2016 State Draft Report: Georgia

CROP RATING
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Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

The Peach State has a reputation for producing athletes who show explosive ceiling on the baseball field. In 2016, there are more athletes that fit the traditional mold, but Georgia has top-of-the-draft talents at each of the four key demographics; there’s an explosive college bat in Kyle Lewis, a flame-throwing, country strong college arm in Robert Tyler, a healthy collection of athletic prep outfielders in Taylor Trammell, Will Benson, Brandon Marsh and Akil Baddoo, shortstops with good intangibles in Carter Kieboom and Connor Justus, and a powerful high school arm in Alex Speas. Also consider ultra-athletic Josh Lowe, who has tremendous power and foot speed, and you have a better than average season in Georgia.

For as promising as the group at the top is, Georgia also boasts depth. There’s plenty in the way of projectable arms, both at the high school and junior college ranks. Darton State could see two arms drafted, depending on the signability of righthander Jeremy Beasley (who’s committed to Clemson) and lefthander Rabon Martin (who’s committed to Louisville).

Over the past ten drafts, an average of 7.3 players from Georgia have been selected in the top 100 picks. This year, nine players rank among BA’s top 100 prospects, and Georgia Tech’s Connor Justus and Kel Johnson are not far out of the top 100.

The best draft of Georgia players in recent memory is 2007, a year in which Matt Wieters and Jason Heyward emerged from the state. This year, Georgia could see Kyle Lewis taken in the top 10, and there are several boom-or-bust athletes. It’s possible that this could be one of the better draft classes that Georgia has had in quite some time.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Kyle Lewis, of, Mercer (National Rank: 4)
2. Taylor Trammell, of, Mount Paran Christian School, Kennesaw, Ga. (National Rank: 13)
3. Josh Lowe, 3b, Pope HS, Marietta, Ga. (National Rank: 17)
4. Robert Tyler, rhp, Georgia (National Rank: 29)
5. Will Benson, of, The Westminster Schools, Atlanta (National Rank: 30)
6. Alex Speas, rhp, McEachern HS, Powder Springs, Ga. (National Rank: 41)
7. Carter Kieboom, ss/3b, Walton HS, Marietta, Ga. (National Rank: 44)
8. Akil Baddoo, of, Salem HS, Conyers, Ga. (National Rank: 54)
9. Brandon Marsh, of, Buford (Ga.) HS (National Rank: 59)
10. Connor Justus, ss, Georgia Tech (National Rank: 122)
11. Kel Johnson, of, Georgia Tech (National Rank: 123)
12. Will Ethridge, rhp, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga. (National Rank: 135)
13. Stephen Wrenn, of, Georgia (National Rank: 212)
14. Graeme Stinson, lhp, Norcross (Ga.) HS (National Rank: 271)
15. Mitchell Miller, lhp, Loganville (Ga.) HS (National Rank: 273)
16. Brandon Gold, rhp, Georgia Tech (National Rank: 341)
17. Matt Gonzalez, of, Georgia Tech (National Rank: 359)
18. Chavez Young, of, Faith Baptist Christian Academy, Ludowici, Ga. (National Rank: 360)
19. Connor Jones, lhp, Georgia (National Rank: 399)
20. Anthony Locey, rhp, Houston County HS, Warner Robins, Ga. (National Rank: 407)
21. Jeremy Beasley, rhp, Darton State (Ga.) (National Rank: 420)
22. Andrew Schultz, rhp, Greater Atlanta Christian HS, Norcross, Ga. (National Rank: 423)
23. Matthew Gorst, rhp, Georgia Tech (National Rank: 462)
24. Matt Rowland, rhp, Pope High, Marietta, Ga. (National Rank: 496)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

25. Jonathan Gettys, lhp, Gainesville (Ga.) HS
26. Justin Glover, lhp, Buford (Ga.) HS
27. Richard Lovelady, lhp, Kennesaw State
28. Joey Roach, c, Georgia State
29. Skylar Weber, of, Georgia
30. Cam Shepherd, ss/2b, Peachtree Ridge HS, Suwanee, Ga.
31. Jaquez Williams, 1b, East Coweta HS, Sharpsburg, Ga.
32. Garrett Gooden, rhp, St. Pius X Catholic HS, Atlanta
33. Zach Strickland, rhp, Ware County HS, Waycross, Ga.
34. Connor Darling, rhp, North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, Ga.
35. Trevor Hillhouse, lhp, Woodstock (Ga.) HS
36. Jonathan Jahn, lhp, Westside HS, Augusta, Ga.
37. William Holland, ss, Collins Hill HS, Suwanee, Ga.
38. Aaron Schunk, of, The Lovett School, Atlanta
39. Luke Berryhill, c, River Ridge HS, Woodstock, Ga.
40. Rabon Martin, lhp, Darton State JC (Ga.)
41. Zac Kristofak, rhp, Walton HS, Marietta, Ga.
42. Daniel Seres, c, Sequoyah HS, Canton, Ga.
43. Conor Davis, 1b, Blessed Trinity Catholic HS, Roswell, Ga.
44. Chris Bashlor, c, North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, Ga.
45. Cole Jackson, c, Sandy Creek HS, Tyrone, Ga.
46. Dalton Griffin, of, South Effingham HS, Guyton, Ga.
47. Austin Biggar, c, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.
48. Rankin Woley, c, The Westminster Schools, Atlanta
49. Parker McCoy, 2b, Walton HS, Marietta, Ga.
50. Ryan Cleveland, 1b, Georgia Southern
51. Adrian Celata, c, Oglethorpe (Ga.)
52. Coleman Williams, rhp, Marist HS, Atlanta
53. Brycen Jones, rhp, Cartersville (Ga.) HS
54. Aubrey McCarty, rhp/1b, Gordon State JC (Ga.)
55. Blaze Vazquez, of, Shorter (Ga.)
56. Tyler Daughtry, ss, Veterans HS, Kathleen, Ga.
57. Zach Ryan, rhp, Georgia Tech

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Jonathan Gettys, lhp, Gainesville (Ga.) High – The younger brother of Padres prospect Michael Gettys, Jonathan showed excellent potential as an underclassman and as a rising senior. His fastball routinely reached into the low 90s, and some scouts saw him reach as high as 94 mph. Gettys has a physical build with wide shoulders. He was arrested in April and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. He was dismissed from the baseball team at his high school.

Justin Glover, lhp, Buford (Ga.) HS – Scouts went in to see Buford often this season, with all three of the school’s outfield prospects committed to Division 1 programs, and the lefthanded Glover on the mound. Glover’s fastball reached into the low 90s often this spring, but sat more in the upper 80s. He is committed to Georgia.

Richard Lovelady, lhp, Kennesaw State – Lovelady shows solid velocity for a lefthander, with the ability to run his fastball up to as high as 95 mph, though he routinely works at 90-94. He will need to develop a better breaking pitch going forward, but had success with the Owls this season. He posted a 2.96 ERA and struck out 52 batters in 45 2/3 innings.

Jaquez Williams, 1b, East Coweta HS, Sharpsburg, Ga. – Williams has a thick, physical frame with wide hips and shoulders. He has the ability to impact the ball with backspin, and has performed well against quality competition. He will need to better incorporate his lower half in his swing, but he has the potential to develop above-average power from the left side of the plate. He is a below-average runner and has below-average arm strength, so he is likely to continue his career playing first base. Williams is committed to Georgia State.