Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect Games: Team 10 Position Players



By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The 2016 Top Prospect Games took place on June 14-15 and afforded more than 150 players from around the state the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the PBR Kentucky staff and numerous college coaches in a combination showcase/game play event.

CLICK HERE to view the top statistical performers and statistics for all players in attendance.

The following is an in-depth look at the position players from Team 10. Please note that this is position analysis only. Those position players who also participated as a pitcher at the event will have that performance featured in a subsequent article.

middle infielders

Skyler Cannady, SS/OF, West Jessamine, 2018
60 Time: 7.22, Position Velocity:  IF-81, OF-85, Exit Velocity: 78
5-foot-8, 130-pound LHH shows flashes of quick-twitch athleticism, hits from a balanced stance, short stride, gets the most out of lower half, quick hands through the zone, line drive type hitter, went 0-for-3 in game play. Shows the ability to play multiple defensive positions, shows soft hands and athletic actions, can work on body control and ability to throw on the move on slow roller, well above average arm strength, like his athleticism in the outfield, strong throws from a high-3/4 release. Cannady’s versatility and left-handed bat need to be watched closely.

Tristin Garcia, SS, Louisville Male, 2018
60 Time: 7.37, Position Velocity:  IF-76, Exit Velocity: 76
5-foot-3, 143-pound LHH plays bigger than his size. Hits from an open stance, mid-length stride, keeps the barrel in the zone with a flat path, uses lower half well, line drive contact to all fields with an aggressive approach, 0-for-3 in game play, showed big improvement in 60 time from previous event. Showed some of the best middle infield actions of the event, soft hands, works through the ball well, quick release, average arm strength, good body control. Garcia is a high-energy player. If foot speed continues to improve could be a lead-off type hitter at the next level.

Brett Benzinger, 2B, New Richmond (OH), 2018
60 Time: 8.03, Position Velocity:  IF-69, Exit Velocity: 81
5-foot-11, 160-pound RHH hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, some length in swing, showed line drive contact to the middle of the field in BP, struggled to make contact in game play going 0-for-3. Average hands and actions defensively, below average arm strength from a shorter high-3/4 release, accurate throws across the diamond, needs to improve foot speed.

catchers

Peyton Hood, C/RHP, Butler Traditional, 2017
60 Time: 7.52, Pop Time: 1.97-2.03, Position Velocity:  C-78, Exit Velocity: 84
6-foot-1, 195-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, strong lower half, gets the barrel through the zone with consistent hard contact, hit the ball hard in game play with a double and line out to second base, average runner. Showed a solid transfer and release behind the plate, footwork stays online allowing him to make accurate throws to the bag, good arm strength, blocks well. Hood is a solid catching prospect in the 2017 class.

Seth Hojnacki, C, Sayre, 2017
60 Time: 8.20, Pop Time: 2.03-2.15, Position Velocity:  C-74, Exit Velocity: 88
6-foot, 175-pound RHH hits from an open stance and gets square with short stride, has a fairly flat path through the zone, shows some strength generated bat speed, can get more from lower half at times, went 0-for-2 in game play making infield contact. Registered his best pop times and arm strength to date, made some accurate throws to the bag with a fairly quick transfer and release.

corner infielders

Trace Willhoite, 1B, Scott County, 2019
60 Time: 7.63, Position Velocity:  IF-76, Exit Velocity: 84
6-foot-2, 175-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, uses a fairly deep hand load, well above average bat speed for age, keeps the barrel in the zone and shows power potential to the gaps, went 1-for-2 in game play with an infield single, also stole a base. Showed improved footwork around the first base bag, soft hands, accurate throws. Willhoite is a player to keep a close eye on in the 2019 class.

Scottie Saylor, 3B, Boone County, 2017
60 Time: 7.76, Position Velocity:  IF-73, Exit Velocity: 84
5-foot-10, 170-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, no stride, minimal load, some length in swing, gap to gap contact in BP, showed more of a pull approach in game play going 0-for-3 with two ground balls to the left side. Hands play well at the third base position, shows decent lateral movement, below average arm strength for the position, average body control.

outfielders

Jacob Nelson, OF, Knox Central, 2017
60 Time: 7.15, Position Velocity:  OF-91, Exit Velocity: 96
6-foot-1, 200-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, registered one of the top exit velocities of the event, strength generated bat speed, creates some lift and shows occasional power, went 0-for-2 in game play with pull side contact. Plays through the ball with good athleticism, gets behind and works through fly balls, showed big outfield arm strength with carry and accuracy to the third base bag, runs well for size. Nelson is an interesting player with his strength and tools.

Hunter Lacks, OF, Raceland-Worthington, 2019
60 Time: 7.15, Position Velocity:  OF-71, Exit Velocity: 81
5-foot-10, 185-pound LHH hits from a balanced stance, has a leg kick trigger and short stride, minimal load, shows occasional quickness in hands, path works uphill at times, above average runner for age, went 0-for-2 in game play with infield contact. Shows decent athleticism in the outfield, plays through the ball, below average arm strength from a long high-3/4 release should continue to improve, average accuracy to the target.

Christopher Leicht, OF/RHP, Boone County, 2017
60 Time: 7.34, Position Velocity:  OF-72, Exit Velocity: 70
5-foot-11, 130-pound LHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, long and level swing path, average bat speed, showed middle to opposite field contact in BP, went 0-for-3 in game play. Showed some hesitancy in the outfield in attacking the ball on the ground, uses a long high-3/4 release to produce below average arm strength.

Bryce Zachery, OF, North Bullitt, 2017
60 Time: 7.50, Position Velocity:  OF-70, Exit Velocity: 78
5-foot-11, 145-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, minimal load, long swing path with average bat speed, added physical strength will maximize offensive potential, went 0-for-3 in game play with pull side contact. Average athleticism in the outfield with below average arm strength from a long ¾ release.