Prep Baseball Report

PBR Future Games: Day 2 & 3 Recap


Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2021 PBR Future Games continues to roll throughout the week with games on Thursday & Friday against other surrounding PBR states. Team Alabama has gotten off to a great start, going to 2-0 with wins over PBR Kentucky & PBR Tennessee over the last two days. LakePoint has been the center for college recruiters to come check out the best 2023 and 2024 prospects still left on the board from each state.

Let's take a look back at some of the standouts from Days 2 and 3 at the PBR Future Games..

 

Day 2 & 3 Standouts

+ SS Jace Norton (Auburn, 2023) has quickly caught the attention of many with his performance both in the pro-style workout and his ability to perform at a high level against some the best uncommitted arms the southeast has to offer. One of our staffs "Picks to Click", Norton stands an athletic & projectable 6-3, 195-pounds and has been on the barrel since he first walked into LakePoint. Stood out on the stat sheet during the workout recording a 6.85 60 YD, showed above average arm strength with an 88 mph IF velocity and showcased the ability to find the barrel and hit for consistent line drives at the plate. Biggest swing of his week came during Game 2 where he banged one off the left field wall for a triple. With added strength, Norton should continue to see more power, but the overall profile has big upside.

 

+ 3B Cole Edwards (Spain Park, 2023) passes the eye test with a strong 6-4, 205-pound frame, but there is still plenty of athleticism shown this week at LakePoint. Arguably had the best showing during the workout running a 6.79 60 YD and posting a 103.25 mph EV during BP, and that offensive prowess has easily transferred over the gameplay where he recorded three hits during Game 2, one being an easy stand-up triple off the left-center field wall. Defense is still developing for Edwards, but the offensive profile of athleticism & strength are too hard to pass up. Awarded Player of the Game for Team Alabama in their Game 2 win over Tennessee.

 

+ 3B Tanner Waldrop (Auburn, 2024) showed up on the scene on Friday for Team Alabama's game at 10:15 AM and quickly made his presence felt. Took BP before the game and it was obvious to see the continued development Waldrop has made since last year's PBR Jr. Future Games. Balls seemed to carry more due to noticeable added strength. Didn't miss a beat during gameplay, recording two hits to the pull side both with EV's north of 91 mph. Faced a difficult L/L matchup in his first at-bat & turned around mid-80's with ease. Attacks with a flat path through the zone, slows the game down in the box and has a big chance for power down the road.

 

+ RHP Zach Stevens (Stanhope Elmore, 2023) has the led the pitching staff for Team Alabama with a dominating performance in two innings against PBR Kentucky. During his outing, the 5-11, 180-pounder saw his fastball reached 90.5 mph, while sitting mostly in the upper-80's throughout. What caught the attention of most, however, was his elite ability to spin and land a low-70's breaking ball for strikes, giving way to some uncomfortable takes/AB's. Stevens showed the ability to tunnel that pitch off his fastball well, and had high spin metrics up to 2700 rpm's. A big statement from the rising junior and has seen his stock increase from his outing.

 

+ C/3B Cade Carr (Hoover, 2023) has been as steady as they come over the first three days at the PBR Future Games. After impressing during the workout portion of the event where he was clocked at 6.90 at the 60 YD, Carr did plenty of things well during Game 1 for Team Alabama. Came up big in a tight game with an RBI double down the LF line, and has continued to post quality at-bats throughout. Versatile defender with good actions on the infield, and is equally adept behind the plate with solid receiving/blocking skills. Best described as a consummate winner with a makeup off the charts. Wherever he lands, Carr will help someone win a lot of games at the next level.

 

+ C/3B Brady McAbee (Northridge, 2023) comes in to the PBR Future Games after a strong sophomore campaign in the middle of the order for a Northridge Jaguars' team that reached the Final Four in Class 6A. 6-1, 195-pound frame with some present physicality from the left side of the box, swings a heavy barrel through the zone and has shown no issue handling some high caliber arms to hit for extra bases. Balanced at the plate, juice to the pull side with multiple upper-90 EV's during gameplay. Mostly flat path through the zone gives way to hit for line drives, but could see more power in the future with continued strength.

 

+ OF Tait Nunnally (Pell City, 2023) led the way at the plate on Thursday for Team Alabama, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI. 6-1, 175-pounder who has continued to show some of the best in-game hitting ability at each look over the past few months. Possesses excellent bat-to-ball skills from the left side and uses all parts of the field. Also recorded a pair of hits in the game on Friday, and continues to raise his stock hitting against some of the best uncommitted arms at LakePoint. Awarded the Player of the Game for his performance in Game 1.

 

+ OF Christopher Johnston (Vestavia Hills, 2023) quickly stands out from the start with a strong stature at 6-1, 200-pounds, but possesses some of the top athleticism on Team Alabama. Ran a personal best 6.74 60 YD during the workout while working to the gaps during BP. Drove a double to the pull side during gameplay on Thursday and got off some good swings in other at-bat's. Has recently moved to the outfield defensively after spending most of his time at the 3rd base over the past couple of years. Arm is continuing to develop, but the 6.74-speed shows he can track balls down well in the gaps.

 

 

 

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