SC Fall Underclass Games - Quick Hits

Saturday August 18th saw another first in the inaugural campaign of Prep Baseball Report, South Carolina. Over 30 of the top prospects from across the state converged on Patriots Point and the home of The College of Charleston Cougars for the first ever SC Fall Underclass Games event. After a full prostyle workout and statistical evaluation the “red” team squared off against the “black” team in a nine inning game. Pitchers were given a chance to throw in a controlled game situation, giving hitters a chance to get live at-bats.

Profiles will be created and/or updated for those players who were in attendance. PBR staff was able to take video and statistics for each player throughout the day. A full evaluation, video, and statistics will be added to their profiles in the coming days.

Later this week we will take an in depth look at the players in attendance. Today we begin with some of the notes, take-aways, and statistics from the event.

PBR SC Fall Underclass Games: By the Numbers

• 31 players took part in the event...28 players were evaluated as position players and 16 pitchers threw live in game action.

• 5 players bested 7.00 in the 60 with the best of those times being two 6.78’s

• 28 players ran the 60 with the avg. time a 7.41

• 18 infielders recorded throws across the diamond with 6 reaching 78 mph or higher

• 9 Catchers recorded a workout pop time with 4 of them coming in below 2.10

• Of 28 recorded exit velo’s - 16 came in over 80 mph - 5 over 85 - with event tops at 89

• 16 pitchers threw with 8 of them breaking 80 - 3 breaking 85 - with event tops at 86

PBR SC Fall Underclass Games: Quick Hits

It didn’t take long at all to see that this event was full of talented players who would be posting solid numbers all day long. In the first event of the day, the 60, Logan Palma (OF, Summerville HS, 2020) put down a 6.78 to pace the field. Not to be out done Matthew Cassidy (OF, Camden HS, 2020) matched Palma’s time running his own 6.78.

The exit velo testing was much of the same with this strong group of young players posting some solid numbers. Two notable performances came from Jackson Gore (SS/3B, Blacksburg HS, 2020) who posted an 86 mph exit velo and Kolby Crepeau (OF, Clover HS, 2020) who posted an 89 mph exit velo.

As the BP session got underway it was clear to see that there was a stable of LHH catchers at this event and all of them could flat out hit!

• Connor Cino (C/1B, Wando HS, 2020) got this group started with a solid round of BP. He showed natural loft in his swing plane with an advanced feel for the barrel and pop that will translate to the next level. He would later triple to the wall in DEEP right center field.

• Trent Land (C/3B, Seneca HS, 2020) would continue the trend with an impressive round of his own. The stocky left handed hitter didn’t miss the barrel in BP or the game collecting 3 hits. His compact swing kept him behind the ball on multiple offerings and pitch locations.

• Nikko Andre (C, St. James HS, 2020) put together an impressive round of his own. He showed the ability hit sting line drives to the pullside. A more level attack angle produced low line drives with consistency.

There was also some impressive glove work on display during both the workout and game portions of the event.

• Jake Tanner (SS/2B, Camden HS, 2020) showed off his confident hands with smooth transitions and simple footwork that allowed him to work through balls and make multiple throws with easy carry to the bag.

• Ryan Deal (SS/RHP, Rock Hill HS, 2021) impressed for the second event in a row. A rangy infielder with the athletic ability to make plays other players his age can’t. Ranged deep up the middle to make a tough play look easy. (Also collected multiple hits on the day and ran a 6.87 60)

Jacob Watkins (LHP, Branchville HS, 2020) took the mound for the first time since his trip to the PBR Future Games in Indianapolis. The athletic LHP showed a slight uptick in velocity commanding fastballs to both sides of the plate in the 81-84 mph range while flashing multiple 85s. He finished multiple hitters with a tight slider with 2/8 shape. Watkins posted 4 Ks in his two innings of work.

Breakout performance of the day goes to JP Cunningham (2B/OF, Lancaster HS, 2022). The incoming freshman wowed with his all around ability to play multiple positions and athleticism. Silky smooth hands and footwork were the norm for him during the defensive workout and in game action. His OF velo was recorded at an event best 85 mph and his compact swing produced an exit velo of 84.

PBR SC Fall Underclass Games: Notable Performances

• Ryan Beam (C/2B, South Pointe HS, 2020) recorded an event best 1.98 pop time and also doubled into the RCF gap.

• Dylan Smoak (1B/LHP, York HS, 2020) doubled to the warning track in deep CF, collecting two hits on the day. Also pitched a clean inning on the mound 80-82 T84.

• Nolan Rowan (RHP, High Point NJ, 2020) was up to 86 mph in a clean second inning of work.