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Quick Hits : Rawlings Tigers Scout Day

January 29, 2024
Cooper Trinkle
Lead Scout

On Sunday, January 28th, the PBR Indiana staff traveled to Silver Street Park in New Albany, Indiana to kick off our 2024 winter showcase schedule with the Rawlings Tigers Scout Day, an event held exclusively for players within the Rawlings Tigers organization. 

43 players from the Tigers organization showcased their talents this past weekend and participated in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball Indiana staff. Read along to find notes on the top perfomers of the day. 

Find the full statistical breakdown, HERE.

Winners

+ '25 OF/RHP Reed Hayes (Fort Wayne Canterbury) walked away as the biggest winner of the event. Hayes immediately passed the eye test at check-in, boasting a muscular, physical, 6-foot-1, 195 pound frame that looks the part of a true prospect. The two-way prospect had his most impressive showing during his batting practice round, where he showed the ability to move the bat at advanced speeds. Hayes posted the best bat speed numbers at the event, averaging 81.4 mph while peaking at 85.3 mph. These are some of the most impressive bat speed metrics we have seen for the class to date, so it comes as no surprise that Hayes was able to reach 106 mph for his peak exit velocity, the best exit velocity we have seen at this point of any Hoosier State native in the 2025 class. Hayes hit 6 balls that eclipsed the 100 mph mark, averaging 88.9 mph throughout the entirety of his round. The physical outfielder creates loads of linear separation as he gets to heel-strike, allowing the barrel plenty of time to speed up when combined with his efficient lower-half movements. The path works downhill to create low line drive ball flight and backspin, occasionally showing the ability to catch the ball at the front of the zone to create elevation. The Fort Wayne product showcased raw arm strength from the outfield, reaching 92 mph, while also posting an above average run time with a 7.15 60 yard dash. 

An intriguing two-way prospect, Hayes hopped on the bump to produce the top fastball velocity of the day, sitting 84-86 mph with his running fastball. Hayes moves with a controlled tempo to the top of his balance point, riding out the back hip as he moves down the slope. Showing above average arm speed and advanced raw arm strength, Hayes' arm action gets inverted - causing significant arm-side run on the fastball, but also leading to arm-side command issues. Hayes flashed a sweeping, 68-71 mph slider, but the pitch is still developing at this time. A potential next-level two-way with more of a reliever profile on the mound at this time, Hayes undoubtedly left a strong impression on our staff and we will monitor his development closely during the 2024 season. 

+ '27 RHP Charlie Conyers (Floyd Central) provided a strong look with one of the better fastballs we have seen in Indiana's freshman class. The proportional, 5-foot-11, 175 pound right-hander shows quick tempo to the top of a taller balance point, moving down the slope with an upright torso that led to an upright finish. The arm swing is full, releasing from a high 3/4 arm slot, and Conyers displayed advanced arm speed for the class that translated to a fastball that sat 83-85 mph. The fastball shows carry properties, spinning at nearly 2400 RPM and reaching a peak IVB (Induced Vertical Break) of 20.5" while averaging 17.1" throughout his bullpen session. His curveball sat in the upper-60s, a pitch that he flashed feel for and shows upside with quality shape. 

+ A pair of senior arms, LHP Walker Ward (Bedford North Lawrence) & RHP/SS Jakob Hoyer (North Harrison), showed well at the conclusion of the bullpen session. Ward, already committed to Bethel College, showed an increase in velocity compared to looks in 2023, sitting 82-84 mph on his fastball. The stocky, 6-foot, 195 pound southpaw showcased a four-pitch mix, highlighted by a faded changeup that worked at 74-75 mph and two distinct breaking balls that he showed feel for. Hoyer, an athletic, 5-foot-10, 160 pounder, showed quicker arm action that produced an 81-84 mph fastball with significant ride through the zone, reaching 22.3" of IVB and averaging over 20". These metrics suggest that Hoyer's fastball will play above barrels and he was able to tunnel a sharp, low-70s slider off the fastball while flashing feel for a firmer, upper-70s change. 

Honorable Mentions