Hunter Pence Scout Day: 2020 Standouts

CROSBY, TX - We had a chance to see a number of the top 2020 grads this summer in the PBR Texas Limited Series, and just going off the early thoughts from this summer, this group has a number of guys that can hit, and hit at a high level.

2020 SS Hunter Cramer (Oak Ridge HS) has been committed to Arkansas for about a year. He posted an exit velocity of 90 mph off the tee, then proceeded to knock to cover off the ball during batting practice. Looking back over the past year and a half, you can see that Cramer has always had an aggressive hack with a big leg kick and twitchy hands, but he has certainly continued to develop and is starting to show the type of polish that accompanies playing in the SEC.  

2020 IF Clayton Dean (Cypress Christian) is another offensive infielder that was a top performer in the Limited Series this summer, and recent Louisiana-Lafayette commit. To put it simple, this kid finds the barrel, and finds it often. Whether it’s velocity or spin, he can hit, and the swing just works. Registered an exit velocity of 95 mph off the tee, plays with a bounce in his step, and profiles as an offensive second baseman in college.

Really big fan of 2020 C Cole Ketzner (Magnolia HS), besides the fact that he can hit. Ketzner has started to tinker with a leg kick this fall and it looks to be paying off. We have seen him barrel it up on numerous occasions, including Sunday, when he got all up on a ball for a double off the left field wall. The hands are strong at contact with a short path and great extension through the ball, he posted a 92 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate, Ketzner has smooth footwork, quick exchange, easy gather and throws strikes to second base with a top velocity from the crouch of 77 mph and pop times of 2.05-2.08.

Three uncommitted left-handed hitters for college coaches to follow close:

2020 OF/LHP Rhett McCaffety (Cypress Fair HS) showed off his power during batting practice, launching a home run to right field and another off the very top of the wall that kicked back in. It’s an easy swing with low effort, rhythm and natural lift from the left side. Although he did not pitch on Sunday, McCaffety is also a viable option on the mound as he can pound the zone and has feel for three pitches.
2020 OF Tyler Douglas (John Cooper HS) is an aggressive player and does everything full speed. The left-handed hitter threw 89 from the outfield and posted an exit velocity of 87 mph. Plays with a bounce in his step and a smile on his face. Uses a leg kick to generate leverage with a smooth stroke and high finish. There is intent to do damage every time he gets to the plate.

2020 1B Lance Hicks (Oak Ridge HS) has an already strong frame at 6-foot, 214-pounds, and posted a 93 mph exit velocity. Smooth load back with relaxed hands as he uses a reverse leg lift. Lands balanced and can deliver the barrel. Hammered a double over the centerfielder’s head vs. a LHP on an 80 mph FB in on his hands (it was a Nuke).

2020 OF/RHP Jacob Davis (Klein HS) has a strong, projectable frame at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long, clean arm swing. His fastball jumps out of his hand and has some late giddy up at 82-85, touching 86 ounce. Every hitter he faced was late on the fastball. Still developing his curveball at 63-66 with 11/5 shape and depth. Adding to the intrigue is the 93 mph velocity from the outfield and the 7.07 60-yard dash time. There is likely a lot more in the tank.

2020 Tucker McEnroe (Klein Oak HS) ran a 6.87 60-yard dash, and posted a 94 mph exit velocity. The right-handed hitter starts from a closed, tall stance then toe-taps to load as he drops his hands and works up through contact with quick hands and strength at contact. He homered to left field during batting practice and looks like a hitter when he gets in the box. Smooth footwork with a quick first step at shortstop with soft hands.

2020 C Andrew Carter (Montgomery HS) is an athletic, left-handed hitting catcher that threw out two runners during the game. Smooth load, fast-twitch hands and a loose finish produced an exit velocity of 87 mph. Posted pop times of 2.02-2.15 with a top velocity from the crouch of 74 mph. Lean-strong build at 5-foot-10, 175-pounds.

2020 RHP/OF William Lee (Klein HS) threw 88 from the outfield and posted an exit velocity of 91 mph off the tee, but outing on the mound was also quality. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with an up-tempo delivery with a quick hand out front. Sinker/SL guy with an 81-82 mph fastball, and 72 mph slider. Pounded the zone and worked quick.

2020 RHP/OF Jackson Blue (The Woodlands HS) has a long-limbed, projectable pitchers frame at 6-foot-4, 170-pounds. The right-hander works from a ¾ slot with a long reach out of the glove and some deception in his delivery. His fastball topped out at 85, sitting mostly 80-83 with arm side run. Slider has 10/4 shape and flashes depth at 71 mph. Changeup has heavy fade at 75 mph

2020 LHP J.T. Tackett (Cypress Christian) showed some of the best off-speed stuff on Sunday, pounding the strike zone with a three pitch mix. His fastball was only 79-80, but its the changeup/slider mix that really gave hitters fits. His slider has short, late “cutter” action at 72-74, and he throws his changeup with fastball arm speed at 74 mph with arm side fade.

Really like the actions from 2020 SS Jacob Evangelista (Klein Collins HS) who has smooth footwork and looks the part at shortstop with savvy glove actions, soft hands, smooth transition, and an easy arm stroke from different slots.

2020 Colin Young (Magnolia HS) has a strong tool set with 6.95 60-yard dash, 94 mph exit velocity, 77 mph catcher velocity and pop times of 2.26, 2.11, 2.18, 2.04, and 1.93.

Keep an eye on 2023 C/SS Dillon Lester (Deer Park HS), he is still young, but there is a quality presence to go with natural, athletic baseball actions and savvy. A switch hitter, his hands work from both sides of the plate with easy rhythm. Quick footwork on throws to second base with a quick arm swing and clean exchange. He posted pop times of 2.11-2.33 with a top velocity from the crouch of 69 mph.