Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Upperclass Fall World Series: Scout Blog

October 9, 2020
PBR Staff



The Upperclass Fall World Series took place this past weekend, October 2nd through the 5th. Today, we present to you the Upperclass Fall World Series 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 Upperclass Fall World Series 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)

Carter Allen, C, Pearland HS, TX (2021)
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong frame, especially his lower half. At the plate, open setup, hands load back, long stride to a wide position at point of contact. Power approach at the plate, aggressive swing, looks to elevate and do damage, generated back spin on fly balls. Defensively, soft receiver, strong arm, fluid and athletic footwork and transfers.


Ethan Anderson, C, Cox HS, VA (2022)
Virginia recruit. Physical presence with defined strength throughout 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame. Switch-hitter with solid bat speed and balance from both sides of the plate. Shows ability to hit to all fields and with power. Solid athlete, moves fine for size. 4.6 down the line from the left side. Five hits on the weekend including two doubles and a triple.
Joshua Blum, RHP, The Emery-Weiner School, TX (2021)
Uncommitted. Athletic explosive arm, 6-foot 2, 205-pound frame. Low effort delivery with an explosive finish from a ¾ slot. Showed plus arm speed and a physical presence on the mound. His fastball sat 88-91 in first inning, before settling at 85-89 in second, up to 2250 rpm. The slider showed sharp action and had makings of a future potential + pitch (2650 rpm) at 76-79/T81.
Luke Boykin, OF/SS, Wayne County HS, GA (2022)
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and middle infielder, strong, athletic build. Multi faceted hitter, can drive the ball gap-to-gap while also showing the ability to spray line drives around the entire field. Swing works long to the zone with an arm bar load, good eye at the plate, quick hands, whippy barrel help him get to pitches out front. More power to come as he continues to strengthen his frame.
Gunnar Brown, RHP, Episcopal High School - Houston, TX (2021)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, physical, sturdy frame, powerful lower half, one of the top uncommitted arms to toss at the Upperclass World Series. Arm works short and clean on the back-side to a low ¾ slot, repeats well. Fastball sat 85-90, touched 91, manipulated velo, ramped it up when he needed to, coming in more straight, and took some off to create run and sink. Curveball, 77-79, started the game throwing a sweeper, as it progressed the shape took on a more 11/5. Changeup, 80-82.
Bryant Byrd, RHP, Eldorado HS, IL (2021)
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, sturdy frame, wide build, room to firm up with more strength. One of the top uncommitted arms at the Upperclass World Series. Appeared in relief and worked a fastball/curveball combo for strikes. Arm played short on the back-side accelerates with quick arm speed to an over-the-top slot. Fastball sat 86-88, worked downhill with. Curveball, 72-73, 12/6 shape, depth and late bite, potential swing and miss pitch. Changeup at 78.
Chasin Cash, 3B/1B, Newnan HS, GA (2022)
Uncommitted. 6-foot 2, 210-pound frame. All weekend it seemed to be offensive presence in the box coming up with big hits all weekend. Present pull side pop while having shown ability to drive ball in opposite field gap. Using rhythm with hands and small leg kick he got to balance position at point of contact and exhibited bat speed.
AJ Causey, RHP, Sparkman HS, AL (2021)
Jacksonville State recruit. 6-foot 2, 170-pound frame. Athletic and twitchy. 2 slot pitcher but almost exclusively from a side-arm, underneath slot during the outing. Big time strike thrower and made multiple plays fielding his position. Fastball up to 90 in OT slot. Sat 85-87 from side-arm/underneath slot with a lot of arm side run to both sides of the plate. His slider from side arm slot was a big time pitch all day for strikes and swing/miss at 68-70 with frisbee like action/sweep and up to 2650 rpm.
Drew Christo, RHP, Elkhorn HS, NE (2021)
Nebraska recruit. Strong, durable frame at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. Loose, athletic delivery with good extension (7 feet or better). Fastball ranged from 87-92 with 2300+ rpm. Slider was 77-82. Gyro spin at times, but also flashed hard, late sweep. Changeup was 80-82. Struck out five and allowed just one hit in three innings.


Alton Davis, LHP, Bessemer Academy, AL (2022)
Alabama recruit. Long, lanky frame at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds. Medium leg kick with loose, whippy arm action through high-3/4 slot. Up-tempo delivery. Good athlete, gets off the mound well and is light on his feet. Fastball ranged from 87-92. Curveball is 70-71 with soft, short 10/4 action. Flashed a changeup at 76 with some sinking action. Got hit around in the first inning and battled some wildness, but settled in well after that. Tossed four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven.


CJ Delgratta, RHP, Olentangy Berlin HS, OH (2021)
Toledo recruit. Physical, 6-foot 5, 225-pound frame. Lower half thickness but has space in body to still add mass. Fastball sat 84-86 in the outing and he paired a 74-75 breaking ball that showed curveball shape but was soft in terms of spin and action. Competed and worked quick tempo during his outing. 

Carson DeMartini, SS, Ocean Lakes HS, VA (2021)
Virginia Tech recruit. Lean strength in 6-foot, 185-pound frame. Tall, balanced set-up from left side, slight leg kick and short stride. Quick bat generates strength at contact. Hits against stiff front leg. Runs 4.6 down the line. Was among offensive leaders in the event for several categories including hits (9), doubles (4) and triples (2).

Jake DeValk, RHP, Bayside HS, AL (2023)
Uncommitted. Projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with present strength in lower half. Pitched exclusively from the stretch, consistently pumping strikes. Fastball was 84-87. Shows feel for spin with 73-77 curveball that showed depth and 11/5 break. Changeup was 76. Allowed an unearned run on three hits and a walk while striking out six over four innings.

Blake Dickerson, LHP, Salem HS, VA (2023)
Virginia Tech commit. 6-foot-4, 173-pound left-handed pitcher, long, lean frame, projectable. Got the start in bracket play against a loaded AB National - Scout Team and did not back down one bit, mixed velos, consistently in the zone with three pitches, created weak contact and let his defense work. Arm plays clean on the back-side to a high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball sat 83-87, located to both sides of the plate. Changeup, 75-76, pulled the string on, sink action, great feel for. Curveball, 12/6, 66-68.


Carson Dorsey, LHP, J.R. Arnold HS, FL (2021)
Gulf Coast State commit. 6-foot 2, 150 pound frame. Created a ton of deception throwing across his body. Long lanky frame with a massive amount of space to add mass to his frame and his arm was loose out of a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 82-88 in the outing. His changeup was his go to pitch off the fastball. Was competitive all game long.
Nathan Dvorsky, RHP, Lambert, GA (2022)
Uncommitted. Projectable 6-foot-1 180-pound frame. A year ago he was 80-82. In his first inning of work he was 87-89 touching 90 a couple times. Frame looks much stronger, mechanics have been cleaned up. Mixed in a sharp breaking ball at 73-74 with 2300 spin rate. Fastball spin rate averaged around 2200. Settled in at 85-87 in his second inning of work. Looks confident on the mound, and attacks hitters with the fastball early.


Aedan Finateri, RHP, Avon Old Farms, CT (2021)
5-foot-11, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, sturdy build. Pitched in relief, closing out a win for Team Elite. Showed control of a three pitch mix and some overpowering stuff. Arm works long, showing on the back-side with a stab, quick arm speed to a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 89-91, touched 92, comes in heavy with sink and armside run. Splitter, 73-74, tumble, late downer action. Curveball, 73-75, 12/6 shape, depth.


Andrew Floyd, RHP, Chelsea HS, AL (2022)
5-foot-7, 140-pound right-handed pitcher, athletically built, live arm, highly competitive on the mound. Arm works long with a soft stab on the back-side, quick arm speed to a ¾ slot, some effort in delivery. Used exclusively his fastball, attacked the zone and challenged hitters to touch it. Fastball sat 84-87, touched 88, run to both sides of the plate.
Brady Fuller, RHP, Auburn HS, AL (2021)
Committed to Southern Union State CC in the days following the Upperclass World Series. 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, large, projectable frame, more in the tank. Arm works clean and athletically, slow draw on the back-side before accelerating quickly  to a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 85-87 with life, late running action. Curveball, 73-75, 11/5 shape, big breaker with sharp action.
Braden Graves, RHP, Gibbs, TN (2023)
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, athletically built, lean muscle, lots of room for continued physical development. Pitched in relief against a talented Excel 2022 team and impressed by challenging the hitters. Created swing and misses and weak contact. Arm works long with advanced arm speed, whippy hand speed, to a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 86-87, touched 88. Curveball, 68-72, manipulated shape between 11/5 and 12/6.
Gavin Gregory, RHP, Nansemond River HS, VA (2021)
Uncommitted. Athletic, 6-foot 2, 195-pound frame. Projectible arm with plenty of room to fill out his frame and chance to in future have good command of his repertoire. Fastball was 85-88 and he featured a future potential swing and miss slider at 75-77. He has plenty of room to add to his frame and showcased arm speed

Josh Gunther, RHP, Bayside Academy, AL (2023)
Uncommitted. Strong lower half on 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame. Pitches with regular effort. Fastball was true at 82-85. Big, loopy curveball at 64-65. Mixed in harder breaking ball at 71 with more 10/4 break. Changeup has soft action at 69-70. Struck out three and allowed two hits in three innings.

Wyatt Hardy, RHP, Valor Christian, CO (2021)
Washburn commit. 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, projectable build, lean frame, plenty of room to add to. Arm works short and clean to a high ¾ slot, sits on his back-side during delivery and rides down the mound. Fastball sat 85-87, touched 88. Curveball, 72-74, 12/6 shape, big breaker. Worked both sides of the plate with fastball, buried his curveball for outs.
Thomas Higgins, RHP, Appling County HS, GA (2021)
Uncommitted. Athletic, 6-foot 1, 170 pound frame. Max effort delivery with a fast arm and room to add to his frame. Fastball sat 86-89 in the outing. The changeup was super firm at 82-85 and featured no action. Also featured a 71-73 curve with 10-4 shape in the outing


Hunter Hines, C/3B, Madison Central HS, MS (2021)
Mississippi State recruit. Physical frame at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. Presence in the box with rhythm and loose hands that whip the barrel through the zone with ease from the left side. Finds the barrel for loud contact, but also possesses the strength to get the ball through the infield if he doesn’t. Showed nimbleness at third base with a leaping catch on a line drive to end a game.

Aidan Kelly, RHP, Harbor Creek HS, PA (2021)
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, sturdy build, uncommitted arm that had one of the standout performances of the Upperclass World Series, high powered arm. On the mound, arm works long on the back-side, quick arm speed to an over-the-top slot, works downhill. Overpowered batters with his fastball and mixed in a curveball effectively. Fastball sat 87-90. Used both a curveball and slider, spent the first time through the order gaining feel for both, used curveball more often. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, big break, 71-74. Slider, similar shape to curveball, tighter action, 78-81.


Matt Lighthall, RHP, Chatfield HS, CO (2021)
Uncommitted. 6-foot 4, 170-pound frame. Very intriguing frame, slender build with wide box shoulders and a ton of space to add mass and fill out his frame. Mechanically he had some late effort in the delivery when starting the arm stroke, a short compact action, and tilted his lower half towards first base on every pitch. Due to the arm stroke he created some deception in hiding the baseball from the hitter, command was average on the day but he was competitive all outing long. Fastball sat 83-88 and at times showed some late arm side run and sink. Offspeed of choice was a 71-72 curve with 10-4 shape and good depth.
Jonathan Little, INF, Sandy Creek, GA (2022)
Georgia commit. 5-foot-8, 160-pounds, a lean athlete with quick twitch hands, one of the top hitters in Georgia’s 2022 class. Hands operate athletically, whippy barrel, seeminging always on time with pitches no matter the pitch type or velo, drives balls gap-to-gap, has flashed the ability to turn on pitches with pull-side power. Advanced barrel awareness, consistently squares pitches. An ever improving bat to watch.
Cole Mathis, 3B/RHP, Harris County, GA (2021)
6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, physical build, well developed muscle throughout. Short, quick arm action to a ¾ slot. Fastball played up to 91 with sinking action, comes in heavy. Mixed in an 11/5 curveball at 73-75. At the plate, swings a powerful bat, has power to all fields and generates easy, hard contact.
Kyler Mentzel, RHP/3B, Alvin HS, TX (2021)
Tarleton State commit. 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher and third baseman, operates with athleticism on the mound. Arm plays short and quick, hiding the ball on the back-side, creating deception, some explosiveness and further deception in windup with leg lift and high front-side. Fastball sat 88-90, worked downhill with. Curveball, 71-74, 12/6 shape, late downward action, garnered swing and misses with.
Aiden Moeller, 3B/RHP, Cedar Rapids Prairie, IA (2021)
Uncommitted. Athletic, 6-foot 0, 195-pound frame. Quick twitch with a fast whippy arm. Outing was brief but was electric in his closing inning. He was fastball only but it sat 88-89 and showed a heaviness and carry too it. He commanded the fastball and it did not get barreled up.

James Walker Morgan, 1B/RHP, Next Level Academy, AL (2021)
6-foot-7, 225-pound, first baseman and right-handed pitcher, extra large physical frame, an imposing figure on the diamond. Balanced setup, hands load in unison with a leg kick timing trigger, good balance. Takes a power approach, looking to elevate the ball. Overall strength in frame allows for him to create consistent hard contact.
Jay Murdock, 3B/1B, Terrell Academy, GA (2022)
Mississippi State commit. 6-foot-1, 225-pound left-handed hitting corner infielder, powerful build with strength throughout frame. Power approach to all fields, swing works short to the zone and uphill through, looks to elevate and drive the ball with serious force. Quick, strong hands help generate hard contact even on balls that are mishit. Gets to the ball out front with extension through the zone.
Andrew Nixon, LHP/1B, Buford HS, GA (2022)
5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed pitcher and first baseman, since we saw him in June has added significant strength to his entire frame. Arm works long with a full arm swing on the back-side to a ¾ slot, accelerates arm through release. Stays on line with a strong lower half. Fastball sat 81-84, touched 85. Mixed in a curveball at 68-72 and a changeup at 70-73.
Jaxson Pease, RHP, Farragut HS, TN (2022)
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed pitcher, athletically built, lean muscle. Filled up the zone with a fastball/curveball combo, showed great feel for curveball, threw it for a strike in any count, getting batters looking and for swing and misses. Fastball sat 80-84, touched 85. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 70-72.
Josh Phillips, 1B, Bridgeland HS, TX (2021)
North Central TX CC recruit. Physical, 6-foot 3, 225-pound frame. Showed pull side power all weekend finding the barrel for multiple extra base hits. Exhibited some bat speed and worked pull only while eyes on him. Used leg kick out of upright stance and worked to create leverage and loft in swing. Had some whip in the bat.

Treyton Rank, RHP/INF, Buford HS, GA (2021)
Florida State commit. 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder, athletically built with quick twitch muscle throughout, has shown to be an impact arm and bat on a consistent basis. On the mound, arm works long and clean on the back-side to a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 86-88 with armside run. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, swing and miss pitch, 68-70. At the plate, displayed a short, quick swing that works level through the zone, generates hard contact regularly. Aggressive on the basepaths looking for the extra base at all times.
Izaak Siefken, RHP, Holy Family HS, CO (2021)
Illinois commit. 6-foot, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, medium sized frame, proportional length, strong lower half. Arm works short and loose, hides the ball well on the back-side, quick to a ¾ slot. Fastball touched 91 early on, sat 86-89 for the majority of his outing. Curveball, slurve like shape, 74-76.
Dylan Smith, RHP/1B, Cleveland HS, NC (2022)
Uncommitted. Athletic, 6-foot 4, 195-pound frame. Showed arm speed from a true ¾ slot with little effort in the delivery. Fastball sat 85-87 in the outing with sink when thrown arm side. He flashed a 74-76 curveball that showed makings of a future plus pitch that can be a go to sing and miss. Threw strikes to both sides of the plate in the outing, breaking ball backed up at times arm side but was devastating when glove side.
Conner Stewart, C, Wadsworth, OH (2021)
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitting catcher, wide frame, strength throughout with the potential for more. Showed some advanced actions behind the plate, active receiver, strong arm, accurate on throws. At the plate, swing plays level, drives balls gap-to-gap with aggression. A tough out, battles at the plate until he gets a pitch he can handle.
James Thorpe, OF, the Heritage School, GA (2022)
Butler commit. 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, physically advanced in every area of his frame, strong, muscular build. Swing works short to the zone, uphill through as he looks to elevate and give the ball a ride. Possesses some of the most advanced raw power in Georgia’s 2022 class, when he squares the ball up it jumps off the bat. Capable of producing triple digit exit velocities.
Noah Walters, RHP, Crisp County HS, GA (2021)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic build, lean muscle throughout. Effectively worked through the lineup in his appearance using a fastball/curveball combo, threw both pitches for strikes consistently. Fastball sat 87-89 in the first inning, settled in at 85-87 as the outing progressed. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, some deception, 72-75.
Lance Williams, RHP, Page County HS, VA (2023)
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic build, live body that is full of quick twitch muscle. Arm works short on the back-side, elite arm speed, creates deception by mixing arm slots and timing with a variation of balance points. Fastball sat 87-91, touched 92, swing and miss pitch. Curveball, 71-75, 11/5 shape out of a ¾ slot, depth, bite to it. Offered a different look with a sidearm breaking ball that featured sweeping action at 65.


T.R. Williams, LHP, Page County HS, VA (2021)
Virginia Tech recruit. Athletic, 6-foot, 155-pound frame. Smooth delivery, varies tempo, leg kick and arm slot at times. Generally pitches through 3/4 slot. Fastball ranged from 87-93. Slider is 76-80 with hard sweep. Occasionally mixes in softer, loopier curveball at 68-74. Allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in four innings of work.


Damien Whitfield, LHP/OF, Next Level Academy, AL (2021)
Uncommitted. Premium athlete, 6-foot 1, 195-pound frame. Whitfield is continuing to show his pure athleticism as more time goes on and he continues to develop. He is a plus runner and shows good actions in the OF at multiple positions. On the mound he worked in the outing a three pitch mix out of a ¾ arm slot while varying tempo/deliveries. The fastball sat 86-89, the change he worked to both hitters at 79-81 but did not have much depth or fade. The slider was 74-76 and short late cut action but did not have a true slider break most of the day. 


JonPaul Wheat, RHP/OF, Next Level Academy, AL (2022)
6-foot-5, 180-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder, long, lanky frame with lots of room for added strength, low mileage on the arm having only recently started to pitch. Arm works short and clean on the back-side, quick arm speed to a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 86-90, touched 91, running action, did an effective job of running back over the plate glove-side. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 74.


Robert Quinlan Wiley, RHP, East Coweta HS, GA (2021)
East Georgia State College recruit. Athletic, 6-foot 4, 175-pound frame. Easy delivery with loose whippy arm. He threw from true ¾ arm slot and worked two-pitch mix of fastball-curveball effectively all night. Fastball sat 83-86 with arm side run and curveball showed 10-4 shape at 71-74. Tons of projectability in the frame and room to add mass and strength.

Jack Wise, RHP, Westside HS, GA (2022)
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, physical build with strength throughout, one of the breakout arms of the Upperclass World Series. Hopped on the mound for two innings to close out a win for Foundation Sports, showed premium arm strength. Arm works long and clean on the back-side, quick arm speed, effort in delivery. Fastball sat 88-91 in first inning, blew it by batters. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth with late bite, swing and miss type pitch, 68-69.
Related Content