has some room to add strength to an already solid frame, but getting into an year round program that will focus on his body could be a difference maker. On defense he can handle both corners of the infield with arm velocities reaching up to 83 mph. 

+ OF Ryder White (Pisgah, 2026) was another former Junior Future Games participant on hand at the event and had a very solid showing. First, he showed off his impressive arm from the outfield with an event high 94 mph (twice) bullet to home. During his batting practice round the rising junior squared up several pitches using a middle of the field approach and exit velocities into the mid 90’s (T96.2). White has the power to get it over the wall but looks to be more of a gap to gap guy. He’s a gritty, dirtbag type player that will have multiple options to play at the next level. 

+ RHP/INF Jackson Meehan (Northwest Rankin, 2026) still has plenty of more overall body maturity coming though already has the movement patterns that will attract college recruiters at all levels. On the mound is where he is most intriguing at the moment. The arm works with looseness and whip which generates fastball velocities into the mid 80’s (T-87) with solid arm side run. He already has a good feel for his breaking ball that will only get better with strength. Don’t get us wrong, he has plenty of upside as a position player at multiple positions, but at the moment he really looks good on the bump. Definitely a player coaches will want to bring to campus in August. 

+ LHP/1B Maddox Miller (Oak Grove, 2025) attended his first event in 2020 and his progression has been steady ever since. On Wednesday the Mississippi State recruit worked a scoreless inning with a fastball that stayed 88-89 mph with jump in the zone. His change up is next level and is now developing a breaking ball that will get better in time. At 6-4, 165 pounds there’s plenty of room for added strength which could mean another velo jump on the way for the rising senior. Miller has potential as a two way with the ability to spray the ball to all fields and good pull side power. The next year will be big as he looks to add to his frame. 

+ RHP Elijah Sanders (Lewisburg, 2026) was another bright spot on the mound this week with a solid performance in Tuesday's game 1. The righty from Lewisburg reached 86 mph with his running fastball and was fairly consistent in the zone with all pitches. He also killed the spin very well with his change up that played nicely off his fastball arm action. With the Patriots losing several key arms from this year's squad Sanders could play a huge role in their success in 2025. 

+ INF Colson Alexander (Lewisburg, 2026) is another player that continues to show consistent growth in his game. The rising junior is polished in most areas and overall strength and body maturity could be huge for him over the next several months. He plays a very solid defense with a next level glove and strong accurate arm (84 mph). Alexander has quick feet and runs well (6.84) which allows him to have range at both middle infield positions. During his batting practice round he sprayed liners to all fields with consistent barrel accuracy and exit velocities averaging around 90 mph. Follow this one!

+ C/INF Sawyer Pettit (Tri-County Academy, 2027) has gained some size which was evident in how the baseball came off his bat this week. We already knew he was a solid up and coming player as he was a member of the Junior Futures Games squad. Pettit, one of the top pure hitters in the class, loves to drive the baseball the other way though will pull the baseball if needed. Behind the plate Pettit excels as well with back to back 1.97 pop times during the workout on Tuesday. He understands the position and receives and blocks well also. Don’t be supposed to see him back in Atlanta at next year's Future Games when the 2027 class is the main attraction. 

+ RHP/C Wyatt McDaniels (Mooreville, 2027) has catapulted himself into a big follow though Division 1 recruiters still have another year before they can contact him. You wouldn’t know it looking at him as his 6-3, 200 pound frame is quite impressive. This week he showed off his variety of tools during the workout portion of the event which started with outfield throws up to 87 mph, then pop times at 1.99 to 2.03, and a catcher velo of 78 mph. At the plate, McDaniels worked the middle of the field with line drives and exit velocities up to 96 mph. To top off the event he stepped on the mound and was into the mid 80’s with his fastball while using a 4 pitch mix that included a slider, curveball, and change. He has continued to develop steadily so we can’t imagine where he will be in another calendar year.

+ RHP Aidan Strong (Itawamba AHS, 2026) has come on strong over the past year. On Wednesday the durable built righty worked his fastball consistently into the mid 80s (T87) with life while producing soft contact. He was able to kill the spin on his change that kept hitters off balance while mixing in a still developing breaking ball that he did throw for strikes. At 6-2, 180 pounds, any added strength to his frame could create another uptick in his velocity.

 

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