A Season of Excellence
The annual High School On SI fan poll has once again turned the spotlight on Georgia’s rising baseball talent, and this year the winner is unmistakable.
Avery Horne of Peach County combined a .455 batting average with 45 hits, 50 RBIs and nine stolen bases at the plate, while his pitching duties yielded a 7‑2 record, a 2.33 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 42 innings. The performance earned him Region 1‑AAA Co‑Player of the Year honors and a spot on the GHSA Class AAA All‑State Second Team.
Blake Bryant from Citizens Christian Academy finished a close second with 21.21% of the vote; the junior right‑hander went 10‑0 with a 0.22 ERA and 141 strikeouts, and also contributed 45 RBIs and seven home runs.
Brock Johnson of Westfield School rounded out the top three with 12.93% of the tally, batting .583 with 56 hits, 13 home runs and 50 RBIs, underscoring a season that helped his team to back‑to‑back state titles.
Other notable finishers included Carson Bruce of North Cobb Christian, Grant Gano from Lanier County, Avery Kilcrease of Worth County and Wyatt Still from Tattnall Square Academy, each posting impressive offensive and pitching statistics that highlighted the depth of talent across classifications.
Looking Ahead
The recognition extends beyond individual accolades, reflecting the role of the Georgia High School Association in organizing competition and the continued interest of Major League Baseball scouts, exemplified by the Arizona Diamondbacks’ selection of Bryant in the 2026 draft.