AL/MS Border Battle: Mississippi Quick Hits
October 17, 2023
BOONEVILLE, MS - The AL/MS Border Battle was held on October 14th-15th at Northeast Mississippi CC in Booneville, MS. This was an invite-only event that consisted of prospects in the 2025, 2026, & 2027 classes from both Mississippi and Alabama. These players went through a pro-style workout on Saturday and took batting practice using Trackman to record hitting metrics, then followed it up with gameplay on Sunday with pitchers throwing multiple innings. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing this weekend.
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Continuing off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top Mississippi performers and standouts from the event. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release various leaderboards from the event then transition into releasing individual scouting reports for each player in attendance.
INF / St. Andrews Episcopal / 2026
Very polished all around player arriving on the scene that should have several options come next August. We’ve known about Word for a while now and get excited every chance we get to see him as the progression is evident and not ending soon. Smooth hands and range on the infield with a accurate arm that will get stronger. The sophomore carries an aggressive bat to the plate with a line drive, all fields approach and strong leadership qualities.
1B/3B / Meridian / 2026
Lindsey has a large frame with elite power potential. The corner infielder is still developing in all areas though his bat speed and present pull side power will make him widely known in recruiting circles very soon. During game play Lindsey found barrels on both Saturday and Sunday with multiple line drives into the right center gap.
Uncommitted 6-2 ,175-pounds. Lean with long limbs, leverage and next level potential as a two way player. In the outfield, Howell shows decent speed though is fairly instinctive with the ability to play in all 3 spots. The lefty hitter uses a line drive approach and primarily works the middle to pull side of the field with low 90’s exit velocities. Howell also understands how to pitch with a solid 3 pitch mix including a fastball that works generally in the low to mid 80’s.
OF / Oxford / 2026
Very intriguing prospect with a solid skill set already. The Oxford outfielder has a very strong and accurate arm with developing speed which should make him more than adequate on defense. He is already shining at the plate with lots of pop to the pull side. We believe as overall maturity continues, he will develop into a very sought after young player with high level potential.
INF / Lewisburg / 2026
Don’t let the size of this middle infielder from Lewisburg fool you, as he plays super big on the field. Nelson has smooth hands, exceptional footwork, and a strong, accurate arm (83 mph) which makes him one of the better infield prospects in the class. The 2 time Junior Future Games participant can handle the bat as well with gap power and a middle to pull side approach and came up with some big hits during game play this past weekend.
Uncommitted 6-0, 160 pounds with long levers and an athletic frame. Jansen has continued to progress well over the past couple of years with steady gains in all areas. At the plate, the added strength is evident as he uses a very polished swing with an all fields, line drive approach and exit velocities into the mid 90’s. On the mound the long armed righty gets good sinking action with a fastball up to 83 mph and solid secondary offerings.
The uber athletic dual threat from Kossuth should have plenty of next level options coming soon with his solid skill set. Wilbanks regularly works into the mid 80’s with his fastball though has very good feel for his breaking ball and a developing change. At the plate he uses a slightly upward swing path and looks mostly pull side though can occasionally find the backside gap.
3B/RHP / Purvis / 2025
Uncommitted 6-3, 180 pounds with long levers and room for added mass which should make his future even more interesting. Turner has upside both as a position player and pitcher, but the mound could be where he makes his mark very soon. Turner has seen the upper 80’s in outing this summer though we believe that number will rise with little more overall body maturity.
1B/3B / West Union / 2026
Another large frame (6-5, 215lbs) with big time 2 way potential. The righty from West Union has steadily increased his metrics and has gained more and more control of his body over the past couple of years. Morrison, a former Junior Future Games player was up to 87 mph with his running fastball during his Border Battle outing with solid action to his slider which registers near 80 mph. At the plate Morrison uses a pull side approach with launch and plenty of present power.
C/3B / Tupelo / 2027
The 2023 Junior Future Games participant showed out at the Border Battle with an event best 1.90 pop time and a very solid batting practice round. Ballard already has a very polished skill set behind the plate and is emerging as one of the top receivers in the class early on. His swing has some maturity as well as he belted multiple line drives to the middle of the field with exit velocities near 90 mph. A must follow!
C/3B / Washington / 2025
The uncommitted 5-10, 190 pound receiver from Washington School had a very good Border Battle performance both in the showcase portion and during game play. Dunn showed off some serious pull side power at the plate with backspin and exit velocities up to 98 mph. On defense Dunn shows a polished skill set with strong arm, consistent pop times near 2.0, and good fundamental blocking and framing ability.
The uncommitted 6-0, 185 pound third baseman from Clinton continues to impress us with his power potential that produced exit velocities up to 100 this past weekend. Potts uses mostly a pull side approach with some tilt in his bat path. He shows good feet with ability to get in front on ground balls with a solid and still developing arm.
An uncommitted 6-2, 180 pound and athletic 1B (can play OF was well) with current yet still developing power at the plate. We saw Myrick at the Magnolia State Games this summer and he has progressed big time in a short amount of time with serious carry off the bat. Works into the low 80’s with his fastball while showing some next level upside on the mound as well.
INF/OF / Tupelo / 2025
Very solid up and coming young prospect with athleticism. At the plate, Swinney stays through the ball well with looseness in hands and juice to both gaps. Runs well, with solid hands on defense and developing arm strength. The next calendar year could be a big one for the freshman from Tupelo.
RHP / Lausanne Collegiate / 2025
The uncommitted right hander from Lausanne showed lots of pitchability this past weekend during his 2 innings of work. LeBlanc, using a very controlled and repeatable delivery, worked up to 84 mph with his fastball, which has been higher in previous summer outings. His curveball was one of the better breaking balls at the event with good feel, plenty of soft or no contact, and spin rates up to 2854.