Prep Baseball Report

Top-10 Stories of 2019: No. 9 Georgia Showdown @ LP - 17U Scout Notes


Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director



At the end of 2018, Prep Baseball Report announced its partnership with the state-of-the-art baseball facility in Emerson, Ga.: LakePoint Sporting Community. Our inaugural season at the helm of LakePoint’s first-class facilities has opened the doors to a more competitive travel baseball scene with an emphasis on PBR’s boots-on-the-ground scouting services.

No. 9: Georgia Showdown @ LakePoint - 17U Scout Notes

The GA Showdown took place this past weekend, June 6th through the 9th. Nearly 90 teams from four age groups (14U-17U)  descended upon LakePoint Sporting Community in Cartersville, GA to compete. Today, we present to you the 17U 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 GA Showdown Scout Blog is loaded with information.

17U

Allatoona


Fisher Paulsen, LHP, Allatoona, 2021
5-foot-11, 160-pound athletically built right-handed pitcher, room for continued physical development. Really impressed in a brief relief appearance on Friday. Arm actions works clean on the back-side in a continuous motion to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, carries momentum well to home, lands square, finishes athletically. Effective with fastball/slider combo. Fastball sat 82-84, touched 85. Slider featured tight spin in an 1/7 shape at 70-73. Arm to follow. 


BigStix Gamers 17U

 

Koby Dunn, RHP/INF, George Walton Academy, 2020
6-foot-0, 160lbs; two-way prospect. Longer arm action, but uses it to get on time with front side making for clean mechanics. The right-hander had a high ¾ arm slot, and induced a lot of ground ball outs. Worked the bottom half of the zone effectively with a solid FB/CH mix. FB sat 81-83 and touched 84 paired with a CH at 74mph and displayed an above average spin rate (2100rpm) and late sink to it.  


David Chenoweth, RHP, Strong Rock Christian, 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 200-pound, right-handed pitcher, physical frame, broad shoulders. Arm action is short with a low draw on the back-side coming to a ¾ slot. Easy effort throughout delivery. Showed feel for a four pitch arsenal. Fastall sat 83-84 with run. Changeup featured fade at 73. Offered up two breaking balls, a tight slider at 70-71 and a slower 11/5 curveball at 63. 


Trippe Moore, OF, Mary Persons, 2020
Georgia Tech commit. Currently ranked No. 34 in GA and No. 459 Overall. 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletically built with some quick twitch muscle. Offensively, takes a wide setup, hands start high loaded back, cocks wrists on load, short stride, remains balanced throughout. Generates hard line drive contact, gap-to-gap type hitter.

Austin Slate, OF, Alexander, 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, strong build. Stood out offensively with present bat speed and aggressive tone with which he swings it. Open setup, hands start high, dropping on load, short stride.

Joey Pourron, RHP, Union Grove, 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, projectable frame with room for continued physical development. On the mound, fastball sat 84-85, touching 86 (2000-2100 rpm). Mixed in a curveball at 67-68 and a changeup at 77.

Jack Witmer, OF, Ola, 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic build. Offensively, takes a line drive approach looking to square the ball back up the middle, above average barrel control.

Ty Kaufman, SS, Union Grove, 2020
Uncommitted. 5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitting, shortstop, athletic frame, strength in lower half, hard nosed defender. Stood out up the middle for BigStix, routinely made difficult plays showing good body control and the ability to use multiple slots accurately on throws.

Charlie Culberson Baseball

Nathan Lewis, RHP, Scotts Hill/Homeschool, 2020
Committed to Freed-Hardeman. Currently ranked No. 78 in TN. 5-foot-10, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, stocky frame. Works with a short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Smooth tall and fall delivery, messes with timing, by changing pace and balance points. Fastball sat 83-86, touched 87. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 68-69.    

East Cobb Prime 17U -- Zilleox

 

Jake Hill, RHP, Forsyth Central, 2020
6-foot-3, 185lbs; uncommitted. The submariner dominated nearly every batter he saw, managing out of a bases loaded, no out jam and struck out the side. Good weight transfer and front side mechanics, overall very clean mechanically. FB had late run to it, 80-82, T83 at 2100-2200 rpm. SL was a plus out pitch frequently missing barrels with it; 67mph, 2400rpm and good sharp action.

Ben Koch, RHP, Mt. Vernon Presbyterian, 2020
6-foot-1 160lbs. Short arm action with an over the top release point. Flashed some of the highest spin rates of the weekend with his three pitch mix. Fastball ranged from 84-86 and got up to 2400rpm. SL at 76, sharp break and a 2500rpm. CB 71-73 with late movement and 12/6 shape, 2700rpm. Confident in his CB, getting most of his strikeouts with it. Threw a complete game and picked up the W for the ECB Prime.  


East Cobb Yankees 17U

Ethan Fry, RHP, North Cobb, 2020
5- foot-11, 160 pounds. Works from an OH slot; stays consistent with all pitches. FB worked on a downward plane at 80-83. Uses a 12/6 CB that he relied on heavily; threw it early and often. CB sat at 64-65. Also showed a CH at 73 that had some bury.

 

HardKnox Orioles

Caleb Logerwell, RHP/3B, Home School, 2021
Currently ranked No. 49 in GA. 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, broad shoulders, strength throughout, right-handed pitcher and third baseman, stood out for his work on the mound on Sunday morning. Arm works continuously, clean on the back-side, ¾ slot. Ran his fastball up to 89 mph, sat 84-86. 12/6 curveball had good shape and depth, some late bite to it, got a number of swing and misses on, 72-74.  


HEAT Baseball

Payton Lemons, RHP, Hokes Bluff (AL), 2021
6-foot-1, 175 pounds. Skinny frame with projectable future. Fast-tempo delivery with one piece arm motion; low3/4 slot.  Works down hill with legs. Fastball impressed with late, heavy sink. Sat 80-83. Showed potential for plus changeup that works naturally out of armslot.
Andrew Dutton, MIF, Westbrook Christian (AL), 2020
5-foot-10, 165 pounds. Quick twitch athlete with an advanced feel for the game. Plays the game with high intensity. Loads high on swing. Fast hands and showed the ability to turn on fastballs. Quick finish. Solid player.
Jake Peppers, RHP, Geraldine (AL), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 155-pound right-handed pitcher, lean athlete, lanky frame. Arm worked long and loose to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed through release. A bit erratic, but still around the zone enough to keep hitters guessing. Fastball sat 87-89, touching 90 early, featured run action. Complemented with a tight slider at 77-79 and a changeup that flashed heavy sink and fade, 74-75. With refined command, has the arm talent and three pitch mix to be a high level prospect.


Knights Baseball - 17U Premier

Anthony Patterson, OF/RHP, Knights Academy (TN), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 155-pound two-way prospect, lean athlete, room for continued physical development. Offensively, right-handed hitter, gap-to-gap type hitter with emerging power, uses long levers to create leverage. On the mound, arm played athletically, running his fastball up to 85 mph (2300rpm).

Herson Lopez, RHP/INF, Antioch (TN), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 145-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder, long, lean athlete. Stood out on the mound for Knights Baseball. Worked with a short arm action, high volume of strikes. Fastball sat 81-83. Tight breaking ball at 69 mph.

Knights Baseball - 17U Platinum

Nolan O’Shoney, RHP, Clarksville Academy (TN), 2020
6-foot-3, 185 pounds. Advanced uncommitted arm. Above average tempo on delivery. Clean separation after balance point. High frontside after separation. Full, clean arm action. Easy effort. FB sat 85-87,T88 with some late life through the strike zone. Flashed a changeup at 76-77; came out of hand very well and had sink low in the zone. A top uncommitted arm to keep an eye on in TN.  


Isaac Crabb, RHP/3B, Harrisburg (IL), 2020
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 46 in IL. 6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way prospect, physical frame with strength throughout. Saw in a brief stint on the mound, pitched in less than ideal conditions with pouring rain. Handled the adversity well. Compact delivery, short arm action to a ¾ slot. Fastball played up to 86 mph in warmups, 80-84 in-game, relied heavily on, forced to take some off to gain better command. At the plate, profiles as a gap-to-gap type hitter with pull-side power.  
Hollis Fanning, RHP, Tullahoma (TN), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot-7, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, long, projectable frame, room for filling out. Works with a long, loose arm action to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe open, finishing with a crossover. Fastball sat 84-87 with some armside run. Offered up a tight 11/5 breaking ball at 74 mph.
Jonathan Hogart, C/OF, Madisonville North (KY), 2020
Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 50 in KY. 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher and outfielder, in game seen was in the lineup as DH. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, hands cock on load, maintains great balance through contact. Keeps it simple at the plate, looks to drive the ball back up the middle, generates line drive contact. Above average runner on the bases.
Jake Fitzgibbons, LHP, Mt. Juliet (TN), 2020
Committed to Tennessee. Currently ranked No. 35 in TN. 5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed pitcher, athletic frame. Works with a short arm action, hides the ball well on the back-side, high ¾ slot. Repeats tall and fall delivery, stays tall on back-side, finishes athletically. Fastball sat 84-85 mph. Curveball, slurve-like action, 67 mph.
Jared Dickey, OF, Friendship Christian (TN), 2020
Tennessee commit. Currently ranked No. 17 in TN. 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, physical frame with strength throughout. Balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, remains balanced. Swings with controlled aggression, power hitter, looks to elevate the ball to the pull-side, makes hard contact.
Nextlvl Red - Cannon

Sam Cherry, RHP, Hillgrove, 2020
5-foot-10, 150 pounds; skinny frame. Arm that has good rhythm. Showed a consistent, repeatable delivery. Fields position well.
Brett Blomquist, UTL, Allatoona, 2021
6-foot-2, 171-pound switch-hitting prospect, saw time at a number of positions on the infield including: C, 3B, SS and RHP. Highly athletic prospect, long, lanky frame, projects well. Offensively, open setup, short stride, hands cock on load, maintains great balance through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter, has a knack for finding a way on base. Drove the ball in some instances, utilized a slash as well. Clutch performer. Defensively, showed off at a number of positions. Behind the dish, flexible setup, receives softly and confidently, arm works traditionally, short and over-the-top. Hopped on the mound to close out the semifinals and start the championship game. Utilized multiple arm slots successfully, worked mainly from a lower sidearm slot where his fastball sat in the upper 70s, touching 80. Would raise the slot to high ¾ where he was able to generate more velocity, up to 85 mph.
Zeke Swartz, 1B, Union County, 2021
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitting, left-handed throwing first baseman, long, lanky frame, projects. Stood out offensively, takes a wide setup, short load back, short stride, good timing, remains balanced. Line drive type hitter, uses the whole field. Came up with a clutch single in the bottom of the fifth of the semifinals to start a rally for Next Lvl.
Cole Hutchinson, SS/RHP, South Paulding, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound, two-way prospect, long, lean frame, moves with athleticism, projects well. Offensively, generates line drive contact with emerging gap-to-gap abilities, long levers create leverage at-times. Defensively, commanded the middle of the infield for Next Lvl, showed good range to both sides, made a number of difficult plays, arm worked athletically from multiple slots. On the mound, utilized a short arm action from a ¾ slot, drop and drive delivery, repeated. Fastball sat 83-85, touched 86 and 87 (1900-2000 rpm). Feel for slider at 74-76 (2300 rpm).
Bryse Ingle, RHP/3B, Calhoun, 2021
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed two-way prospect, athletic build. Stood out for his work on the mound. Works with a long arm action, shows wide on the back-side, arm comes through to a ¾ slot with some effort. Fastball played at 81-85 mph, touched 87 with run. Offered up a 12/6 curveball at 64-66.
Hayden Soley, OF, Allatoona, 2021
5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletically built with strength throughout. First caught our eye defensively when he fired a missile from right field to third base to keep a runner from advancing, arm plays loosely. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, smooth load, good balance throughout. Line drive type hitter, with continued physical development will be a real gap-to-gap threat. Ran a 4.37 home to first on a groundout to third base.

RBI Titans

Ryne Haney, RHP/C, Daniel Boone (TN), 2020
6-foot, 180 pounds. Works from an OH armslot; straight back on arm swing. Had a solid outing; good control of 3-pitch-mix. FB sat 80-83 with late run. Kept hitters off balance with significant speed difference. Loose CB that fell into the zone at 63-65. Also showed a CH at 70.
Jaden Alderson, LHP, Dobyns Bennett, 2020
5-foot-10, 150 pounds. Clean delivery, fast tempo. H3/4 slot with a clean delivery. Fills the zone with two-pitch sequence. FB sat 76-78 with plenty more in the tank; deceptively got on hitters quickly. 12/6 CB at 68-69.

Matthew Levi, C/IF, Science Hill (TN), 2020
Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 85 in TN. 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher and corner infielder, strength throughout frame. Offensively, taps into strength of frame well, generates hard contact with a power approach.

Sticks Baseball - Brewster

Braylon Bishop, OF, Texarkana (AR), 2021
Committed to Arkansas. Currently ranked No. 1 in AR and No. 16 Overall. 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, advanced skill set, highly athletic, quick twitch muscle, strength throughout frame. Immediately stands out on a field, carries himself like a professional. Offensively, was on a whole other level than the competition. Takes a middle/pull power approach, advanced hand speed, strong wrists/forearms, sees the ball well. Had two of the hardest hit balls on the weekend in his first game of the tournament. Laced an RBI triple in his first at-bat, followed up with another hard hit double into right in his second at-bat. High follow 2021 MLB Draft prospect.
Cody Adcock, RHP, Arkansas (AR), 2020
Mississippi commit. Currently ranked No. 4 in AR and No. 163 Overall. 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, projectable build with strength throughout. Short arm action, accelerates quickly to a ¾ slot. Worked downhill with fastball, sitting 87-91 (2400-2500rpm). Flashed a swing and miss type breaking ball at 74-76.
Austin Ledbetter, RHP/INF, Bryant (AR), 2021
Committed to Arkansas. Currently ranked No. 2 in AR and No. 93 Overall. 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, physical frame with strength throughout, legitimate two-way prospects. On the mound, works from a ¾ slot with a long, continuous arm action, shows on the back, quick arm speed. Drives off the mound with a short break in his back leg, works on-line, finishes square. Fastball ranged 86-90 mph, flashed late life. Slider, late break, makings of a swing and miss type pitch, 72-73. Offensively, top of the order bat for a very talented Arkansas Sticks 17U team, taps into his strength well at the plate, consistently makes hard contact. Looks to drive the ball middle/pull, capable of using the whole field though.
Cross Jumper, RHP/OF, Jonesboro (AR), 2021
Committed to Tennessee. Currently ranked No. 4 in AR and No. 158 Overall. 6-foot-2, 190-pound two-way prospect, athletic build, strength in frame with more to come. On the mound, has some effort in delivery, low draw on back-side, circular action to an over-the-top slot. Really pulls down through release, working downhill. Drop and drive delivery. Experienced some command issues, missing up in the zone. Fastball sat 82-85. Mixed in a 12/6 curveball at 69-74. Offensively, right-handed hitter, present bat speed, drives the ball.
Jared Toler, 1B/RHP, Harmony Grove-Haskell (AR), 2020
Arkansas State commit. Currently ranked No. 17 in AR. 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect, present strength in physical frame. Offensively, swings a powerful bat, drives the ball with ease, looks to go middle/pull, had a number of long hits into the gaps. On the mound, smooth rhythm, low draw, accelerates quickly to a high ¾ slot. Repeats delivery. Fastball sat 84-86, touched 87 and 88, relied mainly on pitch to attack opposing lineup.
Cameron Hood, LHP, Verrado (AZ), 2020
Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 54 in AZ. 6-foot-5, 215-pound left-handed pitcher, physical with room for additional filling out, projects well. Slings it from a ¾ slot, stabbing action on the back-side, quickly accelerates. Works on-line, opens up lower half on stride, finishes athletically. Fastball sat 81-84 mph (has been up to 87). Manipulates slurve-like breaking ball, features a sharper version that plays in the upper 70s, takes some off at-times creating a loopy break in the mid 60s.
Isaac Webb, SS, Collinsville (OK), 2020
Committed to Oklahoma. 5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, athletically built with lanky frame, still physically maturing. Stood out defensively, advanced range up the middle, soft glove, quick and clean on exchanges, quick release from multiple arm slots, showed superb body control while making plays on the move. Offensively, still coming into his own, currently a line drive type hitter with barrel control, emerging power in swing with added strength.
Peyton Pallette, RHP, Benton (AR), 2019
Arkansas recruit. Ranked No. 6 in AR. 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, athletically built. Arm works loosely with quick arm speed, whips through to a ¾ slot. Uses lower half well in drop and drive delivery. Fastball sat 88-90 (2270-2290 rpm) in the 1st inning. Slider is a true out-pitch, got a number of swing and misses on at 77-78 (2730-2860 rpm).
Sticks Baseball - Hankins

Avery Williams, SS, Lee’s Summit West (MO)
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, athletically built with strength. An all around athlete. Defensively, moved well up the middle, showed a soft glove and loose arm, used multiple slot accurately. Offensively, line drive type hitter with developing power, uses the whole field.
Team Elite - American

Joseph De Los Santos, OF, Granville (NC), 2019
William & Mary recruit. 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. Has a good presence in the box. Multi-level load. Utilizes legs and hits off his backside. Displayed advanced feel for the barrel and impressive hand-eye. Peppered line drives with easy effort.

 

Landon Lewis, RHP, McCallie School (TN), 2020
6-foot-5 190lbs; right handed pitcher. Tall, projectible frame with room left to grow into. Over the top arm slot with very clean mechanics. The uncommitted rising senior got up to 86 on the gun at 1900rpm. Also flashed a CB with 12/6 shape. Lewis got 6.5ft worth of extension showing that his velo plays a little more than what the gun reads. 


Cooper George, 3B, May River (SC), 2021
Currently ranked No. 13 in SC. 6-foot-3, 205-pound physically built with strength throughout, room for firming up. Offensively, swung a hot bat all tournament, made hard contact in seemingly every at-bat seen. Gap-to-gap type hitter with serious pull-side power.  


Tennessee Raiders

Gates Shoemaker, C/3B/OF, Baylor School (TN), 2021
6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Solid player that will continue to use his strength on the diamond. Hit from a crouched stance; loose load, steps pull-side at time. Swing is free, allows the barrel to work. Biggest thing is the competitiveness in at-bats. Saw him battle and foul off pitches in multiple at-bats.  
Tyson Swope, C/OF/RHP, Dalton, 2020
6-foot, 200 pounds; matured legs. Had a very good weekend at the plate as he came up with multi-hit games in just about every game. Squared stance with a bat of a drop in hands on load. Barrel stays through the zone for a long duration, allowing to barrel pitches all over the zone. Hit the ball where it was pitches; interesting player who does a good job at the plate.
Nolen Dietz, C/CIF/RHP, Baylor School (TN), 2020
5-foot-11, 195 pounds. Hits from an open stance. Bat rests on shoulder until incoming pitch; simple load. Gets extension through contact. Lower half is active. Showed to be another very tough out, which seemed to be contagious for the Raider lineup.
Top Gun Baseball

Trey Mooney, RHP, Oxford (AL), 2021
6-foot-2, 200 pounds; athletic, proportional build. Works from a H3/4 slot. Drop and drive. Some deliberate tempo while working down the mound. Impressed in his start with fastball sitting 82-85, T87 that had late run; more in the tank. Ran fastball back over the plate on multiple occasions. Threw an 11/5 breaking ball at 74-75; loose action.
Braden Hughes, 3B, Springville (AL), 2020
6-foot-3, 180 pounds; physical stature. Hits from open, upright stance. Showed a level, aggressive swing. Barrel stays through the zone. Displayed gap-to-gap power by having multiple hard hit balls all over the field. Also showed advanced hands in the infield.
Triton Rays Georgia 17U

Zeke Gilbert, SS, Alexander, 2020
5-foot-10, 155 pounds. Solid athlete that showed well at the plate. Used a short, simple swing and continuously barreled balls. Minimal load with hands and small leg kick that gets down in time.
Jaylen Dickey, 3B/C, McEachern, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder and catcher, strong frame. Offensively, a bit rotational with swing, generates hard contact from frame, found ways to get on throughout the weekend. Defensively, showed off a strong arm across the diamond from the hot corner.

Warriors Baseball Powered by Rawlings

Joshua Compton, LHP, East Jackson HS, 2020
The 5-foot-7, 140-pound lean left handed pitcher is still growing into his body. He replicates his balanced athletic delivery consistently. Fastball sits 78-79, touching 80 at times. Change up ran 64-68 with some fade.

 

Halton Hardy, RHP, East Jackson, 2020
6-foot-1, 170 pound athletic framed, right-handed pitcher. Clean arm action, good lower half mechanics with a ¾ arm slot. Repeats mechanics and arm slot for both his FB and CB. Fastball was sitting at 80, getting up to 82 on numerous occasions. Curveball showed good 11/5 sweeping action, at 71mph it was able to provide a lot of weak contact.  


Peyton Irvin, RHP, Habersham Central, 2019
Piedmont recruit. 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, strength in frame. Competitive makeup on the mound, does not back down or shy away from hitters. Arm works long with a stabbing action on the back-side, high ¾ slot. Fastball played at 81-83 mph. Also dropped in a slider at 72 mph and a fading changeup at 75.
Logan Stockton, C, Jackson County, 2019
Piedmont recruit. 5-foot-10, 195-pound right-handed hitting catcher, stong, stocky frame. Fiery competitor, plays the game with a lot of emotion. Stood out defensively for his work behind the dish. Receives the ball well, above average catch and throw skill set. Blocks the ball well, not afraid. Offensively, takes aggressive swings, looks to drive the ball with power.

West Cobb Raptors

Aaron (AJ) Rodgers, RHP, Hillgrove, 2021
5-foot-11, 170 pound right handed pitcher. Clean arm action and gets good extension to the plate. High ¾ arm slot allowing for good arm side run on both his FB and CH. Fastball got up to 80mph paired with a Change-Up at 67mph (1600rpm) that showed late, and sharp sink to it. Was able to use Change-Up as a strikeout pitch against left-handed hitters. Strong, dual-sport athlete, with more room and time to further mature.