Preseason All-State: Preview
January 8, 2021
Preseason All-State returns for its second year this Saturday, Jan. 9th at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA. This invite-only event brings together some of the top committed and uncommitted talent in the state’s 2021 and 2022 class.
For a look at the roster, click here. To view the event info and itinerary, click here. There is also still time to REGISTER.
Let’s take a sneak peek at this year’s roster. There is no better place to start than with the speedsters. OF John Long (Glynn Academy, 2022), a member of Team Georgia at the 2020 PBR Future Games, ran a blazing 6.55 at the Fall Upperclass Games in November, improving on his previous best of 6.63. Long is a twitchy left-handed hitter who has quick hands and generates whippy bat speed. Look for him to set the bar in the 60 and drive some balls middle/pull during batting practice.
If you are talking speed then you have to mention Jacksonville State commit OF Will Fincher (Kennesaw Mountain, 2022). Fincher is highly athletic with a strong, muscular build at 6-foot-3, 210-pounds. We saw him run a 6.61 at the Underclass Games in June, but it would come as little surprise to see him beat. He will also drive balls around the park during batting practice. He uses his strong frame to aggressively swing the barrel and elevate the ball with force.
Two of the best overall athletes in attendance, guys who can really do it all, are East Georgia State JC commit SS Christian Jackson (Dutchtown, 2022) and Oklahoma commit SS Bryce Clavon (Dutchtown, 2024). Jackson is an explosive athlete who is going to fly in the 60, put up some big time numbers on the TrackMan and Blast, and light up the radar gun.
Clavon, the youngest prospect in attendance by two years, is a premier athlete in the country. He is a big time bat at the top of the order. He produces elite bat speed, has great feel for the barrel, and can use the entire field. Once the balls in play, he is a blur around the bases. Defensively, Clavon has the instincts, speed and arm strength to slot into shortstop or center field at the next level. He is one of the best in the country in the 2024 class, and will fit right in with the 2021 and 2022s at the event.
The arms are going to be an exciting group to watch. We will start with Georgia State commit RHP Jeremiah Newman (Mays, 2021). Newman is an athlete on the mound with a short, explosive arm action. He ran his fastball into the low-90s this summer and there is more in the tank. It will be fun to see what type of velocity he shows up with tomorrow.
Then there is Auburn commit RHP DJ Radtke (Blessed Trinity, 2021). Radtke immediately stands out on a diamond for his sheer size. He is projectable, 6-foot-4, 200-pounds with an athletic build and strength throughout. Ratdke was living in the upper 80s last time we saw him, spring of 2020. What really catches your eye though is his slider. He has great feel for the pitch and throws it aggressively to all areas of the zone. It will generate plenty of swing and misses.
An interesting two-way guy to watch will be Georgia State commit OF Kameron Douglas (Woodstock, 2022). Douglas was a standout for Team Georgia at the 2020 PBR Future Games, where he hit two triples and ran his fastball up to 89. He carried that momentum in the fall where banged balls around LakePoint. This all culminated into his well earned commitment to Georgia State in November. It will be fun to see how he does in all areas of the workout.
ITINERARY
Position Player Showcase
10:00 - 10:20 AM - Position Players, Catches & Two-Way Players Check-In
10:30 - 10:45 AM - Introduction and Stretch
11:00 - 1:30 PM - Position Player Workout
- Running Times (Laser Timed 60 Yard Dash)
- Offensive Evaluation
- Mechanical Eval
- Exit Velocity
- Live batting practice
- TrackMan ball flight analysis
- BLAST swing analysis
- Defensive Evaluation (OF, Catcher, INF)
- Arm Strength
- Defensive mobility
- Positional projectability
Pitcher Showcase
1:30 - 1:45 PM - Pitcher Only Check In
- Stretching
- Bullpen Sessions
- Mechanical evaluation
- 15-20 pitch session (Wind-up and stretch)
- Charting velocity and pitch action
- TrackMan pitch analysis
- Catcher's Evaluations During Bullpen
Related Content