TN: Border Battle Preview
October 12, 2018
This weekend, some of the best uncommitted players in the 2020 and 2021 classes will come together to try and win state superiority over Kentucky.
The event, taking place at the new facility at the beautiful University of Kentucky in Lexington will bring together nearly 80 of the top prospects from both states.
On Saturday, the event will begin with registration from 8:15 to 8:45 before breaking into BP, defensive evaluations and a scheduled 11:30 AM start (EST) for Game 1.
On Sunday, registration will begin from 7:15 to 7:45 before breaking into defensive evaluations and a scheduled 9 AM start (EST) for the 18 inning game with BP taking place post-game.
For rosters, pitching rotations and preliminary inning by inning defense, follow the links below:
On the 2020 side, four players will be returning from the Future Games to participate. They are featured below:
 |
Austen Jaslove SS / 2B / Christian Academy of Knoxville, TN / 2020Rankings StateRank: 44 / POS: 6
60: 7.31, Position Velocity: IF: 88, Exit Velocity: 80 SS continued to show elite defensive actions while collecting 3 hits in game, including 2 doubles. 6-2, 170-pounder features a medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned lean strength throughout. Super projectable, has just scratched the surface of his frame potential. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ quiet hands into short shift of weight and mini leg kick. Generates bat speed through the zone, better bat speed than exit velocity indicates. Quiet head w/ knack for contact, zero swing and miss on 6 swings. All fields approach, picked up a couple opposite field hits before pulling a double that one hopped the LF wall. Projectable pull power, shows ability to drive the baseball at times. High level defender w/ high-level hands, good feet, plays through the baseball well. Reliable defender w/ ability to make the routine play as well as the highlight play. Showed a 5 mile per hour jump in arm strength from the Vanderbilt event in June, was consistent 86-88 on his throws. |
 |
Christian Martin 1B / OF / Baylor, TN / 2020Rankings StateRank: 36 / POS: 1
60: 7.37, Position Velocity: IF: 74, Exit Velocity: 92 1B teased at his power in game, delivering a hammered double to deep left center field despite dealing w/ a stubborn virus. 6-4, 250-pounder features well-proportioned present strength w/ close to mature build. Intimidating presence in the box. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ very short hand rhythm into stride to square and proper load. Generates above average bat speed through the zone w/ slight uppercut plane. Got a little swing happy out here, developing approach, learning which pitches to swing at early in the count. Once he develops the approach, has the ability to be a big time hitter in the box. Barrel feel w/ repeatable swing. Lot of power, projectable to all fields. Defensively, moves well at 1B w/ solid footwork, soft hands. Moves well for his size, can play LF if necessary as develops. |
 |
Sam Slaughter OF / 1B / Stewarts Creek, TN / 202060: 6.81, Position Velocity: OF: 85, Exit Velocity: 96 OF put on a show in BP, ball jumps off his barrel and makes a different sound. 6-0, 200-pounder features a medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned lean strength throughout, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into stride to open and proper load. Landed more open than we have seen previously, creating a pull oriented approach. Pull approach w/ ability to hit the ball hard up the middle and mis-hit balls out to right field. As he learns to stay through the ball, will be the consistent mashing hitter we saw late this spring over multiple games. Huge power ceiling, potential for easy all fields power. Runs well for his size, gets to top speed quickly. Defensively, showed developing routes and bat reads w/ closing speed. Easy arm strength w/ carry to target. |
 |
Lawrence Sutton OF / SS / Lawrence County, TN / 2020Rankings StateRank: 28 / POS: 12
60: 7.18, Position Velocity: OF: 82, Exit Velocity: 92 OF continued to show off his advanced hit tool, collecting a couple hits in game. 6-1, 185-pounder features a medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned present strength throughout, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, upright stance w/ short hand rhythm into leg kick to square and proper load. Leg kick is a new addition since we saw him last. Showed ability to control his lower half and stay through the baseball. Knack for barrel, consistent hard contact. All fields approach w/ lot of line drives when right. Put on a show in BP on day 2, delivering consistent hard contact and numerous home runs to his pull side. Learning to consistently get to his power in game, projectable all fields power. Defensively, shows ability to cover ground in the OF w/ good bat reads. Developing arm strength w/ carry to target. |
On the 2021 side, 3 uncommitted players ranked in the top 20 will be playing. Read up on them below:
 |
Jay Dill RHP / The Baylor School, TN / 2021Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 4
FB (83-85, T87 twice), SL (75-76) Righty showed an improved breaking ball from what we saw this spring as his velocity continues to trend upward. Tall, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned present strength, projectable. Pitches from a full wind-up into ¾ to H ¾ release from the first base side of the rubber. Clean, repeatable delivery. Flashes extension through the baseball. Straight FB shows occasional short arm-side run. ¾ tilt SL flashes tightness, late bite. Put-away pitch when right, has made big strides since the spring. CH w/ arm-speed, fade and sink. Sprayed the zone his first outing, pitched similar to what we expected in the 2nd outing, being around the zone w/ his 3-pitch and showing command of the FB. Projects to command. |
 |
Keaton Ray OF / LHP / Rhea County, TN / 2021Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 2
Outfielder showed advanced LH bat and approach. 6-0, 185-pounder features a medium, athletic frame w/ present strength throughout his frame, projectable. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, upright stance w/ short hand rhythm into shift of weight, leg kick (occasional toe tap) and proper load. Generates above average bat speed through the zone. Tendency to land open with his front foot and have it pull him off of the baseball but shows the hands to keep them back and drive the baseball. As he begins to stay in sync will begin accessing more of his power. Continues to show an advanced approach, understanding the strike zone and recognizing spin. Projectable pull power. Ran a 4.47 time down the line. Defensively, moves well in the OF w/ projectable easy arm strength. |
 |
Blake Barton C / SS / Grace Christian Academy, TN / 2021Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 1
Catcher stood out for his overall athletic ability behind the plate. 6-0, 180-pounder features a medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned lean strength, super projectable. Offensively, hits w/ an open, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into leg kick and occasional hand load. Generates bat speed through the zone. Front foot hitter, learning to maintain balance consistently, will get out in front and not have his legs with him to drive the baseball. Tools to hit for average and gap power. Projectable above average runner, clocked between 4.37 and 4.47 from the right side. Stands out defensively with his agility behind the plate and arm strength w/ carry to target. |