Georgia 2023 Rankings Update - The Top-10
April 29, 2022
With an eye on the future, we turn our attention to the 2023 class in the Peach State. The 2023 class boasts a wealth of talent throughout. The top of the class is especially impressive, and if it were any other year, some of the prospects would be further up the board. Take a look at the next wave of talent about to take the main stage.
The No. 1 ranked prospect in the state remains SS Dylan Cupp (Cedartown; Mississippi State). Cupp is an elite defender up the middle with natural instincts and a quick first step. Even more impressive is how soft and clean he is able to field the ball and make difficult plays look easy. It goes without saying, Cupp possesses plenty of arm strength to stick at SS at the next level and beyond. At the plate, a once line drive hitter, Cupp has developed driving power as he has grown into his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. The added length and strength has resulted in consistent power. Couple this with an outstanding eye and feel for the zone, the right-handed hitter is as difficult of an out as you will find.
Sticking at No. 2 is SS/RHP Antonio Anderson (North Atlanta; Georgia Tech). The switch-hitting prospect is one of the top hitters in the country with serious power from both sides of the plate. He has a long, explosive swing with good timing and smooth operation. The ball simply jumps off the bat. At 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, he has an advanced build, carrying strength throughout his frame while maintaining his overall athleticism. Anderson has elite arm strength, capable of 90+ mph throws. His hands and feet are smooth up the middle as well.
The top-3 remains unchanged with 3B/RHP Tai Peete (Trinity Christian; Georgia Tech) remaining at No. 3. Young for the class, Peete has huge upside as a two-way prospect. On the mound, he currently runs his fastball into the low 90s and is able to create heavy tilt. He complements it with a lively changeup. His arm works smooth and lightning quick out of an over-the-top slot. Offensively, the left-handed hitter has some of the top power potential in the class with clear pull-side power. Still growing into his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, there is still more to come out of Peete.
Up to No. 4 in the rankings is OF Drew Burress (Houston County; Georgia Tech). Burress has long been considered one of the state’s top overall hitters, and he only keeps getting better. Burress is listed only at 5-foot-9, but he has present compact strength and tools that shine much bigger than his height. The right-handed hitter has advanced barrel control, and his ability to get on-plane early and get the barrel out while remaining compact to the frame is highly advanced for the class. He works loudly from gap to gap with impressive bat speed, and while his frame might be shorter, the power he packs into each swing is both controlled and mighty.
The No. 1 pitcher-only in the class, and one of the top QB prospects, RHP Dylan Lonergan (Brookwood; Uncommitted) rounds out our top-5. The big 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-hander could have a long career in either sport, and it remains to be seen which direction he goes. When looking at him strictly as a baseball player, he possesses a starter’s build, strong and durable. The fastball is lively, working into the low 90s with more in the tank. He has good command of the pitch and is able to miss barrels with it. He has a good feel for a slider in the 78-80 range. The pitch has good shape and late action, playing off his fastball well.
Making one of the biggest jumps in the top part of the 2023 rankings, SS Tre Phelps (Georgia Premier; Georgia) rises up to No. 6. An elite athlete with explosive tools, Phelps has a loud right-handed swing. He has a clean path to the ball with plus bat speed. Working downhill, he is able to get extended through the zone and elevate with easy power. He is able to consistently get to his power in game, and can impact the game with a single swing. Phelps has the defensive tools to stay at shortstop and the arm to match.
Gaining more traction up from No. 10 to No. 7 is 3B/RHP Francesco Capocci (Denmark; North Carolina). Capocci has big tools across the board, so much so it is hard to pick where to start. At 6-foot-4, 205-pounds he is a high level athlete with massive amounts of strength. All this translates in game. The swing is capable of towering shots and driven contact to all fields. On the mound, he has a whip-like arm with a fastball that is steadily ticking up into the mid 90s. On top of all that, Capocci can move like few his size can.
Joining the top-10 for the first time is No. 8 SS/QB1 Colin Houck (Parkview; Uncommitted). The quarterback prospect has a pristine, 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame that includes lean defined strength throughout. He is balanced at the plate from the right side with minimal movement while delivering strength through the zone (105 EV) that includes power potential that he is regularly tapping into now. The 6.9-runner has crisp actions at shortstop where he is sure-handed, and looks the part of a leader on the infield. Houck continues to trend upwards as he has been one of the most consistent performers in the class.
Keeping his spot at No. 9 is RHP Jake Lankie (Blessed Trinity; Georgia). The 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-hander is one of the state’s most polished arms. He works efficiently with a fastball that has worked up to 90 in the past. The pitch has some hop through the zone as he confidently throws it to all areas. Quick-armed with some steepness to the plane, Lankie’s slider is a separator at 81-82 with short break and tight spin that tunnels the fastball with late separation at the plate. He can also get batters with his deceptive changeup. The game management and ability to disrupt timing stand out at a young age.
Closing out the top-10 is RHP James Hays (Westfield Academy; Georgia). It has been some time since we last laid eyes upon Hays, as he went down at the end of summer 2021 with an elbow injury. What we knew prior to that was a right-hander with a power fastball and swing and miss offspeed. Hays worked his fastball into the low 90s and had feel for a tight slider and a hard changeup. If Hays can recapture his form following his recovery, he very well may be rising up the rankings quickly.
Complete 2023 Rankings
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