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Team North Carolina 14U: Game 1 Recap

July 27, 2023
Matt Payne
Director of Scouting, PBR of NC

The 2023 Junior Future Games are underway at LakePoint in Emerson, GA featuring some of the top 2027 prospects from across the country. Team Carolina kicked off their Junior Future Games with a workout on Tuesday. The workout day consisted of a full pro-style workout with players taking BP on the field with Trackman capturing ball flight data, a defensive workout, and players running a laser timed 60. Team Carolina will take on Texas, Kentucky, and MoKan in their pool play action with bracket play to follow. 


 

Team North Carolina- 3 Team Texas- 5

Team North Carolina opened its pool play action for the 2023 Junior Future Games on Wednesday night against Texas. The Carolina offense impressed throughout the night showing its depth and putting together competitive at bats. Down 1-0, Team Carolina got going in the 2nd on a loud single to left from Connor Bast. NC would later take a 3-1 lead on a Gio Tafalla single to drive in 2 runs. Texas would tie it in the 3rd and eventually walk it off in the bottom of the 6th inning. Overall, an exciting game and Team Carolina will be back in action on Thursday versus Team Kentucky. 

 

Scout Blog

Alex Wall, RHP, 2027

Long, lanky frame with projection ahead at 6-foot-3, 170-pounds. Fastball worked at 78-81 mph. Fastball has arm side run when down in the zone. Showed feel for both sides of the plate when working from the windup. Breaking has sharp break with length working down and away from right hand hitters at 71-74 mph. Flashed ability to land his breaking ball for strikes and expand the zone. Loose, clean arm action with plenty of room to grow before reaching his ceiling. 

Caleb Renn, LHP, 2027

5-foot-10, 155-pound frame with room for maturation ahead. Fastball sat in the 74-76 mph range, topped at 77 mph. Curveball has depth at 65-67 mph. Has feel for the breaking ball landing it for strikes and using it to get chase at times. Smooth tempo to the delivery with a short arm action using a high ¾. Velocity should tick up as the body matures. 

Connor Bast, 1B, 2027

6-foot-1, 245-pound frame. Impressed at the plate. Smoked a ball to left for a base hit, 100 mph off the bat. Shows comfort in the box with presence. Hits with a sturdy base, fluid swing with his barrel getting length through the zone. Bat speed and strength stand out. Showed feel and footwork around the first base bag. 

 

Gio Taffala, C/UTL, 2027

5-foot-9, 167-pound frame with strength present. Switch hitter. Barreled a ball to right for a base hit from the right side and lined a ball to center for a base hit when hitting from the left side. Relaxed at the plate, hands are strong, short to the ball with feel for the barrel. Shows feel to hit from both sides.

 

Game Highlights