ELKVILLE, IL - A look at Perfect Game's Brian Sakowski's rankings of the 2018 Prospect League's top five prospects, at No. 4, Gavin Dugas, shortstop, Danville Dans (Louisiana State/FR in 2019)

Brian Sakowski's take, "It's not uncommon to see higher-end incoming college freshman to play in a college summer league in the summer before their freshman year, and such a practice can be very beneficial in bridging the competition gap between 18u travel baseball and SEC-level fall baseball. LSU's Gavin Dugas certainly benefited from just that this past summer. He was widely lauded as one of the top defenders in the league whether it be at shortstop or second base, with excellent athleticism, footwork, hands and arm strength while hitting .331 as a just-graduated high schooler playing against college guys often 3-4 years older than him. LSU certainly expected impact defense to get to campus with Dugas, but the offensive development he has undertaken and is now showing off on campus in Baton Rouge is even more exciting."

The 18-year-old, 5'9", 190-pounds, Dugas came out of Houma Christian High School in Houma, Louisiana ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 ranked shortstop in the Pelican State and the 55th-ranked player at that position nationally and put up some impressive numbers from the Dans last summer. He played in 36 games for Danville and hit .331 (41-for-124), with three home runs, two triples, six doubles, stole 28 bases and drove in 23 runs, impressive numbers for anyone, especially for a player who just graduated from high school and facing college competition before his first day in college. He certainly benefited from playing for the Danville Dans last season and as a result, he has a chance to step in right away and make a difference this season for the Tigers.

"He's probably one of the best players I've ever had the privilege to coach and know," Dans' assistant coach Drew Erie said. "I don't doubt his ability. I don't doubt anything about that kid."

Scout's take - "Dugas looked like the best professional prospect in the League last summer before the future LSU start missed playing time because of a possible concussion after being struck in the head by pitches two times, about a week apart, that said, he didn't miss a beat on his return from satisfying the League's protocol for head injuries/concussions. Dugas, an all-around player, carries himself on the field already like a Major League veteran. He has superior hand-eye coordination and a quick swing that generates solid bat speed and consistent contact from both sides of the plate. He's already capable of driving the ball into the gaps for extra bases and has more pop in his bat than his slight frame may suggest. Defensively, he has soft hands, above average arm strength and accuracy on his throws. On the basepaths, he's quick with plus-speed and his baseball instincts contribute significantly to his ability to steal bases almost at will.

Baseball America had Dugas ranked as the No. 19 prospect out of the State of Louisiana for the 2018 MLB Draft and Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 4 ranked prospect in the Prospect League last season and he certainly lived up to and exceeded expectations last summer. Look for his stock as a prospect to continue to rise.

PHOTO CREDIT - Danville Dans