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Georgia Southern Campus Tour: Quick Hits

November 2, 2023
Ian Smith and Hudson Graham
PBR Georgia

On Oct. 29, PBR Georgia traveled to Georgia Southern University for the 2nd stop on our campus tour series. This is out 2nd time traveling down south, and it introduced our staff to new need-to-know players in the state that we’d not yet seen before, as well as provided us with updated looks at players who’ve earned our attention in the past.

Today, we’ll highlight several standouts and performances from Sunday’s showcase in Statesboro. You’ll see more content roll out throughout the week, such as our traditional stats story as well as leaderboards taken from TrackMan, Blast Motion, and Swift data, as our partners’ state-of-the-art technologies helped our staff identify even more players to know headed into the offseason and beyond.

For now, let’s take a look at the standouts from Sunday’s event at Georgia Southern University. Each of the prospects below are uncommitted unless stated otherwise.

To few all stats for Sunday CLICK HERE

Quick Hits

+ Nathan Nance, OF, 2025, Appling County
A truly eye-opening day for Nance at the Georgia Southern Fall Campus Tour. Athletic 6-foot-1 frame with much improved strength throughout and plenty more to project, the uncommitted bat looked the part in all aspects of the showcase. A simple load from the right side with barrel feel and premier bat speed (Max 84.3) that showed easy carry to the pull-side. An excellent overall round of BP with an average EV of 89 mph and max 95. A sub-6.7 runner with long strides that cover ground quickly and also play well in CF. Consistent carry and accuracy in the arm that’s backed by above-average strength at 92 from the outfield. Tools to profile throughout the diamond. A bit of a late bloomer in the class, Nance is beginning to make himself a hot commodity to schools.

+ Brock Holcombe, OF, 2027, Lakeside
The 2023 Junior Future Games alum continues to get better every time we see him. Hands down, one of the best overall BP rounds of the day, and even more impressive as a 2027. A LHH with present whip and heavy barrels, Holcombe produced one of the highest max exit velocities of the day at 96.2 and with ability to create leverage through the zone well while staying on-plane. Premium bat speed (76.4) and rotational acceleration (23.2 for the class, and could lead to significant power potential. A 7.4 runner who shaves time off at every stop. Long and loose arm action from the outfield with consistent carry and present arm strength (84 OF). Plenty of projection in the 5-foot-11 frame, and will be one to watch this upcoming spring.

+ Dalton Redmond, SS, 2025, South Effingham
A big winner from the weekend, Redmond presents a strong overall profile in the middle infield. Out of a high handset from the right side, the South Effingham Junior creates hip to shoulder separation well paired with fast, strong hands and wrists. All over the barrel constantly throughout his round, and produced an event-high average exit velocity of 90.6. Easy mover on the left side of the infield with range and soft hands. Showed an above-average arm from both across the infield and from the outfield with max 85 and 87 respectively. A 6.8 runner with a fantastic first step and plenty of athleticism in the 6-foot-1 frame.

+ Noah Jordi, 1B, 2025, Home School
The only true 1B at the event, Jordi made sure to stand out on both sides of the ball. Physical 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, the uncommitted junior is a left-handed hitter utilizing a quiet hands in his setup with great incorporation of his lower half. Sinks into the back hip extremely well paired with explosive hand speed and strength. Barrel after barrel to the pull-side led to an impressive average exit velocity of 90.3 with an event-high max of 96.4. The chance for above-average or better raw power is legitimate. The strongest tool for Jordi may be the glove, which could end up plus when it’s said and done. A vacuum at first-base with advanced flexibility and effortless picks. Body control really stands out, and plenty of athleticism in the frame. In a controlled showcase environment, Jordi made a strong makeup and work ethic shine, and bodes well heading into the spring.

+ Zachary Simmons, SS, 2026, Piedmont Academy
One of the few 2026 bats at the event, Simmons shows a strong all-around profile at a premium defensive position. A RHH with an uphill bat path that creates easy loft and shows heavy barrel that produced an average exit velocity of 85.4 (Max 90.2). Moves well in the dirt with present range and an above-average arm (85 IF) allows Simmons to make all the throws needed. A 7.0 runner with a great first step. There’s plenty of projection left in the 6-foot, 180-pound frame for Simmons and will continue to check boxes as he develops.

+ James Brooks, SS, 2028, South Effingham
One of the youngest players at the event, Brooks made an impact as someone to watch as we begin to gather a list of potential Junior Future Game prospects. Up-the-middle approach with fast hands and good separation at the plate. Simple actions allow for easy barrels. A confident defender at short with soft hands and accuracy across the diamond with budding strength. Advanced actions all-around for the class, and the glove could be a carrying tool as he matures. South Effingham High School made a loud impact overall at the event.

+ Colby Vanhook, RHP, 2024, Hickory Grove Christian (NC)
Loads of physicality throughout a 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame for Vanhook with a thick lower half. Works out of a near over-the-top arm slot with a long, loose arm action. Fastball live 87-88 with carry and some arm-side run. Mixes in two distinct breaking balls in a slider and curve, with the latter flashing as potential put-away pitch at 73-75 and creating huge depth. Changeup rounds out a true four-pitch mix at 77-79 with good arm-side tumble. Vanhook will throw strikes with the entire mix and shows great durability in the frame that screams pitchability, and could be a great late add to a school’s 2024 recruiting class.

+ Brett Hickson, IF, 2026, Brunswick
5-foot-11 165-pounds. Hickson was a standout at LakePoint this fall, and was an exciting prospect we were able to check out Georgia Southern. In game he plays up to his ability with a gamer mentality. He was a tough out at the plate, and has sneaky pop at the plate. He is an explosive athlete, showing well in the 10-yard and 30-yard split portion of the 60-yard dash evaluation. This translates to his ability to run well on the base paths. He had one of the more consistent rounds of BP with strong EV numbers across the board. Hickson will be a high follow as we move into spring. 



+ Jake Spurlin, OF, 2027, Tift County
5-foot-10 155-pounds. Spurlin was 1 of 2 2027's at the event, and really held his own against the younger guys. He will look to help a heavy returning staff at Tift County this spring. The athleticism was most impressive about Spurlin. He worked out at both outfield and infield, and showed well at both. He still has time to settle into a long term positon, but could be a valuable asset as a freshman with the consitent bat from the left side.