SA baseball’s top 30 young guns revealed
SA has developed a reputation for producing top-end baseball talent and with the 2024-2025 season now upon us we’ve listed the state’s top 30 young guns. See who made the cut.
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South Australia has developed a reputation for producing some of the nation’s top baseball talent.
With the help of Baseball SA, we’ve picked the top 30 SA young guns to keep an eye on through 2024-2025.
From emerging stars, to those on pro contracts, here is our list in alphabetical order.
ZACH ALTAMURA
One of three South Australians selected to this year’s ‘World Select Team’ for the MLB College Showcase in Arizona, Altamura has become one of the state’s top prospects.
A skilled second baseman, the 17-year-old has become a promising player for the Adelaide Giants and has also been selected to Australia’s U18 World Cup roster.
LUCA ANKENY
An Australia U16s representative, Ankeny will be one to watch as he continues to develop into one of SA’s top baseball prospects.
The 16-year-old pitcher out of the Port Adelaide Magpies continues to impress in his home state and overseas.
ETHAN BADCOCK
An up and coming left-handed pitcher, Badcock is set to transfer to play college baseball this season.
Badcock has overseas and domestic experience and is expected to have another big year.
DARCY BARRY
Approaching his 20s, Adelaide Giants and Team Australia Futures member Darcy Barry plays for the Northern Iowa Area Community College Trojans.
A star infielder who has continued to develop his game each year, Barry is one of SA’s most exciting talents.
TOMMY BIRD
At 15 years old, Bird has already been an Australia representative and should continue to impress this season.
One of the hardest throwing players in Australia for his age group, Bird can be a dangerous fielder in the infield or outfield.
ALICE BROWN
MVP and Golden Arm of this year’s Australian Youth Women’s Championship, Alice Brown has emerged as one of SA’s most exciting young players.
The U16 star was a huge part of SA securing its first ever women’s baseball gold medal, batting in six runs in the gold medal game.
JACK BUSHELL
Listed with the Detroit Tigers of the MLB and the Adelaide Giants, Bushell rates among SA’s very best baseball prospects.
The dominant 19-year-old pitcher has proved to be one of Australia’s most talented youngsters, also having a major impact for the national side at the U18 World Cup.
WILL COUZNER
A member of the U18 Australia Fort Myers side, East Torrens product Couzner has continued to impress.
A dominant player on the mound, Couzner’s performances for his club and state have made him one of the top right-hand pitchers in SA and he should continue to impress in national representation.
DREW DAVIES
A star outfielder for the Adelaide Giants and Adelaide Giants, Davies signed a pro contract with the MLB’s Cincinnati Reds last year.
One of the state’s most versatile and lethal players both in the field and at the plate, the 18-year-old has also represented Australia on the international stage.
MITCHELL EVANS
An U16s Australia representative in international play, tall left-handed pitcher Evans has continued to impress.
Evans was one of the top performers in September’s U16 World Series, securing the second highest pitch score of any player in the tournament.
DEAKIN FILKO
Another U16s representative for Australia in Atlanta, Filko has emerged as a standout SA prospect.
A talented pitcher out of the Kensington Cardinals who is also handy with the bat, Filko will be one to watch for years to come.
BEN GANLEY
A development catcher for the Giants and a member of the Australia U18s side, Ganley has continued his impressive development.
Displays strong smarts and reflexes behind the plate and could make a college debut in the future.
TYLER GREEN
A member of the Australia U17 Fort Myers side, Tyler Green has become a star hitter and pitcher in SA baseball.
Also a standout performer at the 2024 U18 Australian Youth Championships, Green helped the SA team to a silver finish.
BROCK HARDING
An U12 World Cup qualifier for later this month, Harding will be a young SA baseball star to watch in the coming years.
A versatile player out of the Glenelg Baseball Club, Harding should gain valuable experience on the big stage.
TYLER HOWARTH
Another U17s Australia Fort Myers team member, Howarth is one of SA’s most talented up and coming pitchers.
The Goodwood product has continued his improvement each season and is a prospective world cup and college player.
TOBY KORTEKAAS
One of the best up and coming catchers in the state, Kortekaas remains among the top SA baseball young guns.
Also a strong offensive performer at the plate, the West Torrens product is an U16s Australia representative and one to watch in the future.
JOSH LEDGARD
A promising player for the University of Northwest Ohio, Ledgard will be an SA young gun to watch in the coming seasons.
A tall and strong fielder who is also a dangerous right-hand bat.
JAMES MCFARLANE
An AIS invitee, McFarlane has been identified as a possible Australia and college player in the future.
A strong all-round player who can also produce with the bat, McFarlane is a talented product of West Torrens.
FLYNN MCKEE
McKee won the U18s Golden Bat as the top offensive performer in all of Australia at the Australian Youth Championships last year.
Part of Australia’s U18 side, McKee has been dominant for Port Adelaide and the Giants and has been offered multiple college scholarships.
NIC PAPARELLA
A talented infielder who can do major damage as a hitter, the SA star was a leader of the state’s Australian Youth Championships side, plays for the Giants and was also part of Australia’s U18 World Cup side.
The Southern Districts product has major potential and will be one to watch for years to come.
COOPER POVEY
A star U13s player who has emerged as a talented young hitter.
Povey has made a name for himself with the SA Little League champion Adelaide Rays side, hitting multiple homers on the way to the title.
LUCAS POVEY
The twin brother of Cooper, Lucas Povey has also emerged as one of SA’s most talented youngsters.
An outstanding pitcher and all-round player, Lucas will be one to watch in the coming years as he continues to develop alongside Cooper.
KAI REID
A star prospect out of the Glenelg Baseball Club, Reid was also a member of the Baseball SA high performance program and will play for Clarendon College.
Reid is dangerous hitter and has also travelled overseas to play competitive ball in Puerto Rico.
BRADY SMITH
A development catcher for the Adelaide Giants, Smith has been a standout in recent years and should continue to impress.
Is now a Gannon University player and is also part of the U18s World Cup camp for Australia.
MAX STAGG
Star West Torrens and Adelaide Giants outfielder Max Stagg has had one of his best years in the sport yet.
An exciting all-round talent, Stagg is now part of Central Arizona University’s roster and is also an Australia U18s player.
LILLIAN STERRY
An up and coming women’s prospect, Sterry has been identified as a possible first year Australian Youth Women’s Championship player next year.
The 13-year-old is a star pitcher and all-round weapon for the Adelaide Baseball Club who has won MVP in her division.
ALISTAIR TANNER
One of SA’s most talented prospects, Tanner recently signed a pro contract with the MLB’s Detroit Tigers.
Also on the Adelaide Giants Roster and an Australia U18s player, Tanner has emerged as a dangerous and impactful pitcher.
TAJ WILLIAMS
An Australia U16s representative in America this year, Williams will be a prospect to keep an eye on.
A strong batter and all-rounder, Williams was the second youngest player in the U16s team.
CONNOR YEATMAN
A multiple-time state player who has also represented Australia at U18s level, Yeatman looks set to follow brother Riley’s footsteps.
A dangerous and consistent pitcher, Yeatman could be on the cusp of becoming a college player.
RILEY YEATMAN
Formerly on a pro contract with MLB club San Diego Padres, Yeatman remains among SA’s top young guns.
A talented pitcher who is recovering from elbow surgery, Yeatman is set for a big bounceback year with the Giants.
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