Over the month of September, Atlanta has had quite a few events that showcased some promising prospects from the prep ranks. Below are eight players that haven’t been previously covered, but have merited follow status with their performances to date. Additionally, I have decided to include the respective team that each of these players will be suiting up for this week at the WWBA World Championships in Jupiter. Look forward to our coverage of that event in the weeks to come, but for now enjoy these notes from September!
CF Isaiah Drake, Westlake HS (GA), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/10, 9/16
WWBA Team: East Cobb Baseball/Padres Scout Team
When it comes to physical tools, there are not a lot of people that can match Isaiah Drake’s power, speed and arm strength. The left-handed hitting outfielder from Westlake High has moved up draft boards on the strength of some very strong workout performances at showcase events, and has shown improvements in his swing during the fall. He’s shorter to the ball and has employed an all-fields approach on fastballs, while using his quick hands to adjust to secondary offerings. If Drake can continue to show strides with his hit tool, there’s going to be a robust market for a 17 year old with plus raw power, a strong center field arm and 80-grade speed.
RHP Jaxon Lucas, Garner HS (NC), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/16
WWBA Team: Dirtbags
It was an uneven performance for Jaxon Lucas during his start at the PBR Cup, but the NC State commit did show off an uptick in stuff over three innings of work. Lucas’ fastball sat in the low 90s and touched 94 MPH early on, with good feel for efficient spin and carrying life at the top of the zone. He pitched off the heater with a big mid 70s curveball that froze hitters often with high spin rates and big vertical shape, as well as a low 80s changeup that flashed good fading action. Lucas ran into some trouble with his fastball catching too much of the zone--and thus catching too many barrels--but also showed an aptitude to pitch backward off the curveball to catch his breath. Pinpoint command isn’t in the cards right now with a fairly effortful delivery, but the Garner native has the arm speed and projectable body to merit a spot at the top of follow lists in the Carolinas.
RHP Drew Koenen, Maine South HS (IL), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/17
WWBA Team: Chicago Scouts Association
Drew Koenen had a very good outing at LakePoint against a very talent-laden Aggies National Scout team. The burly righty from the Chicagoland area sat 91-93 with the fastball in the first inning, popping the mitt with sneaky hop. His velocity dropped down to 88-90 MPH in later innings of work, but Koenen hit his spots with frequency and elicited ineffectual contact throughout. Mixed in a slider at 80 MPH that was sharp with some diagonal bite, and showed a changeup at 85-86 that is still developing feel and shape but the ability to kill spin on it is already present. With position change and cold weather factors at play, there’s potential here for Koenen to develop a potent three pitch mix--and the converted catcher will not be uncommitted for much longer.
RHP Grayson Smith, McCallie School (TN), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/17
WWBA Team: Scorpions/Giants Scout Team
Grayson Smith matched up against Luke McNeillie at East Cobb in the WWBA Southeast Qualifier, putting together a solid outing against a TG D-Backs lineup rife with D-1 commits. He sat 89-91 with his fastball, touching 92 with good carrying life. Off the heater he went to his high 70s slider, a breaking ball with above average vertical break and tight spin, and would occasionally go to a traditional 12-6 curveball that stole some strikes. Smith was fairly imprecise with his command--owing to a pronounced head whack and effort he used to get to his velocity consistently--and left some fastballs over the middle that got taken to the left and right center field gaps. Given his feel for fastball and breaking ball spin, evaluators will certainly be present to see if can reduce the stress he has exerted this summer and find his spots with more consistency in the spring.
RHP Mac Heuer, Homeschool (GA), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/18
WWBA Team: TG D-Backs Scout Team
After surrendering a few early hits, Mac Heuer pitched effectively in a piggyback role for the TG DBacks in their WWBA Qualifier semi-final. The burly right hander worked in the low 90s with a lively--if generic--four seam fastball that he was able to blow by hitters. His go to secondary at present is a mid 70s curveball that flashes plus two plane shape, but can get a bit sweepy at times. Heuer will occasionally struggle to find the strike zone due to an arm swing that can get stiff at times, but has been a consistent performer this summer and possesses draftable stuff. Concerns about his body might push him to Texas Tech, but he will be a follow for scouts in the Georgia area.
2B/C Landon Stripling, Parkview HS (GA), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/10, 9/17, 9/18
WWBA Team: TG-DBacks Scout Team
Landon Stripling has put together good at bats all summer long, and that extended to the month of September as well. The Parkview product possesses plus bat speed and a developing feel for the barrel, hinting at future power production on top of his strong hit tool. Of particular note is Stripling getting some looks at catcher this Fall, where he’s shown a decent arm and solid receiving skills. It’s a big development product for this natural infielder, but one that could take pressure off his bat and be a long term fit for his physical tools.
3B Henry Ford, Baylor School (TN), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/24
WWBA Team: eXposure Scout Team
Henry Ford demonstrated strong feel for the barrel early, roping a double into the left centerfield gap on the first pitch he saw. The Virginia commit recorded the highest exit velocity at the East Coast Pro Showcase (a 105 MPH shot pullside for a single), and has physicality in spades. Ford's long term fit is at third base, where his strong arm can really eat. Evaluators are hoping to see more softness from his hands to engender confidence he can handle the fielding component of the position, but he certainly looks the part with his large 6’4” frame. Straddling the GA/TN line as an attendee of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Ford is a high follow for the scouts that cover Southeast Tennessee.
RHP Brady Smith, Grainger HS (TN), 2023
Dates Seen: 9/24
WWBA Team: eXposure Scout Team
Brady Smith threw five innings of shutout ball vs Team Elite in his last outing before heading to Jupiter, albeit with a fair amount of walks sprinkled in. Smith worked off a four seam fastball in the 88-91 range, touching 92 early with strong carry. He also mixed in a two seamer vs. lefties with similar velocity and good armside run. The secondary de jour is a slider at 78-82 MPH with plus vertical break and big spin rates, a pitch that works perfectly in tandem with his vertical four seam fastball. A low 80s change was mixed in versus left-handed hitters--it flashed similar arm side run to his two seam and has some potential to be a useful pitch later in outings. Smith works with some effort and wasn’t a pristine strike thrower in this outing, but does show athleticism and fluidity in his delivery. While the velocity isn’t there yet, Smith’s body and feel for effective fastball and breaking ball spin is reminiscent of Atlanta Braves first rounder Owen Murphy. Expect an audience to convene in Northeast Tennessee when this Hokies commit takes the bump this Spring.