What were Omaha's breakout stars like in high school?
June 18, 2024
After the opening weekend of the 2024 College World Series, this article will take a data-driven look at seven standouts from Prep Baseball's best events – like the Futures Games, Junior Futures Games, and the Super 60 – who are poised to make significant impacts in this year's tournament, if they haven't already. By examining their stats, performances, and development since their high school careers, we provide a comprehensive preview of these promising athletes and what to expect from them in Omaha.
Billy Amick, Tennessee
As a prep player in South Carolina, Amick would attend five Prep Baseball events, including the 2019 Futures Games. The 2021 graduate of P27 Academy would play his Freshman and Sophomore seasons at Clemson before transferring to Tennessee ahead of the 2024 season. In his time with the Tigers, Amick earned 2023 All-ACC 1st Team honors, among other awards.
(10/23/23)
This season, Amick has earned a rating as Prep Baseball’s No. 19-ranked player for the 2024 MLB Draft. The standout tool with him is power. It’s 60-grade juice, an average EV of 94.4 mph with a 110 mph 90th percentile EV. Amick is one of the more aggressive hitters you’ll find, swinging a 53.3% of pitches and 81% of pitches in the strike zone. His chase rate has been reflective of the general approach to some degree as well. He’s whiffing 28.8% of the time, but he profiles with enough power to overcome them. He’s impressed at 3B this year relative to expectations, and is an adequate athlete to play a corner outfield spot long-term at a league-average level. Through 2 games in Omaha, Amick has recorded 2 hits including a 111.6 mph single in the bottom of the 9th against Florida State.
Dylan Dreiling, Tennessee
The Hays High School product is an alum of Prep Baseball’s Futures Games, attending the event in both 2016 and 2017, and the Super 60 showcase in 2022. During his high school career in Kansas, he would be named the 2022 KSHSAA Class 5A State Player of the Year, a two-time KSHSAA First Team All-State selection, and the 2021 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year. As a freshman for the Vols, Dreiling posted a .295/.433/.621 slash line in 50 games played.
(2022 Super 60)
A draft-eligible Sophomore in 2024, Dreiling has been great from a data perspective. Over half of his batted balls have been over 95 mph, and he’s not giving away contact to get to it. In addition to a 112.5 Max EV, he’s running an 18.5% chase rate with a 21.5% whiff rate. His contact quality is very solid, with a .361 xwOBA on contact as well. It’s both an above-average hit tool to go with above-average power. He’s been good in left field this year and is likely a corner outfielder at the next level. Dreiling has been on base 6 times already in Omaha, recording 5 singles and a walk. He's got 2 balls in play >100 mph as well, the first being 104.6 mph and the second being 110.4.
Kavares Tears, Tennessee
Tears, the third Volunteer on this list, made his first appearance at a Prep Baseball event during the 2017 Futures Games. He would finish his prep career rated the No. 481 player overall and No. 16 player in Tennessee by Prep Baseball. In addition, he was a two-time Tennessee Mr. Baseball finalist, set Columbia Academy's record for home runs, and led the Bulldogs to a 33-8 record and the state playoffs as a senior in 2021.
(3/17/21)
This season he’s been a pleasant surprise for scouts, working his way to No. 81 on Prep Baseball’s Draft Board despite being generally unheralded pre-season draft wise. The Tennessee CF has posted a 114.5 mph Max EV, with 61% of his batted balls coming at over 95 mph. He’s got a knack to put his hard hits in the air as well, with a HH-LA of 15 degrees. His swing decisions have been strong thus far, with his real struggle coming in terms of whiffs, posting a 29.5% rate. Tears is likely a mid second round type for a data-driven organization. His power production has been on full display, putting up 2 HRs, a 2B, and a 3B in just 2 games. His top EV thus far in Omaha is 112.5 mph, which came on a 395 ft homer vs. Jamie Arnold.
Cade Kurland, Florida
Coming out of Berkeley Prep in the Tampa area, Kurland was a prospect in the 2023 Draft, but elected to enroll early at the University of Florida, much like Jud Fabian did in 2019. Kurland’s prep career included an appearance at Prep Baseball’s 2018 Junior Futures Games, along with a number of appearances as a member of the Top Tier Roos program. As a freshman for the Gators in 2023, Kurland earned a Freshman All-American nod as well as First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team honors.
Kurland has been a strong performer this year, putting up a 110.6 Max EV to go with a 106 mph 90th EV and an 89 mph average. He’s running a 20 degree average LA, which has allowed him to produce a .335 xwOBA on contact. His chase and whiff numbers have both settled near the 28% mark, which is respectable for an underclassmen. In his second year as the Gators second basemen, he’s a solid athlete that’ll play up the middle long term.
Luke Stevenson, North Carolina
Stevenson was a standout prep player at Wake Forest High School, earning national recognition on his way to being named Prep Baseball’s 2023 North Carolina Player of the Year award, in addition to appearing in the Super 60 Showcase event. He would finish his high school career ranked as Prep Baseball’s 151st player in the nation and the 6th ranked player in North Carolina. As a Freshman, Stevenson has been the Tar Heels starting catcher, hitting .283 with 14 homers thus far.
(2023 Super 60)
The bat has been the standout here, posting a 112.2 mph Max EV and 106.5 90th percentile EV. It's a great feel for loft, producing a 20.4 degree average LA, jumping to 23.2 degrees on his hard-hit balls. His swing decisions have been strong, with a 65% in-zone swing rate, 20% chase, and sub-40% swing rate overall. Though whiffs have been an issue at times, the hit tool is strong. Behind the dish Stevenson has been squarely at the D1 average across all framing statistics. Stevenson singles twice vs. Virginia on Friday, both hits coming against Evan Blanco.
Alex Sosa, NC State
Sosa's prep career included multiple appearances at Prep Baseball flagship events, including the 2020 Futures Games and 2021 Florida State Games. While at Viera High School, Sosa was named the 295th overall player and the 44th player in the state of Florida according to Prep Baseball. In his senior year, he hit .471 with 33 hits and 26 RBIs, leading his team to the FHSAA State Championship Game.
In limited action behind the plate for NC State this year, Sosa has rated 5.2% above the D1 average as a receiver. At the plate, Sosa has shown promise, posting a 108.2 mph Max EV and 107 mph 90th percentile EV on 75 balls in play to match a .329 xwOBA on contact. The chase rate has held at 17.2%, though his whiff rates have run inflated at 32.3% overall and 20% in the strike zone. While he’s appeared primarily as a DH this year, Sosa will look to play a big role for the Wolfpack in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Sosa walked twice on saturday vs Kentucky, walking twice and posting 1 hard hit ball, a line out to CF in the 2nd inning.
Caden Sorrell, Texas A&M
Sorrell is an alum of the Super 60 showcase, appearing at the event in 2023. While in high school at Flower Mound Marcus, he was ranked as the No. 59 overall prospect and No. 5 player in Texas for the 2023 class by Prep Baseball. He earned the title of 2023 District 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year and was a two-time first-team all-district selection. As a senior, he hit .363 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs, and 29 walks, leading his team to a 24-9-1 record and their sixth consecutive playoff appearance. In addition to being rated Prep Baseball’s No. 118 player in the 2023 Draft class as a senior in high school.
(2023 Super 60)
During his freshman season with the Aggies, Sorrel has hit to a .264 average while starting in the outfield. Data wise, Sorrel has been solid, producing a 109 mph Max EV to match a 90 mph average mark. His .300 xwOBA on contact has been enabled by his 18 degree hard-hit LA. His hit tool has shown to be a bit rough around the edges, as is normal for a freshman in the SEC, with a 32.6% whiff rate and 21% in-zone whiff. Sorrel has the athleticism to cover it though, and projects as a top prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. On saturday night for the Aggies, Sorrell collected a single and a double, with all 3 of his balls in play coming at >100 mph (109.5, 105.1, and 102.8).
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