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South Mississippi Rising Stars ID: Quick Hits

April 9, 2024
Matt Miller
State Director

 

MADISON, MS - The South MS Rising Stars ID was held on Saturday, April 6th at The Southern Performance Institute in Madison, MS. This event was an open event that consisted of some prospects from the 2028-2029 classes across all parts of Mississippi. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw bullpens and were able to get numbers and metrics via TrackMan. 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 at the event.

Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top performers and standouts from Saturday. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release different statistical leaderboards for the event along with other pieces of content.

View all positional stats HERE.

 

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QUICK HITS

+ LHP/OF Axton Westmoreland (2028, Magnolia Heights) was a member of our Junior Future team last summer and his progression into a left handed hitting and pitching prospect continues. On Saturday, the 6-0 150 pound wiry, yet athletically built 8th grader first wowed us with his batting practice round in which drove pitch after pitch on a line using a middle to pull side approach, including an event high 90 mph exit velocity. Westmoreland then stepped on the mound and had feel for a 3 pitch mix, featuring a fastball into the upper 70's, good bite to this breaking ball, and a plus change that mimicked his fastball well. The arm action, frame, and current ability make him a must follow. 

+ INF/RHP Grayson Rymer (2028, Tri County Academy) is another former Junior Future participant from last year and looks to be developing well himself. At this age, progression is key and Rymer has increased his metrics at a solid pace. His movements patterns are fluid and he looks the part in several areas on the field. Having seen him in game action we are confident he will be a sought after middle infield prospect moving forward. Saturday, the 5-8, 140 pounder produced line drives to all fields during batting practice with exit velocities up to 84 mph. He also hopped on the mound and delivered an event high 82 mph fastball. 

+ INF Dawson Lewis (2029, Northwest Rankin) was exciting to see this weekend and stood out though just a 2029 graduate. We first noticed Lewis during his defensive evaluation with fluid movements, smooth glove action, and loose arm action on throws. The 5-8, 140 pound 7th grader then used a mature swing during his batting practice round with quick hands and multiple middle to pull side line drives. As his body continues to mature he could develop into something very special for the Cougars at Northwest Rankin. 

+ OF Rhett Schilling (2028, Starkville Academy) has a maturing body like most of the participants at our Rising Stars events. Schilling though, already has a skill set that looks fundamentally sound. On defense, he used good footwork and as an outfielder, fielded the baseball out front to his glove side, with a solid accurate arm. He then stepped to the plate and produced plenty of line drives to all field using a polished swing and all fields approach. Schilling is just waiting on his body and once strength and more quickness is added he will surely begin to gain interest from recruiters, though he has plenty of time!

+ C Sam Milner (2028, Jackson Prep) has some developing pop in his bat and it was evident on Saturday as yet another former Junior Future participant from last summer continues to progress. Milner was one of 3 catchers at the event and looks to be moving in a good direction behind the plate. His pop time was 2.19, which is very good when speaking of junior high players, will continue to drop as the arm strengthens. Milner also uses good footwork on blocks and bunt coverages which should allow him to continue to develop into a solid catching prospect. At the plate the left handed hitter is primarily looking to pull with some aggression with exit velocities currently into the mid 80's. 

 

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Jackson Summer ID 5/29 Jackson Prep - Flowood, MS
Pearl River Summer ID 6/5 Pearl River CC - Poplarville, MS
Magnolia State Games (Invite-Only) 6/18 Univ. of Southern Miss - Hattiesburg, MS
Delta Summer ID 6/25 Delta State University - Cleveland, MS
Hattiesburg Summer ID 7/2 Univ. of Southern Miss - Hattiesburg, MS
Oxford Summer ID 7/10 The Farm - Oxford, MS

 

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