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Spring Blog: Uncommitted 2023 Pitchers

May 8, 2023
PBR Georgia
Staff

As the 2023 high school baseball season comes to an end we want to highlight some of the uncommitted seniors that had eye catching performances when we were in attendance this spring. The state of Georgia is loaded with talented players, and these are just a few seniors that are still looking for a place to call home next year. 

Uncommitted 2023 Pitchers

Luke Wiltrakis RHP, 2023, St. Pius X
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. In an incredibly talented state, it’s not uncommon to see the best performance of the spring trumped every single week. But to see an uncommitted SR do it? That never happens. Watching Luke’s Sweet 16 one-hitter on Saturday was the best performance I’ve seen in 2023 without question. But he wasn’t just controlling the game statistically, he did it with a high powered arsenal fit for the highest level of D1 baseball. Attacking early and often with a vicious 91-94 mph FB, it was a different level of dominant. The ball sounds completely different out of Wiltrakis hand, similar to a missile or rocket ripping through the air at the speed of sound. This is the type of FB that makes you not trust the net behind the plate, the type that would absolutely obliterate my phone if I got too close. This is the type of body you see on the mound on Fridays in Power 5 conferences, built like a D1 Safety or Linebacker with a mixture of power and fast twitch. His FB is low spin, but plays equally as well up in the zone due to elite extension and lower release height. The extension also plays up his effective velocity, and the pitch seems to explode through the zone to the eye. Its multi-faceted effectiveness allowed him to throw 40 of 53 pitches for strikes, producing a perfect combo of early count outs with a healthy serving of K’s. When he operates low in the zone with it, hitters either beat it into the ground or whiff. Other than his incredibly efficient outing and not throwing one FB below 91 the entire game, what impressed me most was the CH he threw for a right on right whiff INN 1. The thing almost came to a complete stop just before the plate and just fell off the table. His SLV was also remarkably improved since I saw him in February, with consistent shape (sweep & depth) throughout the outing and 2-3 mph better velocity. When looking at the delivery, it's immediately obvious that he has a natural understanding of how to throw hard. His aggressive tempo and gradual build of pace, feel for hip hinge/sitting into legs, and his well timed+vast hip/shoulder separation. He uses his front arm as an explosive lever to rotate the upper half to throw, and his strong posture on the front leg at landing (chest over front knee in addition) creates big layback. While the delivery is raw, the foundation of it is very strong and checks all the boxes. His arm is a combo of arm strength and arm speed, firing on all cylinders without tiring. Will is an elite athlete and I feel he has a sure pro future. It will either be as an electrifying high leverage reliever or back end starter with considerable potential whose offspeed stuff will play up off his dominant FB. Regardless, the FB will be top of scale for his role.

2023, LHP, Coogan Bombard, Woodstock
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 170 pounds. This crafty lefty sliced and diced the BT lineup with eye opening feel for his secondary pitches. It’s an upright delivery with a unique crossfire created by not only his stride, but unique arm action and slot. It’s long in the back, but shorter at release point from an L3/4 slot. Hitters had a very tough time picking it up, especially with the barrage of strikes he threw with 3 pitches. His FB worked in the mid-upper 70’s range with gradual tail and he peppered the arm side edge time and again. His sweeping CB in the mid 60’s showed consistent shape and proved very tough for Titans hitters to wait on. But his most impressive pitch is the mid 60’s bugs bunny CH that nearly stops time near the plate and falls off the table.


2023, RHP, Garrett Moody, Cambridge
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. This is a projectable arm with a high octane, drop & drive delivery. Moody absolutely dominated Denmark hitters to the tune of two hits, and only gave up one barrel the entire outing. It’s a quick arm action from an OH slot and he created steep plane on his 86-88 T89 FB when down in the zone. It also played up in the zone well off his low-mid 70’s 11-5 CB. The pitch had considerable depth all night and got a multitude of swing & miss. He creates serious torque in hip/shoulder separation due to his lengthy, aggressive stride and holds strong on the front side post landing. As the frame continues to fill out, this is a sure bet to be an arm sitting in the low 90’s and would not be surprised at all for him to climb past that in the future. Moody also impressed with a heavy CH in the upper 70’s that threw hitters off balance.

2023, RHP, Gavin Lynch, Milton
6-foot-6 200-pounds. Uncommitted. Lynch went 2 strong innings holding fastball velocity the entire him. The strong framed righty attacked hitters with his fastball that was 89-93. The delivery is smooth for  his size, and really gets into his backside when getting down the mound. The arm slot is slightly lower than over the top, allowing for high spin on the fastball with late life. He worked well out of the stretch, and still went right at hitters. Lynch will be a high follow this spring when he starts to ramp his pitch count up and get later into games.
 

2023, RHP, Caleb Thornton, Lowndes
6-foot-2 170-pounds. Thornton got called on early out of the pen, and was put in a tough spot against one of the best lineups in the state. The uncommitted senior ran his fastball up to 86 with some run and sink. He filled up the zone, and was not afraid to attack hitters. There were some defensive mistakes behind him, but he battled through. He could throw all 3 of his pitches for strikes. 

VIDEO EMBED

2023, RHP, Brock Hartley, Etowah
Hartley was second out of the pen for the Eagles. He was brought in while they were still down, and ended up getting the final out with the bases loaded to keep them in it. The righty was 83-85 with a whippy arm, and good late life on the fastball. He kept the hitters off balance with a curveball at 71-73. After the Eagles took the league, he settled in for two innings to finish the game out. If Hartley can continue to add strength to the frame, his lively arm could get him into the mid-upper 80’s by the end of the season.

2023, RHP, Griffin Guinther, Fellowship Christian
6-foot-1 180-pounds. Guinther came in for the 7th with a closer mentality. Showed a ton of energy and emotion with a 3 pitch strikeout to open the inning. He throws it out of the high side arm slot, and gets good late run/life on the fastball. It played up to 85, but settled in at 83-84. He had a tight, sweeping slider that he threw a couple of times. Attacked mostly with the fastball, and showed the ability to get in on RHH’s, which is a very tough pitch for them to hit. Guinther would be a great addition to any bullpen at the next level.

2023, RHP, Riley Valentine, Gainesville
6-foot-6 180-pounds. Imposing figure on the mound with a long, lanky frame. Started out 83-84 in the first inning, and the defense made a couple costly mistakes that led to a big inning. After the 1st he really settled in, and looked more comfortable. The fastball had heavy run, and really got on hitters when he threw it in the zone. He struggled with FB command some, but had a good CB that he was able to throw in for strikes consistently. He ended up getting up to 86 in the 5th inning, and looked to be throwing with more intent. Everything shows huge upside with Valentine, and he will be a huge addition to any program at the next level. He easily has 90 in him with his frame and effortless delivery. The action on the FB can really play at any level even with the 83-86 velocity.
 

Robert Hunt, LHP/1B, 2023
Uncommitted. 6-foot-5, 210 pounds. The fact that one of the best pitchers in the 2023 class is still uncommitted just shows the depth of the class. Robert and his HS team are a great example of the special type of talent that needs more exposure in the rural areas of Georgia, and we are committed to bringing this recognition to the masses. This was the best mound performance I’ve seen all spring, as Hunt stepped on the mound with a great plan and executed it to perfection. Not only did he get ahead in counts with the FB and got weak contact, but he was able to throw multiple variations of his disgusting SLV in any possible count. He was just as likely to get ahead on hitters 0-2 with 2 breaking balls as he was to get ahead with the heater. Hunt’s FB worked in the 85-88 range with perfect ease of operation, to the point where it looked like he was just playing catch in the yard all game. The pitch comes in on an incredibly steep plane from his height and 3/4 slot with late sink+tail, creating some angle as well, especially to the glove side. He hides his fluid full circle, mid depth arm action very well and stays behind the ball consistently, allowing his FB to play well up in the zone in addition. His feel to spin was innate, and the tight rotation on his sweeping 73-76 SLV gave the pitch two plane snap with disappearing depth at times. He was able to take some off anf throw it with more of a CB shape, drop down to side arm for true sweep, and back door+front door the pitch in any count with identical life. This is one of the most dynamic breaking balls in the state, and a huge reason Robert has received interest from almost two dozen schools since Friday (including 6 D1’s)! He also rakes as a 1B with tons of raw power, very impressive swing mechanics, and a selective aggressive approach.

Hunter Jackson, RHP, Woodstock, 2023
Uncommitted. 5-foot-10 175-pounds. Jackson got the start to open up the playoffs on the mound for the Wolverines. He has been consistent all year, and given them a chance to win each time he steps on the mound. The key to Jackson’s success is his ability to compete in the zone consistently. He has a short, stocky frame with more velo in the tank. He has a smooth delivery and works well out of the stretch. He keeps the ball down and forces contact. He has good late life on the FB at 80-84, and mixes in a CB that comes out of the same slot at 68-72. He has a good feel for spin, and does a good job of starting the curveball off the plate, and making hitters chase it out of the zone.