Prep Baseball Report

Fall Underclass Games: Corner Infield Analysis



By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

Prep Baseball Report Kansas hosted the Fall Underclass Games at Tointon Family Stadium on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan on October 19, 2014. This was an invite-only event for Kansas high school class of 2017 and 2018 prospects.

There were several two-way players (pitcher + position player) at this event, but keep in mind that the evaluations below are based on the position player side only. 

Below are the scouting reports on the five corner infielders that participated in this event. It was a challenge to pick a top prospect among the group with the physical left-handed bats of Conner VanCleave (Holcomb HS, 2017) and Parker Base (Abilene HS, 2017) as well as the athleticism/quick bat combination Junction City sophomore Tim Bell brings to the table, however we picked Charlie Peyla (Junction City HS, 2017) as we felt his power projection, athleticism around the bag at first base and arm strength set him apart.

Click on the player's headline link to be directed to their profile with video from this event.

Top Prospect

Charlie Peyla, 1B/3B, Junction City HS (2017)
Peyla is a physical 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hand hitting first baseman and third baseman that started for Junction City’s 6A state tournament team as a freshman in 2014. At the plate has an athletic set-up, slightly open stance, smooth hand load, strides inline, maintains balance throughout and finishes with extension. Aggressive swing with bat speed, ball carries well when he connects.  Exit velocity 90 mph, best in camp. Went 1-for-2 with a walk and double to left center field in game action, also stole a base. Ran a 4.45 home-to-first. During defensive evaluations at first base showed athletic footwork, soft hands, clean exchanges, easy three-quarters throwing motion, 82 mph throwing velocity (top mark among infielders), all accurate throws. Strong athlete, bat projects.

best of the rest

Parker Base, 1B/OF, Abilene HS (2017)
Base is a strong 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-hand hitting first baseman and outfielder that has already racked up All-League honors during his freshman campaign at Abilene HS. Balanced set-up at the plate, open stance, strides inline, early hand load, upper half dominant, maintains balance throughout. Showed oppo juice in batting practice, recorded an 87 mph exit velocity in hitting drills – one of the top marks in camp. Runs well for a physical player registering a 7.15 60-yard dash. At first base showed quick hands and feet, clean exchanges, short three-quarters arm action, 78 mph throwing velocity, all accurate throws.

Tim Bell, 3B, Junction City HS (2017)
Bell is a  5-foot-11, 135-pound right-hand hitting third baseman that started as a freshman on Junction City’s 6A state tournament squad last spring. Athletic set-up at the plate, slightly open stance, strides slightly open, short bat path, bat speed, maintains balance throughout. Line drive, gap-to-gap approach. Exit velocity 88 mph, second best mark in camp. Went 2-for-4 in game action. At third base showed athletic footwork, quick exchanges, high three-quarters arm action, some effort, throwing velocity up to 79 mph, all accurate throws in pre-game infield. Solid defender. Ran a 7.48 60-yard dash. Athletic player that is nowhere close to being filled out physically. 

Conner VanCleave, 1B/OF, Holcomb HS (2017)
VanCleave is a projectable 6-foot-7, 205-pound left-hand hitting first baseman that earned Hutch News All-Area honors as a freshman last spring. At the plate has a balanced set up, slightly open stance, mini leg kick, inline stride, stays inside the ball well, hands work, maintains balance through. Showed opposite field power in pre-game batting practice with a hitting exit velocity up to 85 mph. Went 1-for-3 in game action with a single to right field and also stole a base. In the outfield threw with quick, clean three-quarters arm action up to 81 mph. At first base fielded everything cleanly with a top throw clocked at 78 mph. Ran a 7.68  60-yard dash.

Reed Williams, 3B/C, Shawnee Mission Northwest (2017)
Williams is a 6-foot, 175-pound right-hand hitting third baseman and catcher. At the plate has a tall set-up, inline stance, early hand load/stride, level bat path, maintains balance and finishes with extension. Worked middle-oppo in batting practice. Exit velocity high of 77 mph.  At third base fielded everything cleanly, short three-quarters arm action, top throw clocked at 72 mph, mostly accurate throws. Behind the plate 67 mph throwing velocity, 2.12-2.25 pop times to second base, throws were on or near the bag.

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