Prep Baseball Report

Fall Upperclass Games: Outfielder Analysis


Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

PBR Georgia hosted its second annual Fall Upperclass Games on Sunday, November 8th at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, Ga. The event brought together just over 100 uncommitted prospects from the 2021 and 2022 class. Prospects participated in a pro-style workout before splitting up into teams for simulated gameplay. Today, we will conclude the position player analysis with a look at the outfielders.

This group of prospects is led by recent North Carolina commit OF John Long (Glynn Academy, 2022). Long is a high end athlete, running a 6.55 60 yard dash. He has a big arm defensively, throwing 91 from the outfield. At the plate, Long has all the ingredients to be an impact bat. He has quick hands and barrel speed, good feel, drives the ball gap-to-gap and has pull-side pop.

Following Long is 1B/OF Grey Brannen (Westfield, 2022), who also graded out as the top first baseman prospect at the event. Brannen is an ultra projectable right-handed hitter, standing a lean, lanky 6-foot-6, 215-pounds. He has a huge amount of upside as he continues to fill out his frame. Brannen is able to generate quick hand speed, 26.00 max, and mid 90s exit velocities. He is athletic enough, 6.9 runner, to cover a corner outfield position with ease.

Coming in as the No. 3 prospect is now Young Harris commit OF Dallas Deas (North Cobb Christian, 2021). Deas set the track on fire in the 60 yard dash when he posted an event best 6.52 and then ranked in the top-3 in outfield velocity with his 90 mph effort.

Keep reading to view the rest of the top-8 outfield prospects at the event, plus reports on the rest of the outfielders, listed in alphabetical order.

Top Outfield Prospects

John Long, Glynn Academy (GA), 2022 - North Carolina commit
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Long, lean frame, projectabel build, highly athletic.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, high back elbow, hands start back and drop on load, leg lift stride, great balance. Swing path is short and quick to the zone, mostly level through the zone with quick hand speed, gap-to-gap hitter, drives the ball, pull-side pop.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 92.03 max exit velocity via TrackMan. Max hand speed of 25.80 and max bat speed of 76.4.
Arm: LH. OF - 91 mph. Long, loose arm action, quick arm speed to a high ¾ slot. Throws carry with ease and are accurate.
Defense: Plays through the ball athletically, attacks it, quick, fluid footwork, soft glove hand, quick and clean on exchanges.
Run: 6.55 runner in the 60.

Grey Brannen, Westfield (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot-6, 210-pounds. Extra large, long frame, athletic build, lean muscle, ultra projectable, ton of upside as he has barely filled out his frame.
Hit: RHH. Keeps it simple throughout, wide setup, smooth hand load as he loads weight back, short stride, good balance through finish. Hit path is mostly level through the zone, creates hard line drive contact gap-to-gap, quick hands (26.00 max hand speed), when his long levers extended the ball can jump off the bat pull-side.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Creates barrel speed with strong hands, 78.40 max bat speed, 95.39 max ext velocity via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. OF - 84 mph. Arm action is long and loose, clean on the back-side, quick arm speed to a mostly high 3/4 slot, shortened up some when turning double plays.
Defense: An athletic fielder both in the outfielder and at first base. in outfield, plays through the ball with fluid footwork, clean on transfers, fields out front, shuffles behind on throws, covers ground with long strides. On infield, keep ball in front with a wide base, fields out front, clean transfers, good footwork around the bag and on double plays.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60.

Dallas Deas, North Cobb Christian (GA), 2021 - Young Harris commit
Positional Profile: OF/2B High level defender.
Body: 5-foot-7, 145-pounds. Lean build, highly athletic.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, hands load back smoothly, long hanging leg stride, good balance.  Swing path is short to the zone, level through, line drive approach, uses the entire field, good feel for the barrel.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Arm works short and loose, whippy arm speed, high 3/4 slot. Throws carry and are accurate.
Defense: Plays through the ball athletically, attacks ground balls, fluid footwork, soft glove, clean on exchanges.
Run: 6.52 runner in the 60. Extremely quick foot speed.

Evan Matela, Milton (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 165-pounds. Long, lean frame, athletic build, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, reverse toe-tap stride, hands load back smoothly, good balance. Swing path is short and quick to the zone, mostly level through, creates whippy barrel speed, drives the ball middle/pull
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential, 28.40 max hand speed, 77.60 max bat speed.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long, clean arm action to 3/4 slot, throws carry with accuracy.
Defense: Plays through the ball athletically, quick footwork, good range and body control, soft glove, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

Blake Wood, Glynn Academy (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Medium sized frame, athletic, strong lower half, lean strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands start near ear and drop/deepen on load with smooth rhythm as he brings barrel vertical, long stride, good balance. Swing path is short to the zone, uphill through, drives the ball middle/pull, when he gets extension the ball can jump off the bat, smooth actions throughout.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Long, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot, throws carry and are accurate.
Defense: Fields position athletically, smooth footwork, confident glove hand, clean on exchanges.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60. Clean gait.

Nick Walker, Dutchtown (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 179-pounds. Medium sized frame, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands start back and deepen into an arm bar, leg kick timing trigger, good balance.  Barrel path is long to the zone, uphill through, can drive the ball pull-side when he gets extension, mostly line drive contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long, loose arm action, full arm swing on the back-side, 3/4 slot, throws carry.
Defense: Plays through the ball with quick, fluid footwork, confident glove, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. Clean gait.

Preston Booth, Harrison (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Athletic build, muscular lower half, strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, hands start back, cocks barrel on load, long stride, good balance. Swing path is long to the zone, mostly level, does a good job of getting extension to the pull-side, line drive type hitter.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 77 mph. Arm works long to an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Plays through the ball, deliberate footwork, fields out front, clean transfers, slows momentum on crow hop.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. Clean gait, runs down hill.

Harper McLendon, Brookwood School (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 172-pounds. Medium sized frame, athletic, muscular build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, good balance. Hit path is short and quick to the zone, whippy and level through, drives the ball middle/pull when he gets extension, creates hard contact even on mishits.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 93 mph. Short, explosive arm, comes out of an over-the-top slot, advanced carry,
Defense: Attacks the ball, plays through aggressively, quick, clean footwork, fields out front with a soft glove, clean on transfers.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Tyrus Cobb, Locust Grove (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 182-pounds. Medium sized frame, athletic build, lean strength.
Hit: RHH. Keeps it simple, wide setup, little to-no-hand load, leg lift stride, great balance. Hit path is short to the zone, mostly level through, uses the entire field with a line drive approach, some quickness in hands.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. Long, loose arm action, throws carry with accuracy.
Defense: Plays through the ball with fluid footwork, confident glove, clean on exchanges, quick back shuffle into throw.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. Clean gait.

Jackson Forrester, Clarke Central (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Lean, lanky frame, room for fill out.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, loads weight and hands back, short stride, good balance, lower half collapses. Barrel path is mostly level, looks to lift and elevate the ball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, cocks hand on draw.
Defense: Flexible hips and knees, creates a low target, clean footwork, long on transfers.
Run: 8.31 runner in the 60. 

Jesse Greenway, Apalachee (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 165-pounds. Thick build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start high and load into an arm bar, toe-tap stride, good balance. Swing path is long to the zone, mostly level through, early timing, looks to get the barrel extended and pull the ball.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action to an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Charges ball with clean footwork, fields off to glove-side, long on transfers, packs ball.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Carson Huber, Union Grove (GA), 2021 - Piedmont commit
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, weight preloaded on back-side, short leg kick timing trigger, finishes on back-side.  Swing path is short to the zone, level through, creates line drive contact to all fields, good feel.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long, loose arm action to a high 3/4 slot, throws carry with accuracy.
Defense: Plays through the ball, clean footwork, confident glove hand, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Jalen Kinard, North Atlanta (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Long, lean frame, athletically built.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start near center of body and load back, short stride, balanced finish. Hit path is short to the zone, mostly uphill through, elevates the ball gap-to-gap.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action to a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Stays back on the ball, short footwork, competent glove, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. 

Trey Maxian, North Gwinnett (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. Small frame, muscular build, high energy.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, short reverse toe-tap stride, hands load back into a near arm bar, good balance. Swing path is long to the zone, uphill through, gets extension as he looks to drive middle/pull, some quickness in hands.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action, clean on the back-side, to an over-the-top slot, throws are true with back spin.
Defense: Plays through the ball, clean footwork, fields glove side with two hands, long on exchanges.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Miller, Cass (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Medium sized frame, proportional build.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands load back smoothly, good rhythm in hands, reverse toe-tap stride, good balance. Swing path is short to the zone, level through, line drive type hitter, middle/pull approach, loose wrists.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action, some pie action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Short, flat footwork, competent glove hand, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Colin Mountjoy, Ringgold (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Strong, muscular build, broad shoulders, athletic.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands load into an arm bar, short leg lift stride, balanced, one-handed finish. Hit path is long to the zone, uphill through, early timing, quick hand speed, looks to elevate the ball, pull approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. OF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm action to a high 3/4 slot, kept throws around target, good feel on the run.
Defense: Plays through the ball athletically, good body control, quick, smooth footwork, soft glove, quick transfers.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Sam Pate, Columbia (TN), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Strong, physical build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, narrow setup, good rhythm in hands, loads into an arm bar, long stride. Swing path is long and uphill through the zone, power/pull approach, aggressive intent
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Long, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot, some carry, kept throws around target.
Defense: Short, clean footwork, fields out front with a competent glove, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Paul Ramseur, Pace Academy (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Lean, athletic build, wiry strength.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, hands load back smoothly as he cocks the barrel, short stride, good balance throughout, Hit path is short to the zone, mostly level through, creates line drive contact middle/pull, when he gets extension he flashed pop to the pull-side.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 77 mph. Long, loose arm action to a 3/4 slot, accurate.
Defense: Plays through the ball with quick, fluid footwork, fields out front, soft glove, clean on transfers.
Run: 6.76 runner in the 60. 

Keven Ryan, Forest Park (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 245-pounds. Thick, physical build.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, reverse toe-tap stride, smooth rhythm in hands as they load back into a near arm bar. Barrel path is long to the zone, uphill through, early timing, keeps hands inside, power/pull approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Big power potential.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action to a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the ball, fields out front with two hands, clean transfers.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Zach Scott, West Forsyth (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds. Long, lean frame, broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands load back into an arm bar, shoulders uphill, short stride, good balance.  Hit path is long to the zone, uphill through, elevates ball middle/pull,
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action to a 3/4 slot, some looseness.
Defense: Plays through the ball, short, quick footwork, feel for glove, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Hayden Soley, Allatoona (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Athletic, muscular build.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, good balance through finish,  Swing path is level through the zone, repeatable, line drive type hitter, uses the entire field, good feel for the barrel.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, throws showed some carry and are accurate.
Defense: Plays through the ball with quick, clean footwork, soft glove hand, fluid on transfers.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

Tanner Yates, Pike County (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Thick, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouching setup, hands start high and load back into a near arm bar, short stride, good balance. Hit path is long to the zone, mostly level through, creates line drive contact, with more extension and loft in swing will drive the ball deep.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Big power potential, quick hands, 25.10 max hand speed.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short, aggressive arm action to a 3/4 slot, some carry.
Defense: Approaches with short, choppy steps, fields to the glove side, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60.

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