Prep Baseball Report

Player Evals: Triad Prospect ID Infielders


Brandon Hall & Matt Payne
Mid-Atlantic Regional Director & NC Director of Scouting

PBR was at Forbush High School on Saturday November 21st to host the Triad Prospect ID with Advanced Analytics.  Sixty-two players were involved, running through a full pro-style workout.

The field at Forbush was in immaculate shape, giving the players a good opportunity to show off their skills in the workout setting.  The day started with bullpens and catcher pop times.  As the full roster of position players showed, the pro-style workout began with a laser timed 60, followed by an offensive evaluation and defensive evaluation.  During the live BP, TrackMan was used to track ball flight and provide advanced info on each player.  At the same time, Blast Motion sensors were used to give feedback on each hitters swing path and pre-contact analytics.

During the bullpens, at the outset of the workout, TrackMan was used to track ball flight out of the hand, giving feed back with advanced analytics as well as standard velocity readings.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and full statistical breakdown from the PBR Scout Day.

 

Infielders

 

 

CORNER INFIELDERS

 

Connor Berry 1B / 3B / West Forsyth , NC / 2024

Positional Profile: 1B/3B.
Body: 5/10, 170 pounds. Young frame, room for maturation ahead.
Defense: Active feet, soft hands, funnels to the midsection, clean exchanges.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Accurate, long arm action, over the top slot.
Hit: L. Narrow, slightly open base, hands at back shoulder. Short stride, hands load back. Quick, strong hands, short to the ball, barrel stays through the zone, barreled balls through the middle of the field.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Made hard contact in BP, average to above bat speed.
Run:7.71 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Side step and shift to the 1B side. Coils while lifting to the belt. Stays level, uncoiling to an on-line and square foot-strike. Balanced finish.
Arm Action: R. Long arm swing with a small wrist hook out of the glove. Elbow works to the shoulder line. Over-the-top slot.
FB: T75, 74-75 mph. 1681 rpm. Solid arm speed. Early run out of the hand. Better feel for the arm side
CB: 65-67 mph. 2015 rpm. Thrown with intent. Good arm speed. Late, 10/4 tilt. Should miss barrels and create issues for hitters. Potential out pitch as stuff develops.
CH: 63-67 mph. 1719 rpm. Slightly choked out of the hand with average arm speed. Erratic. Early arm side run.

 

 

Danny Staley 1B / LHP / Walkertown, NC / 2022

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP.
Body: 6/2, 185 pounds. Large frame, strength present.
Defense: Athletic, fluid actions, soft hands, has feel around the first base bag.
Arm: L. INF - 68 mph. Accurate, short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Upright, narrow base, hands at back shoulder, vertical barrel. Small leg lift, average stride, hands load slightly down and back. Strong, quick hands, barrel stays through the zone, lined balls gap to gap, consistently finds the barrel.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Has pop to both gaps, above average bat speed.
Run:7.23 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Eli Withers 1B / OF / High Point Christian, NC / 2025

Positional Profile: 1B/OF.
Body: 5/11, 195 pounds. Strurdy build.
Defense: OF-Plays through the ball, average hands, clean transfers. IF-Active feet, uses a one hand catch, clean exchanges.
Arm: L. INF - 61 mph. OF - 68 mph. OF-Long arm action, over the top slot, some accuracy. IF-Accurate, short arm action, over the top slot.
Hit: L. Open base, hands at back shoulder, upright barrel. Small leg lift, short stride, hands load down and back. Lift to the barrel path, gets extension out front, some quickness to his hands, works middle and to his pull side.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average bat speed, some pop for his age.
Run:8.18 runner in the 60.

 

 

Joshua Lail 3B / 1B / Olympic, NC / 2021

Positional Profile: 3B/1B.
Body: 6/1, 180 pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Defense: Plays relaxed, soft hands, catches the ball near center, funnels to the midsecition, clean transfers.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: L. Balanced, even base, barrel rest flat on back shoulder. Weight loads back, short stride, quiet barrel. Strong hands with quickness, short to ball, some lift to the barrel path through the zone, gets extension out front, lined balls to his pull side.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Has strength, above average bat speed.
Run:7.59 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Preston Workman 3B / RHP / Bunker Hill, NC / 2022

Positional Profile: 3B/RHP.
Body: 5/11, 185 pounds. Strong build.
Defense: Feet work around the ball, soft hands, catches the ball left of center, funnels to the midsection, clean transitions.
Arm: R. INF - 79 mph. Accurate with carry, long arm swing, over the top slot.
Hit: R. Balanced, even base, hands at back shoulder. Short stride, small hand load back. Quick hands, short to ball, lift to the barrel path, works through the middle of the field.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average to above bat speed.
Run:7.82 runner in the 60. 

 

 

J. Boone Herman SS / OF / Hickory, NC / 2023

Positional Profile: 3B/SS.
Body: 5/10, 170 pounds. Athletic frame, strength present.
Defense: Relaxed, hands and feet work in sync, catches the ball near center with soft hands, funnels to the midsection, clean transfers.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Relaxed, even base, barrel flat over back shoulder. Smooth load, short stride, hands go slightly back. Short, compact swing, barrel stays through the zone, hands are quick, consistent barrels throughout his rounds, uses the whole field.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Drove the ball in BP, above average bat speed.
Run:7.28 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Jake Kernodle 3B / 1B / Charlotte Catholic, NC / 2023

 

Positional Profile: 3B/SS.
Body: 6/3, 180 pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Defense: Plays balanced, fluid feet, soft hands, clean transitions.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Accurate, short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Wide, even base, hands start back behind back shoulder. Short stride, quiet hands. Direct barrel path, barrel stays throught the ball, quick hands, lined balls through the middle of the field.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Made hard contact in BP, above average bat speed.
Run:7.22 runner in the 60.

 

 

 

Caleb Denton 3B / 1B / Magna Vista, VA / 2025

Positional Profile: 3B/1B.
Body: 5/9, 190 pounds. Strudy build, room for maturation ahead.
Defense: Active feet, average hands, clean exchanges.
Arm: R. INF - 63 mph. Accurate, short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Balanced, slightly open base, barrel flat over back shoulder. Smooth load, short stride, quiet barrel. Short to the ball, level barrel path through the zone, hands have quickness, barreled balls through the middle of the field.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average to above bat speed, has strength for age.
Run:9.07 runner in the 60. 

 

 

 

MIDDLE INFIELDERS

 

Patrick Showers 2B / OF / West Forsyth , NC / 2022

Positional Profile: 2B/OF.
Body: 6/1, 155 pounds. Lanky, athletic frame, room to add strength, quickness present.
Defense: OF-Athletic through the ball, soft hands, catches the ball in front of his left foot, clean transfers. IF-Plays relaxed, soft hands, catches the ball left of center, funnels to the midsection, clean exchanges.
Arm: R. INF - 80 mph. OF - 82 mph. OF-Accurate, long arm action, high 3/4 slot. IF-Loose arm, accurate with some carry, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: L. Upright, open base, hands at back shoulder. Controlled leg lift, short stride, quiet hands. Loose swing, quick hands, short to ball, barrel stays through the zone, lined balls to his pull side.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Above average bat speed, some strength off the barrel.
Run:6.85 runner in the 60. 

 

 

RJ Smith 2B / OF / Northern Guilford , NC / 2024

Positional Profile: 2B/OF.
Body: 5/7, 125 pounds. Young frame, room for maturation ahead.
Defense: Active feet, catches the ball near center, better than average hands, clean transfers.
Arm: R. INF - 68 mph. Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Balanced, slightly open base, hands just above back shoulder. Loads knee to knee, short stride, quiet hands. Direct path to ball, barrel works mostly flat through the zone, hands have quickness, lined balls gap to gap.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average bat speed, numbers should increase as the body matures.
Run:7.78 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Craig Belden SS / 2B / Simon G. Atkins , NC / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/2B.
Body: 5/8, 145 pounds. Young frame, room for maturation ahead.
Defense: Active feet, catches the ball near center, soft hands, funnels to the midsection, clean transfers.
Arm: R. INF - 64 mph. Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Balanced, even base, hands at back shoulder, upright barrel. Hands load back, short stride. Direct barrel path, mostly level through the zone, some quickness to his hands, gap to gap approach with several balls off the barrel.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average to above bat speed.
Run:8.35 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Slight side step and turn, pausing before lifting to the mid-chest. Loose hips. Level and on-line, lands in-line and square. Balanced finish
Arm Action: R. Long arm swing works with some ease. Average arm speed from a high-3/4 slot.
FB: T69, 67-69 mph. 1756 rpm. Around the zone with solid arm speed. Occasionally cut the fastball, especially when working to the glove side
CB: 59-61 mph. 1622 rpm. Early, 12/6 downer spin and action. Loose at times. Showed feel for the zone.
CH: 61-65 mph. 1117 rpm. Early fade. Solid arm speed creating some deception.

 

 

Alex Naylor SS / OF / North Davidson, NC / 2023

Positional Profile: SS/OF.
Body: 6/1, 165 pounds. Athletic frame, room to add strength.
Defense: OF-Fluid and athletic through the ball, soft hands, catches the ball in front of his left foot, clean transfers. IF-Athletic, fluid actions, soft hands, catches the ball near center, funnels to the midsection, easy transitions.
Arm: R. INF - 80 mph. OF - 85 mph. OF-Quick arm, accurate, high 3/4 slot. IF-Accurate with carry, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Relaxed, narrow, even base, hands above back shoulder. Small leg lift, short stride, hands load back. Loose, fluid swing, short to the ball, barrel stays through the zone, quick hands, lined balls to the left center gap.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Made hard contact in BP, above average bat speed.
Run:7.16 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Tristan Salinas SS / OF / Watauga, NC / 2023

Positional Profile: SS/OF.
Body: 6/1, 175 pounds. Athletic build, room for growth ahead.
Defense: OF-Fluid through the ball, soft hands, catches the ball in front of his left foot, clean exchanges. IF-Athletic, feet work around the ball, relaxed hands, catches the ball left of center, clean transfers.
Arm: R. INF - 77 mph. OF - 80 mph. OF-Accurate, long arm action, over the top slot. IF-Medium arm stroke, high 3/4 slot, some accuracy across the diamond.
Hit: L. Balanced, open base, hands at back shoulder. Hands load back, leg kick, average stride. Loose, fluid swing. quick hands lift to the barrel path, gets extension out front, gap to gap approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Above average bat speed, made plenty of hard contact in BP.
Run:7.33 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Noah Whitehead SS / OF / Millbrook, NC / 2023

Positional Profile: SS/OF.
Body: 5/8, 135 pounds. Young frame, room for maturation ahead.
Defense: 2.37-2.57 pop times. IF-Active feet, catches the ball in the center of his body, average hands, clean exchanges. C-Quick feet, clean transfers across his chest, narrow base receiving, average hands.
Arm: R. C - 64 mph. INF - 67 mph. IF-Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, some accuracy across the diamond. C-Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, some feel for the second base bag.
Hit: S. RH-Balanced, slightly open base, barrel flat over back shoulder. Short stride, hands load back. LH-Balanced, slightly open base, barrel flat over back shoulder. Short stride, hands load back. RH-Flat barrel path through the zone, hands have quickness, line drive approach using the whole field. LH-Loose swing, short to ball, barrel stays through the zone, hands have quickness, uses the whole field with a line drive approach.
Power: 67 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average bat speed, number should improve with added strength.
Run:8.01 runner in the 60.

 

 

Jacob Michalek SS / RHP / Forsyth Country Day, NC / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/RHP.
Body: 5/9, 143 pounds. Lanky, thin frame, room for maturation ahead.
Defense: Plays to the ball, catches the ball in the center of his body, average hands, clean exchanges.
Arm: R. INF - 70 mph. Accurate, short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Balanced, slightly open base, hands at back shoulder. Toe tap, short stride, hands load back. Mostly flat barrel path through the zone, gets extension out front, some quickness to his hands, works through the middle of the field.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Average bat speed, numbers should increase with added strength.
Run:8.35 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: 1B side. Side step and turn. Head sways as he lifts to the belt, closing his line and loading the front hip. Level, works back to an on-line and square foot-strike. Rotational through the release, tends to have a slight fall to the 1B side.
Arm Action: R. Long, clean arm action gets to a high-3/4 slot. Average arm speed
FB: T74, 71-74 mph. 1961 rpm. Strike thrower with feel for both sides. Showed ability to elevate when asked. Solid ride with some run to the arm side. 1:00 spin out of the hand.
CB: 61-64 mph. 1917 rpm. Early sweeping action, thrown with some intent. In the zone with an ability to expand.
CH: 63-68 mph. 1500 rpm. Thrown for a strike with sink. Solid arm speed. 2:15 spin at release.

 

 

Dakota Mills SS / C / Surry Central , NC / 2022

Positional Profile: SS/S.
Body: 6/1, 160 pounds. Thin, athletic frame, room for growth ahead.
Defense: 1.97-2.26 pop times. IF-Athletic, soft hands, clean exchanges. C-Quick feet, clean exchanges across his chest, athletic receiving, better than average hands.
Arm: R. C - 75 mph. INF - 79 mph. IF-Accurate, short arm action, feel for different arm angles. C-Accurate, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: R. Even base, more weight over the back leg, hands at back shoulder. Weight and hands load back, toe tap, average stride. Loose swing, quick hands, short to the ball, barrel stays through the zone, lined balls through the middle and to his pull side.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Made hard contact in BP, above average bat speed.
Run:7.1 runner in the 60.