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PBR Fall Classic: Championship Sunday Recap & Quick Hits

October 22, 2019
Phil Kerber
PBR Georgia

A long fall season came to a close this weekend at LakePoint Sports Community as the final high school tournament, the PBR Fall Classic, came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday. Im toal 7 teams participated in the tournament, 15 at the upperclass division and 22 at the underclass. Teams battled through rainy and windy conditions most of Saturday before the weather gave way to a picture perfect Sunday.

In the upperclass division, Allatoona captured the title behind two of the tournament’s best pitching performances. In the semifinals, facing a Sox Baseball team that had been crowned champions once already this fall at LakePoint, LHP Fisher Paulsen took the ball and was nothing short of spectacular. The southpaw pitched a complete game one-hitter and sent his team into the finals.

The championship pitted the No. 1 seed West Cobb Raptors against No. 2 seed Allatoona. Allatoona jumped out to an early lead and took a 6-1 advantage into the fifth inning. That is when West Cobb started to mount their rally. The Raptors plated two runs across and had the bases loaded with two outs, looking for more. Then, entered RHP Logan McGuire. McGuire said not today, as he faced the minimum seven batters over the final 2.1 innings, striking out all of them on fastballs that ranged 89-92 mph. Allatoona walked away as 8-3 winners and the title of PBR Fall Classic Upperclass Champions!


In the underclass division, Titans Baseball 16U were crowned champions with relative ease, taking care of business in semis and finals. Up against Team Georgia Baseball Academy Red in the semifinals, Titans used an early four run outburst cruise past the opposition 6-1. Similarly, in the finals, Titans played advantageously on the offensive end and stellar defense to lock up the championship 5-2 over Ninth Inning Royals - Honeycutt. However, Ninth Inning did make things interesting in the seventh inning, but it was too little too late.
Keep reading below for select reports and video from our final four at each age level of the PBR Fall Classic. Check back over the next few days for an expanded scout blog with reports and video on each team in attendance.

Upperclass

Allatoona

Logan McGuire, RHP, Allatoona (GA), 2021
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, long, uber projectable frame, room to fill out all areas, moves with smooth actions on the mound. Arm works long and continuous on the back-side with quick arm speed, accelerates out front consistently to a high ¾ slot, repeats. Drop and drive delivery, keeps front side high, leads with hip, works on-line, explosive at release and upon landing with stride leg, finishes with some recoil and crossing over. Came on in relief in the finals of the PBR Fall Class with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Sat 91-92 mph (1900rpm) to the first batter, striking him out in four pitches. Maintained velocity over the final innings, sitting 89-92. Struck out all seven batters he faced, all on fastballs. Rarely used his off-speed, had no need to with how dominant his fastball was, curveball came in at 76 mph (2250rpm). One of the top uncommitted arms in Georgia’s Class of 2021.
Fisher Paulsen, LHP, Allatoona (GA), 2021
5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed pitcher, strong, athletic frame, has filled out frame considerably since the last time we saw him. Arm works clean and loose to a 3/4 slot, quick arm speed, consistent slot. Mechanically sound delivery, stays tall throughout, works on-line, finishes square to the mound, showed the ability to change timing effectively while still maintaining balance and arm slot. Fastball sat 86-87 (2280rpm) early on, settled in at 83-86, touching 87 throughout his entire complete game one-hitter in the semis of the PBR Fall Classic. Slider was his bread and butter, commanded to all parts of the zone, 73-76 (2250rpm), two-plane break, routinely caught the outside of the plate, gave hitters a problem the entire game, unable to figure it out.
Jack McElvy, SS, Allatoona (GA), 2022
5-foot-6, 135-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, athletically built with lean muscle, plays bigger than he is listed. Offensively, hitting out of the leadoff spot, balanced setup, high hands drop and load back, reverse toe-tap stride, balanced at contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel works with some incline, taps in to a surprising amount of power in his undersized frame, consistently found the barrel all weekend long, the offensive catalyst for Allatoona on their march to the championship of the PBR Fall Classic.
West Cobb Raptors

Alava Drakeford, RHP/1B, Harrison (GA), 2020
Tusculum commit. 5-foot-11 175-pounds. A lot to like about Drakeford. Athletic frame that seems he can do everything well. Saw him go 6IP and swing it well at the plate in the semi-final game of the upper class division. On the mound he has an athletic delivery, and great body control. Looks comfortable from the wind-up and stretch, and uses the slide step a lot that shuts the run game down. FB was 83-84 with late life and good movement. He had a great SL at 70-72 that he used early in the count to get ahead. Pitched with competitiveness and emotion. At the plate he has a smooth swing with good timing and rhythm. Look forward to seeing Drakeford compete in a tough region at Harrison HS.
Payton Lemons, RHP/INF, Hokes Bluff (AL), 2021
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder, lean frame. Arm works quick and continuous, some length on the back-side, comes out of a ¾ slot with easy effort. Drop and drive delivery, sound lower half, works on-line, lands square and finishes square to home. Fastball up to 85 early in outing, settled in at 81-83. Feel for slurve-like breaking ball, featured late, sharp break at-times, 69-72.
Sox Baseball

Thomas Collins, SS, Newnan (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed hitting shortstop, athletically built with lean strength throughout frame. One of the top uncommitted players we have seen come through LakePoint this summer and fall, has been incredibly consistent hitting for average and power, also has shown the skill set required to stick on the left-side of the infield at the next level. Offensively, sets up balanced, hands load back, reverse toe-tap stride, good balance through contact. Barrel works with a slight incline through the zone, drives the ball to all fields.


Jack Seppings, RHP, Landmark Christian (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 160-pounds, broad shoulders on top of a lean frame. Arm works short with a wrist cup low on the back-side, gets out front to a ¾ slot with some whippiness. Has some crossbody tendencies in delivery, strides towards the third base side of the rubber, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 83-85, flashed sinking life when located low in the zone. Slider, inconsistent with command, gets behind the pitch well, came in at 77-80.


Barrett Braves

Garrett Clapsaddle, C/OF, Christ School (NC), 2021
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher and outfielder, athletic frame with strength throughout, plenty of room for additional physicality. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth rhythm in his hands as they load back, short stride, stays balanced through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter, can drive the ball to all fields, witnessed staying back on pitches and driving to the opposite field for extra base hits in addition to getting the barrel out and pulling balls deep into the outfield. High IQ at the plate, good feel for the zone.
Richard Westrop, RHP, Lambert (GA), 2021
6-foot-2 205-pounds. Physical framed righty that looks intimidating when he steps on the mound. His delivery is smooth, but violent. He has a strong finish and gets good extension that gives him a powerful 2nd half of his motion. FB worked up to 88 in the 1st inning, he settled in at 85-87. Threw a heavy FB and a power SL at 75-77. The SL is a swing and miss pitch when he throws it with conviction and starts it at the bottom of the zone. He has a really strong lower-half that projects more velo to come given the frame. Another GA player that will be fun to follow at Lambert HS in a strong region.
Underclass

Titans Baseball 16U

Garrett Goblish, RHP, Woodstock (GA), 2021
5-foot-10 170-pounds. Started the semi-final game for the Titans. Was a standout at the GA showdown. Velo has held through the fall. FB topped out at 86 this past weekend, sat 83-84 with really good life and ASR. Showed the ability to throw all pitches for strikes. Had a plan and executed batter after batter. Kept hitters guessing, and made the FB more effective with having the off speed for strikes. Competes on the mound, and has a really loose arm that projects more velo to come. Look forward to seeing Goblish at Woodstock this spring.
Parker Hughes, OF, Lassister (GA), 2021
5-foot-9 165-pounds. Continues to impress this fall. Showed more power this weekend, just missed a HR where he used the speed to get in for a 3B. Played LF some this weekend, and showed he can cover ground there as well as CF. Moves really well, continues to run the bases well. He was a key piece in the Titans championship run. Hughes is a must watch player for the ‘21 class at Lassiter.

Ninth Inning Royals - Honeycutt

Aaron Lopez, INF/C, Riverwood (GA), 2022
5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitting infielder and catcher, proportional build with strength throughout. Offensively, has been a force at the plate for Ninth Inning Royals - Honeycutt all fall at LakePoint. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with an athletic bend in his knees, hands start high dropping on load, stays balanced throughout, good rhythm. Has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields. High energy player and it shows in his defensive makeup. Behind the dish the arm works loose and with present strength, fluid footwork and quick to release.

Jabari Daniely, 3B/1B, Parkview (GA), 2022
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting corner infield, thick, stocky frame, strength in his upper and lower half, with firming up of the frame could be a force at the plate. Offensively, open setup, hands start high and just off the ear of his helmet with the bat held straight up, hands drop to letter height on load, short leg lift stride. Does not get cheated on his swings, hunts pitches on the middle half and lets his hands go, looking to elevate the ball and do damage. 


TGBA Red

Francesco Capocci, 3B, Alliance Academy (GA), 2023
6-foot-2, 172 pounds; long, lanky, and athletic in the field. Continues to impress all over the field. Showed very advanced defensive actions at the hot-corner. Hands stand out with fluidity. Feet work well laterally and moving forward. Strong arm across the diamond. Bat has shown steady improvement. Long levers. Rotational load, level path, pull-side pop. Continues to have feel for body type, but is a very interesting, projectable player that had a strong fall season. Touched 85 on the mound.


Tyrus Cobb, OF, Luella (GA), 2022
5-foot-9, 165 pounds; solid, compact build with strength. Had a solid weekend at the plate, showing a good approach, with the ability to hit the ball square to all fields. Hits with bat rested on shoulder, minimal movement until load. Bat comes straight to hitting position. Uphill path and looks to put the ball in the air. Above average bat speed that allows to make quick offensive decisions.

STB Scout Team

Bryce Herring, 2B/3B, Dutchtown (GA), 2024
5-foot-3, 105-pound right-handed hitting infielder, still has a long way to go before being physically mature, has a good athletic frame to build upon. Offensively, keeps it simple throughout, balanced setup, short hand load back coupled with a short stride, remains balanced. Handles the bat well with a short, line drive type swing, barrel works level through the zone, takes a middle/pull approach, consistently deposited balls in shallow left field over the entirety of the PBR Fall Classic. Defensively, high defensive IQ, always found himself in the right place at the right time. Younger brother of 2019 PBR Future Games Team Georgia member Bryant Herring.
Michael Zito, INF, Blessed Trinity (GA), 2024
5-foot-10, 130 pounds; compact build with untapped frame. Hits from an athletic, quiet stance. Balanced throughout swing, bath path stays level. Ball jumped off bat in consecutive at-bats with two opposite-field singles. Hits off back-side and uses hands to be free and easy through the zone. Surely has the foundation at the plate to build on when the physical tools progress.

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