Hoefer's Haven: 2025 MLB Draft - The State of Georgia

Will Hoefer has an amazing pulse on the landscape of amateur baseball in the state of Georgia. He summarizes his entire season of looks and research into evaluations for 28 players.

50 FV Players

SS Daniel Pierce, Mill Creek HS

Committed to the University of Georgia

Pierce emerged this summer as the best prep prospect in the state of Georgia, and quickly reinforced that in the Spring. At 6-1 he’s a little short of the prototypical pro frame for an MLB shortstop, but is incredibly well put together and should handle the physicality of the position. Quick to the ball with above average bat speed, finds the barrel well. Loose wrists, whips the barrel through the zone. Above average range at SS in all directions, arm strength to make all the plays at the position. Double plus run times, will impact the game with his speed. A complete package of tools at a premium defensive position, should hear his name called in Round 1 and no later than the comp round.

45 FV Players

SS Kyle Lodise, Georgia Tech

Underecruited out of high school, Lodise proved himself with two outstanding years at D-2 Augusta University and earned an offer late last Spring from Georgia Tech in the transfer portal. Lodise is a little on the small side, but is built to be dynamic with a very high waist and lean muscle aplenty. Struggling a bit early on with spin, Lodise was able to adjust to higher competition and his quick wrists and loose whippy bat drives balls all over the yard. Fringe average power is the likely projection here, but there’s enough pop here to keep the bat in the lineup. Where the profile starts to get exciting is on defense. Lodise is an above average runner, but he’s a total ballhawk and shows pro level playmaking ability at shortstop. There’s enough physicality and arm strength to stay there, but Lodise would jump to a plus defender easily if a move to 2B was necessary. While a bit of a slow burn and not having the dazzling physical tools that would fit in the first round, Lodise’s overall performance was superb and there’s a strong set of average to above average tools that fit late on Day 1 and would not last past round 3.

40 FV Players

RHP Brian Curley, University of Georgia

The avatar of Wes Johnson in so many ways but most importantly demeanor, Curley was nails in a Georgia staff that didn’t make too many visits to the hardware department. The diminutive righty sat comfortably in the mid 90s as both a starter and reliever this season, and his low launch and above average carry life played the pitch up as a plus offering. Off the express he featured a high 80s cutter with above average bite and a low to mid 80s above average sweeping slider. A bulldog in both name and style, Curley is a high effort hurler that tries to throw the ball down the middle and let the stuff miss bats. As such, there have been some HR issues but he keeps the baserunners to a minimum. There’s legitimate All-Star ceiling here as a reliever, and he could hear his name called early in round 3.

RHP Reid Worley, Cherokee HS

Committed to Kennesaw State University

Worley grabbed a lot of eyes in the summer with gaudy spin rates on his slider, and has positioned himself as a top pitching prospect in the state alongside Dean Livingston. He possesses very clean mechanics and works from a high 3Q armslot, often choosing to alter his leg kick to throw off the timing of hitters. This does not usually affect his consistency or repeatability, and he’s developed a reputation as a strike thrower. The fastball has been 90-93 T94, but usually will be in the 89-92 range with above average carry. The low 80s slider is the money making pitch, with double plus sweep and bite, and a mid 80 change with average fade rounds out the profile. The lack of a jump in stuff has held Worley back from getting into Day 1 consideration, but he could be off the board by round 3 or 4 if his price is met.