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2023 TN Preseason All State: Quick Hits Vol. 1

February 6, 2023
Coton Provey
TN Scouting Director

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FRANKLIN, TN - The 2023 TN Preseason All-State was held on Saturday & Sunday, February 4th-5th at Showtime Sports Academy in Franklin, TN. This event was invite-only that consisted over 100 of the top prospects from the 2023-2026 classes. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, ran the 60 yard dash using Swift Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated bullpens during the workout 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 this weekend.

Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top performers and standouts from this weekend. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release different statistical leaderboards for the event then transition into releasing individual scouting reports for each player in attendance. Stay on the lookout as there were so many standout performances that we may have to release a second Quick Hits later this week.... 

 

Quick Hits

Daniel Parris, RHP/INF, Knoxville Catholic, 2023 (Tennessee Commit)
The Vols commit put together a great showing heading into his senior campaign. Primarily a pitcher, Parris threw a light pen with easy velo and continues to show feel for an advanced three pitch mix. He pitches with an edge and expect to be in the low 90s this Spring in game. Parris worked out positionally as well and belted baseballs around the arena in BP. He posted one of the top exit velocity along with the top batted ball distance. He'll be the ace for Knoxville Catholic and play a key role up the middle this Spring. 

 

Connor Martin, RHP, Goodpasture, 2023
The 2021 Future Gamer re-opened his recruitment this fall and is looking poised for a huge Spring for reigning champ Goodpasture. He's currently one of the top uncommitted arms in the 2023 class and has shown stuff upside plus pitches with an edge. He maintained velo at 88-89 T90 and flashed his sharp, firm SL. CH is in a good spot this preseason with fade and some feel. Martin pitches with a chip on his shoulder and efficiently utilizes his frame to maximize his stuff. 

 

Trace Phillips, SS/RHP, Grace Christian Academy, 2023
Phillips is currently in the middle of basketball season, but continued to show why he's the top uncommitted MINF in the 2023 class. The glove is a strong tool as his hands and actions have a chance to stick up the middle. He improved upon his sixty time as well logging a 7.20. At the plate, he hit a nice round of BP while maintaining bat speed and is still scratching the surface of his power potential. He's added some mass to his frame, but still has plenty of room to fill out. He did not pitch in event, but has been up to 86 with good feel for his off speed and figures to play a large role for GCA this Spring. 

 

Caden Shanks, RHP/SS, Upperman, 2024
The two-time Future Gamer is the top uncommitted prospect in the 2024 class and gave us a preview of what to expect this Spring as a position player. He's very athletic, scoring well in jump testing and logging a 6.92 sixty. He's got a nice stroke from the left side of the dish and hit a polished BP round. Did not pitch in event, but he was up to 90 this summer on the mound and good feel for his off speed. Shanks's future was leaning towards the mound at the next level, but this showing could open the door for more two-way potential than previously shown. 

 

Eli DeBerry, RHP, Arlington, 2024 (Memphis Commit)
The 2022 Future Gamer and Memphis commit has made another jump since the end of summer. Big, physical frame with present strength. His FB ticked up to 91 and the SL was darting with swing n miss upside. CH showed a little more development as solid third offering. DeBerry was in the zone more consistently with all his offerings and could put up some monster numbers this Spring for Arlington.

 

Konner Bowden, OF, Columbia Central, 2024
The 2022 Future Gamer has added about 10-lbs to his frame since last summer and improved upon his sixty with a 6.92. Continues to show that bat speed and does a great job of getting on plane plus pound for pound he might have the most pop in the class. His added mass didn't reflect in the exit velo column, but he hit a polished BP working middle to opposite field. Bowden projects in a corner outfield spot and also posted an 89 OF velo. 

 

Josh Jeffcoat, RHP, Eagleville, 2024
Jeffcoat has been a staple of consistency over the past year and continues to steadily improve his game. Not a big jump in velo, but looks primed to be upper 80s this Spring and flirt with 90. His trademark 12/6 CB looked the part, but the biggest development was his feel for the CH. This pitch is gonna help give him a weapon to neutralize LHH. He's still very lanky and has plenty of projection to add mass while getting more velo out of his frame. Jeffcoat will play a big role for reigning champ Eagleville this Spring. 

 

Clint Seymore, RHP/C, Loretto, 2024
The Loretto product was featured heavily last Spring in their run to the state tournament. We got a look at him there and he was up 86 on the mound while also homering in the game. He got up to 88 this past summer and showed there is plenty of two-way potential moving forward. He was one of the top throwing catchers while showing some thump from the left side. He mixes a lot of different pitches on the mound, but the FB/SL pairing looks like his bread and butter. 

 

Noah Rice, OF, Station Camp, 2024
Another year, another preseason event where Rice really stood out heading into the Spring. He's added some strength over the past year, which has lead to more pop at the plate. He keeps things simple and just barrels up baseballs from the left side. He had a leg injury this past year that slowed him up a bit, but he ran a very respectable 7.02, which should improve as he gets back to 100%. Also showing improved arm strength as he'll play a big role for the Bison this Spring. 

 

Jack Pitts, C/3B, Arlington, 2024
In our first looks at Pitts, we could see flashes of potential, but he was kind of in between positions, splitting time between C/3B. Over that time, he's continued to get stronger and looks to do damage to baseballs at the plate. He's cleaned up his movements behind the plate, which has improved his pop time and shows a path for him to stick behind the plate while being an infield depth guy at the next level. It will be interesting to see how the Tigers use him this Spring, but he's shown the power to put in the middle of the order. 

 

MJ Parimore, LHP, Brighton, 2024
The Brighton product was one of the big winners from the event as he's really improved over the past year. We got a look at him late in the Spring and could send some upside in the low 80s southpaw. Now, his delivery is much more efficient and his stuff is playing a tick better than previously. He's got two solid breaking balls and a CH in the mix. Expect for him to make a big jump up the rankings and he's still just scratching the surf of his frame potential. 

 

Eli Emery, RHP, Mt. Juliet, 2024
Emery was probably the biggest surprise on the mound as he was low 80s in previous looks, but touched 90 this weekend. He's got some projection in the frame and two good pitches with his changeup still developing. He threw the ball with confidence and authority during his bullpen. Not surprising is Mt. Juliet has developed another weapon on the mound and should have another deep stable this Spring, so it will be interesting to see where Emery will fit in the rotation. 

 

Cole Pippenger, SS, Coffee County, 2025 (Mississippi State Commit)
Last year, the Coffee County shortstop committed to Mississippi State a week prior to Preseason All State and put on a great showing heading into his freshman year. This year Pippenger is showing even more improvement as the no.2 prospect in the 2025 class. He's got polished actions defensively and ran a 6.95. He's gotten stronger and showed more pop while maintaining a disciplined, advanced approach at the plate. 

 

Ari Bethea, RHP/OF, Collierville, 2025
The Collierville product was a 3x Jr Future Gamer coming up and got some varsity time on the mound last Spring for Collierville. He threw really well in our two looks and he's just continued to get better each time out. He's always had great arm strength, but he throws strikes and commands his pitches while reaching back for more when he needs it. The SL has great spin quality and the CH has continued to come along nicely. He's still got potential at the plate with his bat speed and some pop, but is still finding swing consistency while coming out of football. 

 

Cason Hill, OF/RHP, MTCS, 2025
The MTCS product arguably has the biggest two-way upside coming out of the event. He's got a lean, athletic frame with some twitchiness to him. He hit a good BP round barreling up balls then followed it by going 95 from the outfield. Hill followed that up by sitting upper 80s on the mound with a pair of breaking balls and solid CH. MTCS is gonna rely on him this Spring as he'll have a chance to play all over the field and head the pitching staff. 

 

Gunnar Waldrop, C, Riverdale, 2025
Waldrop transferred to Riverdale this offseason after Murfreesboro completed re-zoning and he certainly looks the part behind the plate. Not an imposing frame, but he's a work horse behind the plate and can handle big time arms. He was probably the most consistent thrower behind the plate and hit a great BP round. His exit velos don't jump off the page, but he's still filling out and has good feel for the barrel. 

 

Gray Eubanks, 3B, Huntingdon, 2025
First thing that stood out from Eubanks was the elite bat speed. He swings it with authority from the left side and has a physical frame. He worked gap to gap with ease and moved well during the workout. Logged a 7.13 and 87 INF velo, so he's got the tools to stay on the left side. Eubanks is also a QB, which is always a plus for recruiting. 

 

Eli Scoggins, RHP, Van Buren County, 2025
Scoggins threw really well last fall at State Games and continues to make strides. He's still got plenty of room to fill out and showed better feel of his off speed offerings. He's got a chance to be an upper 80s arm this Spring and firming up the slider even more. He's definitely an arm to follow this Spring for Van Buren County. 

 

Bo Bailey, RHP/3B, Pope John Paul II, 2025
The Pope John Paul product has always had some upside, but was a sort of in-between prospect as far as projecting out to the next level. He's got some serious strength in his frame and can move well. He muscled the ball up in BP, but didn't work out defensively. His future may be leaning to the mound as he's made a big jump since last summer. He touched 90 in his bullpen, but struggled harnessing the stuff to command the zone. He's got a high intent delivery, but improving his head movement/eyes should help his command. Solid feel for his off speed, Bailey is trending up, and is definitely worth a look this Spring. 

 

Ayden Jacobs, RHP/OF, Collierville, 2025
The Collierville product has always been able to spin the baseball and continued to fill out his frame. This Spring might be the first time we get to see the two come together in unison. He was up to 88 with a heavy ball and still has feel for a trademark breaking ball. His CH has developed nicely into a third offering. Similar to his teammate Bethea, Jacobs still has two-way upside but the mound is currently ahead of his position profile. 

 

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