Top Prospect Games: Quick Hits

On May 28, the PBR Georgia team hosted its Top Prospect Games showcase at our LakePoint facilities. The event featured some of the state’s best 2020 talent, nearly all of whom remain on the market. You can find all of the measured data taken from the event here.

Today, we’re going to provide rapid analysis from Top Prospect Games based on our findings. We’ll have more detailed analysis, including video and scouting reports, at a later date. For now, take a look at our Quick Hits below to see some of the day’s biggest takeaways.

UNCOMMITTED ARMS

Again, most of the talent that joined us on Tuesday has not yet committed to a place to play in the fall of 2020, so these arms represent some of the best on-the-market pitching the area has to offer.

+ One of the top prospects in attendance, fresh off a terrific spring for a talented Decatur squad, was two-way talent Jaylen Paden. On the mound, Paden sat in the 86-89 mph range with his fastball and his athleticism played just as well on the infield, too. Currently ranked at No. 79 in the state, Paden’s arrow is pointed straight up after finishing his junior season with an ERA of 0.85, punching out 76 batters in just under 58 innings.

+ From Lakeside High in Alabama, southpaw Jayce James impressed our staff with his ability to locate his fastball to both sides of the plate, sitting in the 84-86 mph range, with natural cut. He complemented his mid-80s fastball with changeup that showed swing-and-miss potential.

+ RHP Jake Haynes (Prince Avenue Christian) matched Paden for the top velocity from the event, but was more comfortably sitting in the 84-88 mph window with his heavy fastball.

+ Campbell’s Andrew Hermann put together a big spring, and it was clear why. He ran his fastball up to 86 mph on Tuesday and was able to throw all three of his pitches for strikes, with a delivery that features above-average deception.

+ RHP C.J. Harrison, from Winder-Barrow, is a medium-framed right-hander who demonstrated a fast, clean arm in game action. He touched 90 mph with a fastball that flashed sinking action and hand-side life during live gameplay.

THE PHYSICALLY ADVANCED

Here’s a handful of names to look for if you’re in the market for physical, strong, 2020 prospects who are also able to use it in game.

+ From Northgate, Donovan Cash is a third baseman with a strong and stocky build. He showed our staff that he’s able to play low to the ground at the hot corner and also carries a big bat from the right-handed box. He recorded a top exit velocity of 94 mph and made the kind of consistent hard contact that was impressive to see.

+ OF Harrison Aulds (First Presbyterian Day) fits that Cash-like mold, too. He’s another strong/stocky type with athleticism. He showed off his short, compact, and powerful right-handed stroke in live gameplay, smashing an RBI double to right field after posting an impressive 94 mph exit velocity in his workout.

+ From Headland in Alabama, C Jake Killingsworth has a strong-bodied frame that fits behind the dish. He made a loud first impression to our staff on Tuesday, leading the event with a 99 mph exit velocity from the tee in workouts, and it carried over into gameplay. He crushed a ball deep the opposite way in game action, which helped us realize what exactly has made Killingsworth become the No. 18-ranked prospect in Alabama – and one of the top remaining prospects still on the market in the state’s 2020 class.

PREMIUM ATHLETES

Finally, check out some of the best all-around athletes from Top Prospect Games. Their athleticism shows up in more places than just the 60-yard dash.

+ Though, speaking of the 60-yard dash, the day’s best mark belongs to Dominick McIntyre (Peachtree Ridge), who recorded an event-best 6.57 time. The versatile right/right prospect has game-changing speed but also has the baseball actions and instincts to impact the game with it. He was constantly a factor in our live game setting.

+ Demirez Grier (Sandy Creek), who attended the event as the lone 2019 grad, is still looking for a home at the next level, and is bound to bring his advanced athleticism with him. The multi-positional prospect has the tools to make the middle of the infield work and ran the second-fastest time of the day in the 60, at 6.63.

+ Another sub-7.00 runner who impressed us all over the diamond – and has been all spring – is North Forsyth’s Garrett Staton. The junior middle infielder has feel for the bathead, and it showed in gameplay. He stayed on a fading fastball and also turned on some velocity to continue making consistent hard contact in live action. His throws across the infield topped 89 mph and he also recorded an exit velocity of 92 mph.

+ Joseph Salvo’s (Buford) athleticism from behind the plate helps him explode from the crouch on throws down to second. He recorded an event-low pop time of 1.89, and it was just as quick and efficient in live action, too. Salvo is a savvy defender who can run a little bit, especially for a catcher.

+ Lastly, there’s D.J. Banks, from McEachern, who is a rangy defender in the middle of the infield and stands in at a highly projectable 6-foot-2, 156 pounds. In the right-handed box, he also showed our staff a solid up-the-middle approach with the kind of leverage that can help him grow into some serious power down the line.

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