One hundred of the top players from across North Carolina converged on Pineville, NC and the On Deck Academy to take part in the PBR Preseason All-State event.  In its third year, the Preseason All-State event has become one of the premier events in North Carolina for high caliber high school players. 

Billed as one of the top events in the state, with an incredible roster put together the day did not disappoint.  Personal records, as well as event records were shattered throughout the day.  Eight outfielders from the 2020 class participated with 6 already ranking inside their class in NC.  Each with an individualized skill set, there are many reasons to like this group moving forward.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster from the workout, along with the baseball analytics compiled on each player.
CLICK HERE to see the speed and agility numbers compiled on players in attendance.

Preseason All-State - By the Numbers:

+ The event soldout in record time, over 20 days prior to the event
+ 95 of the 100 registrants showed up for the workout
+ 26 players in the Senior Class
+ 48 players in the Junior Class
+ 80 players ran a timed 30 yard dash.  Median time of 4.08 with 31 players running a 3.90 or better
+ 44 players worked out on the infield
+ 78 mph was median velocity of infielder’s positional throws.  12 players clocked 81 or higher
+ 28 players worked out in the outfield
+ 86 mph was the median positional throw from the outfield with 2 players above 90 mph.
+ 18 catchers workout behind the dish with 6 players recording a positional velocity of 76 mph or higher
+ 2.08 – 2.18 was the median Pop Time range for catchers
+ 9 catchers registered a best pop time of under 2.10 in the workout format
+ 35 pitchers worked out in the bullpen format
+ 83 mph was the median of the max fastballs from each pitcher
+ 13 arms touched 85 or better with one arm reaching 90 mph

 

Preseason All-State Evaluations: 2020 Outfielders

 

 

Wes Turley OF / Porter Ridge, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 61 / POS: 7   5 foot 10, 160-pound athletic build.  Quick twitch athlete.  Slightly open, athletic setup from the right side.  Smooth load with rhythm.  Fluid swing with quick hands and feel for the barrel.  Barrel works short to the ball, staying in the zone, and getting extension.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 85 mph.  Athletically plays through balls in the outfield with average hands. Clean exchanges with a long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Quick arm that reached 79 mph.  Recorded a 3.87 in the 30-yard dash.

 

 

Colby Hammer OF / Uwharrie Charter, NC / 2020   5 foot 11, 160-pound build with broad shoulders.  Hits from the left side using a balanced setup.  Works smooth back during his load with a short stride and quiet hands.  Simple, fluid swing with his barrel working short to the ball and getting extension out front.  Has looseness in his hands with feel for the barrel.  Solid rounds of front toss lining balls gap to gap.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 77 mph.  Plays through balls in the outfield with average hands.  Clean exchanges, throwing from an over the top slot with his positional velocity recorded at 76 mph.  Recorded a 4.18 in the 30-yard dash and 4.63 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Jordan Thalacker OF / OF / Marvin Ridge, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 110 / POS: 19   Strength and athleticism are present in 6 foot 1, 180-pound frame.  Uses a balanced setup from the right side of the plate.  Looks to launch balls with an aggressive approach, working gap to gap.  Gets big at times but does show feel for the barrel.  Quick hands with strength and above average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 87 mph.  Plays though balls in the outfield with average hands.  Clean transfers with a long arm action, throwing from a ¾ slot.  Max effort through his throws that reached 87 mph.  Recorded a 3.91 in the 30-yard dash and 4.69 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Darrien Whitaker OF / LHP / Cox Mill, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 167 / POS: 30   6 foot, 155-pound athletic build.  Hits from the left side using an open setup.  Long stride with his hands working back during his load.  Fluid swing with some feel for the barrel.  Gap to gap approach with his barrel working level through the zone.  Average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 80 mph.  Plays through balls in the outfield with average hands.  Loong loose arm, throwing from an over the top slot.  Arm peaked at 81 mph.  Recorded a 3.95 in the 30-yard dash and 5.00 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Tanner Sweatt OF / OF / Porter Ridge , NC / 2020   5 foot 9, 185-pound strong build.  Offensively he works from the left side with a balanced setup, sitting in his legs.  Turns his front knee in during the load, transferring his weight to his back leg with no stride.  Simple approach with strength in his swing.  Barrel works level through the zone, getting extension.  Average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 87 mph.  Plays through the ball in the outfield with average hands.  Catches the ball with two hands at times.  Clean exchanges with a short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Arm topped at 77 mph.  Recorded a 4.10 in the 30-yard dash and 4.57 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Matt Kelley OF / RHP / Corinth Holders, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 90 / POS: 13   6 foot, 175-pound athletic build.  Offensively he works from the right side using a tall setup. Works back in his load using a leg kick.  Hands work down and back during the load with his upper body leaning over and in toward the plate.  Balanced throughout his swing, with some feel for his barrel.  Barrel works flat through the zone, getting extension out front.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity reaching 90 mph.  Plays through balls in the outfield with average hands.  Shuffles into his throws after catch, creating momentum.  Quick, loose arm with a long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Arm peaked at 91 mph from the outfield.  Recorded a 3.84 in the 30-yard dash and 4.64 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Jack Stevens OF / SS / Hibriten, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 117 / POS: 21   5 foot 11, 160-pound average build.  Hits from the right side with a balanced setup.  Weight and hands work back during the load with a short stride. Balanced swing with some feel for the barrel.  Short path to the ball, keeping his barrel in the zone.  Showed strength during his front toss rounds, driving the ball middle to his pull side.  Better than average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 90 mph.  Works through the ball in the outfield with fluid feet and average hands.  Clean, long arm action, throwing form a high ¾ slot.  Arm reached 86 mph.  Recorded a 3.97 in the 30-yard dash and 4.58 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Matthew Walker OF / SS / Saint Stephens, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 80 / POS: 10   Strong, athletic build at 5 foot 10, 170-pounds.  Balanced, athletic setup from the right side of the plate.  Smooth load with a short stride and his hands working back.  Fluid swing with strength and feel for the barrel.  Drove the ball gap to gap during his front toss rounds.  Barrel works level through the zone with above average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 94 mph.  Athletically plays through balls in the outfield with average hands.  Works through his throws with fluid feet, clean exchanges, and long arm action throwing from an over the top slot.  Are reached 89 mph from the outfield.  Recorded a 3.90 in the 30-yard dash and 4.15 in the 5-10-5.