Prep Baseball Report

An Early Look at Pine Forest, Pinecrest, and Green Hope


Ed Hall
Associate Scout, PBR North Carolina

In preparation for the spring season Pine Forest HS hosted 4 talented rosters, giving PBR and baseball fans an early look at several teams with high aspirations.  Pine Forest, Pinecrest, Green Hope and Richmond County each played two controlled scrimmages.

The early season scrimmage allows the coaching staffs to begin to feel out potential lineup combinations as well as defensive adjustments as pitching changes are made.  Each club ran out several arms throughout the day as pitch counts are continuing to build.

The Schedule

10:00am              Pine Forest vs. Pinecrest

The defenses of both these teams played error free baseball. Not surprisingly, at this time of year the offenses struggled. Both teams went to work on their offensive execution using the short game to try and ignite their offenses.  Of course, this gave each defense an opportunity to fine tune their bunt defenses. 

Garrett Clark (RHP, 2018) from Pinecrest threw well early, working 81-83.  The breaking ball is still rounding into shape, but has a high ceiling, sitting 69-73. 

 

11:45am Green Hope vs. Pinecrest

This scrimmage featured two UNC-Chapel Hill pitching commits matching up for 2 innings. Green Hope’s Liam Norris (LHP, 2020) worked 89-91 with a breaking ball at 73-79.  The breaking ball has advanced over last year with a late, quick, downward tilt.  A big body that stands 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, there are some moving parts mechanically that need reps.  Command should continue to improve as he throws more and as the weather warms.

Pinecrest’s Nick Pry (RHP/OF, 2018), a UNC commit, sat 88-89 with good command of all three pitches.  The breaking ball touched 77, while the change-up sat 73-75.  A right handed hitter, Pry helped his own cause by lifting a 90mph fastball over the left centerfield fence in the first inning.

Green Hope’s Jordyn Adams (OF, 2018), a dual sport commit to UNC, showed off his athleticism by beating out a slow roller to third base (4.32 down the line), promptly stealing second base and then third base. Later in the scrimmage, he demonstrated excellent base running skill by scoring from second base on a flair over third base without hesitation.

Green Hope’s catcher P.J. Heintz (2018) showed good arm strength and a quick release. He had a 2.06 POP time to second base with a runner trying to steal the base. He is uncommitted.

Green Hope has several players committed. In addition to Jordyn Adams and Liam Norris (UNC-Chapel Hill), shortstop Kohl Abrams (2019) is committed to UNCW. Outfielder, LHP Joseph Nunn (2018) is committed to Wake Tech and infielder Connor Knapp (2018) is committed to NC A&T.