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Tue March 30, 2021
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.
CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stats
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |