Underclass Trials Analysis: Infielders

On Nov. 9, the PBR Georgia scouting staff hosted its final underclass event of 2019, the Underclass Trials, featuring nearly 80 prospects from the 2022 and 2023 classes, as well as a handful of seventh- and eighth-graders sprinkled in, at LakePoint Sports.

Last month, we shared our rapid analysis for this event inside our Quick Hits post, and took a statistical look at the day's top performers inside our Stats Story. We began our position-by-position analysis, beginning with the day's primary catchers, followed by primary outfielders. Today, we breakdown the 17 primary infielders that attended the event, listed alphabetically.

Jackson Barberi 2B / OF / Brookwood, GA / 2024 5-foot-4, 105-pound middle infielder and outfielder, still has quite a ways to go before he is physically mature, displayed smooth actions for his age. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, loads hands back, maintains balance well. Showed good barrel control and the ability to find the barrel more times than not, takes a predominantly middle/pull approach, with further development and strength profiles as a line drive contact hitter, 66 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short with some looseness from a low ¾ slot on the infield and outfield, 66 across the infield, 65 from the outfield. On the infield showed a fundamental approach, clean footwork and smooth on transfers, funnels ball to midsection. Plays through the ball in the outfield. Ran an 8.71 laser-timed 60.

Brandon Bell 2B / 1B / Hardin Valley , TN / 2024 5-foot-5, 95-pound right-handed hitting second baseman and first baseman, still years away from being physically mature, frame projects add strength given broadness. Offensively, open setup, high hands load back, medium length toe-tap stride, good balance. Barrel works level through the zone generating line drive contact, 72 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works long to a high ¾ slot, 65 across the infield. Fields ball deep in center of body, some funnel to mid-section, smooth back-hand. Ran an 8.47 laser-timed 60.

Aaron Bock SS / 2B / The Weber School, GA / 2022 5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, athletically built with wide-shoulders, plenty of room to continue filling out. Offensively, slightly open stance with fluid rhythm throughout, long stride, hands load back and somewhat up, good balance throughout. Quick hand speed, swing works uphill, ball jumps off the ball as he elevates in an aggressive manner foul pole to foul pole, with further progression and added strength will be a true long ball threat, 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively, has active feet up the middle, fluid on his approach, quality hands, quick on transfers, smooth actions all around. Arm works short and clean with good whip, 78 across the infield. Ran a 7.44 laser-timed 60.

Payton Boines SS / 3B / Westlake , GA / 2022 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop and third baseman, strong build, plays the game in an aggressive manner in all facets. At the plate, takes a balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, barrel wraps on load, good balance. Swing works uphill, quick hand speed, lets the barrel fly, drives the ball back up the middle with force, 86 exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.53 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm works short and loose to a low ¾ slot, aggressive with throws, 86 mph across the infield. Showed good range and fluid footwork in getting to balls, fields the ball out front, funneling into mid-section.

Devin Chandler SS / 3B / Stockbridge, GA / 2022 5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop and third baseman, strong lower half. Offensively, open setup, long leg kick timing trigger, hands drop and load back, average balance. Swing works with easy effort, gains extension through the zone, worked gap-to-gap, with more intent flashed the ability to drive the ball with distance, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short and easy from a ¾ slot, 71 across the infield. Showed a smooth glove hand, fluid footwork, gets the ball out quickly. Ran a 7.71 laser-timed 60.

Troy Ford SS / OF / Home School, GA / 2025 5-foot-3, 105-pound switch-hitting shortstop, still has plenty of growth and maturing to do. Defensively, arm works short to a high ¾ slot, 68 across the infield. Fields position athletically, smooth footwork as he approaches the ball, advanced glove hand for age, consistently fields the ball out front with clean exchanges. Offensively, similar setup from both sides of the plate, high hands drop and load back, long stride, average balance. From the right-side barrel works level, generating groundball to line drive contact, from the left-side gets more uphill, using the gaps, 6 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran an 8.09 laser-timed 60.

Dylan Harrington SS / OF / River Ridge, GA / 2022 5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, lean, lanky frame. At the plate, tall, open setup, leg kick timing trigger, loads hands back tight to body, good balance throughout. Showcased one of the better hit tools on the day, barrel work level through the zone, routinely gained extension, was consistent in his approach, spraying line drives around the entire diamond, 77 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm plays short from a ¾ slot, 68 across the infield. Fields ball out front, funnels, clean on transfers, good body control. Ran an 8.27 laser-timed 60.

Nolan Heath 2B / OF / Dade County, GA / 2022 5-foot-7, 135-pound left-handed hitting second baseman, high-waist, emerging strength in frame. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, hands drop and load back. Quick hand speed, barrel is short and level to the ball, creating line drive contact, 79 exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.64 laser-timed 60. Defensively, profiles as a second or third baseman, competent hands, fields ball out front. Arm works long to a high ¾ slot, consistent slot, accurate on throws, 74 across the infield.

Gage Hopper SS / 2B / Eagle's Landing Christian, GA / 2023 5-foot-8, 130-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, broad shoulders on top of a lean frame, plenty of room to fill out. Offensively, balanced setup, can get wider at-times, reverse toe-tap leg kick, hands load back as he shifts weight onto back leg. Timing hitter, barrel works mostly uphill, gap-to-gap type hitter, 78 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, uses multiple slots, good body control, 71 across the infield. Solid approach with good pre-fielding rhythm, hands work, fluid footwork and clean on exchanges.

Tristan Jensen 1B / RHP / Campbell, GA / 2022 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder, thick, strong frame, will continue to add size to frame as he matures. Offensively, takes an open setup with his hands starting high by his ear, keeps hands high and wraps barrel on load, strides long to a balanced position. Barrel works uphill as he looks to elevate the ball, did his damage on low pitches where he got extension through the zone, 90 exit velocity off a tee. In the field, worked out on the left-side of the infield in addition to first base. Arm works with some looseness from a slot that varies between low 3/4 and side arm. Uses his big frame to keep the ball in front of him, solid glove-hand, moves well around the bag, good feel for first base, 79 across the infield. Ran an 8.26 laser-timed 60.

Brady Jones SS / RHP / Decatur , GA / 2022 Rankings  OverallRank: 297 / POS: 71 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, lanky frame with strength throughout, projects to continue to grow and add significant strength to frame while maintaining athleticism, has an undeniable swagger about him on the diamond. At the plate, keeps it simple, balanced setup, short stride, hands start high with a short drop on load, maintains great balance throughout.  Swings with present bat speed and aggression, barrel works level through the zone, drives the ball gap-to-gap with back spin, consistently on time, one of the more impressive rounds of batting practice on the day, 91 exit velocity. Ran a 7.22 laser-timed 60. Defensively showcased premium arm strength for his age, 89 mph across the infield, arm works short and loose with advanced hand speed from multiple positions. Fields position athletically, fluid footwork, quick and clean on exchanges, gets to release quickly. A high follow in Georgia’s Class of 2022.

Anthony Marriaga SS / 2B / McIntosh, GA / 2024 5-foot-4, 112-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, still has a long way to go before being physically mature. Ran a 7.53 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short reverse toe-tap stride, hands load back and drift down, average balance throughout. Barrel works uphill, looks to elevate the ball, 66 exit velocity. Defensively, arm works short from a high ¾ slot, 66 across the infield.

Jace Marvel 2B / OF / Johns Creek, GA / 2025 5-foot-4, 130-pound right-handed hitting second baseman, still has plenty of growth left to do. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, hands load back, average balance throughout. Barrel works level through the zone creating line drive contact, 65 exit velocity off a tee. Ran an 8.83 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm action is short to an over-the-top slot, 56 across the infield.

Spencer Muffuletto SS / 2B / Jackson County, GA / 2023 5-foot-6, 118-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, lean, lanky athlete, ran a 7.15 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, leg kick timing trigger with a long stride, barrel wraps on load, weight drifts out on to front leg when he comes square. Barrel works mostly level through the zone, creates line drive contact, 75 exit velocity. Defensively, arm action is long to a high ¾ slot, 70 across the infield. Fields position athletically with savvy hands, competent glove hand funnels smoothly into mid-section, quick exchanges.

Tyler Parks 1B / 2B / Chattahoochee, GA / 2022 6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed hitting first and second baseman, lanky frame. At the plate, balanced setup, reverse toe-tap stride, short hand load back, good balance throughout. Barrel works level through the zone, gaining extension at-times, gap-to-gap type hitter, flashed the ability to use his long levers to turn on the ball to the pull-side with power, 77 exit velocity. Defensively, full arm swing at first base to a high ¾ slot, made consistent and accurate throws, 67 across the infield. Creates a large target at first base, gets his body in front of the ball, fluid footwork and clean exchanges, good body control. Ran an 8.10 laser-timed 60.

Kyle Rice SS / OF / Wilson Academy, GA / 2022 5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and outfielder, athletic frame built with lean muscle. At the plate, takes a wide, crouching setup, short barrel wrap on load, big leg kick timing trigger, hits off his back-side. Easy effort in swing, barrel works mostly uphill through the zone, generates line drive contact with back spin, 83 exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.38 laser-timed 60. Defensively, , long arm action, quick acceleration and some looseness, accurate on throws, good body control, 81 across the infield, 80 from the outfield. Fields both position athletically, competent glove-hand funnels ball into midsection, clean on transfers with fluid footwork.

Eric Snow SS / Mary Persons, GA / 2022 5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, athletically built with a strong lower half. Offensively has a swagger about him in the box, relaxed look, sets up tall and balanced, short hanging leg stride, hands load back smoothly, incorporates lower half well, stays balanced throughout. Low effort in swing, elevates the ball with back spin, showed more pop in swing than one would expect, driving the ball gap-to-gap, sees the ball very well, 87 exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm works short and loose to a ¾ slot, consistent and accurate with throws, 78 across the infield. Fields position athletically with fluid actions, smooth approach to the ball, clean on exchanges, good rhythm throughout.

Coming up...

Pitching Analysis

Two-Way Analysis

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