Team Kentucky Catchers Stand Out at PBR Future Games
August 16, 2017
By Chris Fuller
PBR Kentucky
The Prep Baseball Report future Games took place August 2-5 at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana and included 20 hand-selected teams of uncommitted Class of 2019 and 2020 players. Team Kentucky was dominant as they outscored opponents by a combined 26-4 clip in becoming the first Kentucky team to go 3-0 at the event.
Position players worked out on Wednesday in front of a large contingent of Division I coaches followed by game play Thursday through Saturday. Team Kentucky began game play by defeating Mid-Atlantic (which included players from Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina) 8-1. On Friday, Team Kentucky took on a Florida team who had routed Tennessee 14-3 the day before and posted a very impressive 10-0 victory. Saturday saw Team Kentucky take on Tennessee in their final game of the event in an 8-3 win.
It’s no secret that Kentucky’s 2019 class is loaded with high-level catchers. Already there are four from the class committed to Division I schools. Two that are uncommitted, Jacob Curtis and Colin Burgess, are on their way to committing to the highest level of college baseball as well. Both had standout performances for Team Kentucky.
Scouting Report
60 Time: 7.37, Pop Time: 1.88-1.93, Position Velocity: C-80, Exit Velocity: 95
Burgess packs a lot of power and arm strength into his 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame. He handles velocity well behind the plate and delivered strong, consistent throws in the player workout of the PBR Future Games. Like Curtis, pop times and velocity were slightly off his personal bests (shown above) but he proved to be one of the most consistent catch and throw guys of the event with quick feet and release and also posted one of the top pop times at 1.93. Burgess creates lift in his swing and looks to drive the ball to the gaps. He didn't see much to hit as he was walked three times and hit by a pitch, but he did collect a sharp single in four AB's while showing good patience at the plate.
Scouting Report
60 Time: 7.36, Pop Time: 1.85-1.93, Position Velocity: C-82, Exit Velocity: 92
At 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, Curtis brings size and strength to the catcher position. He is active behind the plate and possesses the arm strength to shut down the opposing running game. His numbers were slightly down at the PBR Future Games from his personal bests (shown above), but he still delivered strong and accurate throws repeatedly with one of the top pop times of the event at 1.93. Curtis threw out the only runner who attempted to steal on him during the event. At the plate, he shows good power and creates lift that was evident on his long home run on a hanging breaking ball against Tennessee at the Future Games. He finished the event going 3-for-7 with 3 RBI. Curtis' combination of offensive and defensive abilities make him one of the top prospects in the 2019 class.