Prep Baseball Report

Quick Hitters: Tomberlin Baseball Academy Pitchers


Brandon Hall
Executive Director of Scouting, PBR NC

PBR scouts were on hand at Noel Williams Park in Monroe, NC on Thursday September 24th to run a full scout day for the Tomberlin Baseball Academy.  The Tomberlin organization makes their home out of Noel Williams with a beautiful playing surface near an indoor facility, allowing a space for players to develop throughout the year.

At the PBR Scout Day, Tomberlin players went through a full pro-style workout, allowing PBR scouts to collect statistics, notes, evaluation information, and video on each player participating.  The day began with a laser timed 60 yard dash followed by a full offensive workout and a defensive skills workout at each player's primary position.  Pitchers finished the day, throwing a controlled bullpen.  For the offensive evaluations and the bullpens, TrackMan was utilized to collect ball flight data out of the hand and off the bat.

We continue our full assessment of the Tomberlin Scout Day with a look at some of the pitchers who stood out during the workout. 

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stats from the Scout Day.

 

Tomberlin Academy Pitchers

 

Blake Efird (RHP, Porter Ridge HS, 2021) – Lanky frame with plenty of projection left to dream on, standing 6-foot-4, 170 pounds.  Committed to Queens University.   Around the zone with a complete arsenal of pitches.  Lacks a plus offering but has different shapes and speeds to as many as 5 different offerings.  Fastball up to 85.  Slider shows early, sweeping action, with length.  Curveball is a little soft, with a slight hump out of the hand, but mature tilt as it works to get back on the fastball path.  Change-up is the most advanced secondary offering, thrown hard with hand speed, spinning at 815 rpm.  Hard, arm side fade with depth as it approaches the hitting area.

Brady Johnson (LHP, Hickory Grove Christian, 2024) – Intriguing size and arm in a young player.  Stands 6-foot, 160 pounds.  Lots of room for growth in the coming years.  Easy, long arm swing to a high-3/4 slot.  Slightly coiled at balance, blocks the front side with the back side having to work hard to get on time.  Creates occasional cut and lacks some arm speed and extension that could come quickly with a more effective back side pattern.  Hard breaking ball that could become an above average offering.  2/8 tilt at 67, spinning up to 1723 rpm.  Fastball peaked at 74.

Bryson Wright (RHP, Mount Pleasant HS, 2023) – Thin frame.  5-foot-11, 150 pounds.  Good feel across the board.  Strike thrower.  Simple, direct and stable over the rubber.  Slight plunge out of the glove, working back to an over-the-top release.  Lowers the slot a little on the offspeed.  Fastball peaked at 80, spinning up to 2121rpm with over 20 inches of induced vertical break.  Solid fade from the change-up.