Prep Baseball Report

Top Uncommitted Class of 2016 MIF's



By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The early signing period is a little more than a month away for this year’s senior class, and while the recruiting process in baseball has sped up significantly over the past few years, there are always quality players left on the board this time of year. This year is no different.

We recently updated our Class of 2016 rankings and have begun to take a look at the top ranked uncommitted seniors by position group. Our first two articles in the series focused on pitchers. Today we take a look at some of the top uncommitted middle infielders from the 2016 class.

Name: Ryan Layne
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
High School: West Jessamine
State Ranking: 18
Scouting Report: (6/16/15) 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, maintains good balance through swing, short swing path with some hand quickness, line drive type hitter who uses all fields and incorporates some speed in game, impressed in BP, 83 mph exit velocity, ran 4.34 down the line, went 0-for-4 in game play reaching base on an error. Advanced defender at the SS position, soft hands, good footwork and works through the ball well, very athletic with excellent body control and ability to throw from multiple arm angles, 86 mph velocity plays well on the left side of the infield, has the tools to stay at SS at the next level.

Name: Josiah Robbins
Height: 6-1
Weight : 180
High School: Boyle County
State Ranking: 43
Scouting Report: (6/16/15) 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, athletic frame, right-handed hitter hits from an open stance, mid-length stride, maintains good balance, some length in swing, generates bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity, good round of BP with line drives to the gaps and occasional pull side power, good speed with 4.38 home to first time, went 2-for-4 in game play with an RBI. Soft hands with good lateral movement, shorter high-3/4 release, good arm strength at 82 mph across the infield with carry.

Name: Brayden Sisson
Height: 6-2
Weight : 175
High School: South Oldham
State Ranking: 48
Scouting Report: (6/16/15) 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance and gets to square with a short stride, generates good bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity, impressed in BP with consistent line drives and flashes of gap power, ran 4.52 down the line, went 0-for-4 in game play. Showcased 85 mph arm strength that plays well on the left side of the infield, long high-3/4 release, plays through the ball well, projectable frame with room to continue to fill in.

Name: Jackson Gooding
Height: 5-11
Weight : 175
High School: Bowling Green
State Ranking: 52
Scouting Report: (2/14/15) 5-foot-11,175-pound prospect has gotten stronger and added 10 pounds to frame, increased every measurable at the event. Right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, generates good bat speed, line drive type hitter with occasional flashes of gap power, ball jumped off bat in impressive round of batting practice, ran 6.90 60-yard dash, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, not a flashy type but very solid, showed a jump in arm strength at 83 mph across the infield, accurate throws, good lateral movement and body control, sure hands, continues to make improvements at each event.

Name: Matthew Gammon
Height: 6-1
Weight : 190
High School: Shelby County
State Ranking: 68
Scouting Report: (8/8/15) 6-foot-1, 190-pound left handed hitter has improved speed and arm strength. Gammon ran 4.52 down the line with 82 mph velocity across the infield. Left handed hitter hits from balanced stance with a short stride, good use of lower half torque, generates good bat speed and creates lift, shows power to the gaps and pull side, 83 mph exit velocity (87 at previous event), went 0-for-4 in game play lining out hard to CF in one at bat. SHows soft hands defensively with athletic actions, very good body control with ability to throw on the move, long high-3/4 release with good arm strength at 82 mph across the infield, accurate throws with carry.

Name: Jed Arend
Height: 5-11
Weight : 165
High School: Daviess County
State Ranking: 71
Scouting Report: (6/17/15) 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitter had his best showing at a PBR event, hits from an open stance and gets to square with a short stride, maintains good balance, showed big jump in exit velocity at 91 mph, line drive type hitter with gap to gap approach, hit well in game play going 3-for-4 with three solid singles, ran 4.62 down the line. Shows soft hands, works through the ball with fluid footwork, quick exchange with short high-3/4 release, 81 mph velocity, accurate throws, good body control and the ability to throw from multiple arm angles.

Name: Andy Highbaugh
Height: 5-11
Weight : 190
High School: Barren County
State Ranking: 78
Scouting Report: 6/16/15 - 5-foot-11, 190-pounds, strong frame, left-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, loose hands with some quickness, stays quiet, good bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity, line drive type hitter with gap to gap power, went 0-for-1 in game play (had to leave early), 4.69 home to first time. Soft hands, works through the ball well, short ¾ release with 80 mph velocity, good body control and ability to throw from different arm slots on the move. Likely projects as a third baseman at the next level.