DFW Summer Open Quick Hits: Position Players
June 1, 2023
DALLAS, TX - On Tuesday, May 30th, the PBR TX staff traveled to Lake Dallas High School to host the DFW Summer Open. The event consisted of players from the all HS classes participating in a pro style workout. They started by running a 60, using swift performance timing gates, then moved into the defensive workout. The day was capped off with a round of batting practice followed by pitchers throwing bullpens, both portions collecting TrackMan data available in player profiles. Today, we take a look at some of the position players that stood out.
Position Players
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Matthew Scott II OF / RHP / Klein Oak, TX / 2024The OU commit had an impressive day in all facets of the showcase. The 6’4 CF started his day off by running a 6.69 60 showing high end athleticism for his size. He was 91 from the OF and the arm plays in any OF spot. At the plate, Scott uses his size and electric bat speed (81.4 max) to produce some of the best power in the state. He had a max exit velocity of 99 mph on the day, which was an event best. Overall, Scott continues to raise his profile as one of the most feared hitters in Texas as we roll into the summer. |
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Jonnie Gifford C / 1B / West Plains, TX / 2024Rankings StateRank: 143 / POS: 15
The physical Catcher from West Texas put on a show at Lake Dallas on Tuesday. The 6’2 210 catcher looks the part for sure, but his game matches it. He had a max exit velo of 98.8 and showed the ability and willingness to drive the ball with authority to all fields. He offers big power potential from the catcher position. He ran his 60 yd dash in 6.98 seconds, showing off his athleticism. Behind the plate, he showed off a quick release and a good arm, as he was consistently in the 1.9’s with his pop time. Gifford has everything you want in a frontline catcher, and he should be one of the more followed players on the circuit this summer. |
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Christopher Patterson 3B / RHP / Prestonwood Christian, TX / 2024Rankings StateRank: 172 / POS: 13
Patterson had one of the loudest rounds of batting practice on the day. The uncommitted 6’2 3B showed off power potential from the right side during bp. He had a max exit velo of 98 and had an average of 91.4 showing his ability to consistently get the barrel to the ball. In the field, showed good hands on the infield and has more than enough arm to stay at 3rd as he tied for the top infield velocity at 89 mph. Patterson’s frame should allow him to continue to add strength and be a real force at the Hot Corner. Patterson definitely opened some eyes with his performance.
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Hogan Nelson OF / SS / Liberty Christian , TX / 2025One of the best overall performances on the day belonged to Nelson. The 2025 from Liberty Christian started his day off by running a 6.76 showing athleticism that could allow him to stay at Center at the next level. He has a good arm, as he was 88 from the OF on his throws. At the plate, Nelson really shined. The swing is athletic and produces some impressive blast numbers. He had bat speed north of 77 mph and max rotational acceleration of 28.6 which led to a max exit velo of 98.8. He also delivered the highest avg. exit velocity of 92.4 showing consistency in the box. Overall, Nelson had a really good day, and is someone that is going to blow up this summer. He is also a gamer on the mound and has won a lot of big games as well. |
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Kyle Tanksley 3B / SS / Allen, TX / 2026Tanksley had a great day overall at Lake Dallas. He showed why he got serious play as a freshman on one of the best teams in the DFW. Tanksley did everything well and had a very mature approach to everything he did. He hit the ball in the sweet spot consistently and barreled line drives all over the field. He has a knack for hitting and shows flashes of developing power. He showed off quality bat speed, getting into the 70’s with Blast. Defensively, he handled every ground ball with ease and showed off a quality arm, topping out at 84. Tanksley does everything well, and plays with a high IQ. The stock continues to rise on Tanksley. |
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Connor Davenport OF / RHP / Keller , TX / 2026Rankings StateRank: 61 / POS: 7
The 2022 JFG member had a very impressive day on Tuesday. The freshman didn’t get to play a lot this spring because of injury, but he looked to be close to all the way back. The 6’3 200 lb. freshman showed off some serious athleticism for his size and age running a 6.75. He tied for the best OF velo of the day during the defensive portion of workouts with a throw of 91 mph. At the plate, he had a max exit velocity of 93.7. There is still some rawness in the swing, but the tools and power potential are real. |
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Ryan Kelly OF / LHP / Colleyville Heritage, TX / 2025The LHH outfielder from Colleyville Heritage had a nice day overall on Tuesday. He is a solid athlete who does everything well. He profiles to LF/CF at the next level and is a quality defender out there. At the plate, Kelly showed a consistent swing and sprayed line drives all over the field. He doesn’t try to do much and just gets the barrel to the ball. There is still some strength for Kelly to gain and I expect for him to keep making jumps. Excited to see him in a couple weeks at one of Top Prospect Events. |
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Kannon Baird OF / RHP / Salado, TX / 2025The athletic 2025 CF had a good day overall on Tuesday. He is a quick twitch athlete who is just starting to gain strength. He has good carry on all of his throws and currently is in the mid 80’s but that number will continue to make some big jumps. He ran a 7.04 60, and that number will continue to go down. He has a natural feel in the box, as he uses the big part of the field the majority of the time, but he knows what pitches he can turn on and really drive. He found the barrel consistently and profiles as a quality 2 hole hitter. Baird continues to make gains, and he is one to follow out of the centex area. |
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Niko Michaelides C / OF / Trinity Christian Academy, TX / 2024Niko, fresh off a state title with Trinity Christian Academy had a great day overall. He started the day by running a 6.9 60 showing good athleticism. I have alway seen him in the OF but Tuesday he also worked out behind the plate and I was impressed. He showed good quickness, strong wrist, and the athleticism to stay behind the plate. He was 2.02-2.10 on his pop times which should continue to get better with more experience. He had a loud round of BP, maxing out at 95.8 with his exit velocity. Michaelides continues to improve his game, and with showing off his potential behind the plate, he could have a big summer. |
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Austin Smith SS / 3B / Prestonwood Christian, TX / 2026One of the standouts on the day was Smith. It was my 1st time seeing him in person and the soon to be sophomore impressed me in every facet. He started it off by running a 6.94 which should get better as he continues to gain strength. He took good BP with a max exit velo of 95.7 and showed some real power potential. Defensively, Smith has the arm to play anywhere on the infield and it is only going to continue to get stronger as he matures. Smith was one of the big winners on the day, and am excited for the next time we get to see him. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| San Antonio Rising Stars ID (2027-2028s) | TX | 06/06 | Cornerstone Christian HS - San Antonio, TX |
| San Antonio Summer Open | TX | 06/06 | Cornerstone Christian HS - San Antonio, TX |
| Houston Rising Stars ID (2027-2028s) | TX | 06/07 | Rice University - Reckling Park |
| Houston Summer Open | TX | 06/07 | Rice University - Reckling Park |
| Top Prospect Games: North Texas (Invite-Only) | TX | 06/13 | Texas Christian University |
| East Texas Rising Stars ID (2027-2028s) | TX | 06/14 | Tyler Junior College (Mike Carter Field) - Tyler, TX |
| East Texas Summer Open | TX | 06/14 | Tyler Junior College (Mike Carter Field) - Tyler, TX |
| Top Prospect Games: Central Texas (Invite-Only) | TX | 06/20 | Texas State University |
| Central Texas Summer Open | TX | 06/21 | Salado High School - Salado, TX |
| Top Prospect Games: South Texas (Invite-Only) | TX | 06/27 | Texas A&M University |
| West Texas Summer Open | TX | 07/11 | Abilene Christian University - Crutcher Scott Field |
| PBR Junior Future Games | NATIONAL | 07/25 | LakePoint |
| Uncommitted Senior Games - Tyler JC | TX | 08/01 | Tyler Junior College (Mike Carter Field) - Tyler, TX |
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