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Power 25 Game Recap & Scout Blog: #16 North Atlanta vs #22 Cherokee Bluff

February 19, 2023
Justin Goetz
Assistant Scouting Director

It was the premium matchup of the early season, both teams being loaded with D1-D3 commits. You also had two well known draft prospects in ‘23 SS Antonio Anderson, and ‘23 CF Isaiah Drake for North Atlanta. They also had a hidden gem on the mound in RHP Sims DeLong, who capitalized in a big way off his teammates prospect status. On the Bluff side of things, they had 3 D1 commits of their own with surely more to come. The top of their lineup is stacked with speed (SS Jacob Vokal, CF Ty Corbin), and the middle of the lineup is packed with power production (‘23 3B Brett House, ‘24 OF Kaden Thompson, ‘24 OF Caleb Miele). We didn’t even get to see ‘23 RHP Braxton Beal (GA Southern).

After a scoreless 1st inning by the spin doctor Bluff RHP Brady Stephens (FB 80-81, SLV 69-71), the Bears got something started immediately at the top of their lineup. Vokal beat out an infield single, took 2nd on a passed ball, stole 3rd, and scored on a bases loaded walk. Ty Corbin later scored on a heady 1st & 3rd steal to make the game 2-0 Bears. Antonio Anderson worked a walk in his 1st AB, but got live on AB2. He lengthened the stride, changed barrel angle and golfed a breaking ball just before it hit the ground for a triple to the right center gap. It was shocking he even made contact, much less a barrel deep in the gap. The Warriors couldn’t capitalize on his 3B, but did soon after with a solo launch to near dead center by IF Ira Jeffries-Harris to make it 2-1.

Sims DeLong stepped up to the challenge for the Warriors, proving he can get out D1 bats on a consistent basis. He threw a high amount of strikes and small misses with his turbo sinking FB early in counts, and battled through what was a questionable strike zone all night. He went 4 INN, 2 H, 2 K’s, 0 ER. Isaiah Drake worked a few QAB’s and had the bat taken out of his hands, but was very impressive last weekend at Habersham Central with 2 hits (1B, 2B) and 3 SB’s. This lineup is far from just the big three though, as they have leadoff hitter Jonathan French who’s another top of the scale speed guy, and 2 LHH’s who can mash in ‘23 Silas Cunningham, and ‘24 Sam Neal.

North Atlanta would have some great AB’s in the top of the 7th to load the bases, and a clutch BB would tie the game at 2. In the bottom of 7, Mr. Versatility (Vokal) had a QAB and textbook 2 out barrel to get on. Then Mr. Clutch (Corbin) laced a double down the LF line and Vokal scored from first to win it!! The dugout emptied and the crowd went crazy. This game easily could’ve gone either way, and we feel only stronger about both teams as we’re mid way into February with the Power 25 update coming in a few weeks.

2023, SS, Antonio Anderson, North Atlanta
Georgia Tech Commit. 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. It could not have been a better look on Anderson vs the Bluff. He faced two completely different arms back to back, a finesse arm & power arm. I’ve seen him play 10 INN in the past week, and he’s had 3 hits on offspeed pitches. 2 on CB’s, and one on a CH this night. It's very encouraging how well he’s seeing spin this early in the season, and speaks to not only his decision making but to special hand-eye coordination. But what allows his decision making and bat 2 ball skills to work to their full potential is the body control he has in the swing, specifically his head doesn’t move at all at the plate (or in the field). It starts with his wider base and pre-set hip hinge on the backside. This not only centralizes/locks in his center of balance, but starts him off in a great position to match pitch plane instead of having to sink into the legs in his negative move. His separation timing is so perfect that it allows the head to stay motionless while creating a smooth build of acceleration in the hands and momentum in the lower half. The minimal ground he gains in stride is just enough to clear his front hip, but minimal enough to cause no head movement. He can be dynamic with the stride like he was on the CH he golfed in the gap, as he gained more ground than usual to get a pitch below the zone. Antonio has made multiple difficult MLB plays at SS in the past 2 looks I’ve had on him, showing impressive range, ability to read hops, control his body in uncomfortable positions, and his plus or better arm. There’s no question for me he can stay at SS. However, a team that signs him could want him to bulk up as a power hitting 3B/2B. I feel that would be the incorrect move and impact his plus run tool. When watching him, it’s hard not to be reminded of the powerful switch hitting SS and speed demon Jonathan Villar.
2023, CF, Isaiah Drake, North Atlanta
Georgia Tech Commit. 6-foot, 185 pounds. Despite not having luck go his way against the Bluff due to some questionable calls, I could not be higher on Drake. His unbelievable speed, range in CF, and instincts overall are very good. But why I am so encouraged about him is because I found a slight sequence issue in his swing that I feel he can easily fix down the line. Instead of him sinking into the backside during his negative move (as the hips go back) to get him into a good position to match pitch trajectory, he stays tall. In stride, he’s above plane and tries to sink last second just before landing. It causes a posture change in the upper half and the hips drop suddenly to try to get on plane. This causes a slight mis hit on the barrel and foul back on pitches he’s right on timing wise. With his elite athleticism, I feel like he could quickly make this adjustment and would produce twice the barrels. This would also smooth out his separation timing. He’s been a consistent bat for us at LakePoint, and few have his bat speed or tracking ability. There is plenty of untapped potential in both his hit for average & power production tools.

2023, RHP, Sims DeLong, North Atlanta
Washington & Lee Commit. 6-foot-3, 175 pounds. It’s not a stretch to say DeLong’s performance was one of the most impressive I’ve seen in 2023 and will continue to be. This is a high waisted, uber athletic arm with d1 quality stuff despite his D3 commitment. The best word to describe him is unique. The first thing hitters have trouble with is the tough angle he creates from a slight crossfire, but he also drives the ball downhill extremely well. These two things themselves create an extremely difficult trajectory for hitters, and when you add in his deceptive short circle arm action hitters can’t pick up, we’re really cooking here. Now they have to deal with a high spin (24-2500 RPM) turbo sinker in the 88-90 range that was up to 92! Not only does the life flash A/AVG and get beat into the ground, but it bores up in the zone and he consistently gets ahead with the pitch. With his electric arm speed and such a projectable, fast twitch frame, there is no question for me there’s potential to sit in the mid 92-94 range and touch higher as a reliever. As a starter, I see him sitting in the 91-93 range touching mid. I do feel he throws plenty enough strikes to start in pro ball one day. Developing a consistent CH would undoubtedly lock that in further. The CB is 73-76 with a sharp, SLV like shape. This pitch spins at MLB avg or better and I feel has A/AVG potential. The FB already plays up and I feel it has plus potential down the line due to movement, angle, steepness, and deceptiveness. Sims will look to capitalize weekly in front of the pro clubs watching Anderson & Drake, and had one of the outings of the spring so far.
2024, IF, Ira Jefferies-Harris, North Atlanta
Mizzou Commit. 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. In the 10 INN I’ve seen him play in the last week, he’s had nothing but quality at-bats. He’s shown us he can rise to the occasion consistently in big moments, and has impressed with his advanced approach and plate discipline. Not only does he have a large frame and strong lower half, but long levers to create even more leverage at the plate. This is a very controlled, backside dominant hitter who creates his power with linear connection and very well timed separation. The forward move is methodical and based on creating a gradual stretch to create a rubber band like tension. When you combine the two and add a steep launch angle with advanced plate vision, you get the absolute bombs like he hit on Wednesday night. As the upper half fills out, he should start to impact baseballs even more violently with his well sequenced swing.
2024, SS/RHP, Jacob Vokal, Cherokee Bluff
Davidson Commit. 5-foot-10, 150 pounds. I don't have enough laptop storage to write everything I like about Vokal’s game, he just makes an impact in so many ways. This is as true of a two way you’re going to find, with nearly every tool and intangible you can think of being present and usable in his game. Let's start with the defense, where I believe he can matchup with any SS in the country. He has great footwork for his age, reading hops aggressively, subtly pushing thru the ball with vacuum hands and an explosive gather. The arm action isn’t only clean, it’s lightning quick and has ++ potential. The exchange is near elite for his age. At the plate he’s twitchy, compact, and repeatable. He hits hard backspin line drives to all fields on a consistent basis and knows when to add and subtract effort wise. He’s an on base machine, and the Bears don’t win this game without his 2 runs scored. On the bump he continues to get more electric, and has some eye popping metrics. His riding FB has already jumped 2-3 mph since fall, now working in the 86-89 range consistently. The pitch has special IVB, up to 26 in! Throwing so hard at only 150 lbs,  it’s not at all a reach to see him reaching the mid 90’s when he fills out. His 74-77 SLV stays on FB plane longer than most, with sudden sweep & depth between the 2500-2700 range. It has all the makings of being at least an A/AVG MLB pitch one day.
2024, OF, Ty Corbin, Cherokee Bluff
Uncommitted. 5-foot-9, 165 pounds. This explosive athlete is the grinder of grinders on the field. You can expect drag bunts, hard 90’s, electric slides, running into walls, that’s the type of player Corbin is. An old school throwback who plays with his hair on fire and elite competitiveness. He can also be heard regularly pushing and encouraging his teammates through tough battles on the field. He leads by example as well as vocally. Offensively, he does whatever he possibly can to get on base, and wears down pitching staffs with long AB’s. But if you challenge him on the first pitch with a FB, he will put your team in a hole immediately. With big time instincts, 6.9 speed, and pure fearlessness, he is an asset in CF. But that’s not the only position he impresses at, but behind the dish as well. He has the toughness, blocking, receiving, and sharp transfer and accurate arm to contribute there in college as well. He showed his ability to slow the game down in clutch moments, doubling down the line for the walk off!
2025, RHP, Tucker Holton, Cherokee Bluff
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 165 pounds. There is so much to like about this underclass arm. It’s a very rangy & athletic frame that you can see holding 20 more lbs easily without losing quick twitch fibers. I am extremely excited about this arm, as you see all the traits of a guy who can have an A/AVG FB one day. Firstly his delivery is already cleaner than most arms 2-3 years older than him, and is easily one of the best in the class before being anywhere near filling out. It builds pace gradually (slow to square, medium thru up+down+out phases, and fast post landing) for near perfect ease of operation. His upper half stays stacked over the rubber in stride creating not only elite backside connection, but protecting his arm and creating vast separation at the same time. This is an exceptional 1 piece, mid-depth arm action that builds momentum effortlessly with an ideal scap load. While he may not look like it getting of the bus yet, this is an elite athlete on the mound who is going to have power 5’s breathing down his neck this summer. Holton is a closed foot lander, allowing him to create more rotational force in the throw. This is a trait you typically see in high velo arms. The identical finish to one of my favorite arms ever (Yordano Ventura) doesn’t hurt either. His confidence and swagger on the hill is exactly what you look for, this dude is going to attack whoever regardless of name or talent. The FB works in the 84-86 T87 range with very live bore for his age and current velo. He can locate the pitch to both edges with ease. The 72-73 CB is of the same quality as his FB, with tight rotation, consistent shape, and equal parts sweep+depth. We will be closely following.
2025, IF/RHP, Landon Kemp, Cherokee Bluff
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 150 pounds. This is another shining example of why this team is so good. There is so much depth and young talent. But with Kemp, you get a ridiculous amount of versatility. He can play nearly any position on the field at a high level for his age, and has some of the better instincts you'll find. This would be a starting SS on most teams in GHSA, but he just happens to be a year behind arguably the best defensive SS in the state. Not only can he play all positions in the infield, he could do the same on the grass. He moves well and will only get faster as he gets stronger. He has a cannon for his age, clocking in at 86 mph across the infield at our UGA Campus Tour Showcase. At the plate, he’s consistently on time with high quality arms and makes for a seriously competitive AB. Not only does he have a good eye, but he can waste pitches to run up pitch counts and wear opposing arms down until they hang something. You could say he’s a pesky hitter, but with plenty of gap to gap pop. It will be exciting to see him grow throughout this season and see how much better he is when playoffs roll around.

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