Deep South Invitational Positional Breakdown: Pitchers

Jackson Norris C / RHP / The Darlington School, GA / 2021

The 6-foot right-hander uses a simple side step delivery and shows good body control and repeatability in delivering the ball to the plate.  Norris has the ingredients in his delivery and arm action of a solid strike thrower. His fastball topped out at 76 mph, and sat in the 73-75 mph range.  His curveball flashed depth at 65-66 when he was out front with it.

Rett Edwards RHP / 2B / Model, GA / 2021

Edwards is a medium framed right-handed pitcher who has consistently gotten outs when we have seen him in the past.  The Deep South was more of the same, and Edwards does it with aggressive strike throwing ability from an on-line arm action and hides the ball very well.  His breaking ball (66-68) was more a go too pitch here and when located it was very effective.  Edwards had a strong 2019 campaign for Model High School and will look to build upon that this Spring.

Riley King LHP / Gordon Lee, GA / 2021

King is a young 5-foot-10 left-handed pitcher who uses a little side-step delivery.  He adds solid deception by incorporating a similar leg kick as Clayton Kershaw (up/down and stride out). His fastball is up to 79 and pitches in that 74-78 mph range.  His breaking ball is offers some depth when he is on top and finishes, but often ends up cutting because he is on the side of it.  King's Change-up shows promise and maintains good hand-speed on the pitch.  

Kendall Clark RHP / 3B / Westlake, GA / 2021

Clark is long lean young right-handed pitcher with an excellent frame at 6-foot-2, 155-pounds with lots of room to fill out.  His arm works free and easy and his delivery is solid, but could get over his front side with better extension to the plate, using his large wingspan to his advantage. Clark's fastball is projectable and is already up to 81 mph.  His breaking ball flashes good depth and break when he is on time. Clark is a good looking projectable kid that will be a close follow on the mound for Westlake High School this Spring.

Parker Marlatt RHP / 3B / Hebron Christian Academy, GA / 2023

Very interesting young right-handed pitcher from Hebron Christian Academy. He stands at 5-foot-10, 155-pounds but pitches out of nice high slot and creates very good angle with his fastball (83) with more coming in the future.  He has a simple delivery with a fast arm and executes against a strong high front side for deception and leverage. Marlatt is more than just quality arm strength for his age, he also shows strong feel for spinning the baseball and already has an impressive two pitch mix.  Marlatt is a strong athlete also playing the infield and with good actions as a position player. All this plays into his ability to repeat and feel for the strike zone. Very good looking young 2023 arm that is not done and will be a close follow going forward.

Tristan Nguyen LHP / Johnson, GA / 2022

We have had a chance to see Nguyen several times over the summer.  He is a strong bodied kid with good feel for the zone.  He was up to 83 at the Deep South, but we have seen the LHP up to as high as (86).  Nguyen has always shown the ability to spin and land his breaking ball.  He has good shape to the pitch and it plays an excellent change of pace, as well as a swing and miss pitch out of the zone.  Good looking young left-handed arm.

Brycen Jewell C / RHP / Jefferson , GA / 2020

** Committed to Lee University**

Jewell is an interesting medium framed arm with good athletic ability.  He was a big part of the Winder rotation last Spring and looks to be more of the same in 2020.  His fastball gets up into the upper 80's with life down in the zone, but his breaking ball has really come into its own and was a strong swing and miss pitch at the Deep South flashing a spin rate above 2800 which is elite in that regard.  Jewell has good feel to pitch and is not done, as he is a young 2020 and is very athletic.

Braxton Roop RHP / McIntosh, GA / 2021

Roop announced his presence in a big way at the Deep South.  The medium framed right-hander stepped onto the mound at 6-foot, 175-pounds and showed off an athletic, polished side-step delivery.  Roop has a full arm swing with above average handspeed and creates good angle down in the zone to his fastball that is already up to 88 mph.  His curveball has good shape and spin at 72-74 and offers the kind of projection you are looking for in a future swing and miss pitch.  As Roop get stronger and his velocity increases look for jumps in his breaking ball also.  Roop stood apart due to his athletic delivery and ease of operation on the mound. Watch out for this young arm going forward.