Prep Baseball Report

PBR Cup: Scout Blog


Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director



The 
PBR Cup took place this past weekend, September 25th through the 27th. Today, we present to you the PBR Cup Scout Blog. The Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the tournament. Featured in the blog is information unsigned prospects, draft prospects and anything else that is notable. We provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times and more. Simply put, the PBR Cup Scout Blog is loaded with information. Every team may not receive write-ups as standouts are identified by the PBR staff throughout the event.

STANDOUTS
(Listed Alphabetically)

David Bell, RHP, Greenbrier (GA), 2022

6-foot-1, 193-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, sturdy build, continues to add strength to frame. Short arm action to a ¾ slot, whippy arm speed. Pounds the strike zone with swing and miss stuff, produce weak contact. Fastball sat 84-87, armside run. Tunnels curveball well, shape varied between 12/6 and 11/5, sharp action, 74-77. Struck out 15 batters in six innings pitched.

Austin Bolding, MIF, Hardin Valley (TN), 2023
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, athletic build, hit out of the leadoff position all weekend long for the Tennessee Nationals, set the tone. Simple setup at the plate, balanced, loads weight on to back-side, short stride, great balance. Line drive type hitter, uses the entire field, flashed the ability to drive the ball into the gaps, creates hard contact. Charlie Bozeman, 1B/OF, Farragut (TN), 2024
5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitting first baseman and outfielder, lean, athletic build, much more physical development to come as he matures. Tall setup, toe-tap stride, smooth rhythm and load, good balance. Quick, athletic hands, aggressive at the plate, attacks pitches in the zone, generates hard contact, more power on the way as he matures. Cole Burnette, 3B/OF, Halls (TN), 2023
5-foot-10, 172-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and outfielder, athletic build. Swing works level through the zone generating line drive contact to all fields. Hands work athletically, showed the ability to keep the barrel on plane with pitches all around the zone. Trevor Caldwell, LHP, Rockmart (GA), 2022
Stetson commit. 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed pitcher, proportional build, strong lower half. Long arm action with a soft stab on the back-side, works out of an over-the-top slot. Located his fastball and curveball for strikes. Fastball sat 86-89 in the first inning, sinking action, settled in at 83-85. Curveball, big breaking 1/7, swing and miss type pitcher, 69-71, creates timing issues with large difference in velo between offspeed and fastball. Caleb Carpenter, SS, Lassiter (GA), 2022
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, athletically built with lean strength. Balanced setup, hands start low and load up and back onto his back-side as he strides out, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, drove the ball consistently, barrel works uphill through the zone.
Cade Cosper, RHP, Carrollton (GA), 2023
5-foot-11, 130-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic build, has plenty of time to continue filling out frame. Arm works short and loose on the back-side with advanced arm speed, ¾ slot. Fastball sat 84-87 with run and sink low in the zone, has steadily added velocity to his fastball over the past few months. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, feel for, 73-74. Kameron Douglas, OF, Woodstock (GA), 2022
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, projectable build, athletically built with lean strength throughout, plenty of room to add physicality in all areas of his frame. Athletic setup, balanced, hands drop and load back smoothly, short stride great balance. Has an aggressive gap-to-gap swing, barrel works mostly level through the zone, looks to elevate and do damage, balls jumps off his bat when he squares it up, much more juice in the tank as he fills out. Had multiple extra base hits, impact bat on the weekend. Barrett Eldridge, 1B, Walton (GA), 2022
6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed hitting first baseman, extra large physical frame, strength throughout with more to come as he continues to mature. Powerful swing that plays to all fields, carries momentum through contact, gap-to-gap approach, consistently finds the barrel. Gains extension through the zone with a mostly level swing, gets to the ball out front. Paul Farley, RHP, Mt. Paran (GA), 2023
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic frame, in just the past seven months has seen his fastball gain 12 mph. On the mound, arm works short and loose on the back-side, clean action, quick arm speed, to a mostly over-the-top slot, sometimes the slot will drop to high ¾. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes upright crossing over. Fastball sat 84-87, touched 88, works downhill with. Slider, 75-76, downer action. Changeup, 80-81, fade. Worked all three pitches in the zone for strikes, garnered swing and misses. High follow arm. Conner Frail, 1B/RHP, R.J. Reynolds (NC), 2023
6-foot-3, 195-pound left-handed hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher, strong build, physical frame. At the plate, balanced setup, hands load back with a cocking of the bat, good balance. Takes a power approach at the plate, plays to all fields, generates hard contact routinely, swing works uphill, can elevate and drive the ball with force, more power to come as he continues to physically mature. Kaden Fuller, RHP, West Stokes (NC), 2023
6-foot, 182-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, muscular frame, made two appearances on the mound over the weekend, pitches with an abundance of confidence. Arm works short and quick to a ¾ slot, loose actions. Fastball sat 84-86, has that closer mentality, challenges hitters to hit his fastball. Filled up the zone with strikes. Lucas Glover, RHP, Ledford (NC), 2022
6-foot-5, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, extra large long frame, lanky and lean, tons of room to fill out. Arm played long and quick to an over-the-top slot. Relied primarily on a fastball/changeup comno, occasionally dropped in a curveball. Fastball sat 83-86, late life, worked down on the ball. Changeup, 74-77, sinking action, weak contact. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 69-70. Jackson Godfrey, 1B, Northwest Guilford (NC), 2024
6-foot, 195-pound left-handed hitting first baseman, physical with strength throughout and much more on the way. Balanced setup with hands preloaded back, leg kick timing trigger, great balance through finish. Advanced feel for the barrel, consistently squares the ball up and generates hard contact, displayed power gap-to-gap with the potential to hit for power to all fields. Brayden Hendrickson, SS, Unicoi County (TN), 2023
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder, lean build. Stood out defensively, made plays all weekend long up the middle. At the plate swing works long to the zone, level through, some drag in the barrel, with added physicality the bat speed will improve, uses the middle of the field. Brennan Hill, LHP/OF, Grosse Pointe North (MI), 2024
6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect, long, lean frame, broad shoulder, physicality to come as he matures. On the mound, arm works long, showing wide on the back-side, quick arm speed, to a low ¾ slot, repeats, cross body action. Drop and drive delivery, strides across the mound, landing closed, finishes with a big cross over. Fastball sat 80-83, lived up in the zone with, getting swing and miss. Curveball, big sweeping action, 63-65. At the plate, has a big, pull-side swing, hits for power, barrel works uphill through the zone as he looks to elevate the ball with force. Two-way potential.
Jon Holcomb, C, Parkview (GA), 2024
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher, lean, proportional build, more physicality on the way as he continues to mature, hit out of the leadoff spot for Team Elite. Good feel for a level, line drive swing, uses the entire field.
Daniel Jackson, C, North Springs (GA), 2023
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher, athletically built, developing strength throughout frame. At the plate, balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, great balance. Swing works long through the zone, smooth actions, showed aggression, gap-to-gap type hitter. Attacks the first pitch he likes. Defensively, has a solid tool set, arm works, flexible and an above average receiver. Adrian Jimenez, MIF, Lanier (GA), 2024
5-foot-9, 154-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, athletically built, quick twitch muscle. Balanced setup, smooth hand load, long stride, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel works uphill early in counts, looking to drive the ball with force, shortens up and gets more level when he needs to do, creates line drive contact. A savvy defender up the middle, quick, clean actions.
JJ Johnson, 1B/C, Lakeway Christian Academy (TN), 2022
5-foot-11, 195-pound switch-hitting first baseman and catcher, physical build, strength throughout. Keeps it simple in his pre-pitch setup, balanced, short leg lift stride, short hand load, good balance. Takes a power, pull approach at the plate hitting from the left-side, looks to turn on the ball and do damage with hard contact. Joshua Jones, 3B, West Stokes (NC), 2023
6-foot, 145-pound right-handed hitting third baseman, long, lean frame, a good athlete, much more physicality on the way, top of the order bat for Diamond Deacons. Balanced setup, reverse toe-tap stride. Barrel works level through the zone, carries forward momentum through contact. Consistently drove the ball gap-to-gap with force throughout the week, more power to come as he fills out. Banks Langston, OF, Russellville (AL), 2023
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, lean, athletic frame, some quick twitch muscle, looked comfortable playing in the upperclass division of the PBR Cup. Barrel works mostly level through the zone, gap-to-gap type hitter, quick, whippy hands. Steele Lee, RHP/3B, East Forsyth (NC), 2023
6-foot-4, 170-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, long, lean frame, a lot of room to fill out the frame, was an impact bat and arm for Diamond Deacons. Arm works with some length on the back-side to a high ¾. Controlled delivery, stays tall on his back-side uses his height to his advantage to work downhill. Fastball sat 81-84, touched 85, hit spots on both sides of the plate. Curveball 70-73, 12/6 shape, depth. Offensively, found the barrel consistently over the weekend, driving pitches into the gaps for extra base hits. Swing has length to it, quick barrel speed and hands, barrel works uphill through the zone, produces back spin on fly balls, more power to come as he adds to his long frame. Bryson Lofton, 3B/1B, Southeast Whitfield (GA), 2021
6-foot-1, 210-pound left-handed hitting corner infielder, strong, physical frame. At the plate has a powerful swing that plays to all fields, good feel for the barrel able to spray the ball with force. Quick, athletic hands, has an innate ability to barrel pitches up, showed the ability to hit velo and breaking balls.
Zach Lyles, OF, Sonoraville (GA), 2023
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, a lean athlete, has had an impressive fall at the plate. Balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short leg lift stride, great balance through contact. Level barrel path through the zone, carries his forward momentum through contact, quick, strong hands whippy barrel speed, mostly pull-side approach, has shown the ability to create line drive contact and elevate the ball with force. An above-average runner, can get around the bases in a hurry and covers ground well in the outfield. Truitt Manuel, RHP, N/A (NC), 2024
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, sturdy build has the makings of a starter at the next level. Goes about his business on the mound in a calm and confident manner. Arm works short and loose to a high ¾ slot, hides the ball well on the back-side, Heavy drop and drive delivery, works on-line. Fastball sat 83-85, touched 86, spotted it up to both sides of the plate and kept the pitch low. Curveball, 69-71, used sparingly, still a work in progress. Thomas Moore, RHP, Mountain Island Charter School (NC), 2024
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, lanky, projectable build, much more physicality to come as he matures. Arm works short and loose to a sidearm slot, repeats well. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 83-85, touched 86 with life to all parts of the zone, has seen a substantial velo increase going from 79-82 in late June to 83-85 in September. Slider, 10/4 shape, sweeping action, swing and miss potential, 72-74. Pitched with emotion and fire. Anderson Nance, RHP/SS, Rockingham Early College (NC), 2024
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed pitcher and shortstop, athletically built, quick twitch muscle, lean for now, projects to add significant strength in all areas. Advanced arm speed on the mound, short arm action to a ¾ slot, whippy hand speed. Fastball sat 84-87, touched 88, located armside with great effectiveness. Curveball, 73-74, sharp action, downer action. High level arm to follow. Jake Nevle, RHP, Blessed Trinity (GA), 2021
Uncommitted. 5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, proportional frame, strong lower half, showed a high level of pitchability during his complete game, 2 hit shutout, striking out 16 batters. Arm works short and quick to an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, good body control, keeps momentum on line towards home, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 78-81. Curveball was the go to pitch, controlled the zone, threw it any count for a strike, swing and miss pitch, 12/6 shape, depth, 67-71. Isaac Pena, SS, Ardrey Kell (NC), 2024
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, athletically built with developing strength throughout frame, displayed athletic actions at the plate and up the middle defensively. Wide, balanced setup, smooth rhythm and load, short stride, great balance. A future gap-to-gap type hitter, present sprays line drives to all fields with a level barrel path through the zone, present bat speed, good feel at the plate, generates hard contact. Defensively, arm is loose and has plenty of arm strength to stick on the left-side, showed body control and good range. Jase Peoples, UTL, Jefferson (GA), 2024
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting utility player, athletically built with advanced strength, some quick twitch. Can play anywhere on the diamond and do so at a high level. At the plate, unorthodox setup, narrow and open, hands load back and up, strides to a balanced position. Level, line drive type swing, projects to be a gap-to-gap type hitter, quick, strong hands. Ashton Pope, RHP/1B, North Gaston (NC), 2023
5-foot-10, 178-pound right-handed pitcher and first baseman, strong, sturdy build, plenty more strength to come. Arm works short to a ¾ slot, cross body action. Works across the mound towards third landing closed, finishes walking down the mound. Did not have overpowering velocity but was able to control the zone with a fastball that sat 79-81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 62-64. Induced weak contact with both pitches. Isaiah Rainge, OF, Grovetown (GA), 2021
College of Charleston commit. 5-foot-9, 187-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, highly athletic, quick twitch muscle, strong build. Wide setup, short stride, hands load back as barrel cocks to vertical, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, generates hard contact with a mostly level swing, quick, strong hands.
Anthonie Rodriguez, RHP, Marietta (GA), 2021
6-foot-3, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, long, lanky frame. Long, loose arm action to a low ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Tall and fall delivery, front side leaks out, works on-line, lands square, finishes with a crossing over. Lively fastball, heavy run, 83-87, touched 88. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, some late bite, 70-72. Nicholas Smith, LHP/OF, Alvin C. York Institute (TN), 2022
Missouri commit. 6-foot-3, 175-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect, lean, athletic frame, some quick twitch. Arm works short on the back-side, accelerates quickly to a ¾ slot, loose action, hides the ball well on the back-side creating deception. Controlled the zone with a sinking fastball at 84-87. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 73-77. Ryan Stover, RHP, East Pennsboro (PA), 2024
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, large, physical build, strong frame. Arm works long with a full arm swing on the back-side to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed, repeats. Fastball sat 81-83, running action. Slider, 72-73, depth, 11/5 shape, used to both sides of the plate. Produced a high percentage of ground ball outs and swing and misses on both his fastball and slider. Brody Taylor, OF/1B, South Mecklenburg (NC), 2024
5-foot-11, 210-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and first baseman, physical build, advanced strength in frame, athletic. Takes a power approach at the plate, generates consistent hard contact, barrel works uphill through the zone as he looks to elevate the ball and do damage.
Ford Thompson, LHP, Parkview (GA), 2024
5-foot-11, 145-pound left-handed pitcher, lean, athletic build. Arm plays short and clean on the back-side, accelerates with quick arm speed to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, high front side, works on-line lands, square finishes square. Good overall feel on the mound, pounds the strike zone, does not leave many pitches over the heart of the plate. Fastball, 80-83, controlled the zone with, generated swing and misses with. Changeup, pulls the string on, sinking action, 73-75, swing and misses. Commanded the zone with two pitch mix, in four innings, allowed zero hits, six strikeouts and two walks.
Braxton Wade, RHP, Calhoun (GA), 2024
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, has a young, projectable frame, advanced arm for his age, tossed a complete game shutout to win the pool on the last day and advance to bracket play, allowed three hits, while striking out eight and walking two, held his velo for all seven innings. Arm works short and clean on the back-side, accelerates with whippy arm speed out front to an over-the-top arm slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes square. Fastball sat 82-85, worked down in the zone with. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 63-66. Lot to like out of the young arm and much more to come as he continues to physically develop.

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