NC Dream Team Breakdown
April 10, 2020
Brandon Hall
Executive Director, PBR of NC
During this time of quarantine, several state directors across PBR put together "Dream Teams" for their area, consisting of players in the 2020 - 2023 classes. As part of a social media challenge, each PBR territory has submitted a Dream Team. Today we take an in-depth look at Team North Carolina, the possible lineup, and reasons this may be the top roster in the entire PBR Challenge. We have also listed information on voting.
TEAM NOTES
- 4 players have played with Team USA
- The outfield features two sub 6.55 runners, including Michael Gupton, who may be the fastest baseball player in the country
- Both pitchers are left-handed and each worked at 93mph or higher this spring
- The catching corp features one that has been 89 mph out of his crouch with pop times at 1.81 in workout, and sub 2.05 in games, with accuracy.
- Offensively, there is next level thump with Ryan Clifford, Trey Truitt, and Nolan McLean.
- Joey Rezek and Chandler Riley have consistently produced hard barrel contact against the best arms in the country, with swings designed to drive the baseball, working gap-to-gap.
- Defensively, this club will be extremely athletic and quick, especially up the middle with Austin St. Laurent anchoring the the infield from shortstop.
- Commitments: 10 of 11 committed. Clifford, the No. 1 player in the 2022 class overall, remains uncommitted at this time
- Commitments: 2 ACC, 1 SEC, 1 Big XII, 1 PAC 12, 3 AAC, 1 CUSA, 1 CAA
PITCHERS
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Liam Norris LHP / 1B / Green Hope, NC / 2020
Committed to North Carolina
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- PITCHING
- MAX FASTBALL: 95 (03.10.20)FASTBALL: 91-94 (03.10.20)
- CURVEBALL: 77-80 (03.10.20)CHANGEUP: 86-87 (03.10.20)
- SLIDER: 81-82 (03.08.19)
Player Notes:
- Team USA 17U National Development Program
- Big arm with wipeout potential in his breaking ball
- Up and down at times with command and feel as he grew into his big frame, but has consistently seen his stuff tick up and the command come as he gets use to the increased velocity
- 1 appearance in 2020 with 5IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 13K
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Philip Abner LHP / 1B / Charlotte Christian, NC / 2021
Committed to Florida
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- PITCHING
- MAX FASTBALL: 92 (07.22.19)FASTBALL: 90-92 (07.22.19)
- CURVEBALL: 78-80 (07.22.19)
Player Notes:
- Team USA 16U National Team Development Program
- Elite analytics on a fastball that peaked at 93 this spring, featuring a spin rate of 2400-2550 rpm
- Two wipeout breaking pitches - CB at 77-80, spinning at 2890rpm and hard downer action. SL at 79-81 with hard boaring action into RHH.
- Increased command as he has continued to get use to his elite stuff
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CATCHERS
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Bryan Arendt C / 3B / Holly Springs , NC / 2021
Committed to UNC Wilmington
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- POSITION
- 60 TIME: 6.83 (06.17.19)POP TIME: 1.81-2.07 (02.09.20)
- POSITION VELOCITY- INFIELD: 94 (02.02.20)POSITION VELOCITY- CATCHER: 89 (02.09.20)
- EXIT VELOCITY: 95 (02.09.20)30 YD: 3.78 (02.02.20)
Player Notes:
- Elite defender with carry and accuracy out of the crouch
- Workout pop times have translated to outs in games
- Physical frame at 6'2", 205 pounds with strength and quickness present
- Additional strength has added bat speed and whip, continuing to show barrel feel in the box
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Joey Rezek C / OF / Northwest Guilford, NC / 2020
Committed to East Carolina
Player Notes:
- Strength and power are present, listed at 6'0", 200 pounds
- Barrels, Barrels, Barrels, Barrels, Barrels
- Has shown an ability to hit against all ranges and types of arms, handling velocity and recognizing good spin
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INFIELDERS
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Ryan Clifford OF / 1B / Leesville Road, NC / 2022
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- POSITION
- 60 TIME: 7.20 (09.27.19)POSITION VELOCITY- OUTFIELD: 87 (09.27.19)
- HOME TO 1ST: 4.55
Player Notes:
- 16U Team USA National Development Team
- 17U Team USA National Development Team
- One of the top Power Prospects in the Country, regardless of class
- Left Handed Swing has continued to advance, showing discipline and barrel awareness
- Potential to play in a corner OF spot as well as 1B
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Chandler Riley SS / 2B / Cox Mill, NC / 2020
Committed to Charlotte
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- POSITION
- 60 TIME: 7.08 (05.19.19)POSITION VELOCITY- INFIELD: 86 (02.09.20)
- EXIT VELOCITY: 91 (05.19.19)30 YD: 3.95 (02.09.20)
Player Notes:
- Advanced left handed hitter with plate discipline and elite barrel feel
- Power translates to doubles at this time with a chance to continue to grow into a youthful frame
- Has grown defensively, developing the arm strength to play on the left side, translating to a better defender when on the right side as well
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Nolan McLean SS / RHP / Garner, NC / 2020
Committed to Oklahoma State
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- PITCHING
- MAX FASTBALL: 94 FASTBALL: 91-92
Player Notes:
- Competed with 18U Team USA in Summer of 2019
- Dual sport prospect committed to OSU as a QB and Baseball Player
- A true dual position prospect with a big bat and big arm on the mound
- Competed as a dual position prospect for Team USA
- Legitimate power threat on each swing
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Austin St. Laurent SS / RHP / Western Alamance, NC / 2020
Committed to East Carolina
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- PITCHING
- MAX FASTBALL: 89 (02.10.19)FASTBALL: 86-89 (02.10.19)
- CURVEBALL: 73-75 SLIDER: 76-77 (02.10.19)
- POSITION
- POSITION VELOCITY- INFIELD: 95 (02.10.19)EXIT VELOCITY: 93 (08.07.19)
Player Notes:
- Elite defender with elite arm strength across the diamond
- Good feel for different arm angles and accuracy
- Loose and rhythmic with his feet and hands, all plays look athletic
- Runs well with an offensive approach that continues to develop
- Chance to work gap-to-gap, and has shown an ability to handle high velocity.
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OUTFIELDERS
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Trey Truitt OF / RHP / East Mecklenburg, NC / 2020
Committed to East Carolina
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- POSITION
- 60 TIME: 7.06 POSITION VELOCITY- OUTFIELD: 94 (02.09.20)
- EXIT VELOCITY: 102 HOME TO 1ST: 3.97 (02.09.20)
Player Notes:
- Dual sport athlete, playing football in the fall
- Advanced feel for the barrel with legitimate power
- Bat will continue to advance as he concentrates on baseball throughout the year
- Physical frame at 6'2", 215 pounds, with quickness present
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Committed to Stanford
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- POSITION
- 60 TIME: 6.38 (07.31.19)POSITION VELOCITY- INFIELD: 81
- POSITION VELOCITY- OUTFIELD: 87 (01.27.19)EXIT VELOCITY: 91 (07.31.19)
Player Notes:
- Ran the 2nd fastest laser timed 60 yard at the PBR Future Games with the 6.38 turned in on July 31st
- Speed applies to his defensive game with above average range that will only increase.
- Speed creates havoc on the bases, with advanced feel for taking an extra base and applying pressure with the run game
- Good feel for the strike zone, willing to work deep into counts
- Has shown an ability to handle high velocity and good breaking balls at elite events.
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Committed to North Carolina State
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- POSITION
- HOME TO 1ST: 4.00 (03.08.19)
Player Notes:
- Ran a 6.22 second 55 meter (60.1 Yards) in official Track & Field Event
- A Top Rated Sprinter in the USA for his age group
- The speed applies to the baseball field with above average range that will continue to grow
- The speed applies to his offensive game, and will continue to grow with more time in the box and on the bases.
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Voting will take place daily on @PrepBaseball. The Twitter and Instagram voting areas both have the same address. On Instagram, the voting will be posted under Stories. Twitter will run a poll. PBR will tally the votes from both resources naming a winner and advancing the team to the next bracket. The North Carolina Dream Team could face off with either Oklahoma or Wisconsin in the second round, if we get past PBR Washington.
Round 1 on Twitter >> https://twitter.com/prepbaseball/status/1248335419541946370
Round 1 on Instagram >> https://www.instagram.com/prepbaseball (Go to Stories)
