The potential brought by the PBR Georgia 2023 class has us so excited that we can’t sleep some nights. How on earth are college and pro teams going to get enough looks on every guy in this generationally talented class? Well, that's part of what we’re here for. The relationship between college and pro scouts to PBR is a close one. We talk weekly with scouts from all over the country about prospects committed and uncommitted. The heat is picking up as we’re nearing some huge events this summer - Underclass Games, Top Prospect Games, PBR Georgia Pro Case, and Future Games. The high end talent goes well past No. 100 in this class, but here are some of our highest risers inside the top 100.

From No. 56 to No. 41 is RHP Cason Engert (North Forsyth; Uncommitted), who’s delivery was painted by Picasso. The 6 foot 2, 190 pounder has a large, lean muscled frame with noticeable athletic ability. He starts in the offset windup, so his shoulders and hips are easier to square up. His good footwork allows him to maintain balance, as he keeps his side step small and pivots his drive foot in place so his entire body stays over the rubber. The pace in the delivery gradually increases which usually foreshadows effortlessness. The rhythm and timing of his hip/shoulder separation is very good, and he has a near perfect short circle arm action from a ¾ slot. His sinking, bore-ing FB has sat 88-90 since it’s warmed up this Spring, reportedly touching 93. His SL has taken off, as it's now 76-77 with tight spin and late two plane snap. Engert also has a fading CH of the same quality in the upper 70’s. We can’t wait to see what he looks like a year from now.

Going up the rankings from 50 to 34 is CF Isaiah Drake (Westlake; Uncommitted). There’s something about a player who hits every time you see him and rarely has a bad AB. Consistency and the ability to adjust are what keep a player rising to the next level every challenge they face. The 5 foot 10, 180 pounder has a large amount of both traits. You’d be hard pressed to find a more relaxed hitter than Isaiah. His tall setup, free flowing hands, and timed up hips remind us of some of the better hitters in our game today. Add in his good approach and ability to recognize spin, and you’ve got a real baller. Drakes instincts and arm in CF are impressive. Oh, and he's one of the fastest players in the class!

The most improbable rise up our rankings is submarine RHP Beau Brailey, who goes from unranked to No. 32 in the snap of a finger. Why is it so improbable? Well, most submarine HS pitchers have recently dropped down their arm slots and don’t show as much consistency until they get more innings. After his dominant performance against the commit heavy roster of North Forsyth, we became fully convicted that this submariner is not like the rest. The balance and direction in his delivery are rare for a guy with a below sea level slot. There’s a reason for it other than athleticism, as Beau has been throwing from down under since middle school. Brailey commands a 85-86 T87 FB with heavy run and sink from a large 6 foot 3, 195 pound frame. His disgusting sweeping SL sits at 74-76, and he can put it anywhere he wants in any count. With an improving feel for his CH in the mid to upper 70’s, Beau is far from finished.

From No. 69 to No. 58 comes one of the most exciting bats in the state, MIF Armani Guzman (Rabun Gap; WVU). One of the top exit velos for Team New York in our 2021 Future Games held at the Cathedral (Lakepoint Sports Complex), he’s now a Georgia boy and we are very thankful to have him. His 5 foot 10, 190 pound frame looks like it came straight from a D1 college football field. Guzman is one of the most complete hitters in the state without question. He has the best lower half direction we’ve seen all spring. Has a consistent gap to gap approach, and almost every ball we’ve seen him hit has been dead centered. He gets his hands into a perfect launch position with no wrap at landing, and keeps his barrel in the zone forever. We believe powerful young man with the short stroke to match will take his game to new levels in the next year. 

The uber projectable RHP Dylan Alonso (Rabun Gap; Uncommitted) has gone from unranked to the moon this spring and settles in at No. 62. The 6 foot 4, 205 pounder has the lean muscled, prototype body you’re looking for on the mound. Just a year ago, his highest recorded FB at PBR was 83 mph. We’re happy to report that he’s made a jump of 8 mph on that max velo, to 91 mph. His FB sits 88-89 T91 now with nasty sink and bore, from an effortless short arm stroke. His 72-75 CB flashes hammer potential. Alonso is just learning how to simplify his delivery as it’s currently raw, but that's one of the reasons we like him so much. Having been around him for an extended time now, it's apparent he has the makeup and aptitude to go very far in this game.

Taking a leap as far as his stride from No. 101 to No. 63 is RHP Ben McDow (Perry; Uncommitted). The 6 foot 5, 215 pounder with a funky delivery and long flowing red hair brings back memories of watching Detroit Tigers legend Mark “The Bird” Fidrych. He has a slow paced, across body delivery that creates a very tough angle for hitters from his true ¾ slot. I’m not sure how righties are going to hit this guy consistently. McDow drips pitchability, as he controls 3 pitches in the zone in any count. The FB was an 85-86 T87 bowling ball(17-1800 rpm) in the cold this spring, and we believe it will take a jump this year as he continues to grow into his body. He can win games with just this pitch, and his high ground ball rate will allow him to go deep into games consistently. His 74-76 CH has sudden fade and  got 4 swing & misses on 0-0 counts with plus potential overall. The CB is a sharp yet slurvy 69-72 with consistent shape. We’re excited to see Ben again this summer. 

From No. 80 to No. 64 is RHP Andrew Cedano (Locust Grove; Uncommitted). When scouting high school pitching prospects, there are very few that make it seem like a breeze. There are typically multiple high stress situations even for the best prospects in the country, because these guys are constantly growing and learning how to pitch. When you watch Cedano, it's like being laid out on a chair at the beach with perfect weather. The smooth righty has excellent ease of operation from an upright, overhand delivery with perfect pace. He consistently maintains a downhill plane, and has advanced feel for all 3 of his pitches. His sinking FB comes in on a steep and was 85-86 T88 early this spring, but he was just working back from injury. The CB is in the 69-72 range with plus potential and has very good shape+consistent two plane depth. His additional upper 70’s downer CH vaults him into a different category for us.

From No. 97 to No. 75, CF Tyler Bak (North Gwinnett; Wofford) is in full takeoff mode. The 6 foot 1, 160 pounder is a lean machine with 5 tool potential. Bak looks like a contact hitter, but has some of the best bat speed we’ve seen all spring. It's a completely different sound from a metal bat, and we can’t wait to hear what it sounds like with wood after another year of strength added. He uses his long levers to create momentum and leverage in the swing. Creates good lower half momentum with the pace to match, and really stretches his upper body in separation for the most explosive move possible. T. Bak is a human highlight reel in CF, using his instincts, 6.6 speed, and big arm to heavily enforce baserunners. The instincts and wheels show out on the basepaths as well. We expect Bak to handle every challenge with ease in college, and can become a very serious prospect.

Related Content