On Sunday February 2nd, sixty of the top players in the state of North Carolina converged at the Next Level Training Center in Greenville, NC.  The Preseason All-State showcase event is the top winter event in North Carolina year after year and with the increased demand, there are now two sessions, an east and a west.  Below we take our first look at some player notes from the Preseason All-State East.  You can continue to follow the action from the Preseason All-State West HERE.

The day consisted of a full pro-style workout with pitchers throwing controlled bullpens, followed by defensive workouts for the position players.  Hitters were able to go through multiple cages to get loose prior to moving through two exit velocity stations.  Live BP was taken in a large cage, allowing scouts and coaches to see the ball fly off the bat.

Throughout the workout, PBR scouts were taking metrics on players while evaluating their complete skill set.  Today we take a look at each category as well as the leaders in those categories.  As we continue to dive into all of the information gathered, players will receive a full evaluation and the PBR staff will put together top prospect lists from the event.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stats from the Preseason All-State East

Preseason All-State West – By the Numbers:

• 60 players went through the workout at Next Level Training Center
• 50 players ran the laser timed 30 yard dash
• 3.61 was the top 30 yard time
• 15 players ran sub-4.00 in the 30 yard dash
• 14 players registered an exit velocity of 90 mph or higher off the bat
• 97 mph was the top registered exit velocity
• 93 mph was the top positional velocity from the OF
• 94 mph was the top positional velocity across the infield
• 10 catchers flashed a pop time of 2.10 or better in their workout
• 24 arms threw controlled bullpens at the workout
• 9 players were 83 or higher
• 89 mph was the top fastball from the event

 

Statistical Leaders: Preseason All-State East

 

THE 30 YARD DASH

With the event being held indoors and a February date, PBR's staff decided to run a laser timed 30 yard dash instead of a sixty.  The high school season is right around the corner and the 30 provides a slightly safer alternative as players are just getting back into form.  At Next Level Sports Center there is plenty of room to run a full thirty on the laser timer, giving coaches and scouts another metric to measure players against. 

Fifty players ran the 30 with fifteen running sub 4.00.  4.14 was the median run time of the players at the event.  Below are the top times from the Preseason All-State East.

(Note: The chart lists this category as Home to First, however this was a straight 30 yard dash from a steal break.)

 

EXIT VELOCITY

Fifty-one offensive players went through multiple rounds off of a tee to gauge their exit velocity.  Players were afforded the opportunity to use their bat and bats supplied by Mizuno.  Fourteen players posted an exit velocity of 90 mph or higher with the top bolt getting to 97 mph.  The median exit velocity posted came in at 85 mph.

The comparison of the player bat vs. the Mizuno bat was intriguing.  The median exit velocity for each bat came in at 85 mph.  Twenty-five hitters posted their high exit velocity using the Mizuno bat.

 

POSITIONAL VELOCITY – INFIELDERS

With the indoor setup at Next Level, infielders were able to simulate a full length ground ball, working through an exchange and make a throw of approximately 140 feet to a target.  PBR scouts were able to watch the catch, footwork, hands, exchange, and release while gathering information off of a radar gun to give us a feel for arm strength.  Scouts were also able to see carry and accuracy on throws.  Thirty-one infielders worked out for scouts present.  The median reading for the group checked in at 81 mph across the diamond.  Below are the top positional velocities for infielders from the Preseason All-State East.

 

POSITIONAL VELOCITY – OUTFIELDERS

Outfielders were able to take a full ground ball off of a fungo, playing through the ball and working to a throw that was approximately 140 feet in distance, at a target.  With the space Next Level provided, scouts in attendance were able to see outfielders work through the ball, transition the baseball into a throw.  Carry and accuracy were paired with a gun reading to give feedback on the arm strength of each outfielder.  Below are the top outfielder positional throws.  The median throw was measured at 84 mph from the seventeen outfielders participating.

 

CATCHER POP TIMES & POSITIONAL VELOCITY

In the pro-style workout, catchers workout from behind home plate, making multiple throws to 2B, simulating a stolen base attempt.  Scouts again are looking for a quick, clean transition to the release as well as carry and accuracy on the throw.  For catchers, evaluators will put a stopwatch on the “pop time” or the time the ball hits their glove to the time the ball hits the MIF’s glove at 2B.  Coaches can also time the transition from when the ball hits the catchers glove to when he is able to release his throw.  PBR scouts add the radar gun to put a number on the arm strength out of the crouched position.  The top pop time in the workout was a 1.90, with a median time from the group of 14 catchers of 2.02.  The top positional velocity checked in at 85 mph out of the hand, while the median for the group clocked in at 77 mph.

 

MAX FASTBALL

Pitchers threw a controlled bullpen for scouts at Next Level as part of the Preseason All-State East.  In total, twenty-four arms threw on the day.  While it is still February, and most arms may not peak until closer to the mid-season, there were several players to spotlight as they flashed advanced stuff and a feel for pitching.   The top fastball came from 2021 RHP Carson Kelly, a NC State commit who also flashed depth with his breaking stuff.  From the 24 arms, 8 worked at 83 or higher with Clark reaching 89.  The median top fastball for the day came in at 82 mph.