Georgia's top high school baseball players: Meet the state’s best left-handed pitchers

Who are the top left-handed pitchers in Georgia high school baseball this season?

Jake Tucker photo by Willie Prince

Over the past few weeks, we've been taking a look at some of the top baseball players in Georgia.

We started with the top catchers, then first basemen, second basemen, shortstops and third basemen. Then we moved on to the left fielders, center fielders, right fielders and right-handed pitchers, and now we feature the left-handers.

There are hundreds of outstanding pitchers in Georgia, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveGA and let us know about other athletes worthy of fans’ attention.

Note: Many high school baseball players excel at multiple positions. Don't be alarmed to see a slugging infielder or outfielder listed here as a pitcher, for example.

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Andrew Arnold, Sr., North Oconee

After a solid junior season in which he helped North Oconee to the Class 4A state semifinals, the 6-2, 190-pound senior has gotten stronger and put a little more power behind his fastball in the hopes he can help put the Titans over the top this spring. Arnold is signed to play college baseball at Georgia Southern.

Jake Beaver, Sr., Flowery Branch

Last year's Region 8-4A Pitcher of the Year, the 5-10, 180-pound senior is building on that success to try and push the Falcons even further as the Class 4A state playoffs begin this week. Beaver will head to Georgia State to continue his baseball career in college.

Sam Carter, Sr., Oconee County

After being a key to Oconee County's 19-11 season a year ago, the 5-11, 150-pound senior hopes to make an even bigger impact as the Warriors begin a run in the Class 3A state playoffs this weekend. Carter will play his college ball at Division II Columbus State.

Dawson Coe, Sr., Loganville

The 6-1, 210-pound lefty recently completed a dominant regular season with a no-hitter and seven strikeouts in a 10-0 win over Eastside. The Kennesaw State signee also figures to be an important piece as the Red Devils look to climb back to the top after having their three-year reign as Class 3A state champs snapped last year.

Luke Dotson, Jr., Mount Paran

The 6-4, 190-pound southpaw was the ace of the Mount Paran staff during last year's run to the Class A Private state title. The Florida State commit has not only remained so this spring, but is also considered among the top junior hurlers in the nation.

Gabe Duncan, Sr., Thomasville

The 5-11, 190-pound senior was dominant down the stretch, allowing just four hits and two earned runs with 23 strikeouts over 12 2/3 innings over his final two outings to help the Bulldogs close out the Region 1-2A title.

Nathan Durham, Sr., Washington-Wilkes

Despite a lanky (6-2, 165) frame, the senior has provided plenty of production on the mound, where he has been the Tigers' workhorse with an 8-1 record, two saves and a team-leading 1.06 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings heading into the Class A Public state playoffs.

Cade Fisher, Sr., NW Whitfield

At 6-4, 200 pounds and with a fastball topping off in the low to mid-90s, it's understandable that power is a major part of the senior's game. However, Fisher's mechanics and command of his stuff are other factors in him continuing his career in college in the SEC at Florida. Fisher has also been clutch down the stretch for the Bruins, allowing just four hits and one earned run with 28 strikeouts in 14 innings over his last two regular-season starts.

Will Hampton, Soph., Calvary Day

While somewhat limited in his mound work (only seven appearances) due to his importance as a position player and hitter (he's third among the team's regulars with a .383 average and leads the team with two home runs and 25 RBIs), the 5-11, 195-pound sophomore is making a name for himself with his consistent left arm. He heads into the Class A Private state playoffs with a 3-1 record, 0.88 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 24 innings.

Jackson Hilton, Sr., St. Anne-Pacelli

At 6-5 and 215 pounds, Hilton certainly looks the part of one of the Georgia's best port-siders. His numbers back up those appearances, as the Auburn-bound senior sports an 8-2 record with a save, a 1.01 ERA, a .161 opponents' batting average and 96 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings as he and the Region 4-A Private champion Vikings enter the state playoffs.

Jacob Jordan, Jr., Thomasville

The 6-0, 194-pound junior joins Gabe Duncan to form an impressive 1-2 lefty punch in a very deep pitching staff for the recently crowned Region 1-2A champion Bulldogs as they enter the state playoffs.

Owen Lamb, Jr., Schley County

The lanky 6-4, 160-pound junior teams with Trypp Lumpkin to make up quite an impressive lefty combo on the mound for the Wildcats. An all-state selection on the mound as a sophomore last year, Lamb also contributes for Schley County at first base and in the outfield, as well as in the batter's box.

Trypp Lumpkin, Sr., Schley County

The 6-0, 170-pound senior does a little bit of everything for the Wildcats, including filling in as a rare left-handed catcher. However, Lumpkin has made his bones on the mound, including throwing a no-hitter back in February and tossing a two-hit shutout and fanning 12 just last week.

Ryder Moye, Sr., Sequoyah

One of top hurlers in Cherokee County and all of Georgia, the 5-11, 178-pound senior has been dominant this spring by going 7-2 with a 1.95 ERA, .198 opponents' batting average and 93 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings. He is headed to Wofford to play college baseball.

Mason Steel, Sr., Lowndes

The 6-4, 180-pound senior turned in an impressive junior campaign a year ago on the mound (9-3, 2.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 71 K, 64 IP) and at the plate, and was a catalyst in helping the Vikings to another Region 1-7A championship and a trip to the state playoffs this spring. He will pitch Division II ball at the University of North Georgia beginning in the fall.

Ben Stubbs, Sr., Tattnall Square

Though only 5-11 and 155 pounds, the Flagler-bound senior has had a huge impact as the Trojans' ace this spring, going 9-1 with a 1.42 ERA, a .141 opponents' batting average and fanning an eye-popping 109 batters in just 59 1/3 innings.

Ford Thompson, Jr., Parkview

After throwing just 16 2/3 innings as a sophomore last year, the 6-1, 175-pound junior has responded extremely well to his expanded role in 2022. Though his record is just 5-3, he has more than held his own against tough competition with a 1.30 ERA, .148 opponents' batting average and a team-best 67 strikeouts in 43 innings. Thompson is already committed to pitch collegiately at Georgia.

Jake Tucker, Jr., Mount Paran

As if Mount Paran opponents didn't have enough problems facing one lefty hurler on our list, the 6-5, 195-pound junior gives the Eagles another weapon from the port side, as well as another dangerous bat in the lineup.

Justin Veloz, Sr., Northside-Columbus

After being a contributor to the Northside program since his freshman season, when he helped the Patriots to a Class 4A state title primarily as an outfielder, the 5-10, 185-pound senior has developed into a big-time two-way threat with his work on the mound.

Rhett Wells, Sr., Greater Atlanta Christian

After a junior season last year in which he was nearly unhittable — going 6-1 with a 0.94 ERA, 88 strikeouts and only 18 hits allowed in 44 1/3 innings — the 5-11, 188-pound senior has returned this spring and pretty much picked up where he left off as the ace of the Spartans' staff. Wells is slated to play college ball at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida.