2025 Rankings Spotlight: Hayden Fones

October 1, 2024
Zach Boraski
North Carolina Assistant Scouting Director

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Inside the Rankings is a unique look through the eyes of Prep Baseball scouts, allowing players, fans, and coaches to get to know some of the top players in the state of North Carolina. Rankings in the state are updated almost quarterly, as players are transitioning from one season to another. Prep Baseball scouts will use the information they gain from Prep Baseball events, Prep Baseball Tournaments, game coverage, workouts, and practices to put grades on as many players in the state as possible. With over 400 players in each graduating class committing to play college baseball from North Carolina, over the past 7 years, this is a state with a ton of talent.

Scouting Report

1/27/24

Hayden Fones, Apex Friendship (NC), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 188-pounds. Athletic build with broad shoulders.
Delivery: 1st base side. Athletic rocker and turn, loading the front hip as he lifts to the low chest. Slight ride down the hill, working level and online. Square foot strike. Athletic finish
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose and athletic. Solid arm speed through a high-3/4 slot.
FB: High spin with sink metrics. Limited tilt side to side.
CB: High spin with late depth and action through a 10/4 tilt. Showed feel for manipulating the action.
SL: Good spin with heavy length across the zone. Similar window to the fastball

1/27/24

Hayden Fones, Apex Friendship (NC), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 188-pounds. Athletic build with broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow. Leg kick loads him back. Average stride. Works for extension Some uphill in the path. Pull side extension has strength.
Power: Average to above bat speed. Some effort but has intent
Arm: RH. INF-83 mph. Long, athletic arm swing. Natural easy motion to a high-3/4 slot
Defense: Good rhthm in the hands. Hips can play high. Exchange has some length but arm carries.