SBLive's 2023 all-state Georgia baseball team: Parkview’s Colin Houck highlights all-state selections

Houck was the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and makes our all-state team as an infielder

The 2023 high school baseball season was filled with tremendous moments and spectacular performances on both an individual and team level in the Peach State.

Some players built off their dominant seasons from the year before and made the list in back-to-back seasons while others had true breakout years making a name for themselves.

Here is SBLive's all-state baseball team in the state of Georgia for the spring of 2023. 

Our guiding criteria:

1. Individual performance and accolades.

2. Success of team held considerable weight in selections.

3. A player was only eligible at one position.

SBLIVE’S 2023 GEORGIA ALL-STATE BASEBALL TEAM

Pitcher: Thorpe Musci, Parkview, Jr. (7A)

Though the end of the season didn’t end in a 10th state championship for Parkview, they had plenty of standouts across the diamond and on the mound. Musci was terrific for Parkview, compiling a record of 10-1 with a 2.23 earned run average and striking out 99 batters. 

Pitcher: Jamie Whittier, Centennial, Jr. (5A) 

Undoubtedly one of the most efficient and effective pitchers in Georgia whenever he took the mound for Centennial. Whittier led the state in wins (12) and boasted a 1.48 ERA and fanned 95 batters last season. Only lost one decision in 2023. 

Catcher: Nate Slaughter, Lowndes, Jr., (7A) 

Maybe one of the best at the catcher position in Lowndes program history to recent memory, Slaughter was efficient behind the plate and effective with the bat. Catching for Class 7A state champions, Slaughter was the steady glove behind the plate for pitchers Ashton Bohler, Noah Thigpen and Caleb Thornton. Slaughter was an All-Area first-team selection for the Vikings at catcher. 

Infielder: Colin Houck, Parkview, Sr. (7A) 

Winning the prestigious Gatorade Player of the Year out of the state of Georgia is a great honor all within itself, but it was deserving after the kind of season Houck put on. The senior shortstop put up eye-popping statistics as Houck batted .487 with eight home runs, 50 RBI, 56 runs scored, 16 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .589 for the Panthers. 

Infielder: Judah Powell, Apalachee, Jr. (6A) 

Versatile throughout the infield and playing between first and third base, Powell brought a solid glove and a big bat to the plate. The Region 8-AAAAAA Player of the Year had a strong year at the plate as Powell belted 13 home runs, drove in 34 runs and had a .360 batting average. 

Infielder: Cade Brown, Parkview, Jr. (7A) 

It was hard to not have the pairing of Brown and Houck on this all-state team because of how well the two played all season long. Brown, a University of Georgia commitment, was one of the state’s statistical leaders all season. As a junior, Brown belted 14 home runs, drove in 52 RBI’s with a .486 batting average. 

Infielder: Bernard Moon, Redan, Sr. (2A) 

Off all the players selected on this list, Moon leads them all when it comes to overall batting average. The infielder batted an astounding .626 at the plate with 57 hits, 49 RBI’s, nine home runs, 11 doubles, six triples and stole 39 bases. Moon was named the 2A-Region 5 Player of the Year.   

Outfielder: Drew Burress, Houston County, Sr. (6A) 

The senior outfielder was one of the state’s leaders in multiple categories, including batting average, home runs and RBI’s. Last season for the 6A state champions, Burress batted .430 at the plate with 13 home runs, 59 RBI’s and 17 doubles. 

Outfielder: Malik Ware, Washington-Wilkes, Jr. (1A) 

The dual-sport athlete is a pretty good football and basketball player as well. On the baseball diamond, Ware was selected as a 1A-II Area 8 first-team selection as an outfielder after his strong 2023 season. Ware batted .441 at the plate, belting five home runs, driving in 42 and scored 47 times himself. Only committed two errors all season. 

Outfielder: Michael Mullinax, North Cobb Christian, Jr. (2A) 

In leading North Cobb Christian to its first-ever state championship in program history, Mullinax showed up in the big moments that proved to show he’s one of the best in Georgia. The University of Georgia commitment drove in a run in the series-clinching 11-1 win over Mount Paran Christian for Class 2A state championship. 

Outfielder: Kaleb Cost, Sandy Creek, Sr. (3A) 

Cost, who also played on the football team, displayed his speed on the base pads and blew away the previous stolen bases record in a landslide. The senior outfielder stole 84 bases, which the previous state record was 61. Not to mention Cost batter .545 at the plate with four home runs, nine doubles and no errors in the outfield. Not too shabby. 

Utility: Bailey Thorne, Calvary Christian, Jr. (3A) 

The state’s leader in runs batted in and home runs, Thorne was a thorn (no pun intended ) to pitchers on a nightly basis and the junior did some pitching himself. Thorne hit 16 home runs, drove in 65 RBI’s and went 6-2 on the mound with 88 strikeouts. 

Utility: Carson Page, Lowndes, Jr. (7A) 

The Georgia Tech commitment was an instrumental piece of the puzzle in helping the Vikings snag their first state championship since 2000. With the ability to play in the infield, outfield or even at catcher, Page truly personified the meaning of a utility player. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.