Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Team MS Future Games Recap: Position Player Performances

August 3, 2023
PBR Mississippi Staff

As we return home from Atlanta it’s time to take a closer look at the young men that represented Team Mississippi at the PBR Future Games. With 375 college recruiters in attendance the event can be a little overwhelming though our Mississippi prospects handled themselves very well and played very competitive baseball with games vs. Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. 

Let’s take a look at the position players that made it out to the Lakepoint Sports Complex in Emerson, GA.

 

+ ‘25 INF Dayne Wray of Tupelo had a stellar showing in Atlanta at the Future Games. The slick fielding infielder showed off each of his tools and could begin to garner plenty of interest soon. After giving recruiters a glimpse of his talents on workout day Wray was impressive in gameplay with several big hits and solid defense. He handles the bat well and with 6.8 speed and quickness he projects near the top of the order. 

+ ‘25 INF Eli Wheat of Oak Grove is a true gamer. The lean framed rising junior primarily plays 2B, though has the ability to handle the left side of the infield as well. Wheat had a very good game 3 versus Louisiana picking up 2 hits while playing solid defense. Look for him to improve on overall numbers (88 EV, 80 arm velocity, and 6.95 speed) as his body continues to add strength and maturity. 

+ ‘25 INF Baylor Roberts of Saltillo has some of the smoothest hands in the south at shortstop and has now added more size and strength to his lean frame which makes a noticeable difference in other areas of his game. Roberts had a solid high school season where he picked up 5 home runs (along with a state championship) and could add to that as there’s plenty more room for added mass. Should be a busy offseason for this young man. 

+ ‘25 INF Braden Maranto of Amory is smaller in size but plays big. The sweet swinging lefty hitter was impressive during his batting practice rounds on workout day and carried it right over into gameplay. Maranto can spray the ball all over the park with a line line approach and plays a solid defense. He’s yet another infielder that will receive some attention this Fall now that juniors are free to communicate with recruiters. 

+ ‘25 INF Tre Bryant of Jackson Prep is dual prospect for Team Mississippi and showed his worth in Atlanta. The corner infielder (primarily 3B) was solid on defense and showed off his strong arm on several occasions. Bryant uses a fairly compact swing at the plate with a gap to gap approach and solid power potential. The multi sport athlete should begin to receive attention as a position player and pitcher this Fall. 

+ ‘25 INF/OF Caleb Doty of Lausanne Collegiate is yet another dual prospect on the Mississippi roster. Listed as an infielder first, Doty may find himself roaming the outfield at the next level in order for teams to utilize his speed (6.7), strong arm (89 on the mound), and instinctive play. At the plate Doty  uses a short, compact stroke and pull side approach with plenty of pop.

+ ‘25 OF South McCoy of Tupelo has some impressive power potential with exit velocities nearing the 100 mph mark, but not the extent of his game by any means. The rising junior plays an exceptional defense and uses a strong arm. At the plate, McCoy has some loft to his swing which should result in some serious production heading into the 2024 season and beyond. 

+ ‘26 OF Eric “EJ” Booth of Oak Grove was a top performer on workout day as the only 2026 on the Mississippi squad opened some eyes with his 6.46 60. The rising sophomore had a couple of exceptional rounds of batting practice as well and should be a very highly sought after young man this time next year. In game 3 Booth, a big power threat, showed off his in-game speed with an infield single to the right side with an impressive 3.99 time down the line.

+ ‘25 OF Brady Saxton of Northwest Rankin is a hard nosed outfielder that seems to come up big when needed, evident by his opposite field double in game 3 versus Tennessee. Saxton can cover the whole plate and has enough power to get it over the wall to all fields. Another player with two way potential, he didn’t throw in Atlanta though should also garner some interest from recruiters on the mound as a lefty that works into the mid 80’s. 

+ ‘25 OF Cooper Waddle of Itawamba AHS is dynamic two way player that could potentially end up serving in multiple roles at the next level. He should find himself at the top of the order as he handles the bat well with a line drive, gap to gap approach. Though his 60 time is not as quick as others, he makes it up with off the chart instincts and covers the gaps in center very well. Waddle also has the stuff to help immediately on the mound with a fastball that reaches the low 90’s and hard slider that is very tough on lefties. This one should be locked up soon!

+ ‘25 OF/C/2B Drew Hollimon of East Union is a player all coaches would love to have on their roster. Hollimon plays multiple positions and plays them all well. He will probably find himself roaming the outfield at the next level as quickness and instinctive play are evident, though the rising junior can hold down 2B and does an excellent job behind the plate. On offense, the smaller framed Holliman uses a line drive, gap to gap approach with very solid pop. If you follow him you will fall in love with his style of play!

+ ‘25 C Ethan Walker of Purvis had a very memorable Future Games which just added to his eventful 2023, which included a 4A state championship. The rising junior was very good behind the plate as he stopped multiple base runners during the week attempting to swipe bases. Walker also added multiple hits during the 3 games including a towering home run in game 2 versus Alabama. 

+ ‘25 C/INF Ethan Barnes of Lewisburg can play multiple positions, serving as a solid catcher and very polished infielder. Barnes will likely see most of his time around the bags, though his steady pop times under 2.0 make him a very good option behind the plate. He showed what he is capable of at the plate during game 3 as he belted a pitch over the left field wall and accounted for 4 runs batted in during the 3 games in Atlanta. 

 

Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Mississippi
Follow on Instagram: @PBRMississippi
Follow on Facebook: Prep Baseball Report - MS

 

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
PBR Junior Future Games 7/25 LakePoint Sports - Emerson, GA
PBR Future Games 7/26 LakePoint Sports - Emerson, GA
North Mississippi Fall ID 9/9 Northwest Mississippi CC - Senatobia, MS
South Mississippi Fall ID 9/23 Pearl River CC - Poplarville, MS
2023 AL/MS Border Battle 10/14 Northeast Mississippi CC - Booneville, MS

 

+ Click HERE to create a free profile.

+ Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site. 


Related Content: