Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

PRESEASON TOURNAMENTS SCOUT BLOG - Part 2

February 28, 2024
PBR Staff
PBR of SC

Opening weekend in the state come and gone, and the first official weekend of the South Carolina High School baseball season is complete.  Below, we highlight some of the top performances, from a few of the first preseason tournaments in the state, The Steve Sanders Tournament, The Palmetto Classic, and The Fountain Inn Classic.  

 

SCOUTING REPORT STEVE SANDERS, THE PALMETTO CLASSIC, AND THE FOUNTAIN INN CLASSIC

Westside HS

Phoenix Herndon 2025 OF Westside HS 

Leadoff hitter for the Rams that didn’t show up in the box score but showed some skills in the game that were noticeable. Athletic build with a strong lower half. Faced one of the better arms in the state that was up to 92. He was able to barrel the first fastball he saw and was confident in his approach. Showed barrel control throughout the game as well as range in RF with an average arm. Will be a spark for the Rams in the leadoff position for the length of the season. 


MJ Lee 2025 SS Westside HS

MJ looks the part when first glancing at him. Athletic body with a strong lower build. Smooth, quick actions in the 6 hole. Showed good range and arm strength across the diamond. Didn’t have a big night at the plate but did get the barrel around on a 91 MPH FB for a single. Balanced approach at the plate with some ability to drive some balls in the gap and out of the park. Will be a fun player to watch progress through the season. 

JL Mann HS


Dawson Siffri 2025 RHP JL Mann HS

One of the big winners from the opening weekend was Siffri. The righty put on a show for his team's debut to the 2024 campaign. He kept hitters guessing while blowing the FB by them in any count. He ran the FB up to 92, sitting 88-91 with strong command. FB had slight GS movement to it, effective enough to miss a lot of barrels. He mixed in a late breaking SL at 78-79. He didn’t rely on the change too much since the FB and SL were so effective but the CH came in at 83. The tall/lank righty went 4 innings with 8 Ks and 0 Hs. An arm that has a possibility of being mid to upper 90s this time next year. 


Luke Jones 2024 RHP/ JL Mann HS

Jones came in after Siffri and picked up right where Siffri left off. He went 3 Innings not allowing a run while striking out 4 batters. His FB sat 86-88 T89. He pitched off of the SL (77-79) and the CH (78). Athletic frame that worked quickly on the bump. Also showed ability at the plate driving in 2 runs to break the game open for JL Mann early in the game. Showed fast hands at the plate with the ability to drive the ball anywhere in the park. 


Bryce Harder 2024 RHP JL Mann HS 

Harder is a baller when it comes down to it. In game 1 for JL Mann was able to put them on the scoreboard in a critical situation. Leadoff hitter that looks to drive the ball between the 6 and 4 hole on a line. He did just that in his AB. Strung together some good ABs throughout the entire weekend working the count various times. In game 2 he hopped on the mound to face a talented Powdersville team. He started the game and went 3 innings allowing 0 hits, 0 runs, and getting 3 Ks. Produced a lot of soft contact keeping hitters off balanced. FB was 86-87 topping at 88. Mixed in a hard SL at 82 and a CH at 75. Competitor on the mound that will add velo throughout the 2024 season. 


Hunter Howard 2024 RHP JL Mann HS Radford Commit

The top velo arm of the tournament came in and lit the radar gun up. Max effort on the bump but is effective. Can get effectively wild at some points in the game. Ran the FB up to 93 sitting 86-91. Mixed in a CH at 73. Stronger frame with quirkiness to the delivery. If Howard has command of the FB and CH can be shutdown arm for JL Mann. One to keep eyes on as he moved throughout the season. 

Powdersville HS


Landon Fowler 2025 RHP Powdersville HS Clemson Commit

Fowler was his usual self on the bump for this game. He was in control of the game the entire time keeping a pretty good HS baseball lineup off balanced. Effortless delivery that is repeatable when the head stays still. FB sat 89-90 in the early innings topping at 91. Mixed in a SL that is still developing at 75. Showed two shapes with the SL, one that had a late sharp bite that was more effective in producing S&M, and one that had more slurve action. CH showed good action at 73-74 that kept the hitters off balanced. Fun arm to watch, as he competes each pitch and shows a lot of emotions throughout the game. An arm that is still developing and could end up being one of if not the best arm in the 2025 class of SC. 

BHP HS


Landon Davis 2027 SS Belton Honea Paths HS

One youngster that stood out from the weekend. Shows confidence at the plate with good barrel control. With 2Ks was able to deliver a backside 3B to score two early runs for BHP. At the 6 hole showed mature ability with smooth actions. Moves around well on the field with a quick first step. Strong/Athletic frame built like a LB. As he matures has the ability to be a big power threat for BHP and be a solid defender as well.