Prep Baseball Report

Ultimate Performance / Queen City Open Evaluations: 2021 Position Players


Brandon Hall & Matt Payne
North Carolina Director of Scouting & PBR Assoc Scout

The final open event of the winter schedule for PBR North Carolina was held at Ultimate Performance in Matthews, NC on Monday February 4th.  A dual event, PBR was able to run 50 players through a pro-style workout with players attending the open event as well as players from Ultimate Performance club teams going through their scout day. 

Fourteen players from the 2021 class took part in the workout at the Ultimate Performance facility in Matthews, NC.  Below are the evaluations on the 8 position players from the workout.  It is a solid mix of physical and athletic with all three position groups represented. 

Below are links to the full statistics from the event as well as the statistical leaders in several key categories.  We will continue our coverage of this event in the coming weeks as we release the player evaluations.

By the Numbers:

  • 42 players ran the 30 yard dash on the laser timer
  • 4.16 was the median time in the 30
  • 9 players ran a sub-4.00
  • 25 infielders worked out defensively
  • Positional velocity for the infielders topped at 89 with a median of 77 mph across the infield
  • 16 outfielders worked out defensively
  • 94 mph was the top positional velocity of Outfielders with a median of 82 mph
  • 4 catchers threw pop times and recorded a positional velocity
  • All 4 catchers recorded at least one pop time under 2.06
  • Median exit velocity of 85 mph from the 42 hitters
  • 13 hitters broke the 90 mph threshold on exit velocity with 7 at 95 mph or higher
  • 24 pitchers threw bullpens on the night with a median max fastball of 80 mph
  • 6 arms worked at 84 mph or higher

CLICK HERE to see the sortable table of statistics from the Queen City Preseason Open and player links

CLICK HERE to see the sortable table of statistics from the Ultimate Performance Preseason Scout Day and player links

CLICK HERE to see the laser timed 30 yard dash times and the 5-10-5 agility test times of all players

 

Ultimate Performance / Queen City Open Scout Day Evaluations: 2021 Position Players

John Anderson OF / William Amos Hough , NC / 2021

 

Long, athletic frame at 6 foot 1, 170-pounds.  Present quickness and athleticism recording a 3.78 in the 30-yard dash and 4.31 in the 5-10-5. Offensively he works from the right side using a tall, slightly open setup.  Works back during his load, sitting into his back leg with a short stride.  Looks to lift with his barrel working uphill through the zone.  Average bat speed that should improve as the body matures.  Exit velocity recorded at 86 mph.  Fluid feet on defense with average hands.  Clean exchanges with a long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Throws peaked at 80 mph from the outfield. 

Aiden Chesser 1B / OF / David W. Butler, NC / 2021

 

6 foot 5, 230-pound build.  Hits from the right side using a balanced setup and short stride during the load.  Gap to gap approach with his barrel working level through the zone.  Looks to get extension out front with some feel for the barrel.  Average bat speed.  Some strength in the swing with his exit velocity recorded at 87 mph.  Works to the ball defensively with some stiffness through catch.  Clean exchanges, with a short arm action, using a high ¾ slot.  Some accuracy to his throws with his positional velocity topping at 65 mph.  Recorded a 4.91 in the 30-yard dash and 5.49 in the 5-10-5.

Garrett Clapsaddle C / OF / Christ School, NC / 2021

 

Lanky, projectable build at 6 foot, 170-pounds. Balanced, athletic setup from the right side.  Rhythmic load with a short stride.  Fluid swing with feel for the barrel.  Loose hands with a short bat path. Line drive approach, working gap to gap. Better than average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 84 mph.  Athletic setup behind the plate with good bend in the hips, receiving with ease.  Accurate arm with quick, clean transfers across the chest.  Short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Pop times ranged from 2.05-2.07 with positional velocity topping at 75 mph from a crouch position.  Fluid feet in the outfield, playing through the ball with some stiffness in the hands through catch.  Long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot, with throws topping at 84 mph.  Recorded a 3.98 in the 30-yard dash and 4.27 in the 5-10-5.

Vance Honeycutt SS / 2B / Salisbury, NC / 2021

 

6 foot, 160-pound build.  Hits from the right side using a balanced setup.  Small hand load with a short stride.  Fluid swing with a short barrel path to the ball.  Works gap to gap with a line drive approach.  Some quickness to the hands with a level bat path through the zone.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 86 mph.  Plays comfortable on the infield with rhythm to his feet and hands.  Above average hands with clean exchanges, and short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Accurate arm with carry that peaked at 81 mph.  Recorded a 3.91 in the 30-yard dash and 4.49 in the 5-10-5.

Zach Kellman SS / 2B / Cannon School, NC / 2021

 

Young frame at 5 foot 8, 130-pounds.  Hits from the right side using a tall setup with a high back elbow.  Short stride with his hands working back during the load.  Looks to lift, with a slightly uphill bat path.  Swing gets long at times.  Exit velocity recorded at 72 mph.  Defensively plays through balls with fluid feet.  Some stiffness in the hands through catch.  Short arm action, using a ¾ slot.  Accurate arm that peaked at 77 mph.  Recorded at 4.48 in the 30-yard dash and 5.27 in the 5-10-5.

Drew Kinser OF / LHP / Metrolina Christian, NC / 2021

 

5 foot 9, 140-pound build. Hits from the left side using a slightly open setup.  Works back during his load, using a leg kick.  Works gap to gap with some feel for the barrel.  Level bat path, looking to get extension.  Exit velocity recorded at 72 mph and should improve with added strength.  Plays through balls in the outfield with some stiffness through catch.  Clean exchanges, with a short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Some accuracy to his throws topping at 76 mph.  Recorded a 4.14 in the 30-yard dash and 4.53 in the 5-10-5.

Kameron Phillips SS / 2B / Sun Valley , NC / 2021

 

5 foot 8, 145-pound build.  Defensive actions stood out during the workout.  Plays through the ball with fluid feet and soft hands.  Clean exchanges, with a short arm action, throwing from an over the top slot.  Accurate arm that peaked at 71 mph.  Offensively he works from the right side using a tall setup.  Medium length stride and gets jumpy at times.  Gap to gap approach with average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 81 mph.  Recorded a 4.13 in the 30-yard dash and 4.59 in the 5-10-5.  Numbers should improve across the board as the body matures. 

Jaron Price 2B / Alexander Central, NC / 2021

 

Young frame at 5 foot 6, 125-pounds. Balanced, slightly open setup from the right side of the plate.  Short stride getting his feet back to even, with his hands working back during the load. Some quickness to the hands with feel for the barrel, driving his hands through the zone.  Gap to gap approach with a level bat path.  Exit velocity recorded at 75 mph.  Plays athletic on defensive with active feet.  Relaxed hands at catch, funneling to the midsection, with a short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Positional velocity peaked at 67 mph.  Recorded a 4.34 in the 30-yard dash and 4.65 in the 5-10-5.