James
Tibbs

Cape Cod: A bright spot for a Florida State team that really struggled last season, Tibbs is coming off of batting .338/.471/.682 with 17 home runs, and that power production carried over to the summer, when he clubbed a team-leading six home runs and won the Cape’s home run derby during all-star festivities. The power production is no fluke, either, as Tibbs consistently hit the ball harder than anyone on the Cape this summer. At the end of the regular season, he had the highest average exit velocity in the league (85.82 mph), with a maximum exit velocity of 105.20 mph and a maximum distance of 420.74 feet. Starting from a wide base at the plate, the lefty swinger has a medium-height leg kick prior to uncoiling and exploding through the ball. After playing exclusively left field in 2022, Tibbs played more first base last season, and this summer, he split his time between left field (26 games), center field (9), first base (4) and right field (2), but regardless of where he ends up defensively, his value is going to be tied mostly to his bat. 

Florida State recruit. No. 17 in the Georgia 2021 class rankings. High-level offensive player from the left-side of the plate. Simplified stance and load since last season; more controlled and quiet in the box. Multi-leveled load has transitioned to a smooth take-back. Still possesses the same whippy bat through the zone with the ability to change the game with power to pull-side. Roped a double off the CF fence, as well as a line drive inside-the-park home run.

Florida State commit. 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, solid athlete with strength through his frame, profiles as a corner outfielder at the next level. Have seen him numerous times this spring already and there is one thing Tibbs always does, hit, and hit the ball hard. A predominately pull-side hitter, the ball jumps off the barrel, making any ball he hits a difficult one to handle, whether it be in the air or on the ground. Explosive lower half coupled with very quick hands and a great feel for the barrel, makes Tibbs one of the best hitters in the 2021 class.

Florida State commit. The 6-foot, 185 pound left-hander went 1-3 in the game, but still showed plenty of the skills that make him a top-15 player in the state. Tibbs got his money’s worth at the plate, at times to a fault. A bad ball hitter, Tibbs showed very quick hands and looked to hit mistake pitches up in the zone. Tibbs had competitive at-bats, making for tough outs. Tibbs will be one to follow this spring and next for the Greyhounds.

It’s hard to crack the lineup in any grade in high school baseball in the state of Georgia let alone when you’re only a freshman, but Tibbs has the sweet stroke and strength necessary to do so at Pope. Confident in his approach, Tibbs sets up square and balanced at the plate from the left side. HIs hands hands push slightly away from his body as they load down and back freely before showing twitchy-quickness to the ball. Hunting pitches with intent, Tibbs demonstrates the ability to drive the ball to all fields as his bottom hands allows his barrel to lag in the zone on a flat path. A corner outfielder who may also play some first base, the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder appears to still be maturing, and could end up acquiring even more power in his bat in the future. Overall, Tibbs’ already shows signs of growing into a middle of the order-type run producer moving forward, so recruiters will want to highlight him as a player to follow this summer.

Tibbs is the young pup on this Pope Greyhounds team, but is a good looking hitter right now.  He shows balance, bat-speed and flashes the ability to use the entire field. The outfielder/first baseman has time to figure out his position, but major college programs will line-up for this bat. Looking forward to watching his progress.