Prep Baseball Report

Player Evals: NC/SC Border Battle - Dual Players


Brandon Hall & Matt Payne
Executive Director & Director of Scouting, PBR NC

For the second year, the NC/SC Border Battle was one of the most anticipated events of the summer.  This year saw the event moved to BB&T Point Stadium in High Point, NC, home of the High Point Rockers Independent Professional club.  Hosted at Winthrop in 2019, the 2020 event was suppose to be at UNC Charlotte, but moved to High Point with the ongoing NCAA Dead Period on recruiting. 

With the move, the event saw more of a North Carolina flavor as most players and families are still working to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 issues.  Due to the NCAA Dead Period, the event was live streamed utilizing multiple camera angles to allow college coaches to view from their offices. 

Position players were taken through a full pro-style workout, with a laser timed 60, full offensive workout, and a full defensive workout.  The pro-style workout was followed by a controlled scrimmage with pitchers throwing to live hitters.  PBR Scouts were on hand to evaluate and report on the players in attendance.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and statistics from the 2020 NC/SC Border Battle

 

By the Numbers:

  • 73 players were a part of the NC/SC Border Battle
  • 61  players went through the pro-style workout
  • 28 pitchers threw in the controlled scrimmages
  • 92 mph was the top fastball thrown on the day
  • 8 arms worked at 87 mph or higher
  • 84 mph was the median fastball for the event
  • 4 players ran sub-7.00 on the laser timer
  • 23 players ran sub-7.20 sixties
  • 14 position players posted a positional velocity of 85 mph or higher in their workout
  • 90 mph was the top infield velocity
  • 91 mph was the top outfield velocity
  • 86 mph was the top catcher velocity, working out of the crouch
  • 2 hitters posted an exit velocity of 100+ mph off the tee
  • 22 hitters worked at 90 mph or higher off the tee with their exit velocity
  • 8 hitters posted exit velocities of 88 mph or higher in live BP

 

Dual Players

 

 

 

Luke Osteen OF / RHP / Hough, NC / 2021

 

Positional Profile: OF/RHP. Athletic with twitch and strength present. More polished position player but has upside as a dual prospect
Body: 6/1, 175 pounds. Athletic frame, room to add strength.
Defense: Athletic, relaxed hands, catches ball off left foot, clean transfers.
Arm: L.  OF - 90 mph. Accurate, quick arm with carry to his throws, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: S. RH-Slghtly open athletic base, barrel flat on back shoulder. Controlled leg lift against his back hip, short stride, quiet barrel. LH-Open base, barrel flat over back shoulder. Small leg lift, short stride in to the plate, small hand load. RH-Relaxed, loose hands, level path through the zone, has barrel feel. LH-Quick, loose hands, stays through the ball with lift to the swing path, has barrel feel working mostly to his pull side.
Power: R-88 L-89 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Has pull pop from both sides with slightly more bat speed from the left, lots of hard contact during BP.
Run:6.85 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Small side step from a straight-on setup. Simple, athletic lift with a small hand pump to add rhythm. Slight cross-fire and fall to the 1B side. Athletic throughout, building speed into the arm action.
Arm Action: L. Medium arm swing works to load the scapular. Quick arm. Loose, high-3/4 release
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. 1744 rpm. Firm. Works to attack. Swing and miss in the zone when elevated
CB: 72-74 mph. 2161 rpm. Gradual 11/5 tilt with some depth. Occasionally more sweep when around the pitch.
CH: 80-82 mph.  rpm. Solid arm speed. Still developing

 

 

Matthew McCray SS / RHP / Croatan , NC / 2022

 

Positional Profile: SS/RHP.
Body: 5/8, 150 pounds. Athletic build.
Defense: Athletic, quick feet, works around the ball, above average hands, clean transfers.
Arm: R.  INF - 77 mph.  Accurate, carry, short arm action, feel for different arm angles.
Hit: R. Tall, open, narrow base, barrel over back shoulder. Leg kick load, long stride, barrel goes to a more vertical position. Level barrel path, line drive approach working middle to pull side, some quickness to the hands with some barrel feel.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average to above average bat speed.
Run:7.04 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Side saddle with a side step. Lifts the knee, rolling it toward his back shoulder as the upper half crouches toward the knee. Aggressive stride, working on-line and square at foot-strike. Front side works from closed to opening, with a fall toward 1B.
Arm Action: R. Long arm swing creeps out of the body crouch to a 3/4 slot that can reach a high-3/4 release. Average arm speed.
FB: T78, 75-78 mph. 1745 rpm. Arm side run when on the arm side. Misses were up to the arm side
CB: 65-66 mph.  rpm. Sweeping action out of the hand. Elevated when fighting for tilt.
CH:  mph.  rpm. Solid arm speed. Showed swing and miss action.

 

 

Yates Sikes OF / LHP / Pinecrest , NC / 2022

 

Positional Profile: OF/LHP.
Body: 5/8, 155 pounds. Athletic build.
Defense: OF-Athletic, catches the ball off his right side, relaxed hands, clean transfers. IF-Fluid with feel around the first base bag, soft hands, clean exchanges.
Arm: L.  INF - 79 mph. OF - 85 mph. OF-Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot. IF-Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: L. Balanced, even base, barrel flat over back shoulder. Simple load, short stride, small hand load. Balanced, short swing, uses the whole field, quick hands, lots of barrel feel.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Barreled a ball for a hit in a left on left situation, better than average bat speed.
Run:7.12 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Simple and repeats. Strike thrower. Stable over the rubber with a kick to the mid-chest. Simple stride with good direction, landing on-line and square. Solid extension
Arm Action: L. Medium arm swing to an over-the-top slot. Clean, loose, working with average to above arm speed
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. 1425 rpm. Strike thrower worked to both sides and with soft contact when elevated. Occasional cut when to the glove side. Limited run.
CB: 60-62 mph. 1941 rpm. 2/8 tilt with 3:30 spin tilt out of the hand. Tunneled with the fastball early.

 

 

Marshall Byrd SS / 2B / Draughn, NC / 2021

 

Positional Profile: SS/2B.
Body: 6/1, 175 pounds. Lanky frame, room to add strength.
Defense: Has athleticism, stays under control, catches the ball near center, better than average hands, clean transfers.
Arm: R.  INF - 76 mph.  Accurate with some carry, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Even base, more weight on the back leg, barrel flat over back shoulder. Toe tap load, short stride, quiet hands. Barrel works level through the zone, relaxed hands have quickness, barrel gets extension through the middle of the field, better than average barrel feel.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average bat speed.
Run:7.23 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Side step and slide to the 1B side. Kick to the low chest, slightly closed at balance. Lands on-line and square. Average extension.
Arm Action: R. Average arm speed with a long arm arc to a high-3/4 slot. Finishes with the arm across the chest. Consistently around the zone
FB: T77, 75-77 mph. 1743 rpm. Occasional cut. Attacked the zone
CB: 67-69 mph. 1791 rpm. Sweeping action out of the hand.
CH: 68-69 mph. 1245 rpm. Slightly lower slot working for fade. Average arm speed. Showed feel

 

 

Cameron Williams RHP / 3B / Apex Friendship, NC / 2022

 

Positional Profile: RHP/3B.
Body: 6/1, 185 pounds. Athletic frame, strength present.
Defense: Relaxed, athletic, catches the ball left of center, soft hands, clean transfers.
Arm: R.  INF - 68 mph.  Medium arm action, feel for using different arm angles.
Hit: R. Open base, hands at back shoulder. Leg kick load, longer stride creates momentum into the ball, hands go back. Strong, quick hands, direct barrel path, level through the zone, lined balls middle and to his pull side.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Above average bat speed, strength off the barrel.
Run:7.23 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Preset pivot with a small rocker and easy turn, building rhythm throughout the delivery. Kick to the low-chest, allowing the hips to load and go. On-line, landing in-line and square. Athletic finish
Arm Action: R. Average to above arm speed. Long arm swing has some effort working to a high-3/4 slot. Timing and release can be erratic, but tends to be around the zone, showing athleticism and feel with the arm.
FB: T82, 79-82 mph. 1832 rpm. Heavy arm side run to the arm side. Showed an ability to pitch to both sides. Works with aggression
CB: 68-72 mph. 1752 rpm. Sharp, late 10/4 tilt with solid depth at times.
CH: 64-65 mph. 1441 rpm. Pushed out of the hand, lacking the fastball hand speed.

 

 

Bailey Smith C / RHP / Ledford, NC / 2022

 

Positional Profile: C/RHP.
Body: 5/11, 184 pounds. Strong frame.
Defense: 2.09-2.21 pop times. Fluid feet, gains ground to target, clean transfers across the chest.
Arm: R. C - 79 mph.  Accurate with carry, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: L. Balanced, even base, hands away from body, near back shoulder height. Loads with a leg kick, average stride, hands drop slightly. Balanced, quick hands, barrel stays through the zone, above average barrel feel.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Lots of hard contact during BP, fast barrel through the zone.
Run:7.26 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Small rocker forward and pause after an easy turn. High leg kick with the foot outside the knee and a small pelvic tilt upwards. Aggressive stride. Loose hips. Works on-line, landing in-line and square. Level throughout.
Arm Action: R. Long arm swing. Strong arm. Arm strength over arm speed. Average to above arm speed. Over-the-top release.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. 1925 rpm. Solid ride through the zone. Strike thrower with good feel for the glove side
CB: 65-68 mph. 2290 rpm. Hard spin, around the ball at times creating 10/4 and 3/9 action. Misses swept through the zone, missing glove side, creating some chase out of hitters.

 

 

Banks Cox C / RHP / West Forsyth, NC / 2021

 

UNC Greensboro commit
Positional Profile: C/RHP.
Body: 6/1, 205 pounds. Strong frame.
Defense: 1.95-2.17 pop times. Feet gain ground to target, clean transfers across chest.
Arm: R. C - 86 mph.  Accurate with carry, short arm action, high 3/4 slot, quick arm.
Hit: R. Tall, slightly open base, hands high above back shoulder. Toe tap load, average stride, hands work down to back shoulder. Loose, fast hands, some lift to the swing path with his barrel staying through the ball.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Ball comes hard off the barrel, lots of bat speed, barreled a ball to second base in game action.
Run:7.26 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Side step and easy turn. Kick to the low-chest. Works with a slow delivery, building tempo out of balance. Simple, repeats. Works on-line, landing in-line and square.
Arm Action: R. Big arm with strength and quickness. Short, scapular load out of the glove. Over-the-top slot.
FB: T92, 89-92 mph. 2274 rpm. Firm with 12:30 spin tilt out of the hand. Relatively straight, relying on ride through the zone.
CB: 71-75 mph. 1947 rpm. 10/4 tilt with occasional 11/5, downer action. Short action. Has feel.

 

 

Talor Grubbs 2B / RHP / Southeast Guilford, NC / 2022

 

Positional Profile: 2B/RHP.
Body: 6/1, 165 pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Defense: Plays relaxed, catches the ball near center, average hands, funnels to the belt, clean transfers.
Arm: R.  INF - 84 mph.  Long arm action, high 3/4 slot, some accuracy and carry.
Hit: R. Tall, relaxed, narrow base, barrel above back shoulder. Smooth load, average stride, hands go back. Fluid, loose, quick hands, barrel stays through the zone, gap to gap approach, above average barrel feel.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Barreled two balls in the scrimmage with one being a triple to the right center gap. Above average bat speed, with strength to the gaps.
Run:7.29 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Athletic delivery. Stable with a kick to his shoulder level. Works level with an aggressive stride. Lands on-line with the foot-strike slightly open. Loose hips. Slight lean and fall toward 1B.
Arm Action: R. Clean and loose. Medium arm swing to an over-the-top slot. Above average arm speed.
FB: T84, 78-84 mph. 1617 rpm. Solid ride with a 12:45 spin tilt out of the hand. Both sides of the plate and worked down in the zone.
CB: 67-74 mph. 1661 rpm. Tight, late 11/5 tilt. Showed feel. Missed barrels.

 

 

Jake Overton 3B / C / Home School, NC / 2023

 

Positional Profile: 3B/OF.
Body: 6/2, 184 pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Defense: Active feet, catches the ball in the center of his body, average hands, clean transfers.
Arm: R.  INF - 84 mph.  Accurate, loose arm, 3/4 slot.
Hit: L. Closed base, hands start cocked at back shoulder. Small leg load, average stride, some barrel movement. Quick hands, short to ball, barrel stays through the zone, line drive approach middle to his pull side.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Above average bat speed, lots of hard contact during BP.
Run:7.36 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Athletic arm. Side step and slide with a kick to his shoulder to balance. On-line and level. Lands in-line and square. Average extension
Arm Action: R. Medium arm swing. Works to a position of strength. High-3/4 release. Above average arm speed.
FB: T84, 79-84 mph. 2138 rpm. Spins the ball well. Creates 11/6 inches of horizontal movement to the arm side. 1:15 spin tilt out of the hand. Elevated at times while working to pound the glove side
CB: 68-69 mph. 2393 rpm. Consistent 11/5 tilt. Tunnels early. Solid separation from fastball movement metrics.

 

 

Landon Sykes RHP / 3B / Holly Springs, NC / 2022

 

Positional Profile: RHP/3B.
Body: 6/4, 171 pounds. Long, thin frame, room to add strength.
Defense: Active feet, catches the ball in the center of his body, hands have softness.
Arm: R.  INF - 82 mph.  Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Athletic base, hands at back shoulder with barrel waggle. Toe tap load, short stride, hands go back. Quick hands, direct barrel path, mostly level through the zone, middle of the field approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Barreled a ball to center for a base hit in game action, better than average bat speed.
Run:7.38 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Athletic frame. Builds temp after balance. Side step and turn. Slow, low leg kick. Aggressive stride. Works level and on-line. Lands slightly across his line and square.
Arm Action: R. Short action, loading the elbow back with very little hand movement from the glove. Quick arm. High-3/4 slot. Works with intent.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. 1804 rpm. Strike thrower. Flashed ability to command the bottom of the zone. Average ride and movement metrics. 12:45 spin tilt out of the hand.
CB: 68-69 mph. 1963 rpm. Sweeps. Late action at times.
CH: 73-74 mph. 1541 rpm.

 

 

Cody Chapman RHP / 1B / Gaston Christian, NC / 2021

 

Positional Profile: RHP/1B.
Body: 6/7, 250 pounds. Large frame.
Defense: Has feel around the first base bag, better than average hands, clean transitions.
Arm: R.  INF - 81 mph.  Accurate, long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Narrow, open base with knee bend, hands at back shoulder. Controlled leg lift, short stride, quiet hands. Quick hands, uphill leverage, middle fo the field approach.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Launched a homerun deep over the left center wall in game action, strong with above average bat speed.
Run:7.52 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Small rocker and easy turn. Kick to the mid-chest, loading the front hip with a small turn in. Level, closed at balance. Lands slightly across his line with a square foot-strike.
Arm Action: R. Long arm swing, wrapping behind the body line slightly. Shows looseness. Over-the-top slot. Arm strength over arm speed. Average arm speed.
FB: T84, 81-84 mph. 1793 rpm. 1:00 spin tilt that varied at times. Average to above ride through the zone. Flashed ability to locate down
CB: 66-70 mph. 1642 rpm. Big action with 10/4 tilt. Break starts out of the hand.
SL:  mph.  rpm. .
CH: 70-77 mph. 1734 rpm. Good arm speed and deception. Threw for a strike.

 

 

 

 

William Sword C / RHP / Thales Academy, NC / 2022

 

Positional Profile: RHP/C.
Body: 6/1, 187 pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Defense: 2.03-2.07 pop times. C-Fluid feet, clean transfers across the midsection. OF-Relaxed hands, catches the ball off his left foot, clean transfers.
Arm: R. C - 77 mph. OF - 82 mph. C-Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, some accuracy. OF-Accurate, long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Tall, narrow base, hands at back shoulder. Controlled load, long stride creates momentum into the ball, hands go back. Flat stroke, hands have quickness, line drive approach to both gaps, better than average barrel awareness.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Barreled a ball to left for a hit in game play, above average bat speed.
Run:7.69 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Small rocker and easy turn. Kick to the mid-chest, loading the front hip. Loose hips. Works level and on-line. Lands in-line with a slightly closed foot-strike.
Arm Action: R. Long arm swing works to an over-the-top slot. Average arm speed. Repeats
FB: T83, 80-83 mph. 1732 rpm. 12:45 spin tilt with solid ride through the zone. Elevated at times, worked easier to the glove side
CB: 69-72 mph. 1638 rpm. Working for 12/6, downer tilt. Inconsistent spin at times. Short tilt.

 

 

Jackson Hull SS / RHP / Carroll County, VA / 2021

 

North Carolina A&T commit
Positional Profile: RHP/SS.
Body: 5/11, 190 pounds. Strong frame.
Defense: Fluid feet, catches the ball near center, hands have softness, funnels to the midsection, clean transfers.
Arm: R.  INF - 85 mph.  Accurate, medium arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: L. Relaxed, narrow, even base, hands just below back shoulder. Controlled leg lift, small stride, hands get back. Loose, quick hands, barrel stays through the zone, lined balls middle to his pull side, above average barrel feel.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Lots of hard contact during BP, lined a ball to first in game action, above average bat speed.
Run:7.06 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Small side stop and turn. Stable with the leg kick loading the front hip and closing the front side. Works back to an on-line and square foot strike. Average extension.
Arm Action: R. Strong arm working with intent. Long swing, plunging out of the glove, behind the body line. Works to an over-the-top slot
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. 2385 rpm. Heavy arm side run. Boared into RHH
CB:  mph. 2179 rpm. Hump out of the hand. Lacked premium arm speed at times.
SL: 73-74 mph.  rpm.