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Ironbridge Baseball & Virginia Spiders Scout Day Recap

June 10, 2020
Jason Burton
Richmond Scouting Coordinator


The PBR VA/DC staff recently covered a scout day with the Ironbridge Baseball Academy and Virginia Spiders showcase teams. There were seventeen prospects that took part in the event and here are a few that stood out to our staff.

Compact frame for Bendall at 5-7, 195-pounds. Hits from the left side with a short compact swing and barrel showed some whip through the zone. Swing displayed solid early connection with the ability to adjust throughout. Had some really nice rounds of BP on the day and displayed solid feel for the barrel. Flashed doubles power in the swing and worked gap to gap showing some carry in the right center field gap. Sound defender at third base and should continue to progress with added arm strength.

Reuben Costin LHP/1B Cosby 2021

Long athletic frame at 6-foot-3. Loose and free arm action from three-quarter slot. Fastball was 81-83 mph on the day with the spin rate generally ranging between 1900-2000. He showed ability to keep the fastball down in the zone and flashed some arm side run at times. Slider had tight 1/7 shape at 67-70 mph. The delivery is low effort and if the intent of the delivery picks up as he continues to grow into the frame Costin stands a real chance of making a nice velo jump. Costin moves well around the bag at first and has some pull side power potential in the swing, but I think long term he will mainly contribute on the mound. 

Alec Riles RHP/3B Cosby 2021

Compact athletic frame at 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Offensively it was a short compact stroke that worked gap to gap in approach and showed a feel for the barrel. Posted some above average metrics on the day displaying bat speed with a 64.7 mph average and had the best exit velo during his BP session at 91 mph. Really got to lock in on Riles on the mound and what stood out most is movement on the fastball. Consistent cut action to a 79-82 mph fastball that stands the chance to miss barrels as well as induce bad contact. Fastball spin rate was up as high as 2430. Also, featured a hard changeup that could use more action, but possesses the arm speed and intent to turn into a solid secondary pitch. Has a chance on the mound, as well as contributing as a positional player. 

Brayden Hovatter 2B/RHP Stonewall Jackson 2021

Hovatter stood out on the mound where he had one of the better fastball velocities on the day. It was average arm stroke with a little deception getting it behind the back leg before moving up into a three-quarter slot. Fastball was 80-83 and touched 84 with some downhill action. Displayed feel for a 11/5 breaking ball that flashed depth at 68-70 mph. . Changeup displayed late fade with low spin generally ranging between 1170-1359 and sitting 69-74 mph. There is normal effort in the delivery and the arm works well enough that I think there is still some velo left in the tank to give Hovatter a chance to be a solid arm at the next level. 

Jamari Pooler SS Thomas Dale 2021

Athletic build with some present strength in the frame. Displayed some twitchy actions in the infield and has the arm strength to stay on the left side. At the plate Pooler got the barrel on plane and stayed connected really well through contact with a 92 degree average at impact. Displayed ability to rotate quickly into the swing with a 12.5 g average which should help with adjustability in the swing and long term could generate more power. Really liked the physical athleticism of Pooler and he possesses some positional versatility, as he displays ability to play three infield and three outfield positions.