Georgia's top high school baseball players: Meet the state’s best designated hitters/utility players

Who are the top designated hitters/utility players in Georgia high school baseball this season?

Ryan Gold photo by Jamie Spaar

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, right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers.

Now we finish up with some of the toughest players to categorize by position — the designated hitters/utility players.

There are thousands of outstanding baseball players 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.

—

Luke Boone, Sr., Richmond Hill

Adept in the outfield, on the mound and at either corner infield spot, the 6-4, 200-pound senior brings the Wildcats plenty of versatility as they continue their way through the Class 6A state playoffs. Boone will play his college baseball at Georgia State.

Drew Burress, Jr., Houston County

It doesn't matter whether the 5-10, 190-pound junior plays third base or somewhere in the outfield for the defending Class 6A state champion Bears. He can defend anywhere, especially with his powerful throwing arm, and he can definitely produce and consistently barrel the ball up at the plate. Burress has already committed to play college ball at Georgia Tech.

Carter Davies, Sr., St. Francis

The 6-1, 195-pound senior's final high school season just came to an end in the first round of the Class A Private state playoffs, but he had a major impact in the Knights simply getting to the postseason with his work both on the mound and at the plate, as well as in the field at either corner infield position. Davies will now focus on his college career at Young Harris College.

Nate Dvorsky, Sr., Lambert

The multi-talented 6-3, 190-pound senior has been a force in right field and at first base this season, and also came on to pitch and pick up a save in Game 1 of the Longhorns' first-round Class 7A state playoff series last week. Dvorsky is headed to Clemson to play in college.

Kam Edge, Sr., Benedictine

The 5-10, 165-pound senior's future will be on the football field at Army, but also been a catalyst for the Cadets in their continuing run in the Class 4A state playoffs as a right-handed pitcher and shortstop.

Jordan Fricks, Sr., Etowah

The 6-1, 230-pound senior doesn't have a dominating fastball, but has enough command and ability to change speed with all three of his pitches to baffle opposing hitters from the left side. Throw in his ability at the plate and at first base and there is a reason he will continue his career on the next level at Jefferson Davis Community College in Alabama.

John Luke Glanton, Sr., Metter

The 5-10, 165-pound senior has contributed in both poles of the battery throughout the season, including both ends of the Tigers' first-round Class A Public state playoff doubleheader win over Pelham. The Georgia College and State University signee earned the win on the mound in Game 1, and then went 3-for-4 at the plate in the nightcap.

Ryan Gold, Jr., Campbell

The 6-3, 185-pound junior first baseman/outfielder leads Campbell in doubles (13) and RBIs (21) and ranks second among Spartans regulars with a .389 average and 1.029 OPS. But on the mound is where the lefty most lives up to his last name with a 1.36 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 36 innings. He was particularly dominant during Game 2 of the Spartans' three-game victory over Brookwood in the first round of the Class 7A state playoffs, during which he retired the first 16 hitters he faced en route to outdueling Brookwood ace Dylan Lonergan for the victory. It's no wonder he's one of Georgia's most prized commits for the Class of 2023.

Aiden Jolley, Sr., Allatoona

Though relatively small in stature at 5-9 and 170 pounds, the senior is able to fill a big role with the Buccaneers in being able to come out from his regular position behind the plate and play either corner infield position when called upon. That versatility hasn't hurt Jolley at the plate, as the Georgia Tech signee is hitting .365 with six homers, a team-best 37 RBIs, eight doubles and a 1.087 OPS heading into Allatoona's second-round Class 6A state playoff series this week.

Garrett Lambert, Jr., Parkview

The 6-2, 200-pound junior has taken a huge step forward with his first opportunity in two full-time roles in 2022. He's made perhaps the biggest jump on the mound, where he is 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA, a .168 opponents batting average and a staff-best 84 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings. Included in those figures were five innings of two-hit shutout ball and 10 strikeouts as the Panthers began their quest for a fourth straight Class 7A title earlier this week. However, the Clemson signee has also been a force at the plate, hitting .368 with three homers, 28 RBIs, six doubles and a .966 OPS this spring.

Kyle Lodise, Sr., Brunswick

Though the Pirates did not make the Class 6A state playoffs, the 5-11, 165-pound senior did have a strong 2022 campaign this spring, and will continue his baseball career in Division II at Augusta University.

Daniel Martin, Sr., Troup County

The 5-11, 160-pound senior has been on a roll lately, along with the Tigers, who have moved into the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Martin got two critical wins down the stretch of the regular season and is a regular contributor at the plate and playing the infield when he's not pitching.

Robert Mitchell, Sr., Lovett

The 5-9, 165-pound senior has filled a number of roles throughout his high school career, and can play just about anywhere on the field.

Devon Murphy, Jr., Troup County

The 6-1, 180-pound junior has been just as versatile as his Tigers teammate Martin, and just as productive. As someone who plays both the infield and outfield when he's not pitching, Murphy has been a Swiss Army knife of an asset for Troup throughout his career.

Davis Newman, Sr., Etowah

There isn't a position the 6-2, 204-pound senior can't contribute at for the Eagles, and no matter where he plays in the field, he will be productive at the plate and on the base paths. Newman will continue to play in college at Northwest Florida State College.

Connor Shouse, Soph., Pickens

The 5-9, 163-pound sophomore came into the 2022 season with plenty of accolades, including being named a preseason All-American by Perfect Game. And Shouse, who is already committed to play college ball at Georgia Tech, hasn't disappointed in helping the Dragons into the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Hoke Skipper, Jr., Pierce County

The 6-1, 195-pound junior has the tools to play just about anywhere on the field for the Bears. That includes on the mound, where he has increased his arm strength to reach 90 mph with his fastball.

Hank Smith, Sr., Cartersville

The 5-10, 175-pound senior has contributed in the infield and behind the plate, in addition to designated hitter, for the Purple Hurricanes in their run to the program's 27th region championship and the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs thus far. Smith is headed to Jacksonville (Ala.) State to play college ball.

Jordan Stephens, Jr., Wilcox County

Though only a sophomore, the 6-4, 210-pound pitcher/first baseman/outfielder is built more like a full-grown adult, and is a big reason the Patriots are 27-0 and considered one of the favorites as they enter the second round of the Class A Public state playoffs.

Jayden Talik, Sr., Parkview

Despite still coming back from an injury from two years ago and the fact Parkview is deep with outfielders, the 6-0, 190-pound senior's bat is simply too potent to keep out of the lineup. The Young Harris College-bound designated hitter has posted a .385 average with a homer, 18 RBIs and a 1.033 OPS as the Panthers remain in contention for an unprecedented fourth straight Class 7A state title.