North Florida Scout Blog: 4/15 to 4/21
April 23, 2019
The North Florida Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the North Florida Scout Blog is loaded with information.
Scout Blog
Providence vs. Bolles - 4/18/19
Hunter Barco, LHP, Bolles, 2019
Florida recruit, ranked No. 29 on PBR Draft Board. An imposing figure on the mound at 6-foot-4, 215-pounds with broad shoulders and long limbs. Uses length well gaining extension and creating difficult angles with 3/4 slot from the left-side. Fced off against Providence and No. 30 PBR Draft Board prospect SS/C Tyler Callihan (South Carolina). Barco would go four innings allowing four runs on five hits while striking out nine, walking five and hitting one batter. Fastball worked mostly 92-94 early on, touching 95, settled in at 91-93 later in the game. Aggressive with split-finger, maintains arm speed and action, deceptive pitch, late sink, 81-85. Also has a knuckle-curve that acts like a slider, hard two plane action with depth, at-time gets on the side and can sweep across, 82-84.
Tyler Callihan, SS/C, Providence, 2019
South Carolina recruit, ranked No. 30 on PBR Draft Board. Advanced left-handed hitting infielder and catcher, strong, athletic frame, quick-twitch muscle. One of the top bats in the 2019 class matched up against one of the top left-handed arms in the country, Hunter Barco (Bolles, Florida) when Providence took on Bolles last Thursday afternoon. In three at-bats against Barco, Callihan reached base safely all three times: muscled an opposite field bloop single to left, worked a count back to full and drew a walk, and then hit a home run to left field to. Did not shy away from the left-left matchup, came out swinging, saw the ball well, only one swing and miss against Barco, did not chase high or away, showing restraint when behind in the count. Defensively, arm plays form the left-side, has the agility and instinctiveness to play SS/3B. Hopped behind the plate in the late innings, raw but obvious athleticism lends towards his ability. Popped a 2.00 in between innings, in-game muffed a transfer but still threw a 2.19 to the shortstop side of the bag.
Nathan Hickey, C, Providence, 2019
Florida recruit. The 6-foot, 208-pound left-handed hitting catcher has a strong, powerful frame, stocky build, strength is evident throughout his game. Takes a power approach at the plate, looks to elevate the ball, currently has 13 HRs on the season. Facing a tough left-left matchup against LHP Hunter Barco (Bolles, Florida), did not shy away. Hickey’s first at-bat resulted in a double down the left field line. Recognized pitches well, quick hands and whip-like barrel turned on low 90s fastball. Walked in second at-bat before flying out to the warning track in third at-bat.
Tucker Talbott, OF, Providence, 2019
Florida recruit. 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, strong, athletic frame, projectable. Offensively, sets up athletically with bend in his knees and a slightly open front leg, leg kick timing trigger, hands load back, maintains balance. Line drive, gap-to-gap type hitter, puts barrel on ball with hard contact.. In first at-bat against LHP Hunter Barco (Bolles, Florida) drove in the first run of the game with a chopping ground ball through the left-side of the infield, would strike out and get hit by pitch in next two at-bats. Final at-bat, drove a ball into the right enter gap for a two run double.
Paxon SAS vs. Fletcher - 4/17/19
Lebarron Johnson, RHP, Paxon SAS, 2020
Florida commit. 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, broad shoulders, strength throughout, room for continued physical development. Arm works with quick arm speed from a ¾ slot, stab on the back-side, showing the ball, throws cross-body. Momentum works towards home plate, steps towards third base, lands square pivoting to open, finishes crossing over. Fastball worked 88-91 with good tilt and late run. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, hard break, 74-77.
Cherokee Nichols, C, Fletcher, 2020
6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong frame, thick lower half. Offensively, balanced, open setup, hands held high near the ear, loads hands back, low leg sweep stride. Gap-to-gap type hitter with developing power. There is some swing and miss in the barrel path, but will square some up a long distance. Behind the plate showed quick actions, presents self as large target, not afraid to get dirty.
Jevin Relaford, SS, Fletcher, 2019
Uncommitted senior. 5-foot-10, 165-pound switch-hitting shortstop, only hit from right-side versus Paxon SAS, athletically built with strength in lower half. Offensively, hit in the leadoff position, good approach for position in lineup, saw pitches, worked the count, take a more line drive/barrel control approach with swing. Squared the ball through the middle of the field multiple times. Defensively, moves with agility, showed good range and concentration, making difficult plays on the move.
Ryan Dowling, C, Paxon SAS, 2019
Uncommitted senior. 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher, lean, athletic build. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, hands start near ear, smooth load, remains balanced throughout. Barrel works level through the zone with quick hands, looks to make line drive contact, driving the ball. Defensively, arm works short, over-the-top, footwork is fluid, transfer has some length to it at-times, popped a 2.00 in between innings.
Thomas Hoff, 2B, Paxon SAS, 2022
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, lanky, athletic frame, room for continued physical development. Offensively, keeps things simple, takes wide setup, hands start high, load back a short amount, short stride, maintains balance. Takes a line drive approach, barrel works level through the zone, put the ball in play with square contact in all three at-bats.
Sandalwood vs. Bolles - 4/16/19
Jackson Mayo, OF, Bolles, 2021
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, long, athletic frame, projectable build. Offensively, takes a simple approach, balanced setup, short stride, hands start back, short load back, maintains good balance through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter out of the leadoff spot for Bolles. Present barrel speed, hands work athletically through the zone, whipping the bat. Defensively, covers ground well, makes all the right reads.
Jered Geis, OF, Sandalwood, 2019
Jacksonville University Football recruit. 5-foot-9, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, strong, sturdy frame, athletically built. Offensively, balanced, slightly open setup, leg lift stride, hands load back, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, strong/hands wrists lend to present bat speed and ability to whip barrel head, barrel path works mostly level through the zone. Ran a 4.36 on the turn of a double. Hard nosed player, plays the game with energy and effort.
Carson Bayne, OF, Sandalwood, 2021
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletically built, high waisted, lean frame, quick-twitch. Defensively, loose, athletic arm, throws carried with accuracy, kept on a low trajectory, threw out a runner at second base trying to turn a single into a double, almost threw a runner out at first from right field. Offensively, crouching, athletic setup,hand start near ear, loading back and down. Still developing, gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel works short, somewhat uphill, flashed pull power.
Connor Boyer, RHP, Bolles, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, strong frame. On the mound, short circular arm action, hides ball well on back-side, ¾ slot. Stretch only, works on-line towards home, lands square pivoting to open, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat mostly 83-85, touching 86. Slider, sweeping action, 74 mph.
Will Shepherd, 3B, Bolles, 2019
Dartmouth recruit. 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed hitting third baseman, athletically built. Stood out defensively in Bolles game against Sandalwood. Made a number of difficult plays, showing off range, good hands, throws were accurate with some carry. Offensively, wide setup, short stride, hands start back with barrel flattened out, load back minimally. Barrel path works level, line drive type hitter with pull-side strength.
Tyler Gesek, SS, Bolles, 2021
6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, long, athletic frame, projectable build. Defensively, starts at shortstop for a talented Bolles team. Fields position athletically and aggressively, attacks every ground ball hit to him, routinely making plays running through the ball. Arm works short and loose, still developing arm strength but makes up for it with quick feet and a quick transfer/release. Offensively, balanced setup, starts with some weight on back leg, hands load back, short stride. Barrel control type hitter, barrel path can get uphill at-time.
Chance Moore, OF, Bolles, 2020
6-foot-5, 200-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, long, lanky frame, athletic build, projectable with room for continued development. Offensively, open setup, leg kick timing trigger, hands load back and drop, remains balanced. Currently more of a line drive type hitter, has flashed the ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap, routinely squares the ball up back up the middle.