The Director's List: Upperclass Fall World Series

October 3, 2024
Hudson Graham and Ian Smith
Prep Baseball Georgia

From 96 on the mound to standout performances at the plate, The Upperclass Fall World Series had no shortage of talent across a busy couple of days.

In this edition of the Director’s List, State Director Hudson Graham and Assistant Director Ian Smith breakdown some of the best performances of the week as well as list some additional standouts including some high-level uncommitted 2025 and 2026 players.

Plus for even more coverage from the Underclass Fall World Series, you can find a loaded scout blog here, with new write-ups on 15+ players. Click the link below to read the scout blog.

2024 Upperclass Fall World Series: Scout Blog

Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA)

Biggest Winner: OF Vick Gann (5 Star Team Georgia National)

Favorite Hitter: SS Daniel Pierce (Team Elite Black)

Favorite Pitcher: RHP Andrew Brech (Sauce 17U Scout)

Sleeper Favorite: RHP Marshall Jackson (5 Star Team Georgia National)

Vick Gann, OF, 2025, Houston County
The run that Gann has been on at the plate to close the summer and now into the fall has been impossible to ignore. The uncommitted outfielder has lived on the barrel in an all-fields approach that's strengthened by advanced pitch recognition. Gann does a fantastic job of staying compact in his swing and completely eliminating the inner half of the plate for opposing pitchers at times. The aptitude to work backside stands out, especially with two strikes. Fired multiple balls down the left-field line equaling automatic extra bases due to Gann’s present plus run tool. Nothing soft off the bat either including a couple pull-side ground balls at 100+ and tattooing a triple to LCF at 98.1. Closing speed and advanced routes in the outfield give Gann a chance to stick in center field with all the arm speed necessary long term. This is one of the top uncommitted outfielders in Georgia’s 2025 class and will be a major asset to a recruiting class these next couple months.

Daniel Pierce, SS, 2025, Mill Creek
Pierce comes into the fall with a big arrow up after a big summer and standout performance at East Coast Pro. The Georgia commit opened the week off with a bang, turning around a high-80s fastball for a no-doubt backside home run at 96.5 and over 350 ft. of carry. Following a stoic pre-pitch setup, Pierce utilizes a quick-twitch trigger and bat wiggle that gets him balanced and into hitting position with ease. Exudes excellent plate coverage and feel for the barrel alike that allows the shortstop to show a strong hit tool consistently with an above-average ceiling long term. As bullish as I am at the plate, Pierce offers a chance for a plus glove at short that can absolutely carry the profile. Premier lateral actions with good flexibility and soft hands that makes any play in the hole look routine. Footwork and arm strength only add to the profile, and chances for a high-level shortstop at the next level look evident.

Andrew Brech, RHP, 2027, Mountain View
When it comes to the 2027 class in Georgia, I’m not sure if there was a player who had a more rewarding summer than Andrew Brech. Standout outings throughout the summer moved him firmly into the Top 10 of the state rankings and a massive performance for Team USA 15U to close the summer only capped things off. In my first look this fall, Brech maintained the loud arsenal that’s only getting better seemingly by the day. Fastball up to 88 while living 85-87 with heavy arm-side run and innate feel to spin (2450+ RPM) that allows for consistent in-zone misses. Slider looks the part of potential put-away pitch down the line, working 73-75 presently with late horizontal sweep that creates some ugly swing-and-miss at times, and will only continue to grow as the command develops. Changeup could be my favorite pitch in the mix for Brech with disappearing tumble and advanced feel to tunnel at 74-77. Maintains arm speed well while killing spin to create a ton of deception in the pitch. Athletic at 5-foot-10, 160-pounds with whippy arm speed and budding command of three pitches, Brech has a chance to be a household name sooner than later.

Marshall Jackson, RHP, 2026, Brookwood
It was a first ever look at Jackson, and the pitchability stood out instantly. Standing an athletic 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, the uncommitted right-handed moves extremely well on the mound with great flexibility and use of his lower half and present arm speed. Fastball showed quality life in the mid-80s, working up to 86 with some carry and natural cut. The star of the show for Jackson was the slider at 70-73 that showed unparalleled confidence and feel to throw whenever he wanted. Above-average command allows Jackson to land anywhere in-zone for strikes and freeze multiple batters for called strikes. There's ability to manipulate, showing some big sweep at times to create swing-and-miss. Changeup flashes at 75-77 with some late fade and operates well as a third pitch right now. Jackson will have some huge shoes to fill this spring at Brookwood but the path to huge innings is clear.

Smitty’s Standouts

Ben Martin, RHP, 2025, Allatoona

Nathan Horstmann, 3B, 2026, Corner Canyon (UT)

Travis Peitz, SS, 2025, Calvert Hall (MD)

Dillon Stiltner, RHP, 2025, Trinity Christian

Collin Brightwell, OF, 2025, Redan

Will Haacke, OF, 2025, Calvert Hall (MD)

Tyler Fallmann, RHP, 2025, Walker School

Judson Hartwell, 1B/OF, 2025, Prince Ave Christian

David “Javy” Ojeda, OF, 2026, Flowery Branch

Joseph Soto, LHP, 2026, Brookwood

Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR)

Biggest Winner: INF Seth Geter (TL10)

Favorite Hitter: 3B Daniel Mendez (MAVSGA)

Favorite Pitcher: RHP Reece Grodeman (TL10)

Sleeper Favorite: SS Luke Burnett (Team Elite White)

Seth Geter, INF, Maynard Jackson, 2025
Uncommitted. 5-foot-10 180-pounds. Geter has been a player we have seen a lot over the last couple years. He continues to develop at the plate, and had a huge weekend to prove it. It seemed like every time I looked over at their games he had a barrel. At one point he was 8 for 9, and capped off his 9th hit with an inside the park home run. The strength and athleticism has always been there, and now he has made some adjustments to keep him on time more consistently. He is versatile in the field, and could stick at any infield spot or move into the outfield. Geter is an uncommitted name to keep an eye on as we move into the rest of the fall and spring.

Daniel Mendez, 3B, Ola, 2026
Uncommitted. 6-foot 185-pounds. Mendez made a lasting first impression when I was south of Atlanta for the Greenbrier vs Ola state playoff series. He started out playing a really strong 3rd base, and took some really good at bats from the left side early in the games. There is easy timing and rhythm with a strong lower half and really good barrel control through the zone. He has great pitch recognition, and showed off the pull side power during the Upperclass Fall World series with a solo shot to right field. Mendez is a player that could stick at the hot corner long term or bounce around the infield. He has a strong arm, as he can hop on the mound and sit low to mid 80’s with the fastball. He will be a key contributor for Ola again in 2025, and could be a real power threat from the left side with some added strength.

Reece Grodeman, 3B/RHP, Model, 2026
Uncommitted. 6-foot-5 195-pounds. Grodeman was a 2022 Junior Future, and has gotten better year after. It is hard not to like the lean, athletic frame with room to feel out and add strength. Since then he seems to add a couple mph on his fastball. The Upperclass Fall World Series was the first look at him since mid summer. He held velo at 87-90, which was some of the best we have seen from him. He mixed in the lethal change up in the upper 70’s. Grodeman’s change up has some of the best depth and break I have seen covering high school baseball. He throws it out of the same tunnel, and keeps hitters guessing with it looking like a fastball out of the hand. He competes in the zone with a confident tempo. Grodeman is a top 20 name in the 2026 class for the state of Georgia, and will be one of the top two way talents in the states the next 2 years.

Luke Burnett, SS, Prince Avenue Christian, 2025
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2 190-pounds. Burnett made a lasting impression in during the 2023 season at Prince Avenue Christian. I was able to see them multiple times, and walked away impressed each time. The size and athleticism stand out, no matter who the opposing team is. The feel for the barrel at the plate make him an everday playmaker at the next level with the glove, and instincts at SS. He has the ability to slow the game down, and make plays on both offense and defense. Burnett is one of the top bats left in the state for the 2025 class, and will be a versatile asset at the next level.