Prep Baseball Report

Statistical Leaders: NC ProCase


Matt Payne
Director of Scouting, PBR of NC

Prep Baseball Report of North Carolina has quickly become the most trusted independent scouting source in North Carolina, and across the country.  Each of the past two years, PBR of NC has hosted 20-30 of the top draft prospects in North Carolina as part of their ProCase.  On March 28th, PBR of NC continued the tradition with 22 players performing in front of pro scouts at Diamond Xtreme in Kernersville, NC. 

Pitchers and catchers were up first. Catchers were able to go through a full defensive workout, throwing through to 2B at the spacious indoor facility.  Pitchers threw controlled bullpens, one at a time, with Trackman gathering advanced analytics.  Following the pitchers, hitters took live BP in the open atmosphere of Diamond Xtreme with Trackman gathering ball flight data. The event ended with the infielders and outfielders going through a defensive workout. 

Located in Kernersville, Diamond Xtreme features a 90'x90' cage that allows for ground balls and throws across the infield.  Catchers are able to make full length throws to 2B.  During BP, scouts and coaches are able to watch and track the ball off the bat to get a better gauge of each hitter in attendance.

As we begin our breakdown of the players in attendance, we will take a look at their statistical performances.  Each player in attendance has been graded out by PBR scouts as a potential draft follow for their senior year, and moving into their college years if they choose to attend school. 


ProCase by the Numbers

 

  • 22 players participated in the event
  • 104 mph was the top exit velocity
  • All hitters had an exit velocity of 97 mph or higher
  • 385' was the longest ball hit
  • 2 catchers had sub-1.90 pop times
  • 2 outfield arms topped at 96 mph
  • 7 pitchers had fastballs peak at 90 mph or better
  • 2444 rpm was the top fastball spin
  • 2828 rpm was the top curveball spin

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stats

Statistical Leaders

TRACKMAN MAX EXIT VELOCITY (BP)

During BP, TrackMan tracked ball flight off the bat.  One element TrackMan is able to produce is the exit velocity.  Below are the top Exit Velocities produced during live BP.

Rank Name State School Class Pos Exit Velocity (max)
1 John Newton NC Cuthbertson 2021 OF 104.2 mph
2 Graham Smiley NC East Lincoln 2022 C 102.3 mph
3 Brooks Brannon NC Randleman 2022 C 102.0 mph
4 Alec DeMartino NC Millbrook 2021 OF 101.7 mph
5 Bryan Arendt NC Holly Springs 2021 C 99.5 mph
6 Vance Honeycutt NC Salisbury 2021 OF 99.1 mph
7 Chris Katz NC Heritage 2021 C 99.0 mph
8 Ayden Edwards NC Pro5 Academy 2021 C 97.2 mph
9 Ryan McCrystal NC Fuquay-Varina 2021 C 96.9 mph

TRACKMAN MAX DISTANCE (BP)

During BP, TrackMan tracked ball flight off the bat.  One element TrackMan is able to produce is the distance each hit travels, if in fair territory.  Below are the top max distances produced during live BP.

Rank Name State School Class Pos Distance (max)
1 Alec DeMartino NC Millbrook 2021 OF 385 ft
2 Brooks Brannon NC Randleman 2022 C 380 ft
3 Chris Katz NC Heritage 2021 C 376 ft
4 Vance Honeycutt NC Salisbury 2021 OF 366 ft
5 John Newton NC Cuthbertson 2021 OF 363 ft
6 Graham Smiley NC East Lincoln 2022 C 361 ft
7 Bryan Arendt NC Holly Springs 2021 C 355 ft
8 Ryan McCrystal NC Fuquay-Varina 2021 C 348 ft
9 Ayden Edwards NC Pro5 Academy 2021 C 341 ft

POSITIONAL VELOCITY 

Infielders and outfielders were able to simulate defensive plays inside the spacious Diamond Xtreme.  The infielder's workout consisted of five live ground balls, making throws across the diamond to first base.  Outfielders worked from a "would be" center field, making throws of close to 130 feet toward home plate.  Each player showcased plenty of arm for their respective positions.  Below are the gun readings from the ProCase.

Rank Name State School Class Pos INF Velo
1 Vance Honeycutt NC Salisbury 2021 OF 86

Rank Name State School Class Pos OF Velo
1 Alec DeMartino NC Millbrook 2021 OF 96
^ John Newton NC Cuthbertson 2021 OF 96

CATCHER POP TIMES & POSITIONAL VELOCITY

Catchers opened the 2021 ProCase with their defensive workout.  As part of the workout, catchers were able to make a full length throw to 2B allowing scouts and coaches to record pop times and to get a positional velocity out of the crouch.  Scouts are also evaluating footwork, transfer and release. 

Rank Name State School Class Pos Pop Time
1 Bryan Arendt NC Holly Springs 2021 C 1.80-1.87
2 Ryan McCrystal NC Fuquay-Varina 2021 C 1.85-1.96
3 Brooks Brannon NC Randleman 2022 C 1.91-1.97
^ Graham Smiley NC East Lincoln 2022 C 1.91-1.97
4 Ayden Edwards NC Pro5 Academy 2021 C 1.93-2.04
5 Chris Katz NC Heritage 2021 C 1.94-2.01

Rank Name State School Class Pos C Velo
1 Bryan Arendt NC Holly Springs 2021 C 86
2 Graham Smiley NC East Lincoln 2022 C 83
3 Ryan McCrystal NC Fuquay-Varina 2021 C 82
4 Brooks Brannon NC Randleman 2022 C 79
^ Chris Katz NC Heritage 2021 C 79

TRACKMAN INFO - PITCHER BULLPENS

Pitchers threw in a controlled bullpen.  Each arm threw 15-20 pitches, showcasing their complete arsenal.  Velocity and spin rate information was gathered off of the TrackMan.  TrackMan analytics are the official analytics and the velocities below were captured by TrackMan.

Max Fastball Velocity

Rank Name State School Class Pos Velocity (max)
1 RJ Sales NC Pinecrest 2021 RHP 93.3 mph
2 Bryan Arendt NC Holly Springs 2021 C 92.8 mph
3 Aubrey Smith NC South Brunswick 2022 RHP 91.5 mph
4 Brandon Hudson NC Cuthbertson 2021 RHP 90.8 mph
5 Merritt Beeker NC North Davidson 2021 LHP 90.6 mph
6 Jackson Humphries NC Fuquay-Varina 2022 LHP 90.6 mph
7 Mason Murdock NC Combine Academy 2022 RHP 90.2 mph
8 Michael Forret NC Providence 2022 RHP 89.8 mph
9 Cyle Phelan NC Fuquay Varina 2021 LHP 89.6 mph
10 Cole Schiff NC Heritage 2021 LHP 89.2 mph

Max Fastball Spin Rate

Rank Name State School Class Pos Spin Rate (max)
1 Aubrey Smith NC South Brunswick 2022 RHP 2444 rpm
2 Jackson Roberts NC Northern Guilford 2022 RHP 2391 rpm
3 Bryan Arendt NC Holly Springs 2021 C 2379 rpm
4 Mason Murdock NC Combine Academy 2022 RHP 2269 rpm
5 Cyle Phelan NC Fuquay Varina 2021 LHP 2227 rpm
6 Michael Forret NC Providence 2022 RHP 2226 rpm
7 Merritt Beeker NC North Davidson 2021 LHP 2187 rpm
8 Cade Miller NC Alexander Early College 2022 RHP 2159 rpm
9 RJ Sales NC Pinecrest 2021 RHP 2158 rpm
10 Jackson Humphries NC Fuquay-Varina 2022 LHP 2065 rpm

Max Curveball Spin Rate

Rank Name State School Class Pos Spin Rate (max)
1 Jackson Roberts NC Northern Guilford 2022 RHP 2828 rpm
2 Cyle Phelan NC Fuquay Varina 2021 LHP 2580 rpm
3 Michael Forret NC Providence 2022 RHP 2396 rpm
4 Cade Miller NC Alexander Early College 2022 RHP 2357 rpm
5 Mason Murdock NC Combine Academy 2022 RHP 2350 rpm
6 Aubrey Smith NC South Brunswick 2022 RHP 2350 rpm
7 Win Scott NC Ragsdale 2021 LHP 2294 rpm
8 RJ Sales NC Pinecrest 2021 RHP 2195 rpm
9 Cole Schiff NC Heritage 2021 LHP 2144 rpm
10 Carson Kelly NC Lee County 2021 RHP 2030 rpm