Prep Baseball Report

PBR Spring Training: Day Two Quick Hits


Cam Black-Araujo/Josh Arce
PBR Canada Staff

With the Scout Day behind us, Day Two of PBR Spring Training saw seven total games between Gulf Coast State College and Panama City Beach Sports Complex. 

It was a breath of fresh air for our staff, the players, coaches and parents to finally see the players on field and playing live games. The premiere matchup of the day came in the nightcap at the PCB Sports Complex with one of the top Canadian draft prospects, Blake Gillespie, going up against 2023 West Coast right-hander Nick Frers. 

The game featured plenty of other intriguing arms beyond those two. There was tons of talent on both of sides of the ball, both committed and uncommitted, and our staff breaks it all down below. 

We provide reports and video on nine players who jumped out on Day Two of PBR Spring Training.

Blake Gillespie SS / RHP / Medway, GA / 2022

Gillespie (Georgia commit), 6-foot, 180-pounds, showcased electric stuff today at Panama City Beach. It’s an effortless delivery with a very quick arm and a feel for pitching. He has a strong lower half with athletic motions on the mound. His FB sat 92-93 mph, topped 94. Gillespie showcased some good looking off-speed pitches with his 75-76 mph CB that showed depth, and a fading 82-84 mph CH. Gillespie was easily the top pitcher on the day at PCB. Seven pro organizations were on hand to get a glimpse of the 2022 MLB Draft prospects.

Nick Frers RHP / SS / Argyle secondary, BC / 2023

2023 Nick Frers is one of the top uncommitted arms on the West Coast and looked the part tonight. The North Shore Twins right-hander sat 84-88 and although the velocity fell inning to inning, he showed what he has in the tank. It’s an athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds and the arm is quick on the mound. There’s feel for the breaking ball that has depth and gradual break. An exciting uncommitted arm who was with us this past summer at the Future Games.

Ethan Price RHP / OF / St.Stephen Catholic Secondary School, ON / 2022

2022 Cloud County commit RHP Ethan Price was easily the most electric player we saw at Gulf Coast State on Tuesday. It was a live arm that saw the ball jumping out of his hand at 88-90, topping out at 91. Opponents had a tough time catching up to the fastball and when he got on top of his curveball, it had some downward bite. He’s an athlete on the mound and it shows. The arm is quick and has continued to trend upwards every time out. An under the radar arm in Ontario who’s name you need to know.

Mac Robertson RHP / Eastdale Collegiate and Vocational Institute, ON / 2023

We saw Mac Robertson indoors last weekend where he was up to 88 mph and that arm translated in-game where he was picking up a lot of swing and miss on the pitch. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander was working in the 84-87 range and was challenging hitters with the pitch. There was feel for the slider at 74-75 which he was able to locate and throw for strikes, while also pounding it into the dirt for swings. An intriguing arm out of the Toronto Mets program who will draw a lot of interest from college coaches this spring and summer. 

Adam Carmichael RHP / 3B / Sinclair , ON / 2024

2024 right-hander Adam Carmichael got the start this morning for the Ontario Prospects and was sharp throughout his multiple innings of work. 5-foot-11, 135-pounds and was pounding the zone with a fastball and curveball. The fastball sat 76-78 throughout his outing and with so much growing and filling out left in his game, we expect that number to continue trending upwards. He does a lot of things right on the mound and he’ll be one to follow in Ontario as he continues to develop.

Sam MacLaughlin LHP / OF / Humberside Collegiate, ON / 2023

MacLaughlin, 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, was a bulldog on the mound in his outing today. He worked his FB with good command at 82-84 mph, mixing in a good looking CB that showed some depth when he got on top of it and a CH with fading action. In his 3 innings of work, he struck out the side twice. MacLaughlin is a lengthy, projectable pitcher with a quick arm. Very interesting LHP that schools should be looking out for.

Michael Quick C / SS / Maxwell Heights, ON / 2022

Catcher Michael Quick didn’t have his best stuff last night at Scout Day and quickly made up for it with a stellar game at the dish and behind it. He was quiet behind the plate for Ethan Price who was up to 91 and had the chance to show off the arm, catching a runner at second base. Had a top exit velocity of 94 mph last night and it translated in-game. He has quick hands at the plate and they’re short to the ball. His swing plays to all fields and he barreled a few balls, driving one up the middle for a single.

Logan Melo 3B / 1B / John Paul II, ON / 2025

Melo continues to impress our staff here in Panama City Beach. The big 6-foot, 185-pound corner infielder balled out in the box today. He finished the day going 2-for-2 with a screaming ground rule double and followed that up with a line shot to left field. He is one of the bright young talents on the Futures team. He is a physical player who already shows some pull side juice. Melo has power potential and he continues to mature. He will be a close follow all week long.

Owen Ralph SS / RHP / Riverdale, ON / 2024

Ralph, got the start for the PBR Select team and impressed our staff. Ralph was confident in his pitches and pounded the zone with his 80-81 mph FB. He is an athletic player who moves well and shows good actions on the mound and in the field. He can really pick it at SS. At the dish he has a smooth right handed swing, and barrels up baseballs consistently. Look for Ralph to continue to impress throughout the week on both sides of the ball.