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Preseason All-State: Quick Hits - Infielders

January 19, 2024
Ian Smith
Assistant Scouting Director

Flowery Branch, GA: The Georgia Preseason All-State has been one of the most highly anticipated events leading up to the 2024 high school season in a while. 140 players made their way to IVSA Training in Flowery Branch to show off their progress they made in the off season. From power 5 committed 2025's to the #1 ranked 2027 in the state, this preseason event had a wide range of talent that did not dissapoint. The players completed a pro-style workout along with our tech partners, Trackman, Blast, Vizual Edge and Swift Performance. The content from this event is just beginning, today we will take a look at some of the infielders that made an instant impact. Check back tomorrow as we will release the outfielders with the pitchers to follow in the coming days. 

To view all stats from the event, CLICK HERE

2025

Xavier Byams, First-Base, Marist School
Presently physical at 6-foot-0, 215-pounds with loads of strength throughout and a heavy barrel at the plate. Quiet load with a simple, quick trigger allows for Byams to fire his hands through the zone with authority and finds consistent impact in a line-drive approach. Generated exit velocities up to 98.7 and it’s clear there’s even more in the tank. Good arm strength across the infield, and gives infielders a great target at first with soft hands. The uncommitted junior is going to be looked upon to be a major offensive weapon for Marist School this spring.

Carson Zagryn, Second-Base, Blessed Trinity
One half of the Blessed Trinity infield twins, Carson put together a really solid round of BP. Simple load while demonstrating an advanced ability to get deep into his lower half paired with above-average bat speed that allows Zagryn to drive the ball to all fields with ease. A physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame will continue to get stronger and shows potential to grow into above-average raw power down the line. Good actions in the infield with present arm strength (87) and solid lateral movement that should allow him to stick in the dirt long-term. The uncommitted middle infielder will be an important piece to a quality Titans team that will be a potential Region contender this spring.

Aiden Zagryn, Third-Base, Blessed Trinity
Now the other half of the B-T twins, Aiden, had an equally impressive day. Working out of wide base, the third-baseman does a fantastic job of driving his back hip to the ball in the midst of a steeper bat path that creates fairly easy loft to the pull-side. Everything off the barrel for Zagryn on Sunday was hard, with an average exit velocity of 91.4 and max over 96. There’s plenty of projection left in the 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame, and when paired with the bat path gear for damage, matches his twin brother in significant power potential. Good range and athleticism in the infield bodes well for Zagryn at the hot corner, and has the above-average arm strength (88) to make all the throws necessary. Zagryn will be arun-producer for Blessed Trinity for the next two years, and is one of the better uncommitted third-basemen in the state.

Dayson Griffis, Third-Base/Right-Handed Pitcher, Appling County
A physical all-around day for Tennessee commit. It started at the plate where Griffis has almost zero wasted effort in a compact right-handed swing. A quick, heel-turn trigger allows for Griffis to transfer weight well with present bat speed into a linear, line-drive bat path that peppers both gaps. There’s heaviness in the barrel and strength in the frame that impact the ball consistently and finished BP with an average exit of 91.9. Above-average arm talent started in the infield with a max of 91 before jumping on the mound with impressive results. Arm speed is explosive and repeats a very simple delivery well. Fastball lived 88-91 T92 with hard arm-side run and good life through the zone from a lower release height. Sweeping slider at 76-78 generates nearly 20 inches of horizontal movement to create swing-and-miss. Mid-70s changeup can be a weapon with great tunneling action off the fastball with good velo separation. It’s a strong feel for three pitches, and overall Griffis could have one of the stronger two-way profiles in south Georgia.

Landon Kemp, Shortstop, Cherokee Bluff
Utilizing a low handset with a quick-twitch toe trigger, Kemp does a fine job sinking in his lower half backed by present bad speed and leverage in the bat path. Creates easy lift to the pull-side and as he fills out a lean, high-waisted 6-foot-0 frame can develop significant raw pop. Good footwork moving laterally in the infield and shows soft hands on transfers. Showed the ability to make accurate throws from multiple angles with solid arm strength. Kemp would flash a good three-pitch mix on the mound as well, running the fastball up to 80 with good command of all three. The uncommitted primary infielder will be a multi-use weapon for a very talented Cherokee Bluff squad this spring.

Will Huggins, Shortstop, Bowdon
Strong and athletic at 6-foot-2, 179-pounds, the Georgia State commit made a strong impression on our staff this past weekend. Huggins deploys fast hands and above-average bat speed with great length through the zone from the left-side. Drove balls into the pull-side gap consistently, and flashed the ability to create some loft at contact that will continue to strengthen the power profile. With the glove, the Bowdon shortstop is smooth moving in all directions with confident footwork and flexibility to attack the ball. Arm strength is present, topping 85 across the infield. Huggins offers a very high floor in his profile, and there’s room for much more.

Jackson Stanley, Middle-Infield, Creekview
A multi-sport athlete for Creekview, Stanley offers a high-waisted 5-foot-11 frame that’s already physical but still offers projection remaining. Very hitterish at the plate with excellent feel for the barrel, Stanley has a direct path to the ball with great leverage at contact and gap-to-gap approach. Shows actions in the infield that will play at both second and short with enough arm to play at either as well. The 2021 Junior Future Games alum has been steadily improving over the past two years and now the uncommitted infielder looks like a real college bat.

Jin Kasuya, Shortstop, Seckinger
As consistent of a performer as you’ll find in the 2025 class, Kasuya has considerable bat-to-ball skills with easy, repeatable actions at the plate. The South Carolina commit does a really good job of keeping his hands inside and staying through the ball in an all-fields approach. There’s strong potential for an above-average hit tool at some point. Up-the-middle, Kasuya is a fluid mover with excellent footwork and fast hands on transfers. Has the range and arm to stick at short, and the overall glove is one of the strengths of the profile. Kasuya will be an x-factor for Seckinger in the middle-infield this spring with both the glove and the stick.

2026

Todd Haley, First-Base/Left-Handed Pitcher, Walton
After earning some playing time as freshman at powerhouse Walton, Todd Haley started his sophomore campaign with a strong showing at preseason all-state. Presently physical at 6-foot-1, 210-pounds, Haley does a fine job of keeping his hands back in a quiet load before firing above-average bat speed through the zone. Line-drive approach allows the first-baseman to stay on-plane consistently with impact in the barrel, exit velocities over 93. An easy mover with a good operation on the mound as well, Haley shows feel for a good three-pitch mix. Fastball at 78-80 gets good arm-side run with some carry. Curveball and changeup both show potential as well, and can be a good arm for the Walton bullpen going forward.

Jack Richerson, Third-Base, Marist School
Starting with an uber-projectable 6-foot-4, 196-pound frame, Richerson impressed in many facets on Sunday. Impressive hand speed (Max 26.0) with present barrel control and obvious bat speed (Max 76.9) at the plate allows Richerson to display impressive exit velocities while driving the ball pull-side. Starting to incorporate his lower half, and as the development continues to grow, the potential for substantial raw power is likely. Good flexibility at the waist and soft hands play well in the infield, and has present arm strength to make strong throws across. The projectability in the profile is very intriguing, and Richerson will be a focal point for Marist over the next couple years.

Bubba Coleman, Shortstop, Cherokee Bluff
The LSU commit is one of the best players in the 2026 class and had his tools on full display at preseason all-state. With athletic, active actions at the plate, Coleman syncs his upper and lower halves extremely well with great ability to create separation in a quick-twitch, toe-tap trigger that keeps him deep in his back hip. Explodes with above-average bat speed (Max 77.3) and barrel feel that creates hard contact with ease. It’s already a quality hit/power combo, but the potential is among some of the best 2026 bats nationally. A shortstop through and through defensively with effortless actions with the glove. Moves laterally with above-average range and great balance. Plus accuracy from multiple arm angles that’s backed by present arm strength (86). It’s a very athletic 6-foot-0, 170-pounds that still holds plenty of projection, and could take the profile to an even higher level as he matures.

Colton Sweat, Shortstop, West Forsyth
Possibly the best round of batting practice we’ve ever seen from Sweat as a staff. Creating good separation, the West Forsyth sophomore utilizes a bigger leg kick with a strong lead leg that he fired into the ground with authority. Present ability to manipulate the barrel, both creating loft to the pull-side and firing line-drives into both gaps. Heavy barrels throughout the round with an average exit velocity of 89.0. Very hitterish actions overall at the plate for Sweat. An athletic mover in the infield with good range and ability to move the tough play. Present arm strength (85) plays up with on-target throws. The profile continues to develop into a very well-rounded shortstop, and if Sunday was any indication, could be in-store for a big spring.

Ace Allen, Shortstop, Dutchtown
With Dylan Cupp now at Mississippi State, Ace Allen could be the next slick-fielding shortstop at Dutchtown. With the stick, Allen uses a slight bat wiggle with a vertical path that creates good leverage to the pull-side and some barrel feel. A present plus defender that shows up consistently. Great footwork and range moving in all directions, Allen will rarely look out-of-control and shows confidence attacking balls. Arm strength is steadily improving as he matures into his athletic 6-foot-0, 150-pound frame.

Seth Dixon, Shortstop/Right-Handed Pitcher, North Forsyth
Fairly eye-opening day for the sophomore as he showed real promise with two-way tools. A lean, projectable 6-foot-0, 140-pounds, Dixon showed a really fast barrel through the zone with present bat speed (Max 75.2) and easy line-drive approach. Strong defender up-the-middle who does a great job anticipating and shows impressive hands. Present arm strength that shows up across the infield (86) and on the bump, where the upside might even be greater. Standing tall with easy, repeatable mechanics, Dixon shows a ton of funk from a lower three-quarters slot. Fastball is heavy at 85-87 T88 with hard arm-side run and present command. Mid-70s curveball creates both depth and sweep well, with good ability to land on the outer half. Changeup shows good tunneling metrics off the fastball that will bode well. Dixon is going to continue to get stronger while growing into his frame, and could be just scratching the surface of his two-way potential.

Hudson Reed, Third-Base/Right-Handed Pitcher, Morgan County
Another strong two-way performance came from number one ranked third-baseman in our 2026 class. Hudson Reed is plenty physical at 6-foot-2, 196-pounds and shows it well at the plate. Quiet hands with great ability to sink into a strong lower half, Reed displays huge bat speed through the zone (Max 77.3) with consistent impact on contact, max exit velocity of 96.7. The Georgia commit drives balls into the gaps with ease, and even more raw power to come. On the mound, the potential looks impressive. The ball comes out of the hand extremely easy with the fastball at 85-87 T88 with good sink and run. Flashes a pair of breaking balls in the low-70s with distinct shape, with the slider getting significant sweep. Changeup could be the best pitch in the arsenal presently with great ability to kill spin paired with arm-side fade at 80-82. Reed checks a lot of boxes as a 2026 prospect, and will be in-store for a strong sophomore season.

Dawson Vaughn, Third-Base, Gainesville
With a high-waisted, highly-projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame the Gainesville sophomore is quickly looking the part of an impact third-baseman. Vaughn uses a quick leg lift with good separation at the plate with present bat speed. Advanced ability to stay compact and keep his down through contact. Strong feel to pepper both gaps with line-drives. With the glove, Vaughn covers ground well with quality range and present above-average arm strength (87) to make any throw necessary. Gainesville has a deep roster of highly talented underclassmen, and Vaughn will be right in the middle of it. 

Christian Starks, Second-Base/Right-Handed Pitcher, Pickens
The two-way upside for Starks appears to be higher everytime we get a chance to see him. A well-proportioned, projectable 6-foot-1,175-pound frame continues to get stronger and showing up at the plate. Leverages the barrel through the zone well, with some ability to create leverage out front for solid pull-side carry. Moves well across the infield with good flexibility in the lower half and soft hands. On the mound, Starks shows a fast arm from a lower three-quarters slot and present command with three pitches. Fastball at 80-82 that gets some sink and run while playing up due to deception from the slot. Slider at 71-73 creates sweep across the zone and changeup gets significant arm-side fade in the mid-70s. Pickens will use Starks in a multitude of ways this spring and beyond, and has the tools to grow in the roles. 

2027

Ryan Johansen, Second-Base, Buford
As a freshman at one of the powerhouse high schools in the state, Johansen has a fantastic opportunity going forward and the profile is looking strong already. The 2023 Junior Future Games alum exudes some present barrel control from the left-side with improving bat speed. Good use of his lower half and bat path that creates loft easily will be conducive to solid pop as he matures into his frame. Confident footwork in the infield with some good athleticism that plays up moving laterally. Johansen will be one to keep an eye on going forward.