Adam Akin
Director of Scouting

 

The 2017 PBR Tennessee Underclass Games took place on Wednesday, July 5 and included a position player workout, followed by three 9-inning games. Players were afforded the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the PBR Tennessee staff and many college coaches in attendance. The following is our evaluation of every player that was assigned to Team 3 in Wednesday’s action.

 

Peyton Allen, 3B, Creek Wood, 2019
60 Time: 7.64, Position Velocity:  IF-73, OF-74, Exit Velocity: 88
6-0, 170-pound, RHH hits from a wide and even stance, uses a short stride and some slight rhythm, swing plane is very flat through the zone, lower half provides stability and balance, produced low line drives and hard ground balls.  Defensively, showed good hands and footwork at the corner, plays through the ball aggressively, short arm action gets rid of the ball through a high 3/4 slot, accurate throws. 

Brantley Baker, RHP/2B, Meigs County, 2019
 Max FB: 78, FB: 77-78, CB: 63-65
6-3, 150-pound, RHP showed a pretty smooth delivery with a drop and drive move toward the plate, arm action comes through a 3/4 slot.  Fastball showed some slight run when kept down and his curveball showed 11/5 to 10/4 shape with gradual movement through the zone.

60 Time: 7.25, Position Velocity:  IF-74, Exit Velocity: 74
6-3, 150-pound, LHH hits from a wider and even stance in a quiet position, uses a short stride and a simple move with his hands, swing plane begins steeply, showed a line drive approach with ability to hit to all fields.  Defensively, showed average hands and footwork, could play through the ball and show some fluidity, arm action is short through a 3/4 slot.

Blaze Bell, 2B, Blackman, 2020
60 Time: 7.34, Position Velocity:  IF-78, Exit Velocity: 81
6-1, 176-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and slightly open stance, uses some good rhythm and an abbreviated leg kick and stride, lower half gets involved and through the zone, bat path is a little steep but seems to flatten out, barrels up the ball and has some pop potential.  Defensively, showed good hands and footwork around the infield, played through the ball, used a short arm action through a high 3/4 slot.  Finished 2-4 with a walk in game play. 

Cole Fergusson, OF, Wilson Central, 2019
60 Time: 6.97, Position Velocity:  OF-83, Exit Velocity: 83
5-10, 145-pound, RHH hits from a tall and narrow stance, conventional stride and a short swing that's slightly steep to flat through the zone produces a line drive approach.  Defensively, plays athletically, could be more aggressive playing through it, stiffer arm action comes through a high 3/4 slot, throws were accurate.

Gavin Hams, LHP, Clarksville, 2019
Max FB: 75, FB: 72-75, CB: 65-67
5-10, 160-pound, LHP uses a quiet delivery that keeps everything simple and together, strides and flies into an open position with his front side, arm action is a little stiff through a high 3/4 slot.  Fastball was mostly straight, curveball showed 1/7 to 2/8 shape with some sharp movement late in the zone.

Seth Henson, 1B/RHP, Oakland, 2019
60 Time: 7.97, Position Velocity:  IF-70, Exit Velocity: 76
5-11, 165-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and mostly even stance, uses a short double-stride and ans short swing that comes into the zone slightly steep, could generate some more bat speed.  Defensively, showed above average hands and footwork, plays through the ball and uses a smooth arm action to produce accurate throws from both corner spots.

Max FB: 73, FB: 72-73, CB: 67-69
5-11, 165-pound, RHP moves athletically on the mound, a smooth motion leads to a repeatable delivery, arm action is loose through a near over-the-top slot.  Fastball is mostly straight but thrown for strikes, breaking ball showed 11/5 shape with consistent break.

Ben Joyce, RHP, Farragut, 2018
Max FB: 87, FB: 85-87, SL:69-70
6-3, 185-pound, RHP gets closed early and uses an uptempo pace throughout his delivery, gets loaded at the top and uses his athleticism to get down the mound by a slightly closed stride, quick arm has no trouble getting out front, long and loose arm action comes through a 3/4 slot.  Fastball showed hard run through the zone and his slider was very sharp with 11/5 to 10/4 shape and the potential to be a swing-and-miss pitch.

Zach Joyce, RHP, Farragut, 2018
Max FB: 85, FB: 83-85, CB: 67-69
6-3, 185-pound, RHP begins calmly and stays consistent throughout his delivery, gets loaded at the top and leads to a slightly closed stride toward the plate, long and looser arm action comes through a high 3/4 slot.  Fastball seemed heavy and showed some run into the zone, while his curveball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape with some solid movement. 

Will Laughlin, C, Brentwood, 2020
60 Time: 7.72, Pop Time: 2.09-2.20, Position Velocity:  C-73, Exit Velocity: 85
5-11, 170-pound, RHH hits from the same wide and even stance we saw from him last year, uses a short and early stride with a drop of his hands, swing plane is steep through the zone, best when he stays middle to oppo.  Defensively, showed good footwork and hands behind the plate, exchange and arm action arm a little awkward and slow him down a tad, could get more carry on his throws to the bag. Went 2-3 with 2 walks in game play.

Dalton McLain, OF/RHP, Greeneville, 2019
60 Time: 6.69, Position Velocity:  OF-86, Exit Velocity: 87
5-10, 170-pound, RHH turned some heads at the event, hits from a wider and slightly open stance with weight in his legs, uses a gather and a long stride, lower half fires and keeps him low and strong, swing plane is flat to slightly up through contact, showed gap power with the ability to drive the ball. Defensively, showed soft hands and fluid footwork in the outfield, played through the ball with confidence and used an athletic arm action through a near over-the-top slot to produce strong and accurate throws.  Earned an invitation to the Future Games.

Max FB: 83, FB: 79-83, CB: 68-73
5-10, 170-pound, RHP threw exclusively out of the stretch, used a high leg lift and a big load at the top that creates a little bit of tilt before heading to the plate, arm action is a little longer and comes through a high 3/4 slot.  Fastball was mostly straight but located well and his curveball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape with sharp and late break through the zone for strikes. 

Joshua Nichols, C, Franklin, 2020
60 Time: 8.15, Pop Time: 2.09-2.27, Position Velocity:  C-72, Exit Velocity: 75
6-1, 160-pound, RHH hits from a tall and even stance, uses an abbreviated leg kick and stride, backside works well to get bat path on plane, likes to pull the ball.  Defensively, showed good feet and average hands behind the plate, exchange is low and somewhat rushed, throws need more carry. 

Dominic Pianto, RHP, Pope John Paul II, 2019
Max FB: 86, FB: 81-86, CB: 69-71, SL:76-78
6-1, 155-poound, RHP has a wiry frame that holds a ton of potential, uses good  momentum throughout his delivery, strides in a closed position but gets his hand out front with a quick arm, loose action through a high 3/4 slot.  Fastball shows some sink and run, curveball showed 11/5 shape and slider flashed a sweeping action with 10/4 shape. Can mix in a changeup too.  Earned a spot on the Future Games team.

Knox Preston, C, Christ Presbyterian Academy, 2019
60 Time: 7.60, Pop Time: 1.96-2.00, Position Velocity:  C-76, IF-77, Exit Velocity: 84
5-11, 185-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and even stance and begins in an athletic position, uses an abbreviated leg kick and stride with some rhythm, stays wide and strong, swing plane is flat to slightly up through contact, gap-to-gap approach.  Defensively, showed solid footwork and soft hands behind the plate, efficient exchange and arm action get the ball to second cleanly, also showed ability to play an infield position.  Finished game play 2-3 with a double. Earned a spot on the Future Games team.

Ethan Small, RHP/1B, Independence, 2019
Max FB: 81, FB: 78-81, CB: 66-68
6-3, 230-pound, RHP begins with small and quick movements to get his delivery started, leg lift loose the same as we saw in February and gets his front side closed while creating some shoulder tilt before heading to the plate, long arm action comes through a high 3/4 slot.  Fastball was mostly straight with occasional run and his curveball had some sharp 11/5 break when kept down.

60 Time: 7.78, Position Velocity:  IF-78, Exit Velocity: 83
6-3, 230-pound, RHH hits from a slightly wider stance than we saw from him in February but uses that same short and abbreviated leg kick and stride, lower half works, still likes to drive balls that are left up in the zone, strong player with some power potential.  Defensively, showed above average hands and footwork around the bag, has the ability to make all the routine plays, long arm action through a high 3/4 slot gets the ball across the infield. 

Grant Solomon, RHP/3B, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, 2021
Max FB: 72, FB: 71-72, CB: 60-61
6-1. 170-pound, RHP has a rangy frame and uses some good rhythm throughout his delivery, strides slightly closed and uses a shorter arm action through a high 3/4 slot.  Fastball was mostly straight and his curveball showed 11/5 shape through the zone but can be left up.

60 Time: 8.20, Position Velocity:  IF-69, Exit Velocity: 68
6-1, 170-pound, RHH, hits from a balanced and even stance with slightly higher hands, uses a very abbreviated leg kick and stride, bat path comes into the zone from a steep angle but flattens out through contact.  Defensively, showed pretty good hands and footwork at the corner, played through the ball and used a short arm action through a high 3/4 slot.  Arm strength should improve with age and maturity.

Reagan Traylor, SS, Montgomery Central 2020
60 Time: 7.71, Position Velocity:  IF-71, Exit Velocity: 78
5-8, 140-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and even stance, uses a toe-tap and stride, big hand movement, swing plane is mostly flat through the zone, needs to get barrel to the ball.  Defensively, showed average hands and footwork, fielded it deep and could've played through it smoother, arm action is short through 3/4 slot, arm strength should develop.

Lance Upright, C, Greenwood (KY), 2020
60 Time: 7.97, Pop Time: 2.06-2.22, Position Velocity:  C-66, IF-67, Exit Velocity: 74
5-10, 160-pound, RHH hits from a balanced an slightly open stance, uses a long stride, can tend to lunge out onto his front foot at times, swing plane is steep through the zone, line drive approach.  Defensively, showed average footwork and hands behind the plate, rushes a little bit and doesn't quite get closed off , arm was above average, also showed ability to play 3B.  Finished 2-5 in game play.

Cameron Whitaker, OF, Cornersville, 2019
60 Time: 7.35, Position Velocity:  OF-80, Exit Velocity: 80
5-7, 165-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and slightly open stance, quick and abbreviated leg kick and stride, stays back well and gets lower half involved, swing plane comes slightly up through the zone, could gain some pop down the road, Defensively, showed good footwork and above average hands in the outfield, plays through the ball aggressively, uses a short arm action through a high 3/4 slot.

Patrick Williams, RHP, Cleveland, 2019
Max FB: 85, FB: 82-85, CB: 68-71, CH: 67-68,
6-9, 190-pound, RHP brings an intimidating presence to the mound with his height and stature, stays under control and uses a smooth delivery, covers a lot of ground and gets into a loaded position with some slight shoulder tilt, arm action is long and pretty loose through a 3/4 slot.  Fastball showed some run and sink by coming from such a high release point and his curveball showed sharp 11/5 action.  Changeup was his best pitch with fastball arm speed and fade at the plate.

Connor Williamson, SS, Blackman, 2018
60 Time: 7.12, Position Velocity:  IF-84, Exit Velocity: 79
5-10, 150-pound, RHH hits from the same wider and even stance we saw from him in January, seems to load his barrel more now, uses a short stride and a flat bat path through the zone, line drive approach.  Defensively, showed good hands and footwork around the infield, played around and through the ball with confidence, arm action was short and produced firm and accurate throws. Went 2-4 with 2 walks in game play. 

Casey Woodall, SS, Greenbrier, 2019
60 Time: 7.72, Position Velocity:  IF-74, Exit Velocity: 79
5-8, 140-pound, RHH hits from a tall and open stance, uses an abbreviated leg kick and longer stride, swing plane is flat through the zone with a line drive approach, stays tall.  Defensively, showed above average hands and footwork in the infield, can field it a little deep at times, arm action is short through a high 3/4 slot.

Brayden Woods, RHP/OF, Page, 2020
Max FB: 74, FB: 71-74, CB: 63-64
5-10, 155-pound, RHP starts quickly and slows down through his leg lift as he loads, strides in a closed position and forced to across his body through a low 3/4 slot.  Fastball showed occasional sink and his breaking ball had 10/4 shape with gradual movement through the zone.

60 Time: 7.90, Position Velocity:  OF-71, Exit Velocity: 83
5-10, 155-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and slightly open stance, uses a leg kick and stride, hands drop into a good slot, swing plane is slightly up through the zone, at his best when staying up the middle with solid line drives.  Defensively, plays through the ball pretty well with above average footwork, arm can improve and should with age and added strength.