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PBR Future Games: Team Georgia Game 2 Recap

August 1, 2022
Phil Kerber & Justin Goetz
PBR Georgia Staff

As many of the best college staff in the country looked on for answers to their next impactful class, one question went without debate, Team Georgia is for real. With fourteen players standing 6-foot-2 or taller (team avg height: 6-foot-2, weight: 170-pounds) and eleven players 6-foot-3 or taller, we believe this is one of the most projectable rosters in Future Games history. The lineup is a blend of standout tools & intangibles, leading to 13 hits and 13 runs scored vs Team California.

The pitching rotation was dominant for a second straight game with Montrell Christian (Forest Park), Brooks Willis (Houston County), and Gaven Smith (Lee County) going 2 innings of no hit baseball each. The tall trio combined for nine strikeouts and attacked hitters with precision, movement, and pure Peach State competitiveness. We were two outs away from an incredible Future Games no hitter, and the bid ended with a 62 EV bloop single to right field. This 7 inning, 1 hit, 0 ER performance proved how many good uncommitted arms this state has in the 2024 class. Team GA wins 13-2.

Top Statistical Performers

Hitters

Dominic Stephenson - 2 for 2, 2B, 2 R.
KJ Moon - 1 for 3, 3B, 2 RBI.
Owen Anchors - 1 for 2, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R.
Jay Abernathy - 1 for 2, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 2 R, 2 barrels.
Eli Stephens - 1 for 1, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 R.
Cade Brown - 1 for 2, 3B, RBI, R.
Cooper Johnson - 2 for 3, 2 RBI, R.
Jack Myers - 2 for 2, R.
Craig Kalkbrenner - 1 for 2, 2 RBI, R. 

Pitchers

Montrell Christian - 2 INN, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K.
Brooks Willis - 2 INN, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 K.
Gaven Smith - 2 INN, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K.
Dillon Stiltner - 1 INN, 1 H, 0 ER.

Scout Notes

RHP Montrell Christian, 2024, Forest Park, ATL SD Scout
The 6 foot 4, 220 pounder cruised through an easy 2 innings with an effortless 85-88 FB that was nearly impossible for hitters to square up, due to the steep trajectory the pitch arrives on. It didn’t help that Montrell had very late run on the pitch, throwing it for strikes to every hitter. He got into a few high pitch counts but didn’t feel pressure, winning battle after battle. He showed feel to spin 2 pitches - the 68-71 CB had consistent vertical shape and downward tilt, and he should command the pitch well in the future. He also flashed a mid 70’s SL with sharp sweep. You can’t teach his size and ease of operation. As he incorporates the lower half more into the delivery & gets more extension, it's easy to project a power+finesse arsenal in the future.


SS, Jay Abernathy, 2024, North Cobb, Southeast Sox
The 5 foot 10, 160 pounder really vaulted his game to the next level in the eyes of evaluators vs Team Cali. With two squeaky clean barrels off advanced arms, Abernathy showed one of his most special skills - the ability to control his body at the plate while producing extremely violent lower half explosiveness and bat speed. Few players his age can maintain near perfect balance and a still head from start to finish, and even less can move like Jay. Watching him unleash his ++ speed out of the box is just as fun as watching him hit! It’s like he’s got rockets attached to his cleats. The excitement in his game is just as present defensively, with instincts, sure hands & a blurry exchange.

1B/OF Owen Anchors, 2024, Dunwoody, 6-4-3 DP Baseball
It was only a matter of time before Anchors announced his presence at the 2022 PBR Future Games, and he did it in a loud way with a booming two run home run against Team California. At 6-foot-3, 180-pounds is as projectable as they come. Staying short to the plate, Anchors is able to use his length to his advantage and get extended, with lag, through the zone.The result is elite power numbers as he lifts and drives with backspin. The ball jumps off the bat routinely at 90+ mph exit velocities, as did his home run at 91.1 mph. While the hit and power tools are what will carry Anchors at the next level, there is also the defensive abilities that should be noted. Anchors is an athlete through and through, and during his time on Team Georgia played a flawless OF, in addition to 1B.

RHP Brooks Willis, 2024, Houston County, Game On Travel
With all eyes on Team Georgia, the 6-foot-6, 205-pounder rose to the action unlike any arm on Team Georgia’s pitching staff. Already physically imposing when he steps on the mound, there was an added edge to Willis against Team California, a fire that we had never seen before. The big right-hander has a longer arm action with a long draw on the back-side. He looesley fires through a low ¾ slot that allows for his fastball and slider combo to play off each other well. Striding across the mound, Willis creates even more deception. The fastball sat 84-86, living glove-side. Showing feel for the pitch, he routinely ran it back over the outer half for strikes. The slider was the best to date. Thrown with conviction and true intent, it had late, sharp bite at 71-74, and produced some ugly swing and misses. Willis earned DICKS Sporting Goods Player of the Game honors for his 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K performance.

OF Khaleel Pratt, 2024, Augusta Christian, Complete Game
The 6-foot-5, 188-pounder unquestionably has one of the highest ceilings in the country for 2024, and had a 98 EV vs Team Cali. Each year is a nonstop grind for him, being a legitimate D1 prospect both on the field and the court. He has insane potential in both sports, but baseball players with this size & athleticism combo are extremely uncommon. When you add in his disciplined approach, ability to match plane & naturally good swing mechanics, you can see why he’s already garnering interest from pro clubs on the diamond. He’s revamped his RH swing to look very similar to his beautiful LH swing, just in 2 months of hard work. To be able to play CF gracefully at his size with a plus arm at 16 years old. We’re all in.

LHP Gaven Smith, 2024, Lee County, Game On Travel
It was over in a flash. If you weren’t locked into Field 11 for Team Georgia vs. Team California you might have missed the masterclass Smith put on. Needing only 19 pitches, he recorded an efficient line of: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. A truly standout performance against a very talented lineup. Lanky and high waisted at 6-foot-4, 160-pounds, Smith has enormous amounts of room to fill out. Short and quick on the back-side, Smith creates deception by hiding the ball. Hitters pick it up late out of the hand as it comes out of a ¾ slot, as evident by some ugly swings on his fastball. The fastball does not have present overpowering velocity at 83-86, however Smith has great feel for the pitch and can throw it to both sides. He tunnels his curveball well and can paint it on corner armside with gradual break at 69-72, 2/8 shape.

3B Cade Brown, 2024, Parkview, Team Elite
One of the top raw power hitters in the state, Brown showed what he is capable of with a driven RBI triple vs. Team California. A gap-to-gap hitter, the ball flies off the bat of Brown, recording a 98 mph exit velocity in his hit. Brown then got to show off his vastly improved athleticism (6.80 60 time) as he flew around the bases. A throwback setup at the plate, wide and crouched, there is some length to his swing with a big load. However, with present hand and bat speed, he can get his heavy barrel to and through the zone to produce hard contact in game. There are no questions about his ability to stick on the left-side of the infield at third base.

1B Cooper Johnson, 2024, Mountain View, US Elite
6-foot-4 and 195-pounds, Johnson is only scratching the surface of the potential upside in his frame, with so much more on the way. While we did not see the power potential against Team California, we did see the advanced hit tool as Johnson went 2-for-3 with 2 1B, 2 RBI. Whether it is a fastball or offspeed, Johnson can get the barrel on the ball and produce line drive contact to all fields. Balanced at the plate, he uses a leg kick timing trigger. The barrel is short to the zone and gets on plane routinely, level through with lag. Still physically maturing, all the ingredients are there for Johnson to be one of the top power hitters in the state.

SS Craig Kalkbrenner, 2024, Harrison, 6-4-3 DP Baseball
The 6 foot, 165 pounder has quite the complete game on the diamond. There is nothing inconsistent in his skill set, from hitting ability to defense. He’s very athletic and can honestly play anywhere on the field as a 6.8 runner with unreal instincts, fluid exchange, and range. He also possesses an upper 80’s arm. Craig has repeatedly come up clutch for Team GA just like he does at Harrison, with 2 RBI’s vs Team Cali. Kalkbrenner has a nice swing and relentless motor, and as he adjusts his lower half mechanics lots of pop will come. Look for his game to continue to rise.

C/1B Eli Stephens, 2024, Houston County, East Coast Sox
Discipline and patience are just two words to describe Stephens at the plate, who went 1-for-1 with a 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB and 2 R against Team California. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, Stephens is broad and strong throughout, a sturdy frame behind the plate. He has great feel for the zone and rarely chases pitches. A quick trigger swing that gets on plane early, Stephens has a gap-to-gap approach and consistently drives the ball with hard contact. Easy effort swing with present bat speed. Behind the plate, he creates a large target and is agile for his size (7.2 runner). Equipped with a strong arm, he held runners and does allow runners to gain an advantage on the bases. Not afraid to be aggressive, like he was with a back pick off at second against Team Indiana. 

C Ethan Finch, 2024, Parkview, Team Elite
Pound for pound one of, if not the, strongest prospects on Team Georgia, Finch showed all his tools off against Team California. At the plate he muscled up for an RBI 1B on an upper-80s inside fastball. Recognized the pitch and cleared his lower half, allowing for the barrel to get out front, impressive display of bat speed to get the barrel to the pitch, even more impressive that it was a mishit hard enough to be lined through the left-side. A testament to his overall strength. Very good athlete overall (6.87 runner). Arm strength stands out with pop times routinely in the 1.9, clocked at 84 mph out of the crouch.

RHP Dillon Stiltner, 2025, Trinity Christian, Klutch Baseball
One of the youngest arms on Team Georgia, Stiltner closed out the victory against Team California, showcasing an easy effort delivery that makes him one of the top arms in the state. Athletic on the mound, there is a quick pace and tempo to his delivery, high leg kick at balance point, unfolds his long lower half down the mound with easy operation. the arm works lose with minimal effort on the back-side, comes out of a low 3/4 life. Creates deception. Fastball sat 83-85 with heavy run action,  not afraid to go inside with. Slider, 75-76, downer action, threw to both sides of the plate, potential swing and miss.


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