By Matt Byrd
Tennessee Director of Scouting

The West Tennessee Prospect Games took place on August 16 at USA Baseball Stadium and afforded close to 50 players from around the state to showcase their abilities in a combination showcase/game play event. The following is a look at the catchers who participated for Team Royal at the event.

CLICK HERE to view the stats of all players in attendance.

Garrett Maxwell, 2018, Center Hill (MS), C
The 5 foot 9, 167- pound prospect posted a 7.87 60 time and had a 71 mph position velocity from behind the plate . Defensively, Maxwell had 2.02-2.18 pop times and showed average arm strength. Maxwell showed fluid footwork that stays online, quick transfer and release, and made consistently accurate throws to the bag. Offensively, Maxwell has average bat speed from the right side and had a 75 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Maxwell hits from a balanced setup, short stride, uses some of his lower half, line drive type hitter. Maxwell went 0-for-4 during game play but put the ball in play in each trip to the plate.

Clayton Keller, 2016, Houston, C
The 6 foot 3, 210-pound prospect posted a 7.91 60 time and had a 72 mph position velocity from behind the plate. Defensively, Keller had 2.15-2.30 pop times with inconsistent accuracy on throws, slower exchange, has room to improve quickness on his footwork. Keller’s pop times and velocity were not as good as he showed in February. Offensively, Keller shows some bat speed from the right side and had an 81 mph exit velocity off the tee but this represented a significant drop from February event. Keller hits from a balanced setup, has a short stride and an aggressive approach. Flashes power at times, especially to the pull side.  Keller went 1-for-4 during game play for the royal team.

Rhett Birdsong, 2019, Shelbyville Central, C
The 5 foot 1, 110- pound prospect posted an 8.20 60 time and had a 62 mph position velocity from behind the plate. Defensively, Birdsong had 2.25- 2.43 pop times, shows developing arm strength, had a quick exchange, quick footwork, blocks well, has natural instincts and soft hands receiving the ball. Offensively from the right side, Birdsong has average bat speed and had a 60 mph exit velocity off the tee. Birdsong hits from balanced setup with a short stride. Shows good overall balance, aggressive approach and is a line drive type hitter. Birdsong is a very fundamentally sound player, just needs to grow and get physically stronger. He went 0-for-5 during game play but put the bat on the ball in three of his at bats for the royal team.