Another year is in the books and 2017 brought the first full year of Prep Baseball Report in North Carolina.  While PBR has been around since 2005, the “boots on the ground” philosophy of covering the country by covering each state has created the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting service. 

In 2017, PBR’s coverage in North Carolina included increased player coverage and the most comprehensive coverage of North Carolina High School Baseball.  PBR ran the NC Baseball Coaches Associations high school team polls, while covering an average of ten games per week.  The hope to expand this coverage in the coming year is in the works.

As we look back at 2017, we can take a look at some of the top viewed profiles on PBR.  Players that attend PBR events receive a full profile which includes a head shot, updated statistical information, a full independent evaluation, and a professionally cut highlight video.  These players are also included in stories to cover the events they attend, driving college coaches and pro scouts to their individual PBR profiles. 

Players can also use the PBR Profile url to send to college coaches and scouts.  With over 800 colleges coaches and universities subscribing to PBR, players can share a trusted, independent evaluation allowing evaluators to become more familiar with their work on the field.

Today we continue our look at the top 15 viewed PBR profiles, in North Carolina, in 2017.  First up are numbers 7-10.

2017 Top Viewed PBR Profiles – North Carolina

NO.	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POSITION	COMMITMENT
3	Owen White	NC	Carson	2018	RHP	South Carolina
4	Austin Beck	NC	North Davidson	2017	OF	North Carolina
5	Brennan Malone	NC	Porter Ridge	2019	RHP	North Carolina
6	AJ Jones	NC	Southern Nash	2020	SS

 

Several players ranked very highly within their graduating class highlight numbers 3 – 6 on the most viewed profiles in North Carolina for 2017.  Owen White and Brennan Malone both sit atop their respective class rankings.  Austin Beck finished ranked No. 2 in the 2017 class, becoming a 1^st round pick in an exciting draft class from North Carolina. 

At No. 6, AJ Jones is an exciting middle infielder that plays with  a high motor.  Jones burst on the scene as part of the Knights Prime scout day in the early summer, where he earned an invite to the PBR Top Underclass Games at Campbell in August.  Undersized, while still maturing, Jones has a good feel for the game and is able to play with pace when compared to players his age.  PBR was able to see him again in the early fall of 2017, where he has continued to make gains.

Brennan Malone will be a player to watch in the 2019 class as we get into draft talk for that class.  The righty has a big arm and has played well on the national stage.  Physical, there is no reason not to believe more growth is coming in the near future. 

Beck missed the summer circuit in 2016, recovering from an ACL injury.  Early in the spring of 2017, it was evident that he was back and stronger than before.  As scouts flocked to North Davidson to see how he recovered, Beck continued to play well, showing power, a feel for the barrel, and enough speed to play in the middle of the field.  PBR was on hand for a game vs. eventual state champion Wesleyan Christian Academy where Beck faced off with several college level arms, hitting a double to the opposite gap and a towering home run to the pull side.

(Austin Beck - March 2017)

 

Owen White is on most teams draft boards as the spring approaches.  Teams will be coming in early in the spring, and tracking is progress, to see if they can pry him away from his commitment to South Carolina.  PBR was on hand last spring when White dominated a solid East Rowan lineup, throwing a no-hitter in a very efficient manner.  This summer White worked out for Team USA as part of the Tournament of Stars in Cary, NC.  He also threw in the East Coast Pro Showcase in Florida.  PBR put a final evaluation on him this summer while hosting the South Charlotte Panther Scout Day.

(Owen White - June 2017)

 

Tomorrow we will finalize our look at the Top Viewed Profiles of 2017, unveiling the No. 2 and No. 1 profiles.