Prep Baseball Report

The PBR Cup: Upperclass Scout Blog


PBR Georgia Staff



The PBR Cup took place this past weekend, September 20th through the 22nd. Nearly 40 teams from an Upper and Underclass division came to LakePoint Sporting Community in Emerson, GA to compete. Today, we present to you the Upperclass 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.

Triton Rays 2020
| Charlie Culberson Baseball | Sox Baseball | Warriors Baseball Powered by Rawlings | DRB Elite - 16U | Barrett Braves | Diamond Baseball 17U | eXposure Upperclass Fall Scout Team | Georgia Scorpions 18U | Line Drive Academy | P Squared Athletics | Georgia Roadrunners 17U


Triton Rays 2020

Ashton Faulk, RHP, Next Level Academy (AL), 2021
6-foot, 172-pound right-handed pitcher, portional build, athletic frame. Arm works short, showing low on the back-side, works quickly and aggressively to get out front to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, deliberate actions, works on-line, lands square, finishes in an athletic position. Relied mainly on his fastball, pounded the strike zone with, got numerous swing and misses, sat 82-84, touched 85 (2250-2350rpm), some late life.


Aidan Stewart, SS, Next Level Academy (AL), 2021
6-foot-5, 178-pound, switch-hitting shortstop, highly projectable athlete, long, lanky frame with strength throughout, will continue to add strength and fill out. Offensively has started to really put it all together at the plate, is an advanced combination of hit and power tool. Has feel in the box and situational awareness, knows how to get the job, execute when called upon, does not try to play outside himself. Executed a perfect hit and run on Saturday morning, hitting behind the runner into right field, allowing the runner to advance to third base. Put on a show the rest of the weekend by blasting pitch after pitch, collected multiple triples as he consistently drove the ball middle/pull, capped it all off by crushing a HR from the right-side on Sunday morning (90 mph exit velocity). Can flat out play, making himself into a highly coveted prospect.

Breon Horne, OF, Next Level Academy (AL), 2021
6-foot-2, 185-pound switch-hitting outfielder, extremely athletic (6.6 runner), strength throughout frame. Offensively, balanced setup, hands separate on load, leg kick timing trigger, rises up on stride, finishes balanced. A middle/pull hitter, quick, loose hands, whips the barrel through the zone at an uphill trajectory, generates hard contact.


Damien Whitfield, LHP, Next Level Academy (AL), 2021
6-foot-1 190-pounds. Athletic framed lefty that did nothing but compete on the mound for the Rays. FB was 83-85, topped out at 87. Velo is up from the last time we saw him. Competitor on the mound, threw most of a 1-0 game and showed a ton of toughness. Managed the run game really well, and had a great move to first, both leg lift and snap throw. He commanded the inside of the zone really well. He went inside on guys with 2 strikes, and caught a lot of hitters off guard. Had a really good breaking ball that was 70-72. He did not throw it much, but when he did it was for a strike. Could use it to get ahead or strike guys out. Really fun lefty to watch throw. Pitched with emotion, and grit. 


Mailon Reese, RHP/OF, Lee Scott (AL), 2020
Alabama-Huntsville commit. 5-foot-11, 180-pound two-way prospect, does everything in an athletic fashion with quick twitch movements. Appeared on the mound in the semis of the PBR Cup in a tough situation with his team trailing. Arm works long with quick arm speed to a high ¾ slot. Relied primarily on his fastball, sitting 87-89, touching 90, pitch has running action and a ton of life. Struggled with command but showed he run his fastball in on the hands, will break bats with and create weak ground ball contact.

Charlie Culberson Baseball

Blake Robinson, OF, Darlington (GA), 2020
6-foot-1, 160 pounds. Lanky, untapped frame. The left-handed hitting Robinson showed raw physical tools over the weekend. Loose hands with good barrel whip. Has ability to barrel pitch low in the zone. Made in-at bat adjustments on offspeed pitches. Moves well around the bases and covers ground in CF.

Cade Dingler, INF, Cedartown (GA), 2021
6-foot, 167 pounds; athletic, strong build throughout. Hits from a calm, tall stance. Simple, controlled load. Bat gets in to slot consistently. Has above average present power, narrowly missing a pull-side homerun. Puts aggressive swing on balls, creating constant backspin.

Sox Baseball

Chandler Tillman, RHP, Whitewater (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, wiry frame. Long arm action, reaches back, accelerates to a ¾ slot. Deep drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over to the first base side. Fastball topped out at 82 flashing armside run. Curveball, 11/5 shaep, depth, 70-73.

Thomas Collins, MIF, Newnan (GA), 2020
5-foot-11, 165 pound left-handed hitting MIF. Quick twitch in all facets of game. Lets barrel work during swing; hits ball to fields. Heavy leg-load with good rhythm. Runs well and shows athleticism in the field. Collins also showed solid feel for the MIF. Played mostly second base, and has the range and arm strength the profile at any infield spot.

Bradley Grasser, RHP, McIntosh (GA), 2021
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, high waist, strong lower half Long arm action, reaches back wide on the back-side, gets out front to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, deliberate, keeps momentum on-line, lands square, finishes athletically square to home. Feel for a three pitch mix. Fastball sat 82-84, touched 85 (1900-2000rpm). Curveball showed depth, 12/6 shape, 69-73 (2400-2500). Changeup had sinking action, 75-77. Pitched Sox Baseball into the championship of the PBR Cup with a strong outing against Team eXposure, picking up with win.

Caleb Cashion, SS, East Coweta (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 163 pounds; lean, strong build. Very impressive over the weekend, both at the plate and defensively. Offensively, gradual, rotational load. Gets extension on swing and covers the whole zone well. Hands work well; showed ability to go to all fields. Very fluid at shortstop; hands stay loose and athletic. Feet work light; moves well to all directions. Solid uncommitted MIF to keep an eye on.

Myles Cook, OF, Northgate (GA), 2020

5-foot-10, 140 pounds. Athletic outfielder that showed very good defensive skills. Covered ground in center field incredibly well. At the plate, showed a loose swing with a level bat path; low finish. Line drive approach that looks to hit ball where pitched.

Warriors Baseball Powered by Rawlings

Cole Sealey, OF/RHP, East Jackson (GA), 2020
5-foot-11, 170-pound two-way prospect, proportional build with emerging strength. On the mound, arm works clean on the back-side with some looseness to a high 3/4 slot, finishes upright square to home. Fastball played up to 80 mph. Feel for 12/6 curveball at 66-69, featured depth and had late bite at-times, induced some swing and misses.

DRB Elite - 16U

Brayden Fordham, OF, Ola (GA), 2022
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic, proportional build. Offensively, crouching setup with weight displaced on back leg, hands start high, barrel wraps, short hands load back, leg kick timing trigger, finishes balanced. Has an approach at the plate, line drive hitter, quick hands, whips barrel through the zone with smooth action.

Caleb Fordham, RHP, Ola (GA), 2022
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed pitcher, athletic, portional build, strong lower half. Arm works short and quick, clean, hides the ball well on the back-side, repeats. Drop and drive delivery, strides open to the first base side of the mound, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 82-83, touched 85, mostly straight. Tight slider at 76-77, short lateral movement, induces weak contact with.

Garrett Dowell, RHP,  Madison County (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, physical frame with strength throughout, room to firm up and add much more. On the mound, arm action is short with a small stab on the back-side, keeps momentum to a high ¾ slot. Short drop and drive, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over towards first base. Fastball sat 81-84, touched 85, climbed the ladder with effectively. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 72-74.

Jason Avila, OF, Redan (GA), 2022
Florida State commit. 5-foot-7, 160-pound quick-twitch left-handed hitting outfielder, a superb athlete, will continue to add strength to frame as he physically matures. Offensively, hits out of the leadoff position, relaxed look, smooth rhythm, leg kick timing trigger, good balance throughout. Aggressive swing at the plate, lets the hands go, generates hard contact to all fields with a mostly level barrel path.

Barrett Braves

Tyler Brooks, 3B, North Hall (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting third baseman, strong frame, broad shoulders, carries strength throughout with much more to come. Offensively, balanced setup, high hands load back, toe-tap stride, good balance throughout. Gap-to-gap type hitter with pull-side pop, drives the ball with ease, barrel works level through the zone, can get uphill when he looks to elevate the ball, present bat speed, made consistent contact One of the top performers for Barrett Braves all weekend.

Turner Hill, RHP, Cambridge (GA), 2020
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic frame. Long, loose arm action, full circle on the back-side, works quickly to get out front to a high ¾ slot, really pulls down through release. Clean drop and drive delivery, works on-line, finishes square in an athletic position. Fastball sat 82-83 with good angle. Tight 11/5 breaking ball at 68-72.

Richard Westrop, 3B/RHP, Lambert (GA), 2021
6-foot-2, 205-pounds, two-way prospect, wide frame, strong build. On the mound, there is effort in delivery, arm works long and continuous on the back-side, gets out front with above average arm speed to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive, gets into his strong lower half well, works on-line, finishes whipping his back leg high, crossing over.  Fastball sat 84-86, touched 88 with run. Slider showed 11/5 shape, downer action, 77-79. Offensively, he creates an imposing figure in the box, crouching stance, hammered baseballs to the pull-side, hit some towering balls foul, power hitter.

Clay Tyas, RHP/SS, Chestatee (GA), 2021
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, broad shoulders on top of a lean, athletic frame, plenty of room to fill out. On the mound, arm works loose and easy on the back-side, accelerates quickly with little effort to a ¾ slot, whippy hand speed, finishes pulling down. Drop and drive delivery, high front shoulder, works on-line, lands square, finishing athletically. Fastball sat 85-86, touched 87 and 88, late life. Slider, has the makings of a true out-pitch, depth and late bite, 73-75 (up to 2600rpm).

Trent Turner, SS, Tuscola (NC), 2021
6-foot, 155 pounds; wiry build. Athletic base with simple load at the plate. Gets good extension on swing; line-drive approach. Athletic strides on the bases. Showed reliable hands in the infield with advanced feet and hands combo.

Garrett Clapsaddle, C/OF, Christ School (NC), 2021
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher and outfielder, strong frame. Has a simple approach at the plate with a balanced setup, athletic bend in his knees, hands start low, loading back smoothly, short leg lift stride, good balance throughout. Hands work loosely with strong wrists/forearms, short to the ball, gap-to-gap approach, showed the ability to drive the ball.

Dillon Dankowski, 1B, Denmark (GA), 2021
6-foot-1, 195 pounds; thick build with strength throughout. Hits from tall, open stance. Tempo gather on load. Timing is on with front side. Has present power in bat and showed it to all fields. Physical bat to watch.

Diamond Baseball 17U

Lucas Botero, RHP, Webb of Knoxville (TN), 2021
6-foot-2, 180 pounds; strong upper-half. Had a good outing for Diamond on the mound. Had an impressive three-pitch-mix. Throws from an OH arm slot; quick, short arm action. Simple arm swing. Rotational finish. Fastball showed downward angle at 82-84; worked low in the zone. Curveball showed 12/6 action at 63-64; sharp action when low in zone. Looked confident in changeup to both sides of the plate. Similar arm speed to fastball: 71-72 mph.

Jake Dallas, C, Farragut (TN), 2021
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong, muscular frame, durable build. Open setup with high hands, loads back smoothly with hands dropping into an athletic position, short leg kick timing trigger, remains balanced throughout, smooth rhythm. Gap-to-gap type hitter with present pull-side pop, uses the whole field. Sees the ball well and attacks the first pitch he likes, good hand-eye coordination. Offensively had an extremely impressive game against a loaded Team eXposure roster. Facing upper 80s fastballs, some touching 90, had no problem adjusting and hammering the baseball. Started his day off by pulling an 88 mph fastball into the left center gap for a double. Followed that up by fighting off an outside pitch through the right-side of the infield. One of the top bats in attendance at the PBR Cup.

Nicolas Smith, LHP, York Institute (TN), 2022
Lanky left-handed arm standing 6-foot-3, 165 pounds; very projectable build. Very good athlete, especially for build; moves well. Short draw on backswing, high frontside, controlled balance point. Works down the mound with ease. Stays balanced upon release. Very good control of FB at 81-83 mph. Curveball showed feel with 1/7 action; 68 mph. Interesting arm that will continue to physically develop.

eXposure Upperclass Fall Scout Team

Jake Poindexter, RHP, Gordon Lee (GA), 2021
Georgia commit. 5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame with wiry strength, long limbs, athletic actions, one of the top prospects in attendance at the PBR Cup. On the mound, arm works long, reaching back low on the back-side, quick and loose to get to a ¾ slot, comes out easy. Drop and drive delivery, high front-side leaks early, would benefit from a stronger front-side creating more drive, works on-line, swings back leg high through finish, crossing over towards first base. Electric fastball, came out sitting 87-89, touched 90 with running action and some late life. Curveball showed 11/5 shape with late bite at 75. Changeup came in at 77 with fade action, used less sparingly.

Vytas Valincius, 1B/3B, Bayor School (TN), 2021
South Carolina commit. One of the most physically imposing prospects in the country, standing 6-foot-3, 240-pounds, strength in every part of his frame, has firmed up body with muscle considerably over the past few months. As pure of a power hitter as you will find. Barrel works uphill through the zone as he looks to elevate the ball and drive it with considerable force. Even on mishits the ball still comes off the bat at a scorching pace. Has a good feel for the zone and hand-eye coordination, has a plan of attack looking to hammer fastballs, saw a healthy dose of off-speed pitches, but still fought them off and made consistent contact.
Ryan Hagenow, RHP, Farragut (TN), 2020
Kentucky commit. 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, projectable as he continues to fill out his strong extra large frame. Arm works long, showing on the back-side, advanced arm speed allows for him to get out front quickly to a ¾ slot, working crossbody and down in the zone. Drives off the mound with his back-side landing closed, finishes square to home. Fastball was dominant, blowing it by almost every hitter he faced, sat 88-90 in the first inning, settled in at 86-89, running action. Slider, tight spin, two-plane break, 75-78. The highest upside out of any prospect at the PBR Cup. Will garner much attention in the upcoming 2020 MLB draft.

Christopher Robertson, OF, Notre Dame Academy (GA), 2021
Lipscomb commit. 6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, proportionally built, athletic frame, strength throughout. Offensively, keeps it simple, hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands start at shoulder height, small cock of the hands on load, remains balanced throughout. Gap-to-gap type hitter, more times than not drove the ball deep into the gaps, resulting in multiple doubles and triples throughout the PBR Cup, incredibly consistent offensive approach.

Landon Lewis, RHP, McCallie (TN), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-6, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, long extra large frame, room for plenty of additional strength. Arm works quick and long on the back-side, gets out front to a over-the-top slot. Has made a considerable jump in velocity since we last saw him in June (sat 82-84, touched 86), now sitting 86-88, touching 89 (2000-2200rpm) with armside run. Good feel for 12/6 curveball at 79-81 (2100rpm). Filled up the zone with both pitches.
 
Riley Black, 3B/RHP, Homeschool (TN), 2020
Lee University commit. 5-foot-11, 185-pounds, left-handed hitting two-way prospect, stocky build with strength throughout. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, toe-tap stride to square, good rhythm and balance throughout. Gap-to-gap type hitter with pull-side pop, uphill barrel path as he looks to elevate the ball, hunts fastballs. Unloaded on a pitch in the semi finals against Sox Baseball, taking it deep for a two run home run, 97 mph off the bat, carried 376 feet. Also made a short relief appearance where he was up to 85, commanded his breaking in low 70s, getting swing and misses and buckling knees.

Cooper Kinney, SS/3B, Baylor School (TN), 2021
South Carolina commit. 6-foot-2, 195-pound left-handed hitting infielder and catcher, durable, athletic build, strength through frame with much more to come, one of the top bats at the PBR Cup. Showed an incredible amount of bat speed at the plate with quick, loose hands, could hear the draft of the bat as it whipped through the zone. Keeps it simple with a short hand load and stride. Explosive through the point of contact, really lets it fly. Barrel works uphill through the zone as he attempts to do damage with each and every swing. Put it all together Saturday as he smashed a home run 373 feet, 96 mph off the bat.

Georgia Scorpions 18U

Tanner Folds, LHP, Sonoraville (GA), 2021
Penn State commit. 6-foot, 175-pound left-handed pitcher, strong frame, broad shoulders, room for more. Arm works clean and continuous to a ¾ slot, repeats well. Tall and fall delivery, stays tall throughout, lands square, rotational finish, falling off the mound to the third base side. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 81-83, controlled the zone with getting swing and misses. Slurve-like breaking ball at 68-69. Changeup, late fade, 74-75. Feel for all three pitches.

Line Drive Academy

Jaret Bales, C/3B, North Hall (GA), 2022
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher and third baseman, solid athlete with compact strength. Offensively, open setup, hands load back smoothly, shifts weight on to back-side, long stride, gets front foot down early, finished balanced. Barrel works uphill through the zone, looks to elevate the ball, taps into a surprising amount of juice in his frame.
 
Harris Bell, RHP, Gainesville (GA), 2020
6-foot-2 180 pounds. One of the top uncommitted arms in the state of Georgia had the same velo on the FB that we have seen before. Up to 88, sat 85-87. Command was not as strong as it has been, but it was still competitive. Arm was still live, and showed some more strength in the backside. BB spin was good when it was in the zone. Still a very high ceiling arm that is still on the board.

P Squared Athletics

Jett Pimentel, CIF, Duluth (GA), 2022
6-foot-1, 215 pounds; strong, physical build. Athletic stance with upbeat tempo. Loose hands on load, quick take-back with quick up-and-down front foot load. Level bat path with strong wrists. Hands generate above average bat speed, resulting in good power. Showed gap-to-gap ability. Solid overall hitter.

Jackson DeBarry, RHP, Mill Creek (GA), 2022
5-foot-10, 205 pounds. Very effective outing on the mound. Crafty right-hander with feel for all pitches and the strike zone. Works from a low ¾ slot that kept hitters uneasy in the box. Fastball sat in the upper 70’s with plenty of arm-side movement. Showed a slurve at 62 mph that worked well out of arm slot. Got plenty of weak contact.

Colin Jones, SS/C, Duluth (GA), 2021
6-foot, 176 pounds; lean frame with plenty of untapped strength. One of the more impressive players of the event. Showed tools all over the field. At the plate, showed confident hitting presence. Good tempo in the box with controlled aggression. Line drive swing with contant hard contact. Defensively, fluid actions. Made routine plays with ease. Flashy glove with very advanced footwork. Uncommitted MIF that shows the ability to profile anywhere in the field.

Georgia Roadrunner 17U

JC Medina, C/CIF, Osceola (FL), 2021
5-foot-11, 175 pounds with a physical, thick lower-half. Open barrel in stance, simple take-back with medium leg-kick. Utilizes strong legs and hips in swing. Has very quick hand speed and power to pull-side. Showed ability to hit hard line drives and present power. Impressive bat-to-ball skills that will only get better.


Related Content