By Adam Akin
Director of Scouting

The 2017 PBR Tennessee Top Prospect Games took place on Tuesday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 14 at Hawkins Field on the campus of Vanderbilt University and included a position player workout, followed by three 9-inning games each day. Players were afforded the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of the PBR Tennessee staff and many college coaches in attendance. The following is our evaluation of every pitcher to compete on Day 2 of this year’s event.

Pitchers

Tristan Allison, RHP/3B, Upperman, 2018
Max FB: 79, FB: 77-79, CB: 65-67, KN: 62-63
6-foot-0, 180-pound, RHP moves athletically on the mound and uses a motion that sees some slight changes in pace throughout the delivery.  Allison gathers at the top with a slight bend in his back and allows that to lead him into a drop and drive approach to the plate.  A longer and pretty loose arm action comes through a ¾ to low ¾ slot to create some very good run on his fastball.  His curveball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape and he used a knuckleball as his changeup.

Layne Atkins, RHP, Morristown East, 2019
Max FB: 77, FB: 74-77, CB: 65-69
6-foot-0, 165-pound, RHP stays slow throughout his motion while remaining compact and connected throughout.  Atkins builds up to a release where he shows a little bit of aggressiveness.  He maintains posture, staying tall throughout his delivery and uses a slightly closed stride.  Fastball was mostly straight and his curveball acted a lot like a slider with its 11/5 to 10/4 shape through the zone.

Dylan Berry, LHP/1B, CreekWood, 2019
Max FB: 78, FB: 76-78, CB: 64-67, CH: 69-70,
6-foot-0, 180-pound, LHP has a strong and mature build, especially for a 2019 graduate.  Gives off the impression of the “crafty lefty” with his athleticism and the confidence he displays on the mound.  Works with good tempo and uses a slightly longer arm action that gets quick near the end through a high ¾ release point.  Fastball showed a little bit of run and his curveball showed 1/7 shape with some gradual life.  Flashed a changeup that seems to fade at the plate.

Asa Blake, RHP, Cleveland, 2019
Max FB: 78, FB: 76-78, CB: 67-68, CH: 70,
6-foot-1, 180-pound, RHP used a more uptempo motion and delivery at this event than we have seen from him before.  Worked quickly but stayed well under control and maintained posture throughout his delivery.  Arm action is clean and pretty loose through a high ¾ slot and he finishes out in front.  Fastball showed some run and was thrown for a ton of strikes.  Curveball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape, while his changeup had some fade coming through the zone.

Elijah Brooks, 1B/OF/LHP, Ensworth, 2019
Max FB: 74, FB: 72-74, CB: 65-69, CH: 67-68,
5-foot-10, 190-pound, LHP has a strong and stout frame and competes on both sides of the baseball.  Brooks uses a lot of movement in his motion, utilizing a high leg lift that seemingly gets him up on his toes before dropping and driving toward the plate.  He uses an in-line stride and a slightly longer arm action through a high ¾ slot.  Fastball was pretty straight but was thrown for strikes and his curveball showed 2/8 shape through the zone.  Changeup was a change of pace.

Bayley Dees, LHP, Columbia Academy, 2018
Max FB: 81, FB: 78-80, CB: 61-64, CH: 66-67,
6-foot-0, 160-pound, LHP starts his motion a little slower and methodically with a big rocker step and a look down to gain balance.  Dees then gathers with a quicker leg lift and acceleration toward the plate with his stride.  Arm action is fairly longer through a high ¾ slot and some athleticism.  Usually finishes under control with a slight lean toward the 3B line.  Fastball showed slight run while his breaking ball had 1/7 shape.  Changeup was a change of pace.

Tyler Flynn, RHP, Tipton-Rosemark Academy, 2018
Max FB: 83, FB: 81-83, CB: 66-68, CH: 72-73,
6-foot-0, 185-pound, RHP moves athletically on the mound and uses some good rhythm and a sense of confidence that allows him to compete at a high level.  Flynn seems pretty polished and used a positive tempo throughout his outing.  Arm action is shorter but stays loose and athletic throughout his finish.  Fastball had some slight run, especially when kept down in the zone, and his curveball showed 11/5 shape with some occasional late break.

Xan Gordon, 2B/RHP, Friendship Christian, 2018
Max FB: 70, FB: 66-70, SL: 64-65,
5-foot-10, 145-pound, RHP has a smaller, but athletic frame and uses a compact delivery that is easily repeated.  Gordon throws exclusively out of the stretch and uses a submarine arm angle to create a level of deception to the hitter.  After a controlled leg lift, he somewhat dives toward the 3B dugout and strides extremely closed.  Fastball showed some run and sink and his slider was sweeping with 10/4 shape.

Matthew Johnston, 1B/RHP, Mt. Juliet, 2019
Max FB: 82, FB: 79-82, CB: 70-71, CH: 66,
6-foot-1, 185-pound, RHP starts from a stretch-looking position before taking a very small rocker step to the side and initiating a small and controlled leg lift.  Johnston gets more aggressive toward the middle of his motion and finishes the process with some high-effort movement toward the plate.  A long arm action comes from a near over-the-top slot.  Strong frame.  Fastball was mostly straight but beared down on occasion.  Curveball had 11/5 shape but was inconsistent.

Mark Jones, LHP, Signal Mountain, 2019
Max FB: 81, FB: 79-81, CB: 66-69, CH: 73-74,
5-foot-9, 155-pound, LHP has a smaller and more compact frame on the mound that actually helps him stay a little more consistent and connected.  Jones is smooth uses a fluid arm action through a high ¾ slot after striding in-line and balanced.  He’s very polished for his age and showed the pitchability of throwing 3 pitches for strikes.  Fastball had some run when located down in the zone, curveball had 2/8 shape and was occasionally very sharp, and his changeup had some fade at the plate.

Frankie Killebrew, LHP, Lipscomb Academy, 2020
Max FB: 68, FB: 66-68, CB: 56-57, CH: 60-61,
5-foot-9, 150-pound, LHP has a small frame but uses it to his advantage by staying well connected and under control throughout his delivery.  Killebrew uses a higher leg lift and maintains posture until really getting down the mound with a deep follow through.  He uses a slightly shorter arm action through a high ¾ slot that could get a little looser.  Fastball was mostly straight but his curveball showed 1/8 shape and his changeup provided a little different look.

Houston Kilpatrick, RHP, Creek Wood, 2020
Max FB: 63, FB: 59-63, SL: 58-62
6-foot-0, 140-pound, RHP has a very thin frame that leaves a ton of room for growth and improvement over the next 2-3 years.  Kilpatrick didn’t quite produce the velo that we’ve seen from him in the past, but he was able to throw a couple of hitters off with a deceptive delivery and release point that borders on submarine.  Fastball showed some run and sink and his slider swept across the zone with 10/4 shape.

Jaden Lasley, LHP, Siegel, 2019
Max FB: 83, FB: 80-83, CH: 74-76,
6-foot-3, 185-pound, LHP is a big lefty with room left to fill out and continue improving.  Lasley gets his front side loaded very well on his leg lift and allows that to lead into a closed stride.  He usually has no trouble getting his hand back out from, but can drag it at times.  Uses a shorter arm action through a ¾ slot and finished under control.  Fastball showed run and sink through the zone and could induce a lot of ground balls.  Only offspeed was a changeup, which moved similar to a breaking ball with good arm speed and some 1/7 shape.

Brevin Linnell, OF/RHP, Murfreesboro Oakland, 2019
Max FB: 79, FB: 77-79, CB: 67-68,
6-foot-0, 165-pound, RHP uses a very simple and compact delivery that’s easily repeatable and allows him to be consistent on the mound.  Linnell strides in-line and uses a short arm action through a high ¾ slot.  His finish is well controlled and balanced.  Fastball was mostly straight but thrown for strikes, while his curveball moved a lot like a slider with its 10/4 shape.  Flashed a changeup in warm ups but didn’t see in game action.

Mason Malone, RHP/SS, Waverly Central, 2020
Max FB: 78, FB: 76-78, CB: 61-62, CH: 70-71,
6-foot-0, 150-pound, RHP is a young and athletic prospect with room in his frame to continue growing and improving over the next 2-3 years.  Malone threw exclusively out of the stretch and used a simple leg lift that didn’t quite load up his backside, but jumped on the hitters.  His arm works pretty well after creating quite a bit of shoulder tilt toward the plate.  Fastball was mostly straight and his curveball showed 12/6 shape with a lot of movement.  Changeup showed a little fade at the plate.

Charles Addison McNeely, RHP/3B, Lipscomb Academy, 2018
Max FB: 83, FB: 79-82, CB: 69-72, CH: 74,
6-foot-3, 205-pound, RHP has a longer and more mature frame with some strength.  McNeely shows some upside and uses a high leg and hand lift before almost coming to a pause on his way to the plate.  He strides slightly closed, causing him to fall a little toward the 1B side from time to time when attempting to get back across his body.  Arm action is a touch longer on his fastball but comes through a high ¾ slot.  Fastball was mostly straight but showed a little tilt.  Curveball showed 12/6 shape.

Braden Mileham, RHP, University School of Jackson, 2018
Max FB: 79, FB: 75-79, CB: 63-64, CH: 66-68,
5-foot-10, 165-pound, RHP has a smaller and compact frame with some solid arm speed and athleticism on the mound.  Mileham uses a quick rocker step to get into his leg lift and continue an uptempo delivery toward the plate.  He strides slightly closed but is able to get out and over his front side.  A longer arm action comes from an over-the-top slot.  Fastball was straight and his curveball showed 12/6 shape.

Nolan O'Shoney, RHP, Clarksville Academy, 2020
Max FB: 75, FB: 71-75, CB: 59-61, CH: 64,
6-foot-1, 145-pound, RHP has an athletic and wiry frame that leaves plenty of room to grow and fill out over the next 2-3 years.  O’Shoney uses a very uptempo delivery and shows a pretty quick pace to his descent upon the plate.  He does use a long arm action through a high ¾ slot that jumps on the hitter.  He could stride out a touch further.  Fastball was pretty straight, while his curveball showed 12/6 shape through the zone.

Connor Patton, RHP/OF, Ravenwood, 2018
Max FB: 80, FB: 77-79, CB: 70-71,
6-foot-3, 185-pound, RHP has a long and lanky frame with some athleticism on the mound and plenty of room to continue improving.  Patton begins slowly and only begins to build some momentum and aggression on his way to the plate.  He uses a longer arm action through a high ¾ slot and finishes with an occasional and slight fall toward the 1B line.  Fastball had some sink to it, as it seemed to always be coming down through the zone, and his curveball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape around the zone.

Gavin Pulliam, C/RHP, Franklin, 2018
Max FB: 84, FB: 81-83, CB: 72-74, CH: 74-75,
6-foot-1, 200-pound, RHP worked with confidence and a positive tempo throughout his entire outing.  He uses some good rhythm to create a little momentum through his motion and allows that to carry him through his delivery with a little bit of shoulder tilt.  He strides slightly closed but has no problem getting his hand out front.  Pulliam has a fairly quick arm and can put a little run on his fastball.  Curveball showed 11/5 shape with the ability to get a swing-and-miss from time to time.

J Ross, 3B/RHP, Franklin Road Academy, 2019
Max FB: 78, FB: 75-78, CB: 66-67, CH: 71-72,
6-foot-0, 185-pound, RHP has a very strong and mature frame, especially for a 2019 graduate.  Ross uses some quick footwork to begin his motion and get into his leg lift and gather at the top.  He strides in-line and uses a shorter arm action through a near over-the-top slot.  Finishes balanced, although with a slight recoil of his throwing arm after release.  Fastball was mostly straight but his curveball showed 12/6 action through the zone.  Changeup was a solid pitch but actually dropped down and away from righties.

Tyler Sills, RHP/2B, Battle Ground Academy, 2018
Max FB: 82, FB: 79-82, CB: 65-66, CH: 68-69,
5-foot-11, 145-pound, RHP continued to impress on the mound with a long and loose arm action that comes through his release very quickly and with intent.  Sills is very athletic and is still waiting to fill out his wiry frame.  His mechanics and frame suggest a lot of upside that could show a sharp jump in velo.  Fastball shows some run and can bear down on righties, while his curveball shows 12/6 shape with some real sharpness at the end.  Pounded the zone and flashed a changeup with a little fade.

Jacob Simmons, RHP, Harding Academy, 2018
Max FB: 84, FB: 80-83, CB: 66-67
6-foot-6, 180-pound, RHP has a very long and rangy frame that projects a high ceiling for Simmons and his ability.  Moves athletically through a simple and repeatable motion with some rhythm.  He could extend down the mound a little more to get on the hitter.  Arm action starts long but shortens up near release.  He finishes balanced and in good position.  Fastball was heavy and showed some occasional run when kept down in the zone.  Curveball showed 11/5 to 12/6 shape. 

John Ross Swaim, LHP/OF/1B, Memphis University School, 2018
Max FB: 73, FB: 70-73, CB: 63-65,
6-foot-0, 185-pound, LHP moves athletically, as he competed in the event as a 2-way player and showing pretty well as an outfielder.  Swaim stays very simple and uses no wasted movement through anything he does on the mound.  Slightly shorter arm action comes through a ¾ to high ¾ slot and helps create some run on his fastball when down in the zone.  Curveball showed 1/7 to 2/8 shape with gradual movement across the zone.

Spencer Tidwell, RHP, Lawrence County, 2019
Max FB: 82, FB: 79-82, CB: 65-67,
6-foot-0, 170-pound, RHP has a fairly athletic frame and seems pretty developed for a 2019 graduate.  Tidwell uses good rhythm and builds some momentum through his motion into a drop and drive descent on the plate.  Can get a little jumpy.  Shorter arm action comes through a high ¾ slot and remains fluid throughout.  Fastball showed some sink, especially when kept down. Curveball had 11/5 shape with movement through the zone.

Ryan Tressler, RHP/OF, Davidson Academy, 2020
Max FB: 82, FB: 78-81, CB: 72-73,
6-foot-1, 165-pound, RHP has a long and rangy frame that shows some real projectability on the mound.  Tressler moves athletically and has plenty of room to fill out and mature.  He builds up some positive momentum through the rhythm in his motion that leads to a higher leg lift and a solid shoulder tilt.  A long and loose arm action comes through an over-the-top slot and can turn some heads.  Fastball seemed heavy and could bear down on righties.  Curveball showed almost like a slider with 11/5 to 10/4 shape.  Struggled a little with command but has tremendous upside.

Brandon Tucker, SS/RHP, Portland, 2019
Max FB: 81, FB: 79-81, CB: 66-68, CH: 69-70,
5-foot-9, 188-pound, RHP has a strong frame with a stout build and uses a very controlled motion that remains balanced throughout his delivery.  Tucker stays connected and seems to be very consistent on the mound.  He gets collected at the top and uses an in-line stride and a simple arm action to deliver pitches through an arm slot that is almost over-the-top.  Fastball is mostly straight be is located well and his curveball showed 11/5 shape for strikes.

Jacob Upshaw, 3B/RHP, Central Magnet, 2018
Max FB: 73, FB: 69-73, CB: 54-55, CH: 63-64,
5-foot-11, 210-pound, RHP uses a pretty consistent tempo throughout his motion that creates a little bit of rhythm heading down into his stride and release.  Upshaw stays pretty tall and maintains posture throughout.  His arm action is somewhat short and comes through a high ¾ slot upon release.  Fastball was mostly straight but actually showed some cut at times.  Curveball had 12/6 shape and changeup was a change of pace.

Harrison Williams, OF/RHP, Hendersonville, 2018
Max FB: 83, FB: 81-83, CB: 68-70, CH: 73,
6-foot-2, 185-pound, RHP has a strong and pretty athletic build that allows him to compete on both sides of the baseball.  Williams uses a very slow and deliberate motion that really only picks up pace near his release.  Tall and fall delivery that finishes with a slight drift toward the 1B line on his finish.  Arm action is longer through a high ¾ to over-the-top slot.  Fastball was mostly straight, but firm, and his curveball showed 12/6 shape.