Prep Baseball Report

Ultimate Performance / Queen City Open Evaluations: The 2020 Position Players


Brandon Hall & Matt Payne
North Carolina Director of Scouting & PBR Assoc Scout

The final open event of the winter schedule for PBR North Carolina was held at Ultimate Performance in Matthews, NC on Monday February 4th.  A dual event, PBR was able to run 50 players through a pro-style workout with players attending the open event as well as players from Ultimate Performance club teams going through their scout day. 

A total of 13 players from the 2020 class participated in the event with six working out as position players only.  Several shined with three producing an exit velocity of 90 mph or better.  Four players produced a positional velocity of 87 mph or higher.  Full evaluations with links back to each player's video are below.

Below are links to the full statistics from the event as well as the statistical leaders in several key categories.  We will continue our coverage of this event in the coming weeks as we release the player evaluations.

By the Numbers:

  • 42 players ran the 30 yard dash on the laser timer
  • 4.16 was the median time in the 30
  • 9 players ran a sub-4.00
  • 25 infielders worked out defensively
  • Positional velocity for the infielders topped at 89 with a median of 77 mph across the infield
  • 16 outfielders worked out defensively
  • 94 mph was the top positional velocity of Outfielders with a median of 82 mph
  • 4 catchers threw pop times and recorded a positional velocity
  • All 4 catchers recorded at least one pop time under 2.06
  • Median exit velocity of 85 mph from the 42 hitters
  • 13 hitters broke the 90 mph threshold on exit velocity with 7 at 95 mph or higher
  • 24 pitchers threw bullpens on the night with a median max fastball of 80 mph
  • 6 arms worked at 84 mph or higher

CLICK HERE to see the sortable table of statistics from the Queen City Preseason Open and player links

CLICK HERE to see the sortable table of statistics from the Ultimate Performance Preseason Scout Day and player links

CLICK HERE to see the laser timed 30 yard dash times and the 5-10-5 agility test times of all players

 

Ultimate Performance / Queen City Preseason Scout Day Evaluations: 2020 Position Players

 

 

Brendan Folkerts OF / LHP / Fuquay-Varina, NC / 2020

 

5 foot 10, 174-pound average build.  Hits from the left side with a tall setup.  Works back during his load with a medium length stride, diving into the plate.  Looks to stay gap to gap with his barrel working level through the zone.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 83 mph.  Plays through balls in the outfield using a 2-hand catch.  Long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot with some accuracy to his throws.  Positional velocity peaked at 78 mph.  Recorded a 4.19 in the 30-yard dash and 4.56 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Easton Rhoney OF / OF / Alexander Central, NC / 2020

 

5 foot 11, 155-pound athletic, projectable build.  Balanced, athletic setup from the left side.  Smooth, load, with a short stride and quiet barrel.  Barreled a lot of balls during his batting practice round with a balanced, controlled approach staying gap to gap.  Fluid swing with loose hands, working short to the ball, keeping his barrel in the zone, getting extension out front. Exit velocity recorded at 84 mph.  Defensively plays through balls with average hands.  Long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Positional velocity peaked at 79 mph.  Controlled his effort on the throws as he progresses through an early season throwing program.  Recorded a 3.97 in the 30-yard dash and 4.53 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Kade Smith SS / OF / Alexander Central, NC / 2020

 

Guilford College commit.  Athletic frame at 6 foot, 135-pounds.  Right hand hitter uses a tall, slightly open setup.  Hands work back during the load with a wrist cock and short stride diving into the plate.  Fluid swing with a gap to gap approach.  Found a lot of barrels during his batting practice rounds with his barrel working level through the zone and getting extension out front.  Exit velocity recorded at 82 mph.  Plays athletic on defense with fluid feet and above average hands.  Long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Accurate arm with some carry.  Positional velocity topped at 79 mph.  Recorded a 4.03 in the 30-yard dash and 4.50 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Connor Smith 1B / 3B / Porter Ridge, NC / 2020

 

6 foot 1, 235-pound build.  Posted an exit velocity of 95 mph.  Balanced setup from the right side of the plate.  Smooth load with a short stride.  Simple, controlled approach working gap to gap.  Found a lot of barrels during front toss with strength in his swing.  Feel for the barrel with above average bat speed.  Average hands on defensive with some stiffness through catch.  Long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot with his positional velocity peaking at 74 mph.  Recorded a 4.30 in the 30-yard dash and 4.94 in the 5-10-5.

 

 

Tanner Sweatt OF / OF / Porter Ridge , NC / 2020

 

5 foot 9, 185-pound build. Left hand hitter uses a balanced, slightly open setup.  Works back in his load with a small leg kick.  Works gap to gap with some feel for his barrel.  Quick hands with his barrel working level through the zone.  Above average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 91 mph. Plays through balls in the outfield with fluid feet and average hands.  Clean exchanges, with a long arm action, throwing from an over the top slot.  Positional velocity peaked at 82 mph.  Recorded a 4.01 in the 30-yard dash and 4.83 in the 5-10-5. 

 

 

Charles Watson, Jr. 2B / SS / Charlotte Latin School, NC / 2020

 

5 foot 9, 160-pound build.  Balanced setup from the right side.  Short quick step, with his hands working back during his load. Barrel works short to the ball, staying level through the zone.  Simple line drive approach, working gap to gap.  Exit velocity recorded at 79 mph.  Plays through ball on the infield with average hands.  Some stiffness through catch, with clean exchanges, using a long arm action, throwing from an over the top slot.  Positional velocity recorded at 73 mph.  Recorded a 4.35 in the 30-yard dash and 4.46 in the 5-10-5.