The 2nd annual Southern Academic Games was held at Wilson Field on the campus of Davidson College on Tuesday June 18th.  Close to 40 players, representing four states participated.  Each player was vetted academically and athletically before being invited.  With close to 10 colleges in attendance throughout the day, players went through a full workout and played in an eleven innning controlled scrimmage.

During the workout phase of the day, players were able to showcase themselves offensively and defensively.  Position players had their exit velocity measured in the cage area, prior to taking multiple rounds of BP in front of evaluators.  During the defensive portion, players were able to workout from their defensive position, fielding live ground balls, allowing evaluators to get a feel for athleticism and projection.  Pitchers were evaluated in live situations, throwing against hitters.

In our first look at the 2019 Southern Academic Games, we are jumping into the statistics built from the day.  While the analytical production may not paint the entire picture, it is a good place to start as players begin to separate themselves from one another.  Below is the leaderboard from each category recorded on the day.  To see the full statistical breakdown, CLICK HERE.

 

2019 Southern Academic Games: Statistical Analysis

 

The 60 Yard Dash

Rain had moved through Davidson the night prior to the Southern Academic Games.  The natural surface in the outfield still produced a very solid track, potentially a tick slow due to the rain.  Players ran on a laser timer, one at a time.  Players were able to start themselves, with the timing system beginning on their first movement, and stopping as they passed through a laser gate at the 60 yard marker.  Below are the top 60 yard dash times from the 2019 Southern Academic Games.

 

Exit Velocity

Position players were able to have their exit velocity of a batted ball off the barrel measured in a controlled setting.  Hitters rotated through a batting cage station with a stationary tee setup and a radar gun set behind it.  Players had multiple chances to put up a high number and several took advantage.  Below are the top exit velocities from the Southern Academic Games.

 

Positional Velocity - Infielders

Infielders took batted ground balls from SS and 1B as part of their pre-game workouts.  While evaluators are working to see footwork, hands, arm action, arm accuracy, carry, and more, PBR scouts were able to quantify arm strength with a radar gun reading.  Below are the top positional velocities for players at the Southern Academic Games.

 

Positional Velocity - Outfielders

Outfielders took their pre-game showcase workout from right field, making multiple throws to the plate.  Coaches and scouts were able to see a player's ability to field through a ball, their exchange and arm action, as well as their accuracy, carry, and arm strength.  The arm strength also registers as a radar reading out of the hand.  The top Outfield arms from the Southern Academic Games are below.

 

Catcher Pop Times and Positional Velocity

The catchers worked from behind the plate, simulating throws through to 2B as if a runner were stealing.  Coaches and scouts have their stop watches ready, recording the pop time, or the time from the ball hitting the catchers glove to the point the ball is transitioned and hitting the middle infielders glove at 2B.  Coaches and scouts are also evaluating the exchange, arm action, arm strength, and accuracy.  Along with the pop time, PBR records the positional velocity of catchers on these throws.  Below are the top pop times and catcher velocities from the Southern Academic Games workouts.

 

Max Fastball

Pitchers threw live to hitters in controlled scrimmages.  With several arms between starts, PBR's staff works to put the pitchers in an advantagous position, without creating too much stress.  During the outing, PBR is recording the metrics of each pitch while also evaluating a prospects future projection.  The fastball is a small part of the total evaluation, but it does cast a very large shadow as players are throwing harder and harder each year.  Below are the top fastball velocities from the Southern Academic Games.