PBR Border Battle- Infield Evaluations

September 15, 2016

By Brian Feekin
Prep Baseball Report Nebraska

Prep Baseball Report's Border Battle Games event took place on Sunday, August 14, 2016. The event was held at Doc Ross Field, on the campus of Iowa Western CC, in Council Bluffs, IA. The event featured prospects from Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, South & North Dakota from the 2017-2019 classes who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff and multiple colleges in attendance. Thank you to the players, parents, my staff for such a great event.

There were a number of great individual performances this year at the PBR Border Battle Games; we have broken down the individual statistics below.

As we drill down into the statistics:

+ 20 players ran sub-7.1 60's.
+ 28 players recorded 85+ mph exit velocities
+ 13 players recorded 78+ mph infield throws
+ 17 players recorded 78+ mph outfield throws
+ 14 catchers recorded 70+ mph throws to second base
+ 13 catchers recorded sub-2.1 pop times
+ 20 pitchers were 80+ mph on the mound

CLICK HERE to view Complete Statistics in PDF Format.

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Below we have highlighted the prospects at their respective positions with evaluations; listed alphabetically.

infield evaluations

Cooper Allen, 1B/RHP, Creighton Prep, 2018
6-foot-4, 210-pound physical build. 7.69 runner. Posted an exit velocity of 87 mph off a tee. Wide stance at the plate, leg kick triggers aggressive pull side swing. Gap to gap contact with ability to elevate to pull side. In the field has active feet and plays the ball out front with a clean transfer and release. Topped out at 76 mph across the infield. On the mound, sat in the 76-80 mph range with his fastball. Throws from a mid ¾ arm slot on a downhill plane. Repeats mechanics well, during game action lost feel for the strike zone. 63-67 mph breaking ball his 1/7 shape and was thrown down in the strike zone.

Caleb Black, LHP/1B, Norwalk (IA), 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.01 runner. Square stance, leg kick trigger, hands drift down in swing, line drive and ground ball contact, showed ability to use whole field. 84 mph exit velocity. Soft hands, avg. range, accurate throws, stiff arm action, needs improved footwork around bag. 67 mph across infield. On mound; shows rhythm in delivery, slight tuck and turn at balance point, good direction to plate and lands closed. One-piece arm action from high ¾ slot. Fastball was 69-72 mph. Curveball was 62-63 mph. Changeup was 65-67 mph.

Brock Burling, RHP/1B, Millard West, 2018
6-foot-8, 195-pound right-handed pitcher that topped out at 85 mph with his fastball. Struck out two in his one inning of work at the Border Battle. Mechanically, repeats quiet delivery, long on the backside and out front. Low ¾ arm action, ball sits on flat plane, with some run to the arm side. Front side has a tendency to fly open. 68-69 mph breaking ball had good depth and same arm speed as his fastball. Posted a 7.64 60 yard sprint and 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Square stance, stays tall, lots of hand movement triggers high leg kick. Ground ball and pull side line drive contact. In the field has playable actions for first base. Topped out at 61 mph across in the infield.

Joe Folkers, 3B/RHP, Millard South, 2017
5-foot-8, 161-pound 3rd baseman ran a 7.28 60 yard sprint. Slightly open stance, leg kick triggers compact line drive swing with strong contact to the pull side. Posted an exit velocity of 77 mph off a tee. In the field, has playable hands and feet, fields the ball out front to a quick transfer. Projects to move to 2nd at the next level. Threw accurately across at 75 mph.

Drew Gilin, SS, Millard South, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed hitting infielder ran a 7.02 60 yard sprint. Athletic build with wide shoulders. At the plate, wide square stance, leg kick triggers, uphill swing path. All field approach with power to his pull side. Posted an exit velocity of 90 mph off a tee. High energy infielder with soft hands and active feet. Throws through the base with mid ¾ arm action at 80 mph across.

Jackson Gordon, RHP/SS, Omaha Skutt, 2018
5-foot-10,150-pound two-way player ran a 7.46 60 yard sprint. At the plate, square stance, slight bend in top half, leg kick weight shift. Uphill swing path, all fields approach. Posted an exit velocity of 76 mph off a tee. In the field, works through the ball, active feet, soft hands, quick transfer to a mid ¾ arm slot. Topped out at 74 mph across the infield. On the mound, repeats mechanics well, stays on line to home plate. Small pause after hands break; clean from the backside. Quick arm with a long follow through out front. 79-80 mph fastball sits on a downhill plane with some life to his arm side. Tight spinning 64-65 breaking ball with 11/7 shape. Also showed feel for 71-72 mph change up down in the strike zone. Worked a scoreless inning in the game portion of the event.

Noah Gyldenvand, 2B/RHP, Dowling Catholic (IA), 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.03 runner. Athletic stance with good rhythm, controlled leg kick trigger, strides square, flashes pop to pull side of field, shows good hands in swing, and stays inside baseball, 86 mph exit velocity. 87 mph arm strength across diamond. Active feet and solid range, shows quality infield actions, fields deep into body occasionally, defends in middle infield well. Strike thrower on mound, controlled delivery, repeats well, upright finish, feel for 3 pitches in zone. Fastball was 82-84 mph, curveball was 71-72 mph, and changeup was 71-73 mph.

Jayton Haggard, SS/RHP, Marysville, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. 6.89 runner with tall projectable frame. Open stance. Simple swing. Repeats well. Even with high back elbow; bat path is clean and long through contact. 85 mph exit velocity off tee. In the infield, active feet, funnels through the body to a quick ¾ accurate release at 80 mph. On the mound, topped out at 85 mph with his fastball. Drop and drive off his backside. Arm breaks clean from the backside with an athletic follow through out front.

Brayden Hoops, SS, Storm Lake (IA), 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.28 runner at this event. Pre-set hands, lower slot to swing, slight body load, some stiffness through contact, short finish across body, ground ball contact to pull side of field, 77 mph exit velocity. Choppy rhythm defensively, moves with short steps, avg. glove, clean arm action from short high ¾ slot, 76 mph across the field.

Cooper Huckabone, 1B, Mount Pleasant (IA), 2018
6-foot-5, 230-pound right-handed hitting first baseman. 7.71 runner. Slightly crouched set-up, wider base, good balance, stays connected, short to contact, flashes pop in bat, consistent hard contact to gaps, 86 mph exit velocity. Slower actions at first base, long release on throws, accurate arm, solid footwork around bag, receives throws well, 64 mph arm strength.

Keaton King, SS, West Harrison (IA), 2017
5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.15 runner. Tall stance, good rhythm, some stiffness in lower half- stands up through contact, consistent gap to gap approach, solid line drive contact, 85 mph exit velocity. 85 mph arm strength across diamond. Solid footwork, usable glove, fields deep occasionally, profiles as third baseman or offensive second baseman. Accurate to bag with solid carry.

Carter Kocian, 2B, Gretna, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound infielder ran a 7.5 60 yard sprint. Compact frame. At the plate, slightly open tall stance, stride triggers a quick uphill barrel path. Gap to gap hard contact. Squares balls up to all fields. Posted an exit velocity of 82 mph off a tee. Active feet and hands in the field, plays the ball out front with a quick short release from a mid ¾ arm slot. Topped out at 76 mph across.

Devon Lujan, 1B/RHP, Olathe East, 2018
6-foot-3, 205 pound two way player ran a 7.97 60 yard sprint. Posted a 90mph exit velocity off a tee. Strong physical build. At the plate, put together one of the top rounds of batting practice on the day. Square stance, high hands, short stride triggers uphill swing plane. Showed power to his pull side and the ability to elevate the baseball. In the field, has active feet and playable hands at 1st base. Topped out across the infield at 78 mph. On the mound, fastball sat in the 77-79 mph range. Long arm action on the backside and out front. Front side opens early and loses leverage off his backside. Breaking ball and changeup were thrown from strikes.

Dylan Nedved, 3B, Shawnee Mission Northwest, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound infielder ran a 7.15 60 yard sprint. At the plate, slightly open stance. Toe tap triggers compact line drive swing plane. Pull side approach. Posted an exit velocity of 88 mph off a tee. In the infield, works through the ball. Fields it out front to a high ¾ arm action. Topped out at 82 mph across to first base.

Isaac Nelsen, SS, Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD), 2017
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.09 runner. Body load, short to contact, limited use of lower half, rotational bat path to/through contact, pull approach with ground ball and line drive contact, 87 mph exit velocity. Heavier feet, above avg. transfers with quick release, solid accuracy to bag, 76 mph arm strength.

Haiden Randall, 3B/OF, Camdenton, 2017
6-foot-2, 225-pound switch-hitter ran a 7.88 60 yard sprint. Strong physical build, posted an exit velocity of 92 mph off a tee. At the plate, square stance, pull side approach, tendency to spin off the ball. Uphill swing plane. Hard line drive contact. In the outfield, threw accurately to home at 83 mph. Plays the ball out front and has a clean transfer to a high ¾ arm action. In the infield, has active feet and works up through the ball towards first base. Threw across with control at 78 mph.

Garret Reisz, SS/RHP, Woodbine (IA), 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.18 runner. Slight open stance, controlled leg kick stride to square, easy load with rhythm, short to contact, uses hands in swing, hard pull contact, flashes pop in bat to pull side gap, 88 mph exit velocity. 87 mph arm across infield. Solid actions in field, fields tall occasionally, works through ball, above avg. carry and accuracy to bag. Strong follow in 2018 class.

Bobby Rivera, SS, Blue Springs South, 2018
The #70 ranked player in the state of Missouri ran a 6.65 60 yard sprint. At the plate, open stance, short leg kick squares at contact. Line drive swing plane. Ground ball and line drive contact during BP. Posted an exit velocity of 82 mph off a tee. In the field, high energy, quick feet, hands get deep in the body, quick release, sporadic throws across from low ¾ arm slot at 75 mph.

Carlos Santagelo, RHP/3B, Chaminade College Prep, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound two-way player ran a 7.2 60 yard sprint. Athletic build, wide shoulders. At the plate, square stance, high hands, leg kick triggers long swing plane. Posted an exit velocity of 81 mph off a tee. In the field, has active footwork, funnels the ball through his body working through the ball. Feet have a tendency to stop at fielding position. Threw across at 76 mph. On the mound, topped out at 79 mph with his fastball. Repeats mechanics, short on the back side and long out front. 65-68 mph breaking ball has slider tilt. 70-72 mph changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed and running action to his arm side.

Evan Sinz, SS/RHP, Elkhorn, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way player ran a 7.45 60 yard sprint. At the plate, slight open tall stance. Compact pull side approach. Gets some elevation with an uphill swing path. Posted an exit velocity of 88 mph off a tee. In the field, active footwork, soft hands, plays the ball out front with a quick transfer and release. Topped out at 77 mph across the infield. On the mound, topped out at 81 mph from a mid ¾ arm action. Ball sits on a downhill plane, repeats mechanics well, stays online to home plate. 70-73 mph breaking ball has 10-4 tilt and is effective when released out front.

Tanner Smith, 2B/RHP, Wichita Independent, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player ran a 7.06 60 yard sprint. Athletic build with wide shoulders. At the plate, slightly open tall stance. High hands, compact line drive swing plane. Has ability to elevate the baseball. All fields approach. Posted an exit velocity of 84 mph off a tee. Threw across the infield at 77 mph. Active feet, playable hands, funnels through the body to a mid ¾ arm action. On the mound, topped out at 79 mph with his fastball. Simple, repeatable mechanics, hands break clean from the back side, long finish out front. Front side has a tendency to fly open. Change up shows arm side life down in the zone.

James Valdivia, SS/C, Elkhorn South, 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop ran a 7.15 60 yard sprint. Athletic build. Posted an exit velocity of 90 mph off a tee. Slightly open stance at the plate. Stays tall with rhythm in swing. Barrel is long through the strike zone on an uphill swing path. Had a line drive up the middle during game action. Has the ability to elevate the ball to all fields. Behind the plate threw to 2nd in the 1.88-2.01 range. In the field, has active feet and playable hands. Works through the ball and threw accurately from a mid ¾ arm slot.

Cody Van Meeteren, 3B, Sheldon (IA), 2017
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. 7.33 runner. Open stance, dives into contact, aggressive swinger, flat line drive swing, stiff finish occasionally, pull side approach, ground ball contact, flashes of pop in bat, 87 mph exit velocity. Usable glove, presents late to field, needs improved fielding and throwing footwork, avg. accuracy to bag, 78 mph arm strength.

Mark Walker, 2B, Blue Springs South, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder ran a 7.08 60. Compact athletic build. At the plate, pull side approach, tendency to spin off the ball. Short slightly downhill swing plane. Posted an exit velocity of 91 mph off a tee. In the infield, active footwork, tendency to funnel through his body. Threw accurately across the infield at 77 mph.

Kade Wallace, 2B/C, Clay Center, 2017
The #71 ranked player in the state of Kansas. 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitter ran a 7.37 60 yard sprint. At the plate, tall stance, small toe tap trigger, line drive swing plane. Posted an exit velocity of 81 mph off a tee. Behind the plate threw in the 2.02-2.1 range. Quick catch and release online to 2nd. In the infield, works through the ball with an extra hop at release, high ¾ arm action. Topped out at 80 mph accurately across the infield.

Cole Zebley, SS, Millard West, 2018
5-foot-5, 140-pound right-handed hitting shortstop ran a 7.71 60 yard sprint. Compact strong build. At the plate, open tall stance, short stride to square position. Quick compact line drive swing plane. In the infield, shows athleticism with hands and feet. Works through the ball with accurate throws across at 75 mph. Projects as a 2nd baseman.

PBR Border Battle- Infield Evaluations

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