The PBR of NC Top Prospect Games has quickly become one of the "must" events of each summer for college coaches, pro scouts, and the top players from across the state.  With continued regulations from the NCAA, college coaches were able to follow via a live stream that featured 3 separate camera angles throughout the day.  With the roster put together, there were several pro scouts on hand, representing their MLB clubs, to see the talent on hand.

Position players kicked the day off with a full pro-style workout, including running a laser timed 60 on the Burlington Royals's warning track.  Live BP followed with TrackMan and Blast following the action of each player's swing.  Players then went through a defensive workout, showcasing from their primary positions.

After the pro-style, the position players were split into 3 teams competing in a live scrimmage situation.  Pitchers did not compete for a team, instead throwing assigned innings.   The 3 team rotation allowed players to play and fill in at secondary positions, gave them a little time off, and allowed for the batting orders to be limited in their size, working to get each hitter 4 live at-bats on the day.  With the pitchers throwing live, TrackMan was again in use, tracking ball flight out of the hand, giving PBR Scouts advanced analytics on each arm.

Below we dive into some of the numbers put up by the players at the 2020 Top Prospect Games.  In the coming days we will continue to take a look at individual players, their numbers, and the advanced analytics from the premier event.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and all of the stats produced at the 2020 Top Prospect Games.

By the Numbers:

• 30 position players took part in the day
• 18 arms threw in the live scrimmage
• 3 graduating years were represented, 2021, 2022, and 2023
• 3 players ran a sub-7.00 sixty on the laser, on a slow warning track lane
• 12 players ran a sub-7.29 sixty
• 7.34 was the median sixty time on the day
• 10 position players posted position velocities of 83 mph or better
• 2 Outfielders were at or above 93 mph from RF on throws to the plate
• 5 catchers in attendance, and all posted a workout pop time of 2.20 or better
• 4 position player posted a 90 mph or higher exit velocity off the tee
• 16 players posted an exit velocity of 85 mph or higher off the tee
• 85 mph was the median exit velocity off the tee
• 11 hitters posted an exit velocity of 85 mph or higher in BP, per TrackMan
• 370.6 ft was the furthest hit ball in BP, per TrackMan, off the bat of Walker Jenkins
• 4 balls in BP topped the 100mph mark in exit velocity per TrackMan
• 91 mph was the top fastball from the event, from Isaiah Lowe
• 7 arms worked at or above 85 mph
• 84 mph was the median top fastball at the Top Prospect Games
• 2366 rpm was the top spin rate on a fastball at the event
• 2710 rpm was the top spin rate on a breaking ball on the day

 

Statistical Analysis

 

THE 60 YARD DASH

Players ran a laser timed 60 yard dash at the outset of their workouts.  The running lane was on the outfield warning track, firm for the most part, but playing slightly slower than a firm grass track.  The median 60 time on the day was a 7.34.

 

EXIT VELOCITY (OFF A TEE)

Hitters worked through offensive testing, including a static exit velocity test, working off a tee.  The exit velocity from live BP, gathered by TrackMan will be release soon.  Off the tee, 16 players posted an exit velocity of 85 mph, with 84 mph the median exit velocity for the 30 position players.

 

POSITIONAL VELOCITY – INFIELDERS

Infielders were able to workout at shorstop, throwing across the infield, or from 1B throwing to 2B and 3B in the pro-style workout.  Coaches are working to evaluate rhythm, footwork, hands, exchanges, arm action, accuracy, and carry.  To measure arm strength PBR Scouts utilize a radar gun.  Below are the top posted positional velocities from each day.

 

POSITIONAL VELOCITY – OUTFIELDERS

Outfielders worked out from right field, making throws to the plate.  Scouts are able to watch exchanges, arm action, arm strength, carry, and accuracy in this type of workout.  PBR adds a radar reading to assist with adding a number to the arm strength grade.  Below are the top radar readings from the outfielder workouts.

 

CATCHER POP TIMES & POSITIONAL VELOCITY

In the pro-style workout, catchers workout from behind home plate, making multiple throws to 2B, simulating a stolen base attempt.  Scouts again are looking for a quick, clean transition to the release as well as carry and accuracy on the throw.  For catchers, evaluators will put a stopwatch on the “pop time” or the time the ball hits their glove to the time the ball hits the MIF’s glove at 2B.  Coaches can also time the transition from when the ball hits the catchers glove to when he is able to release his throw.  PBR scouts add the radar gun to put a number on the arm strength out of the crouched position.

 

MAX FASTBALL

Pitchers faced live hitters in the controlled scrimmages.  Most arms worked two innings, limited to four to five hitters per inning.  TrackMan recorded all ball flight information and is the tool used to post all velocities.  A Stalker was running on an LED Board for college coaches watching on the live stream as well.  Typically the two radars are very similar, but for our statistical purposes, the TrackMan data is the standard.

 

*In the coming weeks we will dive into individual player performances, as well as some of the analytic leader boards produced by TrackMan and Blast Motion.