Top 20: Future Games 2023s (Position Players)
August 25, 2020
An influx of young talent took over the Lakepoint Complex at the 2020 PBR Future Games with college coaches glued to livestreams in hopes of finding the next “program changers” and prospects to add to their program. On the country’s biggest stage, players showed off their talents in hopes of catching the eyes of college recruiters and professional scouts. Below, National Crosschecker, Shooter Hunt, takes a look at 20 position players from the 2023 class who made an impression on him as prospects to follow in the future.
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Addison Smith SS / RHP / Liberty, MO / 2023Smith came into the event riding high off a big summer, and only helped to cement himself as one of the top shortstops in the country in the 2023 class. The wiry-athletic 6-foot-1, 160-pounder plays with bounce all over the field, and his slick hands, and advanced glove-to-hand ability should allow him to stick at shortstop long term. His defense shined throughout the weekend, and the arm, which appears lighter when streaming, was anything but when watching in person. He made some quick throws off his back foot in the hole with impressive carry. The ball almost appears to jump out of his sleeve with a quick release, and only helped confirm my belief that he can stick at the coveted position long term. At the plate, his pitch recognition, strike zone discipline, and overall polish was on full display throughout. Smith got off aggressive swings from both sides of the plate where the hands fluidly load down and back in sync with a leg hang before gaining ground through impact. There is advanced quickness and bat speed from both sides that provides present gap-to-gap power, and his thin frame should add considerable strength in coming years. An exciting athlete to watch on both sides of the ball, the makeup and high baseball IQ only serve to boost his high-ceiling. Smith recently committed to Texas A&M. |