Future Games Trials: Outfield Analysis

The Future Games Trials took place on June 30th at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA. The event featured 65 underclassmen. Prospects participated in a pro-style workout and simulated game play.

Our position player analysis from the event wraps up with a look at the outfielders. At the top of the list is 2020 Future Games participant OF/LHP John Long (Glynn Academy, 2022). Long is a quick twitch left-handed hitter who impressed with quick hand speed and a whippy barrel. As a hitter he drives balls from gap-to-gap with force, posting a max exit velocity during batting practice of 91.02. A high end athlete, he ran a 6.63 laser-timed 60 and uses that speed well to cover ground in the outfield and disrupt the defense on the base paths.

Following Long is a group of exceptional athletes in OF/SS Luke Boykin (Wayne County, 2022), Georgia State commit OF/LHP Jake Beaver (Flowery Branch, 2022), OF/SS De’yon Cannon (Grayson, 2022) and OF/RHP Ford Hallock (Greater Atlanta Christian, 2022).

Keep reading to view reports on the aforementioned prospects along with the rest of the outfielders in attendance, listed alphabetically.

Top Outfield Prospects

John Long, OF/LHP, Glynn Academy, 2022
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and left-handed pitcher, highly athletic, lean, quick twitch muscle throughout frame, ran a 6.63 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup with weight preloaded on back-side, hands start back and deepen with a short load, short leg lift stride, finishes on back-side. Gap-to-gap type swing, repeatable, good feel for the barrel, drives the ball, quick hands generate whippy barrel speed through the zone, 88 exit velocity off a tee, 91.02 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short, loose arm action, quick arm speed, kept throws on target and with carry, 89 from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, fields out front with two hands, quick footwork and exchanges. Profiles as a center fielder at the next level. On the mound, arm works short and loose to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 81-83, run action. Curveball, 67-68, 11/5 shape, depth.

Luke Boykin, OF/SS, Wayne County, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and shortstop, athletically built, muscular frame with more strength on the way as he continues to mature, some quick twitch, ran a 6.75 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth rhythm in hands as he loads back, leg lift stride, great balance through contact. Gap-to-gap type swing, swing path is mostly uphill through the zone, consistently elevated and drove the ball with force, quick, strong hands, whippy barrel speed, 89 exit velocity off a tee, 98.24 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm works clean and loose to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed, 82 from the outfield, on the infield, shortens arm action up and uses multiple slots effectively, 80 across the infield, throws showed some carry, more in the tank. Fields both positions athletically, plays through the ball with quick footwork, clean on transfers. Has the actions and athleticism to fit as a center fielder or on the left-side of the infield at the next level.

Jake Beaver, OF/LHP, Flowery Branch, 2022
Georgia State commit. 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed two-way prospect, proportional build, lean strength, athletic frame, some quick twitch, ran a 6.74 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, high hands load back smoothly, short leg lift stride, great balance through finish. Line drive type hitter , drives the ball with quick hands and whippy barrel speed, short barrel path to zone, works level though, repeatable swing, consistent approach, 86 exit velocity off a tee, 91.82 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm plays clean and loose on the back-side to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed, throws showed some carry at 85 from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, quick footwork, clean on exchanges. On the mound, arm works long and clean to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, repeatable, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 83-85 with some run, good feel. Slider, 67-69, 2430 rpm, 11/5 shape, depth, swing and miss pitch, controlled the zone. Changeup, 72. Struck out 5 of 6 batters he faced in game play.

De’yon Cannon, OF/SS, Grayson, 2022
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and shortstop, long, lean frame, wiry strength, athletically built, quick twitch, ran a 6.88 laser-timed 60, also a QB for one of the top football programs in the country. Offensively, athletic setup, balanced, hands start low and load back smoothly, short stride, finishes on back-side. Middle/pull type hitter, looks to elevate and drive the ball with quick hands, smooth swing, some aggression, 87 exit velocity off a tee, 91.59 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, from the outfield, long, loose arm action on the back-side to a high ¾ slot, 82 mph, on the infield, utilizes multiple slots effectively, loose action, 82 across the diamond. Plays through the ball athletically with quick feet and clean transfers, ranges well to both sides and can cover ground well in the outfield.

Ford Hallock, OF/RHP, Greater Atlanta Christian, 2022
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic frame, some quick twitch muscle, ran a 7.13 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, high hands drop and load back smoothly, toe-tap stride, great balance through finish. Easy effort, repeatable, line drive swing, athletic hands maintain a level barrel path through the zone, showed the ability to use the entire field, 87 exit velocity off a tee, 92.49 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, in the outfield, long, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot, throws are true and accurate with carry at 91. On the infield, shortens up arm action, uses multiple slots effectively, throws carry at 86. Plays through the ball athletically with quick, clean actions, good range and body control. On the mound, arm works long and loose to an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, at-times lands toe-open, finishes walking down the mound. Fastball sat 82-84, touched 85. Curveball, 68-70, 11/5 shape, depth. Changeup, 77-78, fade.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Wills Anderson, OF, Lambert, 2022
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic frame, muscular build, plenty of room for added strength throughout frame, ran a 7.16 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, keeps his actions simple, short load back, short stride, good balance through finish. Gap-to-gap type hitter, looks to elevate and drive the ball, barrel works short to the zone, somewhat uphill through the zone, strong hands create quick barrel speed, 91 exit velocity off a tee, 95.55 max exit velocity during BP. Inconsistent with timing, when on-time gains extension though the zone, ball can jump off the bat. Defensively, arm works short and clean to an over-the-top slot, throws are true and on target at 76. Plays through the ball with fluid actions, clean footwork and transfers. 

Patrick Campbell, OF, Brookwood, 2022
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, proportional build, athletic frame, strength throughout frame with more on the way as he continues to mature. Offensively, balanced setup, hands start low and load back smoothly into a near arm bar, short leg kick timing trigger, good balance through finish. Gap-to-gap type hitter, lets the ball travel, barrel works uphill through the zone, some quickness in hands, flashed the ability to drive the ball with force, 85 exit velocity off a tee, 90.30 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm works clean and loose with a full arm swing on the back-side, quick arm speed to an over-the-top slot, 79 from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, clean footwork and exchanges, smooth actions throughout. 

Ethan Chuck, RHP/OF, North Gwinnett, 2022
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, physical build with more strength on the way, ran a 7.66 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands start high and then drop as he loads weight back and crouches in his stance, low, sweeping leg kick, finishes hard on front side. Takes a power approach at the plate, looks to elevate and do damage with each swing, 84 exit velocity off a tee, 91.73 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long arm action to a low ¾ slot, 85 from the outfield, flashed carry. Profiles as a corner infielder, clean footwork and clean on exchanges. On the mound, arm plays long to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed, finishes upright. Fastball sat 79-82, touched 83. Curveball, 75-76. Chnageup, 69-70.

Ryan Combs, OF, Blessed Trinity, 2022
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletically built, lean muscle throughout frame, ran a 7.06 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, high hands loda back with a barrel wrap, short stride, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, uses the middle of the field with a mostly level swing through the zone, short to the zone, 81 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action slot varied between high ¾ and low ¾, 82 from the outfield. Covers grond well with quick feet, clean on exchanges, at-times plays through the ball athletically. 

Brayden Fordham, OF/INF, Ola, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting primary outfielder, muscular, athletic build, advanced strength throughout frame, ran a 7.17 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, somewhat closed setup, high back elbow, hands load back, leg kick timing trigger, strides towards the plate finishing over it. Takes a power approach at the plate, some violence in swing, barrel path works uphill through the zone as he looks to elevate and do damage with each swing, when on time the ball jumps off the bat, hit some towering home runs during BP, 94 exit velocity off a tee, 96.88 max exit velocity during BP, 380 foot max carry. Defensively, long arm action to a high ¾ slot, throws showed some carry from the outfield at 84, similar arm action on the infield, 79 across the diamond. In the outfield, profiles as a right fielder, plays through the ball, fields out front, short, choppy footwork, clean on exchanges. On the infield, squares up to the ball with short footwork, clean on exchanges.

Myles Gordon, OF, Eagle’s Landing Christian, 2023
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, highly athletic, high-waist, lean muscle, strength throughout, ran a 6.65 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, keeps hands tight to body with little to no load, short stride, good balance. Line drive type hitter, short barrel path to and through the zone, uses the entire field, 79 exit velocity off a tee, 88.19 max exit velocity during BP. Swing would benefit from added length, allowing for more extension and use of natural strength/athleticism. Defensively, long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, throws showed some carry at 85 from the outfield. Fields position athletically with quick feet, fields out front, quick on exchanges, gets the ball to release with haste. 

Joshua Horton, OF/RHP, Osborne, 2023
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, long, athletic build, projectable frame, much more strength on the way as he continues to mature, ran a 6.86 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, high hands lad smoothly onto back side, reverse toe-tap stride, good balance. Takes a power approach at the plate, violent swing especially to the pull-side as the ball can jump off the bat, whippy barrel, uphill path through the zone, uses long arms to create leverage, 88 exit velocity off a tee, 90.99 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long, clean arm action to a ¾ slot, 76 from the outfield. Ranges in the outfield with long strides, fields out front with a competent glove hand, plays through the ball, clean on exchanges. On the mound, arm works long to a ¾ slot, repeatable. Fastball sat 67-71. Curveball, 57-58, 11/5 shape, gradual.

Matthew McCaffrey, OF/LHP, Blessed Trinity, 2022
5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed two-way prospect, athletically built with lean muscle throughout frame, ran a 6.71 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, low hands start preloaded back, short stride, good balance. Line drive type hitter, loose hands, barrel works level through the zone, uses middle/pull side of the field, at-times can elevate and drive the ball with some force to the pull-side, 84 exit velocity off a tee, 90.92 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short, quick arm action to a ¾ slot, 81 from the outfield. Plays through the ball, quick, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, gets rid of the ball quickly. On the mound, arm plays short with some looseness to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works across the mound, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 72-74, touched 75. Curveball, 61-63, 11/5 shape. Changeup, 67-68, fade action. 

Christopher McCord, OF, William Blount (TN), 2023
5-foot-8, 130-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, proportional build, young frame has lots of growth left to do, ran a 7.75 laser-timed 60. Offensively, narrow, open setup, starts with weight loaded onto back-side, leg kick timing trigger, finishes over the plate. Line drive type hitter, barrel works mostly level through the zone, low effort swing, short to and through the zone, 73 exit velocity off a tee, 79.14 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long arm action to a high ¾ slot, 73 from the outfield. Plays through the ball, fields out front with two hands, long on transfers.

Justen Newsom, OF, Harrison, 2022
6-foot-2, 174-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, long, lean frame, muscular build, highly athletic, projectable, ran a 6.69 laser-timed 60, long strider. Offensively, open setup, smooth rhythm in hands has he loads back into a near arm bar, short leg lift stride, good balance. Quick hands create whippy barrel speed as the barrel works mostly level through the zone creating line drive contact, at-times barrel can work uphill as he looks to elevate and drive, 84 exit velocity off a tee, 93.06 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long, clean arm action to an over-the-top slot, throws are true and around the bag, 79 from the outfield. Fundamentally sound defender, plays through the ball athletically, fields the ball out front with a soft glove hand, quick feet, clean on transfers.

Brady Pendley, RHP/OF, Dalton, 2022
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher and right-handed hitting outfielder, athletically built, proportional build, lean muscle throughout, projectable, room to fill out, ran a 7.10 laser-timed 60. On the mound, arm works long and loose with a full arm swing on the back-side, quick arm speed, comes out of an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, high front side, shoulders work uphill, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 85-87, touched 88. Slider, 77-79, downer action, depth, potential swing and miss, 2500 max rpm. Changeup, 79-80, fade action. Offensively, open setup, smoothie rhythm in hands as they deepen on load, short stride, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, looks to elevate the ball with an uphill barrel path through the zone, 81 exit velocity off a tee, 86.67 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot, 86 from the outfield. Plays through the ball, soft glove, clean footwork and transfers.  

Nick Walker, OF, Dutchtown, 2022
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic frame, muscular build, highly athletic, some quick twitch, ran a 6.72 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, slightly open setup, high hands deepend and lift on load, reverse toe tap stride, good balance. Middle/pull hitter, barrel works mostly uphill through the zone as he looks to elevate, smooth swing, some quickness in the hands, flashed pull-side pop, 83 exit velocity off a tee, 88.39 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long arm action, quick arm speed, comes out of a ¾ slot, 85 from the outfield. Plays through the ball with athleticism, fluid footwork, fields out front, clean on exchanges. Profiles as a center fielder with his natural athleticism. 

Julian Wright, OF/RHP, Woodland, 2023
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, athletically built, proportional frame, ran a 7.08 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands start high and load into an arm bar, short leg lift stride. Mostly level barrel path through the zone, creates a line drive contact, at-times will get under the ball and elevate, flashed quick hand speed and a whippy barrel, 82 exit velocity off a tee, 91.74 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm works short to a high ¾ slot, quick arm speed, 76 from the outfield. Fields deep and to the glove side, short, choppy footwork, clean on exchanges, stays behind fly balls, playing through them. On the mound, arm works clean with a full arm swing on the back side, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, short stride, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 74-76, touched 78. Curveball, 64-65, 11/5 shape, gradual.

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