Adam Akin
Director of Scouting



The 2017 PBR Tennessee Middle Tennessee Preseason Preview took place on Monday, January 16 at Showtime Sports Academy in Franklin, Tennessee and included a position player workout, followed by pitcher bullpens.  Players were afforded the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of the PBR Tennessee staff, as well as a number of college coaches in attendance. The following is our evaluation of every right-handed pitcher that was in attendance.

 

Gage Bradley, OF/RHP, Rossview, 2020
Max FB: 87, FB: 85-87, CB: 72-74, CH: 81-82,
6-foot-1, 155-pound, RHP put together the most impressive performance of the event on the mound, a long and athletic build allows him to move freely on the mound with controlled rhythm and tempo, a high leg lift gets him loaded at the top with some slight shoulder tilt, strides in line with some good engagement from his lower half, really gets down the mound with a long and loose arm action through a high ¾ slot, quick arm allows the ball to jump out of his hand, finishes balanced with a back leg swing.  Fastball was heavy through the zone with some zip, curveball was exceptional with some sharp 11/5 shape, changeup showed run and was thrown for strikes.  Bradley is one of the top prospects in the 2020 class.

Elijah Pleasants, RHP/OF, Rossview, 2018
Max FB: 87, FB: 85-87, CB: 60-64, CH: 67-70,
6-foot-4, 160-pound, RHP is one of the top uncommitted pitchers in the state and has drawn a ton of attention since his 2016 Future Games performance, long and loose movements are athletic and provide some of the highest projectability in the class, good tempo and a higher leg lift create good momentum down into a long stride that remains in line, long and loose arm action comes through a high ¾ slot with some real quickness, finishes over his front leg and toward the 1B side.  Fastball is heavy with some hard run, curveball is a swing-and-miss pitch with powerful 11/5 shape, changeup showed run and fade through the zone, was able to throw all three pitches for strikes.

Hunter Crosby, RHP/OF, Dickson County, 2018
Max FB: 84, FB: 82-84, CH: 69-71, SL:69-70
6-foot-4, 170-pound, RHP is a good sized prospect with solid athleticism and quick-twitch muscles, moves quickly through a very up-tempo delivery that tends to jump on the hitter, leg lift is fairly high and gets him very closed, unwinds into an only slightly closed stride that gets him way down the mound before landing, quick arm action is short and comes through a high ¾ slot and has no trouble getting over his front leg.  Fastball is very heavy through the zone and can bear down on a righty, slider showed 10/4 shape and can be tight, changeup was thrown for strikes with run and sink.

Colton Teal, RHP, Spring Hill, 2018
Max FB: 84, FB: 82-84, CB: 73-74, CH: 75-77,
6-foot-0, 185-pound, RHP was a pleasant surprise and became a real standout at this event, works quickly on the mound with a very up-tempo delivery, a lot of movement works in sync to get him loaded at the top of his leg lift, creates some torque and a tilt of his shoulders, strides and lands in an open position that causes him to fall a little toward the 1B side upon his finish, arm action is shorter but is quick through a high ¾ slot with some effort.  Fastball was heavy and able to bear down on righties, curveball was sharp with some late 11/5 action, changeup was straight but a change of pace. 

Ethan Mealer, RHP/3B, Forrest, 2019
Max FB: 83, FB: 79-83, CB: 67-70, CH: 71-76,
5-foot-11, 160-pound, RHP moves athletically on the mound with loose and rangy movements, long legs get him started with his quick and up-tempo delivery by initiating his higher leg lift that creates some slight shoulder tilt at the top, front side stays closed for a long time until clearing upon the landing of his front foot, explodes toward the plate with a long and loose arm action through a high ¾ angle, some real projectability in this 2019 grad.  Fastball showed some slight run, curveball was tight with late 11/5 shape and break, changeup had some run through the zone.

Tyler Sills, RHP/2B, Battle Ground Academy, 2018
Max FB: 81, FB: 79-81, CB: 67-69, CH: 70-71,
5-foot-10, 140-pound, RHP stood out on the mound with some good actions and athleticism, very good rhythm through an up-tempo delivery, a lot of movement but utilizes his entire body through release, higher leg lift gets his front side loaded and creates some shoulder tilt just before heading home, strides and lands slightly closed but has no trouble getting out over his front side with a loose and quick arm action through a high ¾ slot.  Fastball was often straight but seemed heavy through the zone, curveball was sharp with late 11/5 action, changeup dies at the plate, throws 3 pitches for strikes.

Greyson Birdsong, 3B/RHP, Ensworth, 2019
Max FB: 80, FB: 79-80, CB: 65-68, CH: 70-72,
6-foot-3, 180-pound, RHP is a good sized prospect with athleticism that carries over from the plate to the mound, works with good rhythm as he does a great job of staying in sync, leg lift is smooth and helps build some momentum through his stride, lands in line and really gets down the mound with a loose and pretty quick arm action through a ¾ angle, occasionally lands with a slight drift toward the 1B side.  Fastball bears down on righties, curveball was sharp with 11/5 shape through the zone, changeup showed some slight run at the plate.

Zane Denton, 3B/RHP, Ravenwood, 2019
Max FB: 80, FB: 78-80, CB: 64-66, CH: 67-68,
6-foot-0, 185-pound, RHP is one of the top position players in the state and carries some of that athleticism over to the mound, uses some good rhythm throughout his delivery that builds up to a pretty explosive movement toward the plate, generic leg lift gets his front side loaded and leads into a mostly in line stride, looser arm action comes through a high ¾ release point with some quickness, occasionally falls toward the 1B side on his finish.  Fastball showed some slight cut at times, curveball had late 11/5 movement with occasional sharpness, changeup showed sink and a little fade through the zone.

Tyler Flynn, RHP, Tipton Rosemark Academy, 2018
Max FB: 82, FB: 81-82, CB: 67-69, CH: 72-75,
6-foot-0, 181-pound, RHP has an athletic build and uses some solid rhythm and good tempo throughout his delivery, continues to improve each time we see him on the mound, leg lift is under control and creates some momentum into his descent toward the plate, shoulders tilt slightly at the top, stride lands in line and finishes well-balanced, loose arm action comes through a high ¾ release point, still possesses some upside.  Fastball was mostly straight but had some life, curveball showed gradual movement with 11/5 shape, changeup was a change of pace.

Garrett Dolinich, RHP, Creekwood, 2018
Max FB: 81, FB: 79-81, CB: 67-68, CH: 69-71,
6-foot-4, 210-pound, RHP brings a physical presence to the mound with a relatively quick pace to everything he does, a lot of movement during his rocker step and leg lift creates some good positive momentum headed into his descent on the plate, loads very quickly at the top and leads into a stride that lands in line, shorter and very unique arm action tucks the ball below his glove before coming through a high ¾ release point.  Fastball showed run to the left side and cut to the right side, curveball showed 11/5 shape through the zone, changeup had some slight sink to it.  

Dawson Powers, 2B/RHP, Franklin County, 2018
Max FB: 82, FB: 81-82, CB: 64-65, CH: 64-65,
5-foot-11, 130-pound, RHP begins very slowly through his rocker step and speeds up during his leg lift while building to a quick and aggressive finish toward the plate, gets closed off at the top, strides in line and unwinds his upper half, arm action is pretty long and slings through a ¾ angle, generally finishes balanced and out front.  Fastball was mostly straight, curveball showed some very high potential with sharp and late break with 11/5 shape, changeup had some occasional cut.

Matthew Swann, RHP/1B, Friendship Christian School, 2019
Max FB: 80, FB: 78-80, CB: 66-69, CH: 74-77,
6-foot-2, 210-pound, RHP is a two-way player that showed some potential upside on the mound, uses good rhythm early in his delivery that build into a solid leg lift that generates some momentum headed toward the plate, strides and lands in a slightly closed position and doesn’t always get out over his front side, arm action is a little shorter but jumps on the hitter through a high ¾ slot, occasionally finishes with a slight drift toward the 1B side.  Fastball seemed heavy, curveball was erratic but showed 12/6 shape with a potential to be sharp, changeup showed some occasional run.

Jackson Walker, OF/RHP, Brentwood, 2018
Max FB: 79, FB: 76-79, CB: 64-66, CH: 70-72,
6-foot-2, 156-pound, RHP has a rangy and athletic build with wide shoulders, uses a consistent pace throughout his delivery, creates some very slight shoulder tilt at the top of his leg lift before heading to the plate, engages his lower half while striding in line and finishing very well-balanced, gets way down the mound, longer and pretty loose arm action comes through a near over-the-top slot.  Fastball was mostly straight, curveball had 11/5 shape with some gradual movement, changeup was a change of pace.

Baylor Jones, 1B/RHP, Grace Christian Academy, 2019
Max FB: 81, FB: 80-81, CB: 65-67, CH: 70-74,
5-foot-11, 195-pound, RHP threw exclusively out of the stretch and remained under control with a simple and very repeatable delivery, higher leg lift brings his hands up and down in connection with his lower half engagement, creates some slight shoulder tilt before heading home, strides and lands mostly in line and finishes in a solid position, arm action is longer through an over-the-top slot.  Fastball is straight, curveball showed 12/6 shape with some sporadic bite, changeup is mostly straight with some fade at the plate.

Brandon Tucker, SS/RHP, Portland, 2019
Max FB: 80, FB: 79-80, CB: 65-67, CH: 71-74,
5-foot-9, 185-pound, RHP has a strong and steady build with some solid athleticism, uses good rhythm throughout his delivery that creates some repeatable tempo, higher leg lift brings his hands up and shoulders stay even during his in line stride toward the plate and release,  uses a short arm action through a near over-the-top slot, finishes out front and balanced.  Fastball is straight but heavy through the zone, curveball is solid with 12/6 shape and is thrown for strikes, changeup showed run and was also thrown for strikes.

Tyler Finley, 2B/RHP, Brentwood Academy, 2020
Max FB: 77, FB: 76-77, CB: 66-68, CH: 68-71,
6-foot-1, 160-pound, RHP has good size and length for his age, uses a consistent rhythm throughout his delivery that loads at the top with a high leg lift and some slight shoulder tilt, strides and lands in line while really reaching down the mound and toward the plate upon release, short arm action comes through a high ¾ release point, finishes on his front leg and usually under control.  Fastball was pretty straight with consistent velo, curveball showed 12/6 shape with decent break, changeup showed some run through the zone.

Lelan Lewis, 3B/RHP, Centennial, 2018
Max FB: 78, FB: 76-78, CB: 63-68, CH: 66-68,
6-foot-0, 185-pound, RHP used the same measured and controlled delivery we saw from him at last year’s Top Prospect Games, uses a pretty consistent tempo that builds up toward the end with a quick movement to the plate, strides and lands in a closed position but is able to get out front with an arm action that comes from a near over-the-top slot, finishes with a slight but controlled fall toward 1B.  Fastball was straight, breaking ball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape through the zone, changeup was a change of pace.

Mason King, RHP, Franklin, 2019
Max FB: 77, FB: 75-77, CB: 63-64, CH: 66-68,
6-foot-0, 165-pound, RHP uses a deliberate and structured delivery in which he stays tall until his release, builds up to his finish through a generic leg lift and a slightly closed stride to the plate, gets over his front side by getting down the mound with his hand and finishing under control, arm action is long through a ¾ slot.  Fastball is mostly straight but can show some occasional slight run, curveball showed 11/5 to 12/6 shape with the potential to be good, changeup showed run and sink and was thrown for strikes.

Brandon Majors, 1B/RHP, Cane Ridge, 2018
Max FB: 77, FB: 75-77, CB: 64-65, CH: 57-59,
6-foot-3, 200-pound, RHP has a wide-shouldered build with a strong presence on the mound, uses a slow and methodical tempo on the mound that only gets quick upon the end of his release, leg lift drifts him into a load that leads to a closed stride and land with his front leg, arm action is long and slings through a nearly sidearm release point, usually finishes over his front leg.  Fastball was heavy with some slight run through the zone, curveball showed 11/5 shape, changeup forced his arm to slow down quite a bit.

Madison Murphy, OF/RHP, Montgomery Central, 2018
Max FB: 78, FB: 77-78, CB: 62-63, CH: 64-66,
5-foot-8, 155-pound, RHP uses short and quick movements through an up-tempo delivery that gets him moving toward the plate in a hurry, higher leg lift gets lower half engaged, shoulders stay even throughout, short arm action comes through a nearly over-the-top slot, jumps at the plate with a slightly closed stride and stays tall during his finish.  Fastball was mostly straight but had some life, curveball had some late break with 11/5 to 10/4 shape, changeup showed some run with some fade at the plate.

JD Usrey, 3B/RHP, Lebanon, 2020
Max FB: 74, FB: 70-74, CB: 58-60, CH: 63-66,
5-foot-10, 172-pound, RHP uses a consistent and steady pace throughout his delivery, leg lift is generic but is effective in getting his front side loaded before heading to the plate, uses some rhythm to generate some momentum, shorter arm action a high ¾ slot leads to a finish that drifts slightly toward the 1B side.  Fastball had some slight run, curveball needs to develop some more movement through the zone, changeup had some sink at the plate.

Kobe Pridemore, 1B/RHP, Trousdale County, 2020
Max FB: 72, FB: 70-72, CB: 60-63, CH: 64-65,
6-foot-3, 185-pound, RHP uses some short and efficient movements to begin his delivery while staying tall until the end of his release, a pretty consistent tempo throughout helps promote good balance and control, higher leg lift gets him loaded at the top and helps create some slight shoulder tilt, strides and lands slightly closed while finishing with an occasional drift toward the 1B side, longer arm action comes through a high ¾ slot.  Fastball was straight, curveball had 12/6 shape with gradual movement, changeup showed some fade through the zone. 

Cameron Smith, SS/RHP, McGavock, 2020
Max FB: 71, FB: 69-71, CB: 58-62, CH: 62-65,
5-foot-8, 145-pound, RHP uses a slightly slower and methodical tempo throughout his delivery, stays very much under control but doesn’t use as much of his body as he could, hands get high with leg lift but keep his shoulders even and strides in line with a balanced finish, stays very tall until release, short arm action comes through a high ¾ slot.  Fastball showed some slight run through the zone, curveball showed 12/6 to 11/5 shape but missed down, changeup faded at the plate.

Houston Kilpatrick, RHP, Creek Wood, 2020
Max FB: 63, FB: 58-63, CB: 53-55, CH: 56-57,
6-foot-0, 132-pound, RHP has a wiry frame and uses an unconventional and deceptive delivery to throw hitters off, efficient movements include a lower and tucked in leg lift, upper body bends down to allow for a slightly lower than sidearm slot, arm action is pretty loose, finishes toward the 3B side of the mound.  Fastball was mostly straight but could show some run, curveball showed some slight movement with 10/4 shape, changeup faded through the zone.