Tyler
Bayer

Another interesting projection right-hander is Kennesaw State commit RHP Ty Bayer (South Forsyth HS, GA). Like Hancock, he’s 6-foot-4 and projectable with good arm speed out of a clean and compact circle. His fastball ranged from 88-92 mph and he spun it in around 2,300 rpm. Bayer also showed the makings of a future average to better 78-81 slider at 2,500 rpm and he killed spin on a seldom-used low-80s changeup (1,500 rpm).

Kennesaw State Commit. 6-foot-4, 180 pounds. With a prototype RHS frame that you see in the hardest throwing starters in baseball today (DeGrom, Verlander, Wheeler), he passes the eye test immediately. But when you get an extended look at the current delivery, stuff, and projection, you realize what a special arm this can be. Coming off a growth plate injury in 2022 that prevented him from playing summer/fall ball, Ty is attacking ‘23 with a whole bag of chips on his shoulder. It’s going very well, judging by his dominant CG, 2-hitter, 10 K performance last night! The pace builds gradually in his smooth delivery and he creates a slight crossfire angle that allows him to rotate even more violently through his lead leg block (which is very advanced for his age). His hand break is perfectly timed and is the key to him using his stride and front arm as levers, creating more tempo+momentum in the arm action, and feeling hip/shoulder separation. He understands how to create easy velocity, and throw strikes while doing it. This is an ode to his overall athleticism, natural feel for how his body moves, and mindset on the hill. What’s most exciting about Bayer other than his makeup is the potential power arsenal on the hill. The FB (88-90 T91 5x) really jumps on hitters due to extension, and the pitch showed MLB avg life (bore) often. The pitch even flashed some torpedo-like sink at the bottom of the zone. The 80-83 SL is the go-to off his heater and was very impressive last night. It shows gyro profile at times with late depth, but as the game went on started to get some lateral bite to go with it. He can still improve on stacking the backside in stride (with upper half) for a more connected arm action. It stays connected for about 85% of the stride length already and just needs to happen more gradually at the same pace of stride. For Tyler to be able to throw consistent strikes without the delivery being 100% sequenced yet only makes me more bullish on his future and I think the floor is plus velocity on his FB. The floor on his SL is avg, and more than likely will be a power SL in the 85-88 range in his prime. He showed a feel for his low 80’s CH and had a 2B in the gap with a sweet lefty swing

Underclass Games

6-foot-2, 155-pound right-handed pitcher and switch-hitting first baseman, long, projectable frame, still has a long way to go until he is done growing and filling out with strength. On the mound, arm works clean on the back-side with above average arm speed to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, shoulders remains level, works on-line, lands square, finishes with momentum carrying him down the mound. Fastball, 75-77, touched 78, run action. Changeup, fade and sink, potential out pitch. Curveball, 68-70, 11/5 shape. Offensively, similar setup on both sides, tall with weight loaded on back leg, hands load back deep, long stride, good balance. Level swing from both sides of the plate, predominantly uses the pull-side, loose wrists, flashed pop with much more on the way as he fills out his frame, 77 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, clean arm action to a low ¾ slot, 78 across the infield. Moves well and covers ground with long strides, clean footwork, hands work well, clean on transfers. Ran an 8.54 laser-timed 60.