Luke
Winbush

As the saying goes “hitters hit” and that’s exactly what the Troy commit did throughout the double-header. Came through with an early game 1 RBI knock to get the Greyhounds on the board. Stepped up to the plate in the 7th inning with 2-outs in a 2-2 game and a runner in scoring position. Winbush got something to handle and hammered one deep into the LF corner for the RBI 2B and walk-off winner. Present tools and athleticism in the lean 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame with highest-level gamer intangibles. The former Future Gamer simply lives for the moment and has been every bit of an impact starter dating back to his freshman campaign. Works from a balanced load at the plate and stays extremely compact with twitchy hands through the zone in a quick trigger. Advanced barrel feel with innate ability to adjust in-zone backed by feel for the zone and tremendous pitch recognition. Hit tool stands out in every setting with sneaky juice to project. Impact defender at SS and made ridiculous plays at the 6 across the double-header. Excellent instincts and bouncy actions in the dirt while showing impressive quickness in either direction. Arm strength is present and has a chance to be a carrying tool long-term with accuracy from different arm slots and multiple spots in the dirt. Winbush is a gamer in every sense of the term and simply knows what it takes to win as he looks to lead the Greyhounds to a 5A state title.

Luke Winbush, Pope (GA), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-9, 154-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open uprigth stance, level barrel. Meets ball out front, pull side power, level bat path. 57.6 mph bat speed with 23 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 88.2 mph. 320' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-84 mph. Over the top slot.
Defense: Smooth glove, quick hands, athlete.
ATH: 6.89 runner in the 60. 1.68 and 3.84 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. 27.40 max vertical.
Vizual Edge: 79.26 Edge Score

Luke Winbush, Pope (GA), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-10, 153-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open narrow stance, hands relaxed by shoulders. Quick barrel through the zone with line drive power pull side/ up the middle. 68.6 mph bat speed with 23 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 88.2 mph. 328' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-80 mph. INF-89 mph. Quick release, good zip/ accurate throws.
Defense: 1.81-1.94 pop times. Natraully moves well. Athletic behind the dish.
ATH: 1.65 and 3.85 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. 27.10 max vertical.
Vizual Edge: 75.43 Edge Score

Winbush just flat out hits, simple as that. Exudes immense confidence when stepping the box due to high-level bat-to-ball and approach alike. Working out of a slightly open stance, Winbush incorporates a quick-twitch toe-tap trigger that does a great of keeping him well-connected throughout the swing. Strength and quickness in the hands with an innate ability to get the barrel on-plane. Picked up his first home run of the fall, launching one to the pull-side for a no-doubt shot as well as smoked multiple line-drives into both gaps in the midst of a .533 week. Glove has a real chance to be above-average at multiple positions including at the hot corner and behind the plate. The floor is significant with Winbush but there’s a chance for a high-level ceiling as well and could be in-line for a breakout spring.

Uncommitted. 5-foot-9, 145-pound frame. Multiple tools on display this past weekend, as the defensive and offensive tools are obvious for the sophomore. Two solid barrels on Friday (9/20), one split the 5-6 gap and into left field for a knock. The other was a line-drive on the first pitch that was hit right at the second baseman for a sharp line-out but was 94 off the bat. Aggressive approaches with a mature pitch recognition. A higher leg kick load with strong hips that start the internal rotation of his swing and allow for the hands to move quickly through the zone. Good feel for the middle infield position and has the versatility and mobility to play anywhere.

Getting quality playoff experience as a freshman, Winbush very much looked like he belonged at the hot corner for the Greyhounds. Lean and athletic at 5-foot-6, 130-pounds, Winbush shows good balance at the plate with an advanced feel for the zone. Was able to get his best swing off in every at-bat, and did a great job with two strikes, going backside for an RBI base hit. There's positional flexibility with plenty of experience behind the plate and across the infield. Chance to a big contributor for Pope the next few years.