Adidas Three Stripe Classic: Quick Hits

Mon September 30, 2019
Phil Kerber & Kyle Colletta
PBR Georgia



This past weekend the first Adidas Three Stripe Classic took place at LakePoint Sports Community in Emerson, GA this past weekend September 27th through the 29th. The event brought together over four teams from across the country, split into an upperclass and underclass division. Today, we are going to take a look at the four teams that made it into the finals, with reports and video on standout prospects.

Upperclass

The upperclass division crowned its champion first, as No. 3 seed 643 DP Cougars 17u took on No. 8 seed Knights Baseball 17u. 643 jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 10-3 victory and taking the title of the first ever Adidas Three Stripe Classic Upperclass Champions.


643 DP Cougars 17u

James McCoy, OF/1B, Wesleyan School (GA), 2021
6-foot-4, 190-pound switch-hitting outfielder and first baseman, long, projectable frame, athletically built, present strength with much more to come. An offensive force from both sides of the plate. Takes a wide, crouching setup, hands load back smoothly, reverse toe-tap stride, great balance throughout. Does a nice job of keeping things short and using his long levers to his advantage. Gap-to-gap type approach, drives the ball back up the middle with a short, quick swing, smooth actions at the plate. With improved launch angles, will be able to consistently hit the long ball.

 


Parker Lester, 3B, Calhoun (GA), 2021
Miami (OH) commit. 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-handed hitting third baseman, strong, athletic build, one of the more impressive bodies in attendance at the Adidas Three Stripe Classic, moves with smooth actions. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, long stride, great balance throughout. Ball jumps off the bat with little-to-no effort, short to the zone, long through, drives the ball gap-to-gap, looks to elevate and let it fly. Had multiple balls hit with 90+ exit velocities including a bases loaded two-run double in the championship that came off the bat at 94 mph.


Alyjah Richardson, RHP, McEachern (GA), 2021
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, lean athlete with wiry strength. On the mound, arm works clean and continuous on the back-side to a ¾ slot, quick hand speed. Tall and fall delivery works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over towards first. Fastball sat 83-86 with sink, located the pitch well early in his outing. Curveball, tight spin, 11/5 shape, 69-71.
Ben Medley, RHP, Pope (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, durable frame. On the mound, arm works with some length on the back-side, continuous motion to a high ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Smooth drop and drive delivery, works on-line, finishes with a short cross over, walking down the mound. Did a nice job changing speeds, showed a three pitch feel, comfortable throwing all three in any count. Fastball sat 82-84 with sink. Slider, slurve-like, 11/5 shape at 71-73. Changeup, mostly straight, deceptive, maintains arm speed and slot, sinking action, 71-75. During warmups, before the inning, tossed in a few curveballs in at 71-73, shape was similar to slider but had more break to it.
John Armstrong, RHP, Harrison (GA), 2020
Auburn commit. 6-foot, 180 pounds; proportional strength throughout. Showed a very impressive arsenal of pitches. Primarily out of submarine delivery. Fastball from sub sat 81-84 with heavy run and sink; ran FB on RHH hands with aggression. Showed good arm strength from traditional OH slot at 88-89. Threw slider from low slot at 72-74; very late bite that looked like FB out of hand. Tough matchup for hitters on the weekend.

Riley Frost, SS, Pope (GA), 2021
6-foot, 160 pounds; athletic, lanky build. Right handed hitting shortstop with impressive all-around skillset. Loose hands at the plate with pull-side approach. Turns on inside fastballs with ease. Good approach with strike zone awareness. Impressive defensively. Feet work extremely well on approach. Funnels in ball and works towards the base.

Knights Baseball 17u

Ethan Harden, OF, Battle Ground Academy (TN), 2021
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 175 pounds with a strong lower-half. Long strider on the bases. Level swing with an aggressive, yet controlled, approach. Stood out at the plate all weekend with a patient approach. Also showed advanced arm strength in RF. Caught a runner tagging to third base by delivering a strike from deep-right.

Christopher McFarlin, OF, White House Heritage (TN), 2021
5-foot-9, 165 pounds; quick-twitched and strength beyond frame. Strong swing with whole-field approach. Stays balanced and uses a level swing to create hard contact. Has good plate coverage, showing ability to hit ball all over the zone. Active hips in swing.

Carson Garner, SS, Franklin (TN), 2021
6-foot-2, 180 pounds that is very athletic and projectable. Patient at the plate. Whippy swing with strong wrists. Hands get extended and has present power for position. Steady rhythm with uphill stroke. Very good hands in the infield. Played multiple positions over the weekend and looked comfortable on the left-side of the infield. Smooth hands and strong carry on throws. Solid player to watch.
John Orberson, OF, Campbellsville (KY), 2021
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, strong, muscular build, athletic frame. Offensively, utilizes a big leg kick and a near arm bar load. Hitting out of the leadoff position all weekend, he hunted pitches middle/in, looking to turn on it with explosive hips and hands at contact.

Underclass

The underclass division saw 643 attempt to go for the clean sweep when the No. 4 seed 643 DP Padraza challenged No. 6 seed East Cobb Prime Zilleox. East Cobb jumped all over 643 in the top of the first, setting the tone early. They were able to add to the lead before holding off a late rally attempt by 643 for the 11-2 victory.
East Cobb Prime Zilleox

Cade Heflin, CF, Pope (GA), 2022
6-foot-1 150 pound left-handed hitter. Calm stance with resting bat. Triggers hands and timing step at same time. Gets bat in to slot, followed by slight uphill bat path. Uses legs well in swing. Hands work freely through the zone. Impressed with hard contact throughout the event; solid bat that is an advanced athlete in the GA ‘22 class.

Tyler Smith, RHP, Forsyth Central (GA), 2021
5-foot-9, 150 pounds; slim frame. Drop and drive with a glove-side landing. Smith had a strong start for Zilleox that set the tone for the weekend. Challenged hitters with a low 80’s fastball, creeping up to 82 mph; worked both sides of the plate. Had a strong mix of off-speed pitches that located low in the zone. Downward, tumbling action on CB at 72-74 mph.

643 DP Pedraza

AJ Demastrie, C, River Ridge (GA), 2023
5-foot-9, 170-pound switch-hitting catcher, stocky build with strength, still has a ways to go before he has reached physical maturity. Offensively, has feel in the box, slightly open setup, hands start low and smoothly load back and up, short stride to square, good balance throughout. Has easy effort in his swing, barrel works mostly level with extension through the zone, strong wrists/forearms allow for him to drive the ball to all fields. Showed a good approach at the plate with situational awareness, rarely plays outside of himself, consistently finds barrels. Presently a mostly line drive hitter, with continued physical development will add more power to his swing.
Cole Eison, OF/MIF, Alexander (GA), 2023
5-foot-7, 145-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and middle infielder, athletically built with a strong lower half, broad shoulders, there is projection in his frame with plenty of opportunity for continued growth. Offensively, balanced setup, barrel starts resting on shoulder, hands load back and barrel cocks to upright on load, low leg kick timing trigger, a bit rotational. Takes aggressive cuts at the plate, hunts middle/in looking to pull the ball with force, swing works smoothly with quick, athletic hands, really lets it go. Is a prototypical leadoff man, puts the ball in play with hard line drive contact.

Carson Kerce, MIF, Pope (GA), 2023
5-foot-9, 140 pounds; build that looks to add more size and strength. Has present all-around ability on the field. Fundamental player who showed the ability to play small with successful sac bunts and a bunt-for-a-hit. Also flashed gap-to-gap approach with multiple hard hit balls, including a line drive triple in the LC gap. Keeps head down on contact and stays through baseball. Active lower-half in swing with level bat path.

Bernard Moon, MIF, Parkview (GA), 2023
5-foot-10, 165 pounds with lean, slim frame. Quick-twitch player with a line drive approach at the plate. Showed very reliable hands in the infield. Quick transfer and good glovework. Made plays ranging up the middle and threw from lower arm slot, accurately. Talented MIF that will be one to watch as high school career develops.

Barrett Eldridge, C/OF, Walton (GA), 2022
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher and outfielder, long, lanky frame, projectable build, plenty of room to fill out. Offensively, slightly open, hands load back and up with a barrel wrap, short stride. Barrel works level though the zone, looks to create line drive contact. Power will come as he adds strength to frame.

Jeffrey Heuer, 3B/RHP, Homeschool (GA), 2023
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, did not pitch on the weekend, spending the majority of his time at third base, wide frame, broad shoulders, present strength with room for firming up and more. Offensively, balanced setup with an athletic bend in his knees, hands load back, separate from body, long stride with some tendency to go towards the plate, good balance. Present bat speed, swing a power bat, looks to elevate and drive the ball with force.

Zeke Kimbrall, SS, North Atlanta (GA), 2023
5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitting shortstop, lean, athlete, still physically maturing. Offensively, open setup, high back elbow, start with weight displaced onto back leg, reverse toe-tap stride, short load back. Currently takes a line drive approach, contact hitter, showed good barrel awareness and overall coordination. Hands work athletically through the zone. Has a good feel for hitting, will be an interesting follow when he adds strength to frame.  

Kameron Douglas, OF, Woodstock (GA), 2022
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, projectable athlete, developing strength throughout frame, quick-twitch muscle. Offensively, smooth rhythm with a back and forth wag of the hands, balanced setup, hands load back, barrel stays upright, short stride. Gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel is quick to the zone at a level angle, at-time gets extension through the zone, strong wrists flick the barrel.

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