On Thursday, October 7, the PBR Illinois staff traveled to Marion to host the Southeastern Illinois Scout Day at Rent One Ballpark. The event featured over 25 uncommitted prospects, many of them hailing from Illinois.

As the week's rolled on, our staff has already published a handful of post-event content pieces, such as a Statistical Analysis, TrackMan Files, and Blast Motion Board.

Today, we'll conclude this event's coverage by looking at which players stood out at the workout.

PITCHING STANDOUTS:

+ Sophomore RHP Benjamin Batts was the top strike thrower, finding the zone on 87.5% of his pitches during his 15-pitch pen. RHP Bryant Byrd (87.6), Brennyn Abendroth (86.8), Riley Harris (85.4), and Josh McPheron (85.2) recorded the top fastball velocities for the Falcons.

+ It was the freshman Byrd that showed a large contrast between a high spin fastball (2504 max rpm) and a low-spin (1500s), late-dropping splitter at 76 mph. He also added a higher-spin (2600s) mid-70s mph curveball to his pen. Similar to Byrd was the contrast of Harris, with an 85 mph fastball spinning in the 2100 RPM range paired with another low-spin 1,100 RPM splitter.  

Riley Harris @SICBaseball with good pitch contrast of 85 FB and low spin 1200 rpm 75 sinking CH. In the zone with both offerings@PBR_JUCO pic.twitter.com/THpxhIXObl

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) October 7, 2021

+ Especially intriguing was the ease of which the ball came out of the hand for the 6-foot-4 freshman Abendroth, viewed in the tweet below.

Easy out of the hand, 6'4 Brennyn Abendroth letting it loose at 86 87 for @SICBaseball @PBR_JUCO pic.twitter.com/TQEZRDdcIJ

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) October 7, 2021

POSITIONAL STANDOUTS:

+ Two-way talent Bryant Byrd was most impressive for the Falcons. At 6-foot, 205-pounds, the freshman impressed on the mound (notes above) and behind the dish. His 1.95-1.98 pop times and 79 mph release velocity on his throws to second base were tops in the event. He also showed pull-side power and a top batted ball distance of 355 feet, per TrackMan.

+ Freshman OF Liam Beausoleil also impressed with his overall toolset. The right-handed hitter showed good pop with a 96.4 mph EV and a 50% line drive rate. His top velocity on throws from the outfield was 87 mph.

+ The top runners were sophomore OF Eli Burkhart with a 6.67 60-yard dash and sophomore INF Nathan Albrecht clocking a 6.81.

+ Sophomore OF Ryan Kassel led the metrics for the hitters with a top exit velocity of 100.34 mph and distance of 366 feet in BP. His hard hit rate of 64.3% took second on the club during Scout Day. Kassel also threw 86-89 mph from the outfield. 

Soph OF Ryan Kassel @SICBaseball with an aggressive swing for some big field power, best bolt 366' to dead CF.@PBR_JUCO @PBRIllinois pic.twitter.com/CUpbAnpVK2

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) October 7, 2021

+ Another sophomore outfielder, TJ Williams, showed some length and strength in his swing, launching the baseball to a top exit velocity of 94.9 mph. 

Good strength with some length, OF TJ Williams showing good pullside pop and consistent loud contact for @SICBaseball @PBR_JUCO pic.twitter.com/GIRUMKiCU4

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) October 7, 2021

For a complete look at all propsects in attendance, as well as statistics from this event, click HERE.

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