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| 2,404 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,404 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | State Preview | 5/22/2018

State Snapshots: Southeast

Photo: Ryan Rolison (Ole Miss Athletics)

 


Perfect Game 2018 MLB Draft Preview Index

South Atlantic
– FL, GA, NC, SC
Southeast – AL, KY, MS, TN
South Central – AR, LA, OK, TX
Mountain – AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY
Pacific – AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
Great Plains – IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD
Great Lakes – IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Mid-Atlantic – DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV
New England – CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Canada and Puerto Rico


Alabama


Best College Team:
Auburn
Best Junior College Team: Chattahoochee Valley
Best High School Team: Faith Academy

Prospect on the Rise: Blake Rivera, rhp, Wallace-Hanceville CC
Wild Card: Jeremiah Jackson, ss, St Lukes HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Alabama Connection:
 Trey Truitt, of, Mercer
Top 2019 Prospect: Gunner Henderson, ss, John T. Moran Academy
Top 2020 Prospect: Tanner Burns, rhp, Auburn

Highest Draft Picks

Draft History: Gregg Olson, rhp, Auburn University (1988, Orioles/1st round, 4th pick)

2013 Draft: Phillip Ervin, of, Samford University (Rockies/1st round, 27th pick)
2014 Draft: Cody Reed, lhp, Ardmore HS (Diamondbacks/2nd round)
2015 Draft: Mikey White, ss, Alabama (Athletics/2nd round)
2016 Draft: Braxton Garrett, lhp, Florence HS (Marlins/1st round, 7th pick)
2017 Draft: Bubba Thompson, of, McGill-Toolen HS (Rangers/1st round, 26th pick)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 21/18
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/2
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 10/4

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Casey Mize, rhp, Auburn (1)
• Travis Swaggerty, of, South Alabama (9)
• Jeremiah Jackson, ss, St. Lukes HS (42)
• Blake Rivera, rhp, Wallace-Hanceville JC (145)
• Garrett Wade, lhp, Hartselle HS (147)
• Cole Henry, rhp, Florence HS (211)
• Tyler O’Clair, rhp, Calera HS (248)
• Davis Daniel, rhp, Auburn (269)
• Brandon Lockridge, of, Troy (273)
• Brendan Donovan, 3b, South Alabama (372)
• Sam Knowlton, rhp, Corner HS (422)
• Brett Wright, c, Auburn (451)
• Oraj Anu, of, Wallace Dothan JC (468)
• TJ Reeves, of, Hueytown HS (491)


Kentucky


Best College Team:
 Kentucky
Best High School Team: St. Xavier

Prospect on the Rise: Tristan Pompey, of, Kentucky
Wild Card: Riley Thompson, rhp, Louisville

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Kentucky Connection: 
Jaren Shelby, of, State College of Florida
Top 2019 Prospect: Zach Thompson, lhp, Kentucky
Top 2020 Prospect: Bobby Miller, rhp, Louisville

Highest Draft Picks

Draft History:
Drew Hall, lhp, Morehead State University (1984, Cubs/1st round, 3rd pick)

2013 Draft: Clinton Hollon, rhp, Woodford County HS, Lexington (Blue Jays/2nd round)
2014 Draft: A.J. Reed, 1b, Kentucky (Astros/2nd round)
2015 Draft: Kyle Funkhouser, rhp, Louisville (Dodgers/1st round, 35th pick)
2016 Draft: Corey Ray, of, Louisville (Brewers/1st round, 5th pick)
2017 Draft: Brendan McKay, 1b/lhp, Louisville (Rays/1st round, 4th pick)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 22/20
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 3/2

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Sean Hjelle, rhp, Kentucky (35)
• Tristan Pompey, of, Kentucky (64)
• Zach Haake, rhp, Kentucky (100)
• Riley Thompson, rhp, Louisville (144)
• Drew Rom, lhp, Highlands HS (153)
• Adam Wolf, lhp, Louisville (165)
• Josh Stowers, of, Louisville (172)
• Justin Lewis, rhp, Kentucky (259)
• Bryan Hoeing, rhp, Louisville (295)
• Devin Mann, 2b/3b, Louisville (309)
• Kole Cottam, c, Kentucky (322)
• Trey Dawson, ss, Kentucky (326)
• TJ Collett, 1b, Kentucky (336)
• Niko Hulsizer, of, Morehead State (384)
• Chris Machamer, rhp, Kentucky (390)
• Luke Heyer, 3b/of, Kentucky (409)
• Luke Becker, 2b, Kentucky (472)


Mississippi


Best College Team:
Mississippi
Best Junior College Team: Jones County
Best High School Team: Hattiesburg

Prospect on the Rise: JT Ginn, rhp, Brandon HS
Wild Card: Konnor Pilkington, lhp, Mississippi State

Top 2019 Prospect: Jerrion Ealy, of, Jackson Prep
Top 2020 Prospect: Kellum Clark, 1b, Jackson Academy

Highest Draft Picks

Highest Pick, Draft History:
Will Clark, 1b, Mississippi State (1985, Giants/1st round, 2nd pick)

2013 Draft: Hunter Renfroe, of, Mississippi State (Padres/1st round, 13th pick)
2014 Draft: Blake Anderson, c, West Lauderdale HS, Collinsville (Marlins/supplemental 1st round, 36th pick)
2015 Draft: Austin Riley, 3b, DeSoto Central HS (Braves/1st round, 41st pick)
2016 Draft: Dakota Hudson, rhp, Mississippi State (Cardinals/1st round, 34th pick)
2017 Draft: Brent Rooker, of, Mississippi State (Twins/1st round, 35th pick)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 14/12
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 3/2
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 4/0

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Ryan Rolison, lhp, Mississippi (13)
• JT Ginn, rhp, Brandon HS (44)
• Konnor Pilkington, lhp, Mississippi State (54)
• Joe Gray Jr., of, Hattiesburg HS (70)
• Jake Mangum, of, Mississippi State (171)
• Nick Sandlin, rhp, Southern Miss (177)
• Parker Caracci, rhp, Mississippi (245)
• Ryan Olenek, if/of, Mississippi (360)
• Dexter Jordan Jr., of, Hattiesburg HS (402)
• Brooks Warren, lhp, East Central JC (406)
• Will Freeman, rhp, Jones County JC (426)
• Brady Feigl, rhp, Mississippi (428)
• Nick Fortes, c, Mississippi (499)


Tennessee


Best College Team:
 Tennessee Tech
Best Junior College Team: Walters State
Best High School Team: Farragut

Prospect on the Rise: Ryan Weathers, lhp, Loretto HS
Wild Card: Ryder Green, of, Karns HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Tennessee Connection:
 Ryan Rolison, lhp, Mississippi
Top 2019 Prospect: Maurice Hampton, of, Memphis University HS
Top 2020 Prospect: Austin Martin, ss, Vanderbilt

Highest Draft Picks

Highest Pick, Draft History:
David Price, lhp, Vanderbilt (2007, Rays/1st round, 1st pick); Dansby Swanson, ss, Vanderbilt (2015, Diamondbacks/1st round, 1st pick)

2013 Draft: Kevin Ziomek, lhp, Vanderbilt (Pirates/2nd round)
2014 Draft: Tyler Beede, rhp, Vanderbilt (Giants/1st round, 14th pick)
2015 Draft: Dansby Swanson, ss, Vanderbilt (Diamondbacks/1st round, 1st pick)
2016 Draft: Nick Senzel, 3b, Tennessee (Reds/1st round, 2nd pick)
2017 Draft: Kyle Wright, rhp, Vanderbilt (Braves/1st round, 5th pick)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 30/29
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 6/3
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 4/1

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Ryan Weathers, lhp, Loretto HS (19)
• Reid Schaller, rhp, Vanderbilt (114)
• Ryder Green, of, Karns HS (116)
• Ethan Smith, rhp, Mount Juliet HS (137)
• Zach Linginfelter, rhp, Tennessee (229)
• Connor Kaiser, ss, Vanderbilt (239)
• Jonathan Bowlan, rhp, Memphis (306)
• Paul McIntosh, c, Motlow State (447)
• Will Gardner, rhp, Carson-Newman (444)
• Ethan Paul, 2b, Vanderbilt (449)
• Patrick Raby, rhp, Vanderbilt (452)
• Hunter Wolfe, ss, Walters State (466)




Draft | Story | 4/10/2026

PG Draft: Favorite Position Group

Tyler Henninger
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Every draft class has its strengths. Some years its a loaded group of prep infielders, some years its a deep collection of college arms. In this year’s class, certain position groups stand out above the rest to us. This week, the draft team dives into their favorite position groups. Groups that we believe are loaded with depth, upside, and big league potential. College Infielders It’s hard not to get excited about the crop of college infielders in this year’s class because of who is at the top. Roch Cholowsky alone makes the group exciting. He’s got gold glove potential at the next level and an offensive profile that should make him one of the Top 15 to 20 prospects in all of baseball the second he gets drafted. Justin Lebron is another player with as much upside in the class. He is a premium athlete that can really pick it at short and has big upside with the...
Press Release | Press Release | 4/10/2026

Perfect Game and vivenu Partner Up

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    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923  www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    PERFECT GAME PARTNERS WITH VIVENU TO POWER DIGITAL COMMERCE ACROSS YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL    Sanford, Florida / New York, New York (Friday, April 10, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, has selected vivenu as its ticketing and commerce partner to unify revenue operations across its tournament ecosystem.    With 1.6 million tickets sold annually, 9,800 events in 40+ states and an immense social footprint, Perfect Game has built the most influential pipeline in amateur baseball. The organization has produced over 2,200 MLB alumni, and...
General | Blog | 4/10/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 64

Ron Wolforth
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What Do Barry Zito, Justin Verlander, Trevor Bauer, and Dallas Keuchel All Have in Common? By Ron Wolforth | Texas Baseball Ranch® | PG Arm Care Take a second and think about the question posed in the title before you read on. Four Cy Young Award winners. Four of the most decorated pitchers of their generation. What's the common thread? The first answer is obvious… they all won the most prestigious individual award in pitching. Most of you probably got there immediately. The second answer is less obvious… they all trained at the Texas Baseball Ranch® at some point in their development. Interesting, maybe, but not the point of this article. The third answer is the one I really want you to sit with, because it has direct relevance to your career right now: they all move completely differently. And they all attack hitters completely differently. Don't rush past that....
College | Story | 4/9/2026

Coppy's Corner: April 6 POY Deep Dive

Perfect Game Staff
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I’m beyond thrilled to be a contributor to Perfect Game, widely recognized as the premier organization for amateur baseball. Working in baseball operations for the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves for nearly 20 years, the importance of amateur baseball cannot be understated. Nobody does it better and I am honored to be working with great baseball people like Jered Goodwin, Vinnie Cervino, Craig Cozart, and many others.  Each week I huddle with Vinnie and Craig to discuss Top 25 rankings and Players of the Week. In "Coppy’s Corner", I will dive deeper into these Players of the Week, providing analysis from 20+ years working in baseball front offices at the highest level. My hope is that you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.  Player of the Week: Andrew Williamson – University of Central Florida (UCF)  Williamson can flat-out hit. While...
High School | General | 4/10/2026

High School Notebook: April 10

Jheremy Brown
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You like 6-foot-9 lefties up to 100 mph? 2026 Brody Bumila (MA) was electric in season opener, super easy upper-90s, multiple 100s. Easy operation w/ simple delivery despite size. Punched out 9 over 3, double digit whiffs. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/BChMhKIIhO — Perfect Game New England (@PG_NewEngland) April 2, 2026 Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan (MA), Class of 2026 He's 6-foot-9, 18 years old, left-handed and was up to 100 mph (upwards of 3 times on some guns) in his first start of the year in low-30 degree temperatures. That's really all you need to know. Oh, and the opposing team arrived 40 minutes late. Coming off a state-championship run in basketball, Texas signee Brody Bumila made his first start of the spring on April 2nd and didn't disappoint in front of at least 40 scouts packed tightly together behind the backstop.  Knowing it was going to be a quicker look given...
Tournaments | Story | 4/9/2026

Don't Boot the Loot Scout Notes

Cam McElwaney
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‘30 UTL Chase Jelks (GA) lifts this one deep into the gap & rolls around the bags for a triple. Loose LH swing w/ feel to lift. #DontBootTheLoot @PG_Georgia pic.twitter.com/leF4GMTawJ — Perfect Game Youth (@PGYouthBB) April 4, 2026 Chase Jelks (2030, Atlanta, Ga.) put together a great weekend for The Dream 14u Black in their run to a championship game appearance, hitting .444 with two triples and a double along with three RBI. He controlled the zone throughout the event in the box and finished with a 6:1 BB:K ratio because of it while also swiping five bags as well. It was a strong showing for Jelks, something that’s becoming common this spring in PG events.    ‘30 MIF Cohen Carter (TN) hits this one on the screws into the gap for a triple. Functional & compact swing. #DontBootTheLoot @PG_Tennessee pic.twitter.com/YVUfxbHBxx — Perfect Game...
Juco | Story | 4/8/2026

JUCO Top 25: April 8

Troy Sutherland
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Another week of conference play down and Johnson County continues there tear through the spring of 2026, they retain the top spot with Gaston nipping their heels at number 2 for the third consecutive week. McLennan jumps up to number 3 with a big series sweep over rival Texas powerhouse, Weatherford. Out west, Cochise just keeps rolling in the desert and California looks to be hotly contested all the way down the final stretch. A couple of debut appearances down the board with Harford, CCF, and Linn Benton all earning their spot on our top 25 for the first time in the first week of April. So many great records out there it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out with so many teams vying for seeding and conference championships on this final stretch run. Rank Team Record 1 Johnson County (KS) 38-2 2 Gaston (NC) 38-3 3 McLennan (TX) 29-7 4 Chipola (FL) 34-7 5 Walters State (TN)...
College | Rankings | 4/8/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 8

Nick Herfordt
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We are past the midpoint of the college baseball season and the stakes are rising by the week. Conference races are tightening, schedules are getting harder, and the résumés that will matter in the selection room are being written right now — one series at a time. This week's most significant development came in Division II, where North Greenville swept Young Harris in three consecutive one-run games to claim the top spot for the first time this season, knocking Tampa from a perch they've held most of the year. It's a genuine changing of the guard at the top, and it's exactly the kind of shakeup that makes this stretch of the season worth paying close attention to. Across all three divisions the picture is coming into focus. In Division I NAIA, Georgia Gwinnett remains the standard while Taylor and Cumberlands continue to make their cases from behind. In Division III,...
High School | General | 4/7/2026

Iowa Spring League Notes: Week 1

Perfect Game Staff
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Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell (2027, Atkins, Iowa) was solid on both sides of the ball this weekend. He was able to show a clean move working into it, with the feel to impact it out in front and drive hard through contact. He had good barrel accuracy with feel to drive the ball well, especially working pull-side. He was 4-for-8 on the weekend with a double to his credit, driving in 7 runs as well. Mitchell-Birdsell also put together a good outing on the mound, delivering 2 innings of scoreless work with 3 punchouts. He worked the low 80s with some run, flashing a mid-70s curveball with good 11-5 shape and depth.  Maddux Mueller (2026, Amana, Iowa) LH bat with plenty to like in the batter’s box, and he put together a solid showing this weekend. He finished 2-for-3 with a double, demonstrating both contact ability and the capacity to drive the baseball for extra bases. Mueller...
College | Story | 4/7/2026

College Players of the Week: April 7

Craig Cozart
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April 7th Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Andrew Williamson, OF, UCF  The UCF Knights (20-9) are coming off one of their biggest series victories in years when they went to Morgantown and took down the Mountaineers to take control of the Big 12 regular season standings.  The offense put on quite the performance and Andrew Williamson set the tone by leaving the yard in his first at-bat of the weekend launching a towering home run over the centerfield wall.  The 6-0/195 lefty from St. Petersburg, FL has one of the sweetest strokes in the college game today and when he goes, so do the Knights.  In the 3-game series, the junior collected 6 hits in his 10 at-bats, scoring 6 runs, on 5 walks, a double and he launched 3 home runs all told.  While he had a stretch earlier in the season where he was searching for his stroke a bit, he is getting locked in at the...
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