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TN/KY Border Battle: 22' Quick Hits

October 27, 2020
Colton Provey
Tennessee Scouting Director

The Tennessee and Kentucky Fall premier event, the 5th annual TN/KY Border Battle, did not disappoint in 2020.  Nearly 80 total prospects represented the Volunteer and Bluegrass state at Bowling Green Ballpark, home of the Bowling Green Hot Rods, which covered two days of showcases and gameplay for some of the top prospects to display their skills and earn state bragging rights.  All four games were tight, back-and forth ballgames between two hungry ball clubs coming down to late game execution.  

The 2022 TN squad went blow for blow with the Kentucky squad carrying one run leads into the final frame in both games, but couldn’t close out either game falling 9-5 and 4-3 in 9 innings.  Regardless of gameplay outcomes, the Tennessee club featured some of the top 2022 prospects in the state, so take the time below to become familiar with the next rising generation of TN high school talent.  

 

22’ Quick Hits

Jackson Underwood, RHP/OF, Riverdale, 2022
The 6-foot-2, 172-pound two-way was Mr. Production this weekend going 3 for 3 with 3 singles, two walks and 2 runs scored while tossing a scoreless frame in game two. In the zone early and often, leading to consistent barrels (83% on plane efficiency via Blast).  On the bump, FB sat 78-81 (nearing 2400 rpm via Trackman) with more in the tank. Rounded out arsenal with CH and CB, which he mixed to strikeout two.  


 

Cooper Newsom, SS, Stewarts Creek, 2022
6-foot-1, 175-pound middle infielder; lean, athletic frame. Sharp hands up the middle with above average speed, making all the plays.  Offensively, strong bat with above average bat speed and knack for barrel.  Finished 3 for 5 with 3 singles, a walk, and 2 stolen bases while playing both middle infield positions.  


Jack Porter, OF/SS, Father Ryan, 2022
6-foot-1, 172-pound utilityman; slim, twitchy frame with good projection. Split time in the outfield and at middle infield with tools to succeed in both roles.  Finished the day 2 for 5 with an rbi triple, single, walk, and two runs scored.  Improving arm strength topping at 85 across the infield with good run tool (7.14 sixty) and some offensive upside.  


Cade Hitson, OF, Riverdale, 2022
5-foot-11, 195-pound outfielder; boxy frame with present strength.  The 15th overall prospect in TN 22’ class continued to showcase his powerful swing from the left side (97.5 max exit velo; 341 ft max distance via Trackman).  Great lower half usage in swing, generating good bat speed and accelerating well through the zone for a lot of hard barrels.   Improving speed at 7.15 sixty time, but slated as an offensive lefty-swinging corner OF. 


Carson Yates, OF/UTL, Baylor School, 2022
6-foot-4, 218-pound outfielder; tall, large frame with good strength throughout build.  Excellent bat speed (Avg: 75.9 mph via Blast) and rotational data (Avg: 20.1 G per Blast) carried over to gameplay finishing 2 for 5, with two singles and a walk.  Drove a ball deep into LCF gap that was tracked down by KY outfielder, but some high upside power for the Baylor product. Skills to play a good OF, 7.17 sixty and 84 OF velo, but some defensively flexibility as a catcher and infielder as well.  


 

Brett Blankenship, 1B, Riverside, 2022
6-foot, 220-pound slugging first baseman; durable frame with good strength.  Offensively, good upside power bat, topping at 93 mph exit velo and 353 ft max distance via Trackman.  Limited in games to finish 0 for 3, but manufactured 3 walks while plating a run and coming around to score once, showing a balanced approach working deep into counts. Moves well around the bag, but one of the top first base prospects in the class behind his offensive prowess.  

 

Lane Evans, RHP/SS, Dyer Co., 2022
5-foot-9, 145-pound uncommitted, two-way prospect. Twitchy athlete up the middle with some serious arm upside for frame.  

 

Brady Jones, RHP, Houston, 2022
6-foot-2, 175-pound uncommitted right hander; tall, projectable frame with advanced two-pitch mix for class.   


Walker Strange, 3B/RHP, CAK, 2022
6-foot-1, 205-pound uncommitted two-way prospect; sturdy frame with good strength. Power in the bat and more in the tank off the bump.  


Harrison Freeman, 1B/LHP, Trinity Christian, 2022
6-foot-2, 215-pound uncommitted two-way prospect; Lefty bat with knack for barrel and feel for high-spin off the bump.   

 

Caleb Peterson, RHP, Stewarts Creek, 2022
6-foot-2, 170-pound uncommitted right hander; Large, lanky frame with more in the tank after sitting 78-85, T86 this summer with Blueprint. Feel for two secondary offerings with 12/6 CB and fading CH.   

 

 

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