Shooter's Shortlist: The South 2026s
April 20, 2023
As the season inches towards summer and the recruiting trips get planned, a look into the must-see uncommitted underclassmen that PBR’s Vice President of Scouting, Shooter Hunt, is circling for college coaches to plan around.
ALABAMA
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Andrew Petrock SS / 3B / Pelham , AL / 2026Rankings State Rank: 9 / POS: 5
Already building a reputation as a consummate performer, college coaches are likely to start collecting a longer track record from Petrock who has demonstrated the ability to handle the barrel from the right side. Still developing physically at 5-foot-8, 155-pounds, he plays and performs bigger than his size with an innate ability to slow the game down on both sides of the ball.
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FLORIDA
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Wilson Andersen RHP / SS / Jesuit, FL / 2026Hardly a secret, Andersen’s explosive stuff already plays as an elite arm in any prep class. Lean and highly projectable at 6-foot-2, 160-pounds, the young right-hander is already impacting a power program (Tampa Jesuit) at the varsity level. Up to 91 mph in February with the makings of a plus breaking ball, Andersen’s mound presence is beyond his years, and he has an impressive foundation to build upon in coming years.
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Tyler Ellis 1B / LHP / Trinity Christian Academy (JAX), FL / 2026Ellis’ two-way potential should garner some interest as early as this summer as he possesses a more physical left-handed bat to go along with a quick left arm. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder starts with the hands low before working uphill through the zone with some present strength (95.7 mph exit velocity) and bat speed. Crisp on the mound with poised mound presence, Ellis was up to 86.1 mph in the preseason with feel for secondary in the zone. |
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Jacob Lombard SS / 2B / Gulliver Prep, FL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 8 / POS: 6
As his older brother (George) eyes a potential Day 1 MLB Draft selection, Lombard has quickly caught the attention of scouts in the crowd. Physically impressive at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, the right-handed hitting shortstop has crisp action defensively with the look of an impact bat at the plate. A right-handed hitter, his quick hands allow the barrel to work short-to-long while working uphill with the ability to lift. A natural on the dirt with the glove, the glove-to-hand ability stands out at a young age, and provides the look of a prospect who will be able to stick at shortstop at the next level. |
GEORGIA
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Carson Adomnik 3B / RHP / South Paulding, GA / 2026Rankings State Rank: 32 / POS: 3
At 6-foot-3, 175-pounds with a wiry-athletic frame that projects, Adomnik is likely to garner significant attention from college recruiters as early as this spring. Up to 83 mph in an early, preseason bullpen for PBR Georgia, his loose, continuous arm stroke promises much more to come. A strike thrower whose fastball exhibits considerable sink, his tight slider holds considerable upside, and is a pitch to follow closely. |
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Seth Dixon SS / RHP / North Forsyth, GA / 2026Rankings StateRank: 74 / POS: 15
Wiry-thin with a frame that is still very much filling out and developing, Dixon’s quick arm and fluid movements have delivered fastballs up to 87 mph early on this season as he has gotten innings at the varsity level for a strong North Forsythe program. Presently 6-foot, 140-pounds there is likely to be considerable growth in coming years which should only bump up the presently impressive stuff. Beyond the fastball, Dixon features a quality faded changeup, but it is the innate feel for spin on a tight 74-75 slider that is likely to excite recruiting coordinators moving forward.
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AJ Rice SS / RHP / Pickens, GA / 2026
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Chase Tatum OF / 1B / Cass, GA / 2026
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MISSISSIPPI
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Eric Booth Jr. OF / 1B / Oak Grove, MS / 2026Built with compact strength on a highly athletic, 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame, Booth has the ability to impact the ball from the left side before accelerating out of the box. Already showcasing impressive upside at the varsity level in the state of Mississippi, look for the young outfielder to continue thriving on the national stage in the summer.
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LOUISIANA
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John David Alexander OF / RHP / Barbe, LA / 2026Alexander is likely at the top of the list of most power programs as a must-follow as he is already instrumental in the success of perennial national power, Barbe HS, both at the plate and on the mound. Up to 89 mph from the right side with a commanding and competitive mound presence, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-hander is one of the top arms in the class. However, his left-handed stick might be even more impressive and projectable, and he is easily one of the top bats as well.
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TENNESSEE
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Cade Allen RHP / 3B / South Gibson County, TN / 2026Rankings State Rank: 35 / POS: 7
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Harrison Pollina OF / RHP / Munford, TN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 3
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