On Sunday June 7th, PBR Scouts were in attendance for the 5 Star Organizaitonal workout at The Athletic Barn in Waxhaw, NC.  The Athletic Barn is a beautiful facility that allowed 5 Star to keep their players spread out, while running close to 200 players through the workout.  Beginning at 9am, the day concluded at 5pm. 

PBR Scouts ran TrackMan for 85 bullpens, collecting data on the arms in the 5 Star Carolina program.  Scouts were also able to see position players workout from their respective positions and take some swings in the cages.  Off-site, 5 Star catchers were able to throw pop times for PBR scouts while position players ran a 60 on the laser timers. 

Today we jump into some of the arms that were on display for 5 Star.  With 85 arms throwing on the day, we are still working through a lot of the notes taken, but these arms stood out.

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Quick Hits: 5 Star Org Scout Day

Justin Lehman (C, Nation Ford, 2021) - Not a primary arm but a solid presence behind the dish for the 5 Star pitching staff. Good bend in the hips and advanced defensive skill set. LHH with feel for the barrel and a balanced approach. The Army recruit jumped on the mound and touched 89 with the FB, showing his ability to add value at the back end of the 5 Star bullpen or in a pinch. 

Joey Hylinski (RHP, Legion Collegiate, 2022) - Medium frame with a loose, whippy arm action. Showed feel for multiple pitches. SL flashed late bite at 74 and SPL featured heavy arm side fade. FB was up to 87 with more in the tank.

Hunter Sloop (RHP, Lake Norman Christian, 2022) - 6-9, 225lb XL frame. 85-88 mph with the FB with plenty more in the tank. Two-sport athlete will see the velo continue to rise as he logs more innings. Durable frame and clean arm action are easy to dream on. Showcased a SL at 73-75 and a CH at 78-80 to round out his repertoire. 

Charlie Melton (RHP, Kings Mountain, 2023) - Physical build with tons of upside. FB up to 84. Controlled tempo in the delivery, rotational at the top. Lands on his line and works downhill. Clean arm action, velo will continue to rise. Two tier breaking ball with 10/4 shape. 

Jacob Halford (RHP, North Guilford, 2021) - 6-2, 175lbs substantial projection remaining. Worked the FB up to 86 from an OTT arm slot. Full arm action and good extension. Worked the lower half of the zone with FB and a sharp SL with 11/5 shape. CH showed plus potential with heavy tendencies. 

Jackson Roberts (RHP, North Guilford, 2022) - Athletic build and smooth tempo in the delivery. Short/quick arm stroke produced a FB up to 87. Worked to a balanced point at the belt and through a OTT arm slot. SL worked side to side with occasional depth and late break. High ceiling. 

Luke Metzler (RHP, Myers Park, 2021) - Lean frame with moderate projection remaining. Ran the FB up to 85 from an OTT arm slot. Lands closed of his line and creates some angle giving added deception. 74-76 mph SL is an advanced pitch at present and should play at the next level. 

Cole Canty (RHP/3B, Rock Hill, 2024) - Long limbed RHP with a slender frame. Smooth delivery with a clean arm action. Arm will continue to speed up as he matures and gets stronger. Flashed a 74 mph FB to go along with a 64 mph CB and a 73 mph SPL. 

Isaiah Hipp (LHP, RS Central, 2023) - Slender frame and athletic build. Definite upside with future player development. Balanced delivery, slightly rotational at the balance point. H3Q arm slot produced a mid 70's FB. Will see a pop in the velo at some point. 

Thomas Whelan (RHP, Parkwood, 2023) - Projectable build with a high waist and plenty of room to develop. Worked through a H3Q arm slot. Ran the FB up to 75 with ASR. CH showed big time fade to the arm side with developing control. 

Carter Cox (RHP, Nation Ford, 2023) - Wiry frame. Quick tempo in the delivery. Short/Quick arm action. FB up to 75 with ASR. FB/CH sequence created some deception. Developing CB. 

Kalen Cruz (RHP, South Meck, 2023) - Large frame with room for additional development. Moderate tempo in the delivery with a higher balance point. Long arm action ran the FB up to 80. Consistent to the glove side with the breaking ball. Developing CH.