Prep Baseball Report

Statistical Analysis: 2020 ProCase


Brandon Hall
Executive Director, PBR NC

Prep Baseball Report of North Carolina has quickly become the most trusted independent scouting source in North Carolina, and across the country.  Each of the past two years, PBR of NC has hosted 20-30 of the top draft prospects in North Carolina as part of their ProCase.  On February 9th, PBR of NC continued the tradition with 24 players performing in front of over 20 MLB Teams at Diamond Xtreme in Kernersville, NC.

Pitchers and catchers were up first.  Four catchers were able to go through a full defensive workout, throwing through to 2B at the spacious indoor facility.  Pitchers threw controlled bullpens, one at a time, for the 20+ teams in attendance.  Following the pitchers, infielders and outfielders went through a defensive workout, followed by all of the position players taking live BP in the open atmosphere of Diamond Xtreme.

Located in Kernersville, Diamond Xtreme features a 90'x90' cage that allows for ground balls and throws across the infield.  Catchers are able to make full length throws to 2B.  During BP, scouts and coaches are able to watch and track the ball off the bat to get a better gauge of each hitter in attendance.

As we begin our breakdown of the players in attendance, we will take a look at their statistical performances.  Each player in attendance has been graded out by PBR scouts as a potential draft follow for their senior year, and moving into their college years if they choose to attend school.  Of the 24 players in attendance, all are committed to a four year school.

CLICK HERE to see the roster and full statistical output from the ProCase

2020 ProCase By The Numbers:

  • 11 players took part in the offensive portion of the day
  • 8 players ran the 30 yard dash in under 4.00.
  • All 11 players had an exit velocity of 88 mph or higher
  • 13 pitchers threw bullpens
  • 8 arms touched 90 mph or higher
  • 1 record was smashed at the 2020 event - Positional velocity for catchers

 

2020 NC ProCase Statistics

 

THE 30 YARD DASH

Ten players ran the 30 yard dash on the turf at Diamond Xtreme with PBR recording times off of the laser timer.  The top runner at the event, Archie Dean Herring (OF, Greensboro Day, 2021) did not run as he tweaked his hamstring a few weeks ago.  Herring is healthy but wants to wait until the season to be full go.  The top three times at the event come from three physical players.  Bryan Arendt (C, Holly Springs HS, 2021) and Joey Rezek (C, Northwest Guilford HS, 2020) each ran 3.81.  The thirty may not be able to test how long a player can hold top speed, but it does gives us an idea of who can get to top speed quickly.  Lucas Martino (1B, Carmel Christian, 2020) was just behind them at 3.82.  All three players are physical creating a lot of ground force over the shorter distance.  Below are all the times from the 2020 NC ProCase.

(The table below is listed as Home-1st for the purpose of extracting the information.  This was a timed 30 yard dash from a base stealing start)

 

EXIT VELOCITY

As part of the offensive workout, each hitter rolled through an exit velocity station, working off of a tee.  Players were able to use wood and metal at this station, where the top exit velocity wast taken.  Trey Truitt (OF, East Mecklenburg HS, 2020) led all hitters at 100 mph off the tee.  He becomes the third player at this event to touch 100 on his exit velocity.  Nine players registered an exit velocity of 90 mph or higher.

 

POSITIONAL VELOCITY

Infielders and outfielders were able to simulate defensive plays inside the spacious Diamond Xtreme.  The infielder's workout consisted of five live ground balls, making throws across the diamond to first base.  Outfielders worked from a "would be" center field, making throws of close to 130 feet toward home plate.  Each player showcased plenty of arm for their respective positions.  Below are the gun readings from the ProCase.

 

CATCHER POP TIMES & POSITIONAL VELOCITY

Catchers opened the 2020 ProCase with their defensive workout.  As part of the workout, catchers were able to make a full length throw to 2B allowing scouts and coaches to record pop times and to get a positional velocity out of the crouch.  While every catcher in attendance put up impressive numbers, the biggest number came from Bryan Arendt (C, Holly Springs HS, 2021) who posted an 89 mph arm out of the crouch on a throw that measured 1.96 to the bag.  Below are the pop times and positional velocities from the catchers at the 2020 ProCase.

 

MAX FASTBALL

Pitchers at the ProCase were able to throw a controlled bullpen in front of the 20+ scouts in attendance.  Each pitcher was able to select his sequencing, while working out of the windup and stretch.  PBR scouts recorded velocities on every pitch thrown, as well as spin rates on each pitch.  In the coming days, we will dive more into the spin rate information.  Below we take a look at the top fastballs from the event.