As the sun sets on 2022 and we look forward to 2023, it’s time to provide an amuse-bouche to the spring ahead. Georgia has always been blessed with amateur talent on a yearly basis, and 2022 might have been the most top-loaded group in the state’s history, with four players selected in the first 15 picks of the draft. Conversely, 2023 lacks that firepower at the top, but has quite a few talents that could play their way into the first round conversation this spring. Those players, and more, will be highlighted in this pre-season top ten.
1) Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS
Around the middle of the summer, one AL area scout told me in regards to Houck--and I'm paraphrasing--"we know he's got all the tools, we're just waiting for him to put it together at the plate." At East Coast Pro, Houck put it together and hasn't stopped hitting since. Coming out of Georgia prep powerhouse Parkview, this two sport star has power to all fields, a smooth stroke from the right side and the defensive tools to stick on the left side of the infield. Scouts love the body and QB1 athleticism from Houck, and see his bat playing at 3B if his physical development pushes him off SS.
2) Drew Burress, CF, Houston County HS
A staple of the travel ball circuit for years, Drew Burress has a track record and physical tools that immediately grab your attention. Possessing bat speed that is rivaled by few prospects in the 2023 draft class, Burress has significant impact to his pullside and is a threat to go yard at any time. There is a relaxed hand load in this swing that caused some contact issues in the early portions of his summer competition, but the Houston County native was able to make adjustments and started catching barrels on advanced pitching from July onwards. Defensively, Burress has a high level combination of burst, speed and arm strength---his home will be in center field where he should provide strong defensive value as long as he stays healthy.
3) Antonio Anderson, SS, North Atlanta HS
Another summer veteran, Antonio Anderson is one of the top switch hitting prospects in the 2023 draft class. The swing is consistent from both sides, and Anderson doesn't show any weakness in his feel for hitting in either side of the box. He is selectively aggressive at the plate, spitting on chase pitches but being more than happy to attack early in the count if he sees his pitch. The hands work quickly here and the bat follows, though with inconsistent barrel feel there's questions about how much impact will come as he adds good weight to his body. Defensively, Anderson moves well with soft hands, but inconsistent throwing mechanics have raised questions about a move to the outfield. However, the industry expectation at present thinks his long term home is third base.
4) Luke McNeillie, RHP, Milton HS
Always lauded for his buttery smooth mechanics and ease of operation, Luke McNeillie really took a step forward with his stuff this summer, reaching 94 with a swing and miss changeup and above average breaking ball. The ace of the Milton Eagles, McNeillie throws tons of strikes and holds his stuff deep into outings--though a poor performance at Jupiter may have slowed his progression into Day 1 consideration. Nevertheless, McNeillie possesses good size and a very lean physique with athleticism evident in his delivery--strong indicators that more velocity could be coming in the near future.
5) Jaden Woods, LHP, University of Georgia
Pitching in late inning relief the past two seasons at Georgia, Jaden Woods appears to be slotted in the Friday night role for the Bulldogs after a really strong Fall. The southpaw from central Georgia leans heavily on a four seam fastball that sits in the low to mid 90s and gets plus carry from a high arm slot, with a tweaked downer curveball with above average vertical break being the primary secondary. Woods is looking to show more consistency with the breaking ball and add something distinctive as a third pitch in a starting role, and is a good bet to figure it out given the athleticism and fluidity in his delivery.
6) Liam Sullivan, LHP, University of Georgia
Coming off a strong performance on the Cape for Harwich, Liam Sullivan looks to be a lynchpin in the weekend rotation for Georgia. With a vertical release point near 7 feet, everything in Sullivan's arsenal comes at you steeply. He fills the zone with a low 90s fastball with good carrying life, and mixes in a high 70s sweeping slider and low 80s four seam changeup. Both have above average potential and are effective against left and right handed hitters respectively, with a fringey mid 70s curveball rounding out the arsenal. The profile here is of a back-of-the-rotation innings eating left hander, with development potential in using his lower half more effectively and fine tuning a nascent two seam fastball.
7) Dylan Cupp, SS, Cedartown HS
Possessing a long lean body and great defensive instincts, Dylan Cupp provides a strong foundation to build a shortstop of the future. The Mississippi State commit has made consistent contact throughout the summer, but has also alarmed evalautors with middiling athletic displays in showcase environs and an inability to get his power into game settings. There's work left to do for Cupp in the Spring to prove that he's got enough impact in the bat to meet his number for the draft, but game settings are where Cupp shines brightest.
8) Parks Harber, 1B/3B, University of Georgia
Parks Harber likes to swing the bat, and with his level of power you can understand why. Harber's hands are quick and he stays as short to the ball, which has allowed him to make enough contact to get to his plus raw power a lot in game settings. The strength that the big righty possesses allows him to keep things simple, but evaluators are looking to see improved swing decisions from a hitter with an over 30% chase rate in 2022. Harber is likely to get more reps at third base in 2023, but his slow feet and awkward throwing mechanics likely move him to first base at the next level.
9) Tai Peete, RHP/SS, Trinity Christian School
Tai Peete offers intriguing upside on both sides of the ball. On the mound, the Trinity Christian standout can sit in the low 90s with armside life, possesses a depthy low 80s changeup that flashes 70 grade potential, and has a bevy of above average to plus physical tools with a good chance to stick at shortstop. However, Peete has some of the lowest breaking ball spin rates of any pitching prospect in the draft class, and was shutdown in August after experiencing forearm soreness at East Coast Pro. Of concern at the plate is the length of his left handed swing, which helps him get his power into games but comes with significant swing and miss. One of the most variant prospects in this draft, how Peete looks early in the Spring should dictate if he's a draft prospect or Georgia Tech bound.
10) Corey Collins, 1B/OF/C, University of Georgia
Corey Collins is looking to improve upon a solid sophomore campaign at Georgia. The burly left handed hitter has big bat speed that allows him to generate plenty of pullside pop and has a good approach at the plate, but has struggled with secondary offerings during his time at Georgia. Collins is an average receiver and controls the run game decently, but has ceded most of the catching work to Fernando Gonzalez and is likely a first baseman/corner outfielder at the next level.
Honorable Mentions:
Isaiah Drake, CF, North Atlanta HS
Tre Phelps, 3B, Georgia Premier Academy
Jackson Finley, RHP/OF, Georgia Tech
Mikhai Grant, RHP, Georgia Premier Academy
Francesco Capocci, RHP, Denmark HS
Kristian Campbell, 2B/SS, Georgia Tech
James Hays, RHP, The Westfield Schools