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LakePoint Fall Invite: Scout Blog

September 24, 2020
PBR Scouting Staff



The LakePoint Fall Invite took place this past weekend, September 18th through the 20th. Today, we present to you the LakePoint Fall Invite Scout Blog. The Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the tournament. Featured in the blog is information unsigned prospects, draft prospects and anything else that is notable. We provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times and more. Simply put, the LakePoint Fall Invite Scout Blog is loaded with information. Every team may not receive write-ups as standouts are identified by the PBR staff throughout the event.

STANDOUTS
(Listed Alphabetically)

Jaleb Applebey, RHP, Mt. Carmel (IL), 2021
Wabash Valley commit. X-Large, strong build on the mound at 6-foot-7, 230 pounds. Low-effort arm with more velocity in the tank. Mixed command in outing, but stuff was more than good enough to work around baserunners. FB sat 88-91,T92 w/ downward angle. Ball gets on hitters quickly due to long limbs and stride; garnered swing and misses w/ FB. Short, quick finish to delivery. SL showed flashes of sharpness and potential wipeout stuff; 75-77. 

Hagan Banks, RHP, Calhoun (GA), 2021
Alabama commit. 6-foot-4, 190 pounds; lean frame that has seen some growth and strength over the past year. Delivery and arm action has become cleaner and more fluid, but has maintained aggression, throughout. FB continues to trend upwards, hitting 93 three times in one inning of relief. Showed SL at 75-77; worked with sharpness when low in the zone. Stephen Bell, LHP/OF, Ravenwood (TN), 2022
Uncommitted, 6-foot, 170-pounds; lean, wiry frame with good athleticism.  Although a primary outfielder, Bell looked the part on the bump.  Long, loose arm action working to 3/4 slot with light effort in the delivery from the left side.  Pounded the zone with his FB at 80-85 working both in and out during his one inning of work. At the dish, level in the zone generating consistent hard contact and solid hit tool makes Bell an intriguing two-way to follow. 

 

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Jack Bennett, OF/C, McCracken Co. (KY), 2022
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 185-pounds with lean frame and some present strength.  The 2020 Future Gamer has put together a solid resume, and continued by swinging a hot stick to open the Fall.  Bennett flashed the bat speed (Max: 75.2; Avg: 71.1 via Blast Motion at FG) leading to some loud contact.  He muscled a single into CF, then flashed the pull-side power with a huge 2-out base clearing double to LF giving the Knights the lead. Good runner with 7.09 sixty time. Hybrid two-way prospect, who can provide defensive versatility plus some mound potential. 

Aaron Benton, C, South Effingham (GA), 2023
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong build. At the plate, balanced setup, loads hands back and flattens out the barrel, short stride, good balance. Hands work athletically, level swing through the zone, pull-side power, showed the ability to get on plane with pitches high in the zone. Brett Blomquist, UTL, Allatoona (GA), 2021
Western Kentucky commit. One of the most versatile players in Georgia’s 2021 Class, can play anywhere on the infield and even lend his services on the mound. 6-foot-2, 171-pound right-handed hitting utility player, lean, athletic build, quick twitch muscle. Swing works mostly level, allowing for him to generate hard line drive contact to all fields, at-time can get uphill and elevate middle/pull with force. Quick, athletic actions. Cade Cauthen, C/1B, Brentwood (TN), 2021
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 200-pound sturdy frame backstop with some present strength.  Cauthen has been a late blooming 21’ prospect, who has shown a blue collar mentality and gritty style of play.  During the summer, Cauthen picked up base knocks in bunches at Lakepoint, not even a broken nose on a 88-mph FB during an AB could slow him down, coming back the next day with a pair of hits.  At the Fall Invite, Cauthen smashed a big time 2-RBI double into right-CF during bracket play to put the Mad Mavs up. Crouched stance with small leg kick, generating some power.  Defensively, solid receiver overall, but really blocks well, absorbing pitches and quickly recovering. 
Max Clark, OF, Franklin (IN), 2023
Vanderbilt commit. 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, highly athletic, strength throughout with more to come, plays the game with supreme confidence and high energy, stood out on the field amongst players a year or two years older. Advanced in every facet of the game, elite bat to ball skills coupled with bat speed, generates hard contact to all fields.

Wyatt Collins, C, Lenoir City (TN), 2021 
Uncommitted. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound uncommitted backstop had a nice weekend at the Lakepoint Fall Invite, handling much of the catching duties for BC Athletics 2021 and hitting in the middle of the order. Balanced, simple stance with moderate leg kick while maintaining rhythm.  Generates plenty of bat speed while barreling up some balls this weekend, including his deep fly out that traveled 340 ft into the left-CF gap and came off the bat at 90.4 mph.  Flashes of the gap-to-gap power and solid hit tool.  Defensively, quiet behind the plate, using swift footwork and good arm strength to gun down a runner trying to take third on Saturday. 

 

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Michael Colonna, RHP, Weddington (NC), 2022
UNC commit. Member of Team Carolinas at the 2019 PBR Future Games. 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, projectable build, athletic with strength. Got the start against a loaded Team Indiana and worked through their lineup with a FB/SL combo. Operating from a low ¾ slot, creates life on his FB and plays a sharp SL off it. Fastball sat 84-86, touched 87, run and sink, late action. Slider, 76-78, maintains arm slot and speed, sharp action, swing and miss pitch.


Jacob Conquest, RHP, Greenbrier (TN), 2023
Uncommitted, Uncommitted, 5-foot-8, 160-pound slim, athletic frame.  Quick, live arm that works up to high 3/4 slot with square landing.  Strong lower half in delivery with some effort.  Pounded the zone with his FB at 82-85, commanding it down in the zone.  Slight action on it, but good downhill plane that beats barrels.  Occasionally mixed a 71-73 mph CB with 11/5 shape and decent bite, but Conquest's pitch usage  was a heavy FB diet. 

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Avery Crabtree, RHP, William Blount (TN), 2021
Uncommitted, 6-foot-2, 185-pound right hander has a solid, proportional frame and a long, smooth arm stroke.  A bit of a sleeper based on rank, but a rising arm looking for a home. Feel in delivery while attacking hitters with FB.  Leaned heavily on FB at 83-87 with good life.  Occasionally mixed downer CB at 73-76, which he tended to bury looking for chases of FB tunnel. 

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Brycen Denton, LHP, Hardin Valley (TN), 2021
Uncommitted; 5-foot-11, 188-pound southpaw has continued to make steady progress with his game. Strong pitchability with good command of mostly two-pitch mix.  Quick, compact arm and hides the ball well through delivery.  FB up a tick at 80-84 with slight sink and jumps on the hitter.  CB with 1/7 action at 71-73 mph, which he throws for strikes and can bury for chase.  Good athlete spending time in the OF as well, but his future looks to be on the bump.   

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Jacob Dudan, RHP, Lake Norman Charter, 2023
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic build, young frame that has plenty of time and room for more physical advancement. Arm works long and quick to a lower ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, keeps momentum on line towards home. Fastball sat 86-88 in first inning, settled in at 84-86 in the second, creates heavy armside run with a lower slot. Slider, sharp, sweeping action, 73. A young arm to take note of.

Will Dugan, RHP, Lipscomb Academy (TN), 2022
Uncommitted; 6-foot-3, 230-pound right hander made a nice jump since he appeared at the PBR Future Games in early August. Strong, bulky frame with some juice in his arm.  Quiet, repeatable delivery with strong balance point, smoothly working downhill.  Throws a heavy FB at 86-90 w/ slight arm side action and maintained velo throughout outing. Mixed breaking ball at 75-78, which flashed more sharpness with the velo uptick. A strong uncommitted arm in the 22' class. 
Andrew Dunford, CIF/RHP, Houston County (GA), 2023
6-foot-7, 210-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, extra large frame has only just scratched the surface of his physicality, plenty of room to go before he is done filling out. On the mound, long, continuous arm action, above-average arm speed to a high ¾ slot. Filled up the zone with his fastball in a brief relief appearance, only used his curveball once. Fastball sat 84-86, heavy, sinking action. Curveball, 12/6, 70. At the plate, continues to add power to his swing, gap-to-gap type hitter, shortens up and takes more line drive approach when down in the count, uses the whole field, good feel for the barrel. Andrew Dutkanych, RHP, Brebeuf (IN), 2022
Vandy commit, one of the top overall arms in the 2022 class. 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, physical build, athletic on the mound. Short, ultra quick arm plays out of an over-the-top slot. Some effort in the delivery with a head pull through release. Pounded the zone with a FB/SL combo, blew FBs by hitters, both acted as swing and miss pitches. Fastball sat 91-93, touched 94 in the first, mostly straight. Slider played off fastball, downer action, 80-81.

McKane Everett, C/3B, Wilson Central (TN), 2022 
Uncommitted, 6-foot-1, 195-pound backstop has a solid frame with strength. The lefty-swinging catcher was red-hot at the dish all weekend.  Balanced, athletic stance with simple load, allowing him to keep his barrel in the zone.  Smooth stroke with good bat speed (Max: 74.9 mph | Avg: 69.3 mph via Blast). No issue handling velo, turning on a double in his first at bat before a deep homer later in the game to right-CF. Also, hit a no-doubt two-run homer off a 87-mph FB in bracket play to get East Cobb going early. 

 

Nehemiah Goodman, RHP, Marion (IL), 2023
Uncommitted; 6-foot-3, 215-pound tall, projectable frame.  Traditional full windup with arm working to low 3/4 arm slot.  Strength throughout delivery. Heavy dose of FB at 82-86 with good life. 

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Bradley Grasser, RHP, McIntosh (GA), 2021
Young Harris Commit; 6-foot-2, 175-pound tall, slender frame.  Unwinding arm action that works up to H 3/4 slot.  FB worked 82-86 with some ASR and good downhill plane.  Heavy mix of CB at 69-73 with 12/6 action and late bite.  

Griffin Graves, LHP, Trinity Christian Academy (TN), 2023
Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 165-pound southpaw tossed two strong innings to close out the win for Team Georgia.  Simple, controlled delivery with a quick arm exploding out to 3/4 slot. Heavy, FB at  81-85, which he threw to both sides of the plate. Paired with wicked sharp SL at 70-72. Good pitchability; mixing tunnels and pitching to both sides. Good sequence working FB in then following with back foot slider to righty.   Luke Hayden, RHP, Edgewood (IN), 2021
Indiana commit. Athletically built 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Short, quick arm, plays athletically from a ¾ slot, works downhill staying on top of the ball. Fatball sat 90-93, touched 94, blew it by batters, high volume of strikes. Slider played 78-81, maintained slot and arm speed creating deception, swing and miss type pitch. Cruised through the SBA lineup with lots of strikes and swing and misses. James Hays, RHP/CIF, Westfield Academy (GA), 2023
Georgia commit. 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitting corner infielder and right-handed pitcher, strong, projectable build, starter type. On the mound, arm works with a soft stab on the back-side, keep action continuous, accelerates quickly with advanced arm speed to a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, utilizes his strong lower half well to drive down the mound, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 90-92 in first inning, settled in at 87-89, feel for pitch, high spin rate at 2500-2600 rpm, worked all parts of the zone effectively. Changeup, 81-85, fade action. Slider, 76-79, downer action. At the plate, swings a power bat from the left-side. Potential two-way prospect at the next level, arm is advanced, swing plays. Thomas Higgins, RHP, Appling Co.(GA), 2021
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 170-pounds; proportional frame with some projection.  Good pace in delivery with a quick, whippy arm, getting great extension.  Some effort in the delivery, but produces some live stuff.  Higgins has a live FB at 86-90 with late arm-side life, which he threw for strikes and beat barrels inside. FB paired with a 70-73 mph CB with sharp bite, staying down in the zone and burying for chase.   Matt Hoag, LHP, Ponte Verde (FL), 2024
Duke commit. 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. Controlled, repeatable delivery. Full arm swing, slight closed landing, H3/4 slot. Stood out on the mound, largely in part to advanced feel for the strike zone. Got ahead of hitters consistently with FB on the outer-half of the plate. FB sat 80-83. Breaking ball showed large 1/7 shape at 68-70. Advanced, young arm that will be fun to watch develop in the near future.

Eli Huddleston, LHP, Upperman (TN), 2023
Uncommitted; 5-foot-10, 150-pound southpaw works through batters at a very efficient rate.  Strong feel for his pitches and commands the zone.   Smooth, easy arm that works up to 3/4 slot. Generates a lot of weak contact off sinking FB at 80-82, which he can work both in and out.  Mixes CB at 68-70 with good shape and tunnels well after elevated FB. 

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Colby Hutto, RHP, West Morgan (AL), 2021
Uncommitted; 6-foot-2, 180-pound right hander has a long frame and live arm.  Coming on in late relief, Hutto showed off his loose, speedy arm while firing in FB at 85-89.  Another jump in velo since the summer to go with a 68-70 mph CB with good 11/5 bite. 

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Aidan Jolley, 1B/C, Allatoona (GA), 2022
5-foot-9, 162-pound right-handed hitting first baseman and catcher, strong, proportional build, has physically grown and added usable strength to his frame over the past few months. Offensively, balanced setup, loose hands load back smoothly, short stride, good balanced, keeps everything simple. Barrel path works flat through the zone, quick hands, able to backspin  the ball to the pull-side with power. Gap-to-gap type hitter. Continues to improve his swing. Sent a no-doubter over the left field fence on Saturday, 94 exit velocity.

Andon Lewis, 1B, Calhoun (GA), 2022
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting first baseman, broad, physical frame that only continues to add strength to it. Offensively, has quick hands, barrel works mostly uphill through the zone, advanced raw power, generates consistent hard contact, with added lift to swing will be a long ball threat.< Landen Loyd, RHP, Pepperell (GA), 2022
Charleston Southern commit. 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, proportionally built with lean strength, athletic frame, converted from SS to RHP late this summer and has made an immediate impact on the mound. Arm works short and quick with soft stab on the back-side, accelerates quickly to an over-the-top slot. Fastball sat 84-87, touched 88, got swing and misses middle/up in the zone. Curveball, 12/6, 70-72, played well off his high fastball. Tanner Lyne, RHP, CFA Academy (NC), 2022
Lipscomb Commit; 5-foot-10, 205-pound stocky frame with lower half strength.  Quick tempo delivery with full arm swing.  Crossfire style with closed foot landing and arm flanking out to low 3/4 slot causing discomfort for righty bats.  Lively FB with an uptick in velo at 85-90 w/ sink/arm side action, yet commanding it well to the glove side. Mixed 76-77 mph power CB with hard bite and 11/5 action. 
Colton Masse, C/RHP, Northside (GA), 2023
5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way prospect, proportional frame, strong build that will add physicality as he continues to mature. Offensively, open setup, athletic bend in his knees, low hands load back smoothly, good balance throughout. Swing works mostly level, present bat speed, lets the ball travel. Took a lot of competitie at-bats. On the mound worked his fastball up to 84 and showed the makings of a swing and miss 12/6 curveball at 70-71. Cole Mathis, 3B/RHP, Harris County (GA), 2021
College of Charleston commit. 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, physical build with advanced strength throughout frame. On the mound, arm works short and quick to a ¾ slot. Advanced arm strength, fastball topped out at 94 mph, sat mostly 88-90, flashed arm side run. Curveball, slurve-like, sharp action, swing and miss pitch, 72-75. Changeup, 81, sinking action, At the plate, uses his natural strength to swing a power bat, elevates and drives the ball with force. Parker McCoy, 3B/RHP, Benedictine (GA), 2024
6-foot, 170 pounds. Young two-way player who does everything well on the field. Impressive early on at the plate with two doubles in game one on Saturday. Loud LCF gap shot, followed by turned on a FB for a double down 3B line. Simple, well-timed load. Hands are quick and are clean through the zone. Strong arm across the infield and on the mound; ran FB up to 85. Sam Mettert, RHP, Franklin Central (IN), 2021
Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 200 pounds; impressive showing out of the bullpen for Team Indiana. Mettert uses a long, full arm swing to release from a ¾ slot. Uses legs to drive down the mound; stays on line throughout the low-effort delivery. Three-pitch-mix, all with significant shape and feel. FB sat 86-90 with late run to both sides of the plate; located low in the zone and missed barrels with FB all outing. SL at 77-81 has developing shape; sharper, larger break when velocity is higher; mimics cutter action when in the high-70s range. CH showed good action from the slot; comes out naturally and deceptive at 79-81. Highest-ranked uncommitted 2021 in Indiana at #19 in the class. William Mosley, 3B, Allatoona (GA), 2022
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting third baseman, strong, physical frame, muscular build. Stood out offensively all weekend long with consistent loud contact. Balanced setup, hands move back smoothly, short stride, great balance through finish. Hands work athletically and with advanced hand speed to get to pitches in all areas of the zone and elevate with power, one of the top bats and power bats still uncommitted in Georgia’s 2022 class. Brady Neal, C, IMG Academy (FL), 2023
LSU commit. 5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong, sturdy build, advanced tool set behind the plate and offensively. At the plate, has a simple, rhythmic setup, balanced, short stride, smooth hand load, explosive lower half, great balance. Takes a middle/pull approach, drives the ball with force, quick hands, gains extension through the zone, as he continues to develop will have power to all fields. Daniel Parris, RHP, Knoxville Catholic (TN), 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot-2, 186-pound right-hander tossed one inning during pool play and impressed with a polished repertoire while striking out two. Proportional, projectable frame with strong lower half to carry velocity.  Well-sequenced delivery with good arm speed. Attacked hitters with three pitch mix.  FB at 85-88 with slight arm side action and late life, really threw it with intent.  CB at 71-72 with great shape and future potential.  Also showed fading CH at 74-75 with some depth and maintaining arm speed. Looks to be one of the top uncommitted righty arms in TN 23’ class.  Jaxson Pease, RHP/SS, Farragut (TN), 2022
Uncommitted, 6-foot, 150-pound lean, athletic frame.  Pease, originally viewed as more of a SS prospect, seems to be coming on as more of an arm due to his ability to really spin the baseball.  Twitchy athlete with great projection to add mass. Quick arm that works to H 3/4 slot.  FB sat 80-84, T85 with good spin and very effective when elevated in the zone.  Pease paired the high FB with a tight spinning 12/6 CB at 71-73, creating a challenging tunnel for hitters to recognize the pitch early.

Ethan Robinson, RHP, Donelson Christian Academy (TN), 2023
Vanderbilt Commit, 6-foot-3, 177-pound right-hander is currently 7th overall in the PBR National Rankings.  In his first outing since late July, Robinson shook off any rust and continued to show why he’s one of the top young arms in the country.  Long, lanky frame with quiet, repeatable delivery and great body control.  FB jumped out of the hand at 87-91, T92 with late life and slight arm side action.  Leaned on his CB at 71-73 to generate chases down in the zone and locating for strikes.  Struggled landing his 78-80 mph SL early, but found his groove and showed flashes of being his go-to breaking ball of the future with good deception and hard bite. 

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James Sells, RHP, Tullahoma (TN), 2021
MTSU Commit, 6-foot, 176-pound frame. The right hander is returning from some shoulder issues that plagued him in late 2019, but he didn’t skip a beat.  Quiet, fast-paced delivery with emphasis on strong lower half.  Quick arm working up to low 3/4 slot with little effort.  Heavy FB at 84-88 with late sink, which he located well.  Threw a really impressive CH at 79-82 with great deception and depth.  Sells threw it to both righties and lefties, generating swing n’ miss put away pitch. Threw a hard SL at 77-79 to round out the arsenal with sharp, downer bite.

Luke Sinnard, RHP, Beech (TN), 2021
Western Kentucky Commit; 6-foot-7, 250-p

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