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Top Prospect Games Underclass: Quick Hits (2026's)

October 31, 2023
Matt Miller
State Director

STARKVILLE, MS - The Top Prospect Games: Underclass was held on Saturday, October 28th at Dudy Noble Field on the campus of the Mississippi State University. This event was an invite-only event that consisted of some of the top prospects from the 2026-2027 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 in simulated outings during gameplay and were able to get numbers and metrics. 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.

 

QUICK HITS

Taylor Latham RHP / OF / Hartfield Academy, MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 1

The 6-0, 180 pound former Junior Future Games participant continues his progression into one of the top arms in the 2026 class. On Saturday at Dudy Noble Latham ran his fastball up to 91 mph with solid, yet still developing secondary offerings. His breaking ball has the makings of an extremely difficult pitch for hitters to square up with tight downward action and spin up to 2700 rpm’s. Latham has some potential as a position player as well with an event high 96 mph from the outfield! At the plate he turned in a solid batting practice round with several line drives into the middle of the field with exit velocities up to 96 mph. 

Justin Word SS / 2B / St. Andrew's Episcopal, MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 1

We have always liked the 5-10, 160 pound middle infielder from St. Andrews but Word’s progression over the past couple of years has been special. On Saturday he solidified himself as arguably one of the top all around players in the state and should see tons of interest next August. Word sprays the baseball around the park using a polished, synced up swing and line drive approach while getting out of the box very well. He also is a sure handed defender with range and a solid, yet still strengthening arm.  

Justin San Miguel SS / 2B / Resurrection Catholic , MS / 2026

San Miguel is making a statement as we have been extremely impressed over the past two events with the 5-10, 160 pound infielder from Resurrection Catholic. He attended our South Mississippi Open a few weeks ago and opened some eyes, though this past Saturday he stepped it up even more but this time along many of the top players in the state. The smooth fielding sophomore picked up a couple of hits in game play including a well struck triple over the right-fielder’s head with a 95 mph exit velocity. 

Cooper Bierman 3B / RHP / Lewisburg, MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 6

Bierman is yet another dual prospect from the Top Prospect Underclass event and showed why on Saturday. The 6-0, 155 pound righty from Lewisburg uses a running fastball in the 83-85 mph range (T86) with solid feel to his breaking ball. Bierman does a really good job killing the spin (1032 rpm) on his still developing change up with mimicking action to his fastball. At the plate, Bierman has a very smooth load and stride and quick bat that produces pull side line drives and exit velocities into the low 90’s. 

Colson Alexander SS / 3B / LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL, MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 4

The 6-1, 170 pounder from Lewisburg can play multiple positions on the infield or outfield which should be very beneficial to his coaches. Alexander has decent speed and shows a solid and still developing arm from each position. At the plate he rattled off several line drives using a level bat path and middle to pull side approach. Just an all around versitle player with upside in several areas. 

Cayden Berryhill OF / RHP / Pearl , MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 55 / POS: 18

Berryhill has some definite upside and as his 6-1, 155 pound frame matures we will get a better feel for just how much upside he has. The right handed pitcher from Pearl struggled with command on Saturday, though with overall strength he could become a hot commodity to recruiters soon. Berryhill’s fastball was up to 86 mph with developing feel for all of his pitches. This offseason could be a huge difference maker for him. 

Cayden Prestage OF / LHP / Itawamba, MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 4

One of the top pure hitters in the 2026 class was at it again on Saturday spraying liners all over Dudy Noble. The 5-9, 170 pound outfielder from Itawamba has elite hands and pull side power though goes the other way with the best of 'em. Prestage, who uses his decent speed and instincts on defense, also turned in a 90 mph throw from the outfield. We look forward to seeing him in the box this spring!

Miller Finn OF / LHP / PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL, MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 34 / POS: 10

Finn was a late addition to the MS/AL Border Battle a couple weeks ago and worked his fastball up to 86 mph with good arm side life, earning an invite to Starkville. On Saturday, he settled in around 83-84 mph with more command and developing secondary stuff on the way. His short and quick arm path is tough for hitters to pick up resulting in lots of soft contact. Finn also shows some ability hitting from the left side of the plate, using a fairly level bat path and spraying baseballs to all fields. 

Fletcher Cox OF / RHP / Madison-Ridgeland Academy, MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 46 / POS: 15

Another former PBR Junior Future Games participant that continues to move in a very good direction. The 6-1, 190 pound has developing power  potential and could very well settle into a middle of the order spot at some point in the future for the Madison Ridgeland Academy Patriots. Cox also plays a solid outfield with a still developing arm that already reaches the 87 mph mark from right field. 

JD Harvey C / RHP / Seminary , MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 5

Harvey has definite next level upside at both the catching position and on the mound. The 6-0, 185 pounder from Seminary has shown considerable progression recently on the bump with a steadily climbing fastball that reached 87 mph in Starkville on Saturday. The arm path works well and more velocity could very well be on the way in the near future. Harvey had a solid round at the plate on Saturday with a middle to pull side, line drive approach while looking polished defensively behind the plate with pop times as low as 1.97. 

Caleb Authement C / RHP / Brookhaven Academy , MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 1

Authement used his large 6-2, 240 pound frame to generate fastball velocities up to 87 mph on Saturday with solid arm side action. The right hander from Brookhaven is still developing his secondary offerings, though did show feel for a very well shaped downward moving breaking ball. Authement has some thunder in his bat as well, so do not leave anything over the plate as his quick hands can unload with loft in the swing along with exit velocities up to 96 mph.

Tai Jones OF / Brandon , MS / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 36 / POS: 11

The 6-1, 180 pound athletic outfielder from Brandon has very quick hands at the plate and can turn on the fastball as well as anyone in his class.  During his batting practice round Jones created leverage, with some loft in the swing path, and present pop that produced exit velocities into the mid 90s. He also showed off one of the better arms at the event with a 90 mph throw from right field during the workout. Could be another special talent on the way for the Bulldogs. 

 

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