2018 Top Prospect Games - Statistical Analysis

August 15, 2018
Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

On Monday August 6th, at Campbell’s Jim Perry Stadium PBR held one of the must-see events of the year in North Carolina. In its second year, the Top Prospect Games have become a marked event for college coaches and pro scouts. This year’s event saw 66 players perform in front of over 25 evaluators from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Divided into four teams, position players were able to go through a complete pro-style workout, followed by an 8 inning controlled scrimmage. Pitchers threw two controlled innings. This format allowed coaches and scouts to see players take BP, run a 60, workout at their defensive position, and still evaluate them in game situations.

Over the coming week, we will take a deep dive into the players that took part in the PBR Top Prospect Games. Today we will take a look at the statistics gathered from the event. The full statistical spread is available below in a link. Top performers are listed under key categories as well.

CLICK HERE for the complete roster from the 2018 PBR Top Prospect Games

CLICK HERE for the complete statistical look at the 2018 PBR Top Prospect Games

PBR Top Prospect Games: By The Numbers
+ 66 of the Top Players in NC attended the 2018 Top Prospect Games
+ PBR received over 120 request for invite to the event, working with the state’s high school coaches, area scouts, and PBR’s staff to limit it to players that received a recommendation
+ 27 players ran a sub-7.25 sixty… 16 sub-7.10… 9 sub-7.00
+ The top infield velocity was 88 mph across the diamond… 12 players were 80 mph or better
+ The top outfield velocity was 89 mph… 13 players were 80 mph or better
+ All 10 catchers posted a workout pop time under 2.10
+ 21 hitters had an exit velocity of 90 mph or better with the high getting to 99 mph
+ 20 arms threw with 1 above 90mph… 9 above 85 mph… 16 above 81 mph.

2018 Top Prospect Games - Statistical Leaders

TOP 60 YARD DASH TIMES
59 players in attendance ran the laser timed 60 on the day. The median time of the sixty registered at 7.27. Nine players ran a sub-7.00 sixty. 2019 OF Max LeCroy (Christ School) led the way, turning in a 6.80, followed by 2019 OF Jason Montague (Southern Nash HS) and his 6.86 time. LeCroy committed to Lenoir-Rhyne shortly after the event and Montague is a Coker Baseball commit.

Name	School	Class	Pos	60 Yard Dash
Max LeCroy	Christ School	2019	OF	6.80
Jason Montague	Southern Nash HS	2019	OF	6.86
Allden Horne	East Lincoln HS	2019	OF	6.89
Grayson Laspaluto	Apex Friendship HS	2019	SS	6.92
Will Hood	Pro5 Academy	2019	OF	6.95

TOP Infield Positional Velocity
During the defensive evaluations, infielders threw from shortstop or first base based on their primary position. 31 total infielders worked out with a median velocity across the diamond of 78 mph. Alex Sniffen (3B, New Hanover HS, 2019) led all infielders at 88 mph from the position. Carson Whisenhunt (1B, Davie County HS, 2019) and Dominick D’Ercole (3B, Middle Creek HS, 2019) each touched 86 from their position. Each of the top four velocities recorded came from potential dual position players.

Name	School	Class	Pos	INF Velocity
Alex Sniffen	New Hanover HS	2019	3B/RHP	88 mph
Carson Whisenhunt	Davie County HS	2019	LHP/1B	86
Dominick D'Ercole	Middle Creek HS	2019	3B/RHP	86
Grayson Laspaluto	Apex Friendship HS	2019	SS/RHP	84
Will Hood	Pro 5 Academy	2019	OF/INF	83

TOP OF Positional Velocity
14 of 23 outfielders worked with a positional velocity of 80 mph or better out of the hand. A median velocity of 82 mph was recorded in the workout. Uncommitted 2019 Jack Masonis (OF, Myers Park HS) led all outfielders at 89 mph. Recently committed Vance Anderson (OF, Lake Norman HS, 2019) worked up to 88. Seven players touched 85 or better.

Name	School	Class	Pos	OF Velocity
Jack Masonis	Myers Park HS	2019	OF	89 mph
Vance Anderson	Lake Norman HS	2019	OF	88
Jake Soorus	North Lincoln HS	2020	OF/RHP	86
Max LeCroy	Christ School	2019	OF	86

TOP Catcher POP Times
10 catchers worked out on the day with all 10 recording POP times under 2.10 in the workout. The median catcher positional velocity sat at 76 mph out of the crouch. Bo Rusher (C, Salisbury HS, 2019) impressed with his carry and his accuracy. He along with Carter Merrill (C, Stuart Cramer HS, 2020) and Sullivan Newsome (C, Weddington HS, 2020) each lead the way with a top POP time of 2.00.

Name	School	Class	Poss	POP Time	Catcher Velocity
Bo Rusher	Salisbury HS	2019	C	2.00-2.08	78 mph
Carter Merrill	Stuart Cramer HS	2020	C	2.00-2.09	77
Sullivan Newsome	Weddington HS	2020	C	2.00-2.15	78
Cambell Conard	TC Roberson HS	2020	C	2.04-2.20	76
Austin Gilley	Southern Alamance HS	2019	C	2.04-2.22	75

TOP Offensive Exit Velocities
The 2018 Top Prospect Games produced a lot of physical players. This was very evident with the exit velocity testing where 39 of the 54 players tested at 85 mph or better off the barrel. 21 player reached the 90 mph barrier. Ronald Evans (3B, Pro5 Academy, 2019) lead all hitters at 99 mph off the barrel, but he was followed closely by 3 player reaching 98 mph.

Name	School	Class	Pos	Exit Velocity
Ronald Evans	Pro5 Academy	2019	3B	99 mph
Nick Leonard	Reagan HS	2019	1B	98
Alex Sniffen	New Hanover HS	2019	3B/RHP	98
Javier Martinez	Cresset Christian	2019	3B/RHP	98
Carson Whisenhunt	Davie County HS	2019	LHP/1B	97

TOP Fastballs
The pitchers at the 2018 Top Prospect Games worked a controlled two innings apiece. The median fastball for the day peaked at 85 mph. Mason Gwyn (RHP, North Surry HS, 2019) created early buzz touching 91 mph and leading all pitchers. Tyler Driver (RHP, Pro5 Academy, 2019) worked at 89 and was followed by four arms that touched 87.

Name	School	Class	Pos	Max Fastball
Mason Gwyn	North Surry HS	2019	RHP	91 mph
Tyler Driver	Pro5 Academy	2019	RHP	89
Alex Sniffen	New Hanover HS	2019	3B/RHP	87
Carter Holjes	Cardinal Gibbons	2019	RHP	87
Dominick D'Ercole	Middle Creek HS	2019	3B/RHP	87
Grayson Laspaluto	Apex Friendship HS	2019	SS/RHP	87