2017 Underclass Games Evaluations: Team 1
July 27, 2017
By: Adam Akin
Director of Scouting
The 2017 PBR Tennessee Underclass Games took place on Wednesday, July 5 and included a position player workout, followed by three 9-inning games. Players were afforded the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the PBR Tennessee staff and many college coaches in attendance. The following is our evaluation of every player that was assigned to Team 1 in Wednesday’s action.
Linden Alford, OF, Chattanooga Arts and Sciences, 2019
60 Time: 7.25, Position Velocity: OF-74, Exit Velocity: 80
5-8. 180-pound RHH hits from a balanced and even stance with some upright posture, uses a short and early stride to load, lower half fires but could create a little more separation, swing plane is steep through the zone, stays simple and likes going oppo. Defensively, showed average hands and footwork in the outfield, does make an effort to play through the ball, arm action is long through a high 3/4 slot.
Brogan Beckner, LHP/OF, Dobyns-Bennett, 2019
Max FB: 86, FB: 83-86, CB: 66-68, SL:72-75
6-4, 180-pound, LHP uses a fluid and consistent motion that builds some momentum, stays tall throughout his entire delivery and gets loaded at the top with a leg lift that closes off his front side, strides in line to slightly closed with a longer stride and can fall slightly toward the 3B side, arm action is long through a high 3/4 slot. Fastball was firm and heavy through the zone, curveball was powerful with 12/6 shape, and his slider showed sharp and late movement with 2/8 shape. Earned a spot on the Future Games roster.
60 Time: 7.38, Position Velocity: OF-82, Exit Velocity: 83
6-4, 180-pound, LHH hits from a wider and even stance, swing plane comes up through the zone, gets through the ball and showed some gap power, potential to do some damage when getting the barrel to the ball, could work on his balance through the finish. Defensively, showed average footwork and hands, could play through the ball more aggressively, arm strength was a plus from the OF.
Caleb Berry, C, Halls-Knoxville, 2019
60 Time: 7.83, Pop Time: 2.12-2.18, Position Velocity: C-68, OF-78, Exit Velocity: 80
5-5, 130-pound, RHH hits from a wider stance and slightly open, smooth stride and load with a flat bat path through the zone, does get through the ball but could use some added strength. Defensively, showed above average hands and footwork, exchange was low, release could've been quicker, showed ability to play OF as well.
Rhett Birdsong, C, Shelbyville Central, 2019
60 Time: 8.00, Pop Time: 1.99-2.09, Position Velocity: C-72, IF-74, Exit Velocity: 75
5-7, 140-pound, RHH hits from a pretty balanced stance with loose and high hands up by his head, uses a short and early toe-tap and stride with a load of his hands, lower half fires and keeps him behind the ball, pretty flat bat path through contact, likes to stay middle to oppo. Defensively, quick hands and footwork behind the plate produced a sub 2 pop time, arm action is quick through a lower slot, hands worked well, also showed versatility in the infield, as well.
Jackson Bryan, C, Beech, 2020
60 Time: 8.19, Pop Time: 2.06-2.14, Position Velocity: C-68, Exit Velocity: 79
6-0, 160-pound, RHH hits from a wide and even stance with some higher hand positioning to start, uses a short double stride without much hand movement to get loaded, lower half drives through as a solid base, swing plane is flat to slightly up and can get through the baseball, mid to low line drives from gap to gap. Defensively, showed above average hands and footwork behind the plate, exchange could be quicker, shorter arm action through a high 3/4 slot, some added arm strength will come with more lower half utilization.
Nelson Buckland, SS/RHP, Mt. Juliet, 2019
60 Time: 7.39, Position Velocity: IF-82, Exit Velocity: 85
5-11, 145-pound, RHH hits from a balanced, loose, and upright stance, uses a smooth and pretty conventional stride to get loaded, hips clear and provide some good separation, athletic build and quick twitch movements, swing plane begins a little steep but can flatten out through contact, likes to work from gap to gap. Defensively, moves athletically with smooth footwork and soft hands, plays through the ball with a short but loose arm action, throws were firm with accuracy across the infield.
Max FB: 83, FB: 80-83, CB: 66-68, CH: 67-69
5-11, 145-pound, RHP uses some rhythm in his motion to lead into a higher leg lift and a solid amount of shoulder tilt at the top, stride could be longer, but lands in line and explodes toward the plate with a quick arm through a high 3/4 slot. Fastball was mostly straight but thrown for strikes, cuveball was powerful with some heavy 11/5 shape, and his changeup was a good change of pace with some fade.
CJ Campbell, OF, Central Magnet, 2019
60 Time: 7.36, Position Velocity: OF-83, IF-76, Exit Velocity: 85
6-0, 225-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and slightly open stance with some initially high hand positioning, uses a toe-tap and stride with a movement back of his hands to get loaded, lower half can pull him forward a little bit. swing plane is mostly flat but can get steep on balls down in the zone, stong kid likes to use an oppo approach. Defensively, showed good hands and footwork in the outfield, plays under control and gets behind the ball well, could be a little more aggressive, arm action is a little longer through a 3/4 slot, showed the ability to play 3B as well.
Hunter Crosby, RHP, Dickson County, 2018
Max FB: 87, FB: 84-87, CB: 68-73
6-4, 170-pound, RHP uses a consistent and confident tempo throughout his motion and gets up into a tall position on the mound with a high leg lift that gets his lower half loaded and creates shoulder tilt before attacking the plate, strides in line to slightly closed and explodes with a quick arm through a high 3/4 slot. Fastball is heavy with some run and his curveball is a swing-and-miss pitch with sharp 11/5 shape through the zone.
Tucker Duke, RHP, Giles County, 2018
Max FB: 77, FB: 76-77, SL: 67-68
5-10, 145-pound, RHP throws exclusively out of the stretch and uses some unique mechanics, bent over when set, strides slightly closed and uses a short arm action through a nearly sidearm slot, finishes with a little fall toward 1B side. Fastball was mostly straight and his slider showed some sweeping 10/4 shape.
Noah Gent, SS, Grace Christian Academy, 2019
60 Time: 7.27, Position Velocity: IF-83, Exit Velocity: 84
5-11, 170-pound, RHH hits from an athletic stance with loose hands and some rhythm, uses an abbreviated leg kick and stride with a movement back of his hands to get loaded, lower half fires but can pull him forward at times, hands are whippy through contact, swing plane is flat to slightly up through contact, gap pop with a middle-pull approach. Defensively, showed soft hands and fluid footwork, plays through the ball with confidence, arm action is loose through a high 3/4 slot, firm and accurate throws. Earned a spot on the Future Games roster.
Dylan Hackett, SS, Smith County, 2019
60 Time: 7.4, Position Velocity: IF-70, Exit Velocity: 76
6-0, 165-pound, RHH hits from a narrow and upright stance and begins with his hands in a low position out in front of his body, uses a leg kick and a movement back with his hands to get loaded, lower half gets through but base is quite narrow even after his stride, swing plane is slightly up through the zone, can drag barrel at times. Defensively, showed average hands and footwork, could've played through the ball more smoothly, arm action is short from a sidearm slot.
Weston Hall, 2B/RHP, Franklin Road Academy, 2020
60 Time: 8.19, Position Velocity: IF-68, Exit Velocity: 79
6-0, 165-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and closed stance, uses an abbreviated leg kick and stride to get loaded, swing plane is up through the zone, gets solid contact and finds the barrel, best when driving the ball up the middle, can sit back a little too much at times. Defensively, plays through the ball pretty well and showed good hands and above average footwork in the infield, arm strength will continue to develop and throws were accurate.
Max FB: 72, FB: 70-72, CB: 56-58
6-0, 165-pound RHP works with a very uptempo pace on the mound, covers the rubber during his rocker step and uses a quick and funky leg lift, strides in line and stays pretty tall during his descent on the plate, arm action comes through a high 3/4 slot. Fastball was mostly straight and his curveball showed gradual 12/6 to 11/5 shape through the zone.
Keaton Johnson, RHP/SS, South Gibson County, 2019
Max FB: 78, FB: 77-78, CB: 66-67
6-1, 195-pound, RHP uses a pretty consistent tempo throughout his delivery, stays in line the whole time to keep things simple, arm action is a little shorter and comes through a high 3/4 slot with some quickness, finishes balanced and under control. Fastball was straight and his curveball showed 11/5 to 10/4 shape through the zone and was very effective on lefties.
60 Time: 7.81, Position Velocity: IF-74, Exit Velocity: 82
6-1, 195-pound, SS hits from a balanced and even stance, uses a conventional stride with some hand movement to get loaded, lower half gets through but doesn't always maintain balance, swing plane is pretty flat through the zone and gets through the baseball, can drive it from gap to gap. Defensively, showed above average hands and footwork in the infield, could play through the ball more smoothly, stands up before using a shorter arm action through a high 3/4 slot.
Baylor Jones, 1B/RHP, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, 2019
60 Time: 7.64, Position Velocity: IF-80, Exit Velocity: 82
6-0, 195-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and even stance with some relaxed posture, uses a shorter stride and a movement back with his hands to get loaded, lower half works but sometimes glides and causes him to jump at the ball, creates good bat speed through the zone with a flat to slightly uphill bat bath through contact, likes to pull the ball and showed gap power with a chance to develop more. Defensively, short good hands and footwork around the bag, able to make all of the plays required and showed good arm strength across the infield.
Max FB: 83, FB: 80-83, CB: 66-68
6-0, 195-pound, RHP uses a pretty steady and consistent motion, moves into a higher leg lift and maintains some more upright posture, creates a good amount of shoulder tilt before descending upon the plate with a longer arm action through an over-the-top slot, strides in line and finishes under control. Fastball was straight but thrown for strikes and his curveball showed 12/6 shape through the zone.
Austin Kasick, LHP, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, 2019
Max FB: 81, FB: 78-81, CB: 71-72, CH: 74-76
5-11. 175-pound, LHP has an athletic frame and stays under control throughout his motion, stays focused on the target and maintains some steady posture throughout, a higher leg lift leads to some shoulder tilt and a drop and drive descent on the plate, strides in line and uses a longer arm action through a 3/4 slot. Fastball had some run, curveball showed 1/7 to 2/8 shape, and changeup was thrown with fastball arm speed and some fade.
Camryn Kennedy, RHP, Spring Hill, 2019
Max FB: 82, FB: 80-82, CB: 70-73
5-10, 164-pound, RHP starts a little slower in his motion and continues to build tempo throughout, a higher leg lift gets him loaded at the top with slight shoulder tilt, short arm action comes through a high 3/4 slot, strides in line and falls slightly toward the 1B side. Fastball is mostly straight but spots up pretty well and his curveball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape and was thrown for strikes.
Zach Lewallen, RHP/3B, Briarcrest, 2019
Max FB: 77, FB: 74-77, CB: 63-64
6-2, 205-pound, RHP has a more developed frame for his age, begins his motion slower and builds into a quick and explosive finish, a higher leg lift leads to a slightly closed stride and a short arm action through a high 3/4 slot. Fastball was straight and his curveball showed 11/5 shape through the zone.
60 Time: 7.35, Position Velocity: IF-77, Exit Velocity: 82
6-2, 205-pound, 3B hits from a wider and even stance, draws back before a conventional stride gets him loaded, lower half struggles to drive through and clear his hips, swing plane is steep through the zone, could create some more rhythm. Defensively, showed average hands and footwork, could play around and through the ball more smoothly and aggressively, arm strength was sufficient.
Nathan Lewis, C/RHP, Homeschool, 2020
60 Time: 7.78, Pop Time: 1.96-2.05, Position Velocity: C-74, Exit Velocity: 81
5-9, 180-pound, RHH hits from a wide and even stance, uses a short stride to get loaded, hands go back and get a little lower, lower half creates a strong base but doesn't always clear the hips, swing plane begins a little steep but can flatten out through contact, oppo approach. Defensively, showed very quick hands and footwork behind the plate, gets rid of the ball with an efficient exchange and a short arm action through a high 3/4 slot. throws were pretty accurate and popped some sub-2 pop times.
Max FB: 81, FB: 77-81, CB: 66-68
5-9, 180-pound, RHP uses a very slow and calculated motion, slow tempo that builds to quickness only at the very end, stays tall and strides in line but can fall toward the 1B line at times, arm action is short and quick through a near over-the-top slot. Fastball is mostly straight but can bear down on a righty, curveball showed some sharp 12/6 to 11/5 action through the zone.
Tannahill Love, 3B, All Saint’s Episcopal (TX), 2020
60 Time: 7.56, Position Velocity: IF-75, Exit Velocity: 85
6-0, 180-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and even stance with higher hands to begin, uses a toe-tap and stride to get loaded, leans barrel back and pulls it through the zone, lower half could be more aggressive in clearing his hips, likes to pull the ball and comes around it at times. Defensively, showed pretty good hands and solid footwork, puts himself in good positions to play through the ball, arm action is shorter through a high 3/4 slot, throws across the infield were pretty accurate.
Nic Mirabella, RHP, McCallie, 2021
Max FB: 63, FB: 61-63, CB: 54-56, CH: 53-55
5-4, 130-pound, RHP uses a simple and consistent approach on the mound, builds some rhythm in his motion and uses a slightly open stride and a longer arm action, finishes under control. Fastball showed a little run, curveball had 12/6 to 11/5 shape, and his changeup faded at the plate.
Houghston Schaefer, OF, Rhea County, 2021
60 Time: 7.62, Position Velocity: OF-72, Exit Velocity: 71
5-10, 140-pound, RHH hits from a wide and open stance with fairly high hands, showed an abbreviated leg kick and long stride that settled down as the round progressed, hips come forward, swing plane is steep through the zone, could've stayed a little more balanced. Defensively, plays through the ball pretty well, but could be a little more aggressive, arm action is long and comes through a nearly sidearm slot, throws have some run on them.
Ethan Shelton, 3B, Wilson Central, 2018
60 Time: 7.46, Position Velocity: IF-79, Exit Velocity: 84
5-11, 190-pound, RHH was one of the best hitters in the entire event, hits from a balanced and slightly open stance and uses a conventional stride to get loaded, lower half gets through and provides a strong base. bat path is flat to slightly up through the zone, consistently barrels balls and showed gap power, went 3-4 with a walk in game play and only out made was a line drive. Defensively, showed sure hands and above average footwork at the corner, makes the play and delivered accurate throws across the infield on a consistent basis. Solid hitter flying under the radar.
Jackson Sherrill, 1B, Ravenwood, 2019
60 Time: 7.35, Position Velocity: IF-77, Exit Velocity: 93
6-2, 210-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and upright position with relaxed hands, uses a leg kick and a big gather with his hands to get loaded, lower half explodes and creates some good separation while keeping him behind the ball, bat path is slightly up through the zone and can really lift the ball, strength to drive through the ball and showed big power, hitting a home run and driving multiple balls to the wall, can use the whole field. Defensively, moved well around the bag showing good hands and footwork, arm strength is very good. Earned spot on the Future Games roster.
