Underclass Invitational: Preview
January 11, 2020
PBR Georgia’s first-ever Underclass Invitational is coming to Mike Cameron Baseball Academy on Sunday, Jan. 12. Modeled after the Preseason All-State held on Jan. 11, this invite-only event will showcase some of the top 2022 and 2023 prospects in the entire state.
Nearly 50 of Georgia’s top underclassmen will meet in Stockbridge, GA, on Sunday, the majority of whom are uncommitted. For a look at this year’s roster, click here. For more information on the showcase’s format and structure, click here.
As a bonus for attending one of our events, uncommitted members of the class of 2022 and 2023 become eligible to be selected to Team Georgia for the prestigious 2020 PBR Future Games in August.
We welcome back three members from the inaugural Team Georgia at the 2019 Future Games: No. 7-ranked SS Brant Baughcum (Brookwood; Georgia Tech), No. 11-ranked UTL Jackson Gaspard (Buford; uncommitted), and No. 20-ranked 1B Jonathan Jamie (Brookwood; Tulane).
Baughcum is described as a high energy baseball junkie and will be an immediate impact player at Brookwood this year, along with his teammate Jamie. Standing a strong, broad 6-foot, 180-pounds, he creates natural leverage in his swing and elevates the ball with ease. Baughcum quickly committed to Georgia Tech following a standout performance at the Future Games.
Gaspard is the definition of a super-utility player. Stick him in the outfield, up the middle, on the corner, behind the dish or on the mound and he looks equally as comfortable. What impressed the most at the Future Games was his appearance on the mound. He was not overpowering with his mid-80s fastball, but it was his curveball, a true 12/6, that dominated opposing batters.
Jamie, is a big, strong 6-foot-2, 184-pounds and swings a power bat from the left-side. He has the ability to drive the ball to all fields, and will certainly have a loud round of batting practice come Sunday. On the defensive side of things, he has a presence at first an advanced feel around the bag.
The highest ranked sophomore in attendance is No. 6-ranked RHP/SS Hayden Murphy (Tiftarea Academy; Auburn). A long, lakny 6-foot-3, 180-pounds Murphy uses his length well and will be must watch both at the plate and on the mound at the event. Look for No. 16-ranked RHP Luke Fernandez (West Forsyth; uncommitted) to turn some heads as well when he steps on the mound. The strongly built right-hander has easy juice on his upper-80s fastball and can drop in a breaking ball with good feel.
Other 2022s to keep on eye on will be: No. 23-ranked C Sammy Leis (Denmark; Alabama), No. 24-ranked OF Stan Zagrodnik (Buford; uncommitted), No. 27-ranked OF Jayce Blalock (Trinity Christian; uncommitted), No. 32-ranked SS Nico Senese (East Coweta; uncommitted), SS Brady Jones (Decatur; uncommitted) and many more.
An already established 2023 in the class will be well represented on Sunday, leading off with the No.1-ranked player in the state, SS Dylan Cupp (Cedartown; uncommitted). Cupp is equipped with a lean, lanky frame and plenty of room to continue developing his 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame. He does everything in a loose, easy fashion, from fielding up the middle to peppering all fields with his line drive swing. The sky's the limit for Cupp as he matures.
Four other members of the top-25 will also be in attendance, including one of the early commits of the class: No. 11-ranked RHP Bransen Powell (Locust Grove; Georgia), No. 18-ranked C Tyler Minnick (Mount Paran Christian; uncommitted), No. 22-ranked 3B Andrew Dunford (Houston County; uncommitted), and No. 24-ranked OF Garrett Garner (Franklin County; uncommitted). The rest of this group is filled with prospects who, when we do expand our Class of 2023 rankings, will be ranked prospects at some point in their prep careers.
We could spend much more time on this very talented group of underclassmen, but we will let their performances on Sunday do the talking. Follow along with us on Twitter at @PBRGeorgia as we live tweet during the event. Next week, we will share rapid analysis on the showcase as well as a statistical analysis of the day’s top performers.
ITINERARY
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Check-in for Position Players, Catchers, two-way players: 8:50 AM - 9:10 AM.
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Offensive Evaluations (exit velo, mechanical analysis, batting practice, home-to-first)
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Defensive Evaluations (arm strength, mobility, positional reps)
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Check-in for Pitcher Only: 11:00 - 11:20 AM.
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Bullpen Sessions (15-pitch session, mechanical analysis)
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Catcher Evaluations (evaluating receiving/blocking skills)
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Catchers will stay for both sessions.
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