Prep Baseball Report

Preseason All-State: 2019 vs. The Previous Years


Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

One hundred of the top players from across North Carolina converged on Pineville, NC and the On Deck Academy to take part in the PBR Preseason All-State event.  In its third year, the Preseason All-State event has become one of the premier events in North Carolina for high caliber high school players. 

Billed as one of the top events in the state, with an incredible roster put together the day did not disappoint.  Personal records, as well as event records were shattered throughout the day.  Today we take a look at exactly how the 2019 Preseason All-State compared to the previous two years of the event.

Below is a look at the statistical numbers PBR has collected over the first three years.  We are able to see how the crop of talent in 2019 measured up to the previous years.

Preseason All-State Event Records

Top 30 Yard Dash Times

With a January event, PBR has players run a laser timed 30 yard dash inside the On Deck facility in Pineville, NC.  Times have been collected over each of the three years of the event.  This year saw 4 players post times to reach the Top 10 in the event's history.  Archie Dean Herring tied the event's record time of 3.71.  Herring also posted a top 60 yard dash time at the PBR Top Underclass Games in August.

Name POS Grad High School PAS YR 30 YD Time
Archie Dean Herring OF 2021 Westchester Country Day 2019 3.71
Tafton Hensley OF 2019 Mooresville 2018 3.71
Jaden Bobbitt OF 2018 John A Holmes 2018 3.74
Nate Essick OF 2019 Forsyth Country Day 2018 3.78
Matt Hill OF 2019 South Mecklenburg 2017 3.78
Sam Walker SS 2019 NW Cabarrus 2019 3.81
Vance Anderson OF 2019 Lake Norman 2018 3.83
Ronald Evans 3B 2019 Pro5 Academy 2018 3.84
Matt Kelley OF 2020 Corinth Holders 2019 3.84
Grant Sutton OF 2021 Hough 2019 3.84
Keanu Buentipo OF 2019 Forestview 2017 3.84

 

Top Exit Velocities - Offensive Testing

The hitters attending the 2019 Preseason All-State posted 6 of the all-time top 10 exit velocities in the event's history.  Ronald Evans keeps the top spot but each of the next 6 slots were taken in this year's testing.  Chris Katz and Michael Gracer both peaked at 96 mph off the barrel, while still in their sophomore year.

Name POS Grad High School PAS YR Exit Velo
Ronald Evans 3B 2019 Pro5 Academy 2018 98
Chris Katz C 2021 Heritage 2019 96
Michael Gracer 3B 2021 NW Cabarrus 2019 96
Corey Avant OF 2020 Sun Valley 2019 95
Dylan Mauldin 3B 2019 Ashbrook 2019 95
Matthew Walker OF 2020 St. Stephens 2019 94
Alex D'Agostino 1B 2019 Middle Creek 2019 94
Bryce Vestal 3B 2018 East Wilkes 2018 94
Austin Primm 1B 2018 North Gaston 2017 93
Alex Sniffen 3B 2019 New Hanover 2018 93
Preston Hall 3B 2020 Myers Park 2018 93

 

Top Infield Positional Velocity

The only player to show up twice in any one category is Trey Donathan as he posts two of the top ten positional throws from the infield, including the top velocity of 89 mph in 2018.  Five of the top 10 velocities are from the 2019 event with 2020 SS, Daniel Stephens touching 87 this past weekend.

Name POS Grad High School PAS YR INF Velo
Trey Donathan SS 2019 Charlotte Christian 2018 89
Dominick D'Ercole 3B 2019 Middle Creek 2018 88
Daniel Stephens SS 2020 Pro5 Academy 2019 87
Will Marcy SS 2020 Cardinal Gibbons 2019 85
Gavin Mortenson SS 2020 NW Guilford 2019 85
Sam Walker SS 2019 NW Cabarrus 2019 85
Alejandro Rodriguez SS 2020 Wesleyan Christian 2018 85
Trey Donathan SS 2019 Charlotte Christian 2017 85
Ty Cummings SS 2020 Corinth Holders 2019 84
Ronald Evans 3B 2019 Pro5 Academy 2018 84
Carter Holjes 3B 2019 Cardinal Gibbons 2018 84
Alex Sniffen 3B 2019 New Hanover 2018 84
Brett Kerry SS 2018 Wesleyan Christian 2017 84

 

Top Outfield Positional Velocity

A strong crop of outfielders at the 2019 Preseason All-State is highlighted with two players tying or breaking the event's positional velocity record.  Zane Taylor takes the title touching 92 during his positional work.  Five of the top 10 outfield velocities come from the 2019 event.

Name POS Grad High School PAS YR OF Velo
Zane Taylor OF 2020 Pro5 Academy 2019 92
Matt Kelley OF 2020 Corinth Holders 2019 91
Zack Michael OF 2019 Apex 2018 91
Jason Hudak OF 2018 SouthLake Christian 2017 90
Corey Avant OF 2020 Sun Valley 2019 89
Matthew Walker OF 2020 St. Stephens 2019 89
Vance Anderson OF 2019 Lake Norman 2018 89
Matthew Upchurch OF 2019 Lincoln Charter 2018 89
Andrei Beal OF 2020 Parkwood 2019 88
Jaden Bobbitt OF 2018 John A Holmes 2018 88
Mitchell Seymour OF 2020 Leesville Rd 2018 88

 

Top Catcher Velocities

An indoor facility can create some logistical issues, but for the most part the On Deck facility allows for a full range of statistical analysis.  Each of the first two years, there were some issues getting all of the information on the catchers as we battled weather.  For the look at the top positional velocities for the catchers, we are able to compare 2019 vs. 2018.  In that comparison, the 2019 group of catchers at the Preseason All-State takes 6 of the top 8 slots..  All but one catcher is still an underclass player with 2020 Three Hillier breaking the 80 mph barrier from his crouch.

Name POS Grad High School PAS YR C Velo
Three Hillier C 2020 Asheville 2019 81
Alejandro Rodriguez C 2020 Wesleyan Christian 2018 79
Carson Hinnant C 2020 Heritage 2019 78
Graham Smiley C 2022 East Lincoln 2019 78
Peyton Wilkins C 2022 Wayne School of Engineering 2019 77
Michael Groves C 2020 Holly Springs 2019 77
Chris Katz C 2021 Heritage 2019 76
MJ Lucas C 2019 Parkwood 2018 76

 

Top Fastballs

A look back at the top fastballs gives a glimpse at some of the top talent that has been on hand for all three years of the Preseason All-State event.  For the first time in event history, the 90 mph barrier was broken this year, as 2020 RHP Seth Keener flashed an electric arm this past weekend.  The is an understanding with area talent evaluators that most arms are still priming in late January, for the spring season, but it is encouraging to see the depth the Preseason All-State presents year in and year out.

Name POS Grad High School PAS YR Max FB
Seth Keener RHP 2020 East Surry 2019 90
Brett Kerry RHP 2018 Wesleyan Christian 2017 88
Trey Donathan RHP 2019 Charlotte Christian 2018 87
Ethan Haislip RHP 2019 Cuthbertson 2017 87
Luke Little LHP 2018 East Mecklenburg 2017 87
Corey Avant RHP 2020 Sun Valley 2019 86
Andrei Beal RHP 2020 Parkwood 2019 86
Jackson Kirkpatrick RHP 2020 McMichael 2019 86
Reid Dittner RHP 2019 Apex Friendship 2019 86
Rhett Lowder RHP 2020 North Stanly 2019 86
Andrei Beal RHP 2020 Parkwood 2018 86
Tim Cao RHP 2019 NW Guilford 2017 86
Caden O'Brien LHP 2017 Maiden 2017 86
Zachary Hammer RHP 2018 Alexander Central 2017 86