PBR Louisiana 2024 State Rankings Update: Risers
November 16, 2023
Yesterday, we released our state rankings update, for the 2024 class, now that the fall season has come to an end. Throughout the fall, we held several events, across different parts of the state, so that our staff could get eyes on as many prospects as possible. We ended our fall schedule with our annual State Games event, on 09/30-10/01, at Alex Box Stadium, which gave us the opportunity to evaluate many prospects that we've seen over the last 2-3 years, as well as new faces that have made jumps later in their high school careers. Our state rankings list for the 2024 class expanded to 225 players in total for this update, and although there was little movement at the top, there were plenty of movers and shakers throughout the list. Today, we take a look at a few guys that have moved up in this rankings update.
RISERS (2024 CLASS)
+ 2024 INF/RHP Kasen Bellard (Barbe HS)
Athletic 5'10" 170 lbs. frame with room to continue to add strength. The former Future Gamer was a big part of the Bucs success last season, on route to their 12th state title in school history. Bellard hit .417 last spring with 11 2B and 28 RBI, while also swiping 19 bases. This season, he'll once again be a vital part of the Bucs offense, but they'll also be relying upon him on the mound with the departures of several seniors. The University of Louisiana-Lafayette recruit moves up five spots in this update to #25 overall in the state.
Another big time hit by @RaginCajunsBSB commit 2024 Kasen Bellard (Barbe HS) with this triple to RF. The Bucs now lead 4-1. #BeSeen@prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/hD7VIy0FCY
— PBR Louisiana (@PBR_Louisiana) May 12, 2023
+ 2024 RHP Ryder Loup (Catholic BR HS)
The Catholic BR HS product was undoubtedly one of, if not, the biggest winner coming out of our State Games this fall. The 5'11" 185 lbs. right-hander worked quick and attacked hitters with a 85-89 mph FB that saw swings & misses at the top of the zone, and he tunneled it well with his "12-6" shaped top to bottom 71-73 mph CB. Loup finished his State Games outing with 5 K's over his two shutout innings. He moves up ten spots in this update to #38 overall in the state.
+ 2024 RHP/OF Alex Morrison (Tioga HS)
6'2" 170 lbs. with room to continue to fill out his lean and athletic frame. The Tioga HS product showed a big jump this fall at our Senior Games, where he ran his FB up to 89 mph and sat 84-88 mph, while mixing in a sharp 76-77 mph. The uptick in velocity isn't what impressed us the most about Morrison. It's was his ease of operation and fluid, clean arm path, which screams that there's likely more in the tank. After our Senior Games this fall, Morrison announced his commmitment to LSU-Eunice. He moves up 47 spots in this update to #40 overall in the state.
+ 2024 C Caleb Hastings (Lutcher HS)
Some of our favorite swings of the fall came off the bat of Hastings at our Senior Games event in September. The 6'0" 195 lbs. barrel chested and physical backstop took aggressive hacks and showed the ability to turn the barrel in a tight window, which produced loud results with consistent 90+ mph exit velocities. Hastings also showed that he was a solid receiver and blocker with excellent catch & throw skills, as he popped a 1.97-2.09 from the crouch with a 77 mph positional velocity. He recently announced his commitment to LSU-Eunice and moves up 37 spots in this update to #46 overall in the state.
+ 2024 RHP Austin Pounds (Archbishop Hannan HS)
Long, lean, and projectable 6'3" 170 lbs. frame with a ton of room to continue to add strength. The Archbishop Hannan HS product is a newcomer to our 2024 state rankings, as he checks in at #52 in this update. Pounds had a really good Senior Games performance, where he worked his FB in the 85-87 mph range with a long & loose arm action. He also showed feel for a "11-5" shaped low-70's CB and the ability to kill spin with a 76-77 mph CH, which he was able to land against both RHH's and LHH's. College programs looking to add an arm this spring should definitely give Pounds a look.
Related Content:
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- LA Uncommitted Spotlight: 2025 OF Jake Simmons 8/26/24
- LA Uncommitted Fall Follows: Louisiana 2025 Class 8/22/24
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