Our goal at Prep Baseball Report is to promote high school players, and give them the exposure they need to be able to play at the next level. With the 2020 high school season cancelled, we want to continue to be able to promote players, even when baseball is not being played. We have sent surveys out to coaches around the state and got their input on the first weeks of the season. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight the season and standout players, team by team.

Hillgrove

Record: 9 -5 (3-0) 

2020 Standouts

Sam Cherry, RHP, Hillgrove, 2020
Uncommitted
6 appearances, 3 starts
17 2/3 innings, 2 wins, 1 loss, 2 saves
11 hits, 12 Ks, 4 walks, ERA of 2.38 and whip of 0.85

Coach’s Notes: Commands 3 pitches (Fastball, Change up and slider). Has heavy sink on fastball, plus changeup and good slider. Very competitive kid. Young 2020 pitcher. Velocity is 81-83 nothing is straight. Will be a steal for anyone that signs him. IMO, Sam would be a great JUCO arm.

David Kinsbrunner, RHP, Hillgrove, 2020
Centre College (KY) commit
7 relief appearances
9 innings pitched, 0 wins, 1 loss, 4 saves in 5 save opportunities (loss was due to INF error in 7th inning in save chance)
10 hits allowed, 3 runs, 0 earned, 14 strikeouts, 3 walks, ERA of 0.00

Coach’s Notes: Very competitive young man with command of 3 pitches. Has good change up and good curveball. Stuff isn’t electric but mental make-up is extremely tough and he competes. Very smart academic student.

Trace Cate, 3B/OF, Hillgrove, 2020
Berry College commit
13 for 46 .283 average
9 singles, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 11 rbis, 8 runs scored, 5 stolen bases

Coach’s Notes: Very versatile defensive player. Can play all 3 OF positions and can probably play all 4 infield positions. He even had 2 outings on mound in late inning situations with fastball up to 85. At the plate, he had just started to find his rhythm and timing in last 2 weeks of the season. Barrel stays in the zone for long period of time and hits to all fields. Has gap pop with ability to occasionally leave the yard

3/5/20 - Berry college commit. 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and outfielder, high waist, athletically built. Takes an open stance, long reverse toe-tap stride, high hands load back while he brings barrel vertical, good balance throughout. Gap-to-gap type hitter, smooth swing, barrel works mostly uphill, looks to elevate and drive the ball. Against Lambert, made consistent hard contact, collected two hits, a walk, and three runs batted in, in for four at-bats, including a triple and an infield single.

Owen Helgesen, 1B, Hillgrove, 2020
Piedmont College commit
7 for 24, .292 average with 1 double, 5 runs scored and 1 stolen base

Coach’s Notes: Very athletic, excellent defensive first baseman. 2 sport athlete that got to baseball a little late due to being a starter on Hillgrove’s basketball team. For a 1st baseman, runs well 6.9 sixty. Had some key hits in the short season this year that helped Hawks end season on 6 game win streak.

2021 Standouts

Ethan Bobo, RHP, Hillgrove, 2021
Uncommitted
4 appearances, 4 starts
18 innings, 2 wins, 1 loss
15 hits, 16 Ks, 7 walks, ERA of 1.17 and whip of 1.22

Coach’s Notes: Developing 2021 RHP, has a plus breaking ball and a plus change up. Fastball has been 81-83 most of the spring and has touched an 84. Battles and competes. Must learn to maintain focus pitch to pitch but has very good stuff and has a good physical frame.

10/18/19 - 6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, proportional, athletic build, room to add strength throughout frame. Arm works short with looseness out front, comes out a low ¾ slot, does a good job hiding the ball on back-side. Tall and fall delivery, rotational as he lands closed and spins open towards first base. Despite pitching in rainy and windy conditions, had good feel for fastball slider. Fastball sat 79-83 with running action. Dropped in slider on command, 70-74, downer action.

Jack Tilton, INF, Hillgrove, 2021
Uncommitted
13 for 44, .295 average
12 singles, 1 triple, 7 RBIs, 8 runs, 5 stolen bases

Coach’s Notes: Left hand hitting infielder. Played SS in 2020 but can play 3B and 2B and LF. Very athletic and has 6.8 speed. Must continue to work on overall game to be a more complete player but has some tools to be a good HS player and a college player

Cameron Powser, C, Hillgrove, 2021
Uncommitted
9 for 28, .321 average
5 singles, 4 doubles, 3 RBIs

Coach’s Notes: very good block/receive catcher that handles pitchers well. Must work to improve arm strength and release. At plate, has some pop to all fields and is a threat to drive in runs. Has 4.0+ gpa. Very, very good student.

Jason Hayden, OF, Hillgrove, 2021
Uncommitted
12 for 39, .308 average
11 singles, 1 double, 10 RBIs, 7 runs, 7 stolen bases

Coach’s Notes: has lots and lots of tools. 6.75 runner with a very short, compact swing. Has some gap pop as well. Must work on arm strength and consistent reads off the bat. 

6/8/19 - 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, strong, athletic frame, room for continued development. Stood out offensively hitting in the top of the order for Nelson Baseball School. A quick-twitch athlete. Offensively, stays balanced, leg lift stride, minimal stride, remains balanced throughout. Strong hands and wrists, flicks the barrel through the zone with ease. Takes a simple approach, line drive type hitter with good barrel control, uses the entire field. 

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