Prep Baseball Report

Impact Spotlight: Previewing the Preseason All-State Roster - 2018 & 2019 Grads


Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting


On Sunday many of the best players from across North Carolina will convene at On Deck Academy in Pineville, NC to participate in the PBR Preseason All-State showcase.  Close to 70 players will take part, showcasing their talents for pro scouts, college coaches, and PBR’s staff.  Each player will receive a complete PBR Player Profile, including updated statistics and video.

As we prepare for the winter’s premier showcase event in North Carolina, we can take a sneak peak at some of the talent that will be on hand from the 2018 and 2019 classes.

Impact Spotlight

The Impact Spotlight is a weekly blog that highlights uncommitted high school players in NC that may make an impact at the next level.  For the purpose of this Preseason All-State preview, we will include a few committed players as well.

2018 Grads

Bryce Vestal remains uncommitted after a solid showing at last year’s event.  Bryce is a good athlete that should stay on the infield moving forward.   An exit velocity of 85 mph off the barrel shows some strength in the left handed swing



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Scouting Report

01.28.17

Good offensive approach that wants extension and leans to a pull tendency.  At 6-foot, 180 pounds produces strength through the frame with exit velocity peaking at 85 off the barrel.  Crouched setup, the hands load down slightly.  Short stride works to fast bat through the zone.  Quick, strong, and aggressive, the swing can get hooky at times.  From short, some stiffness in the hands on approach.  Arm works through a long arc, to a high-3/4 slot with some accuracy.  Arm strength measured at 74mph.  Ran a 4.32 thirty and recorded a 7-foot-10 standing broad jump.


11.06.16 

Left handed hitter with some whip and looseness through the zone.  Stands 6-foot, 180 pounds and starts from a tall, athletic base.  Long stride leads to an uphill leverage, with length at times.  Early stride rhythm and a want for extension, creates a pull conscious approach.  Exit velocity measured at 83mph.  On the infield, hands worked to and through the baseball, with rhythm in the feet.  Clean exchanges worked long into an over-the-top slot, that has some effort.  Arm strength measured at 75mph.  Ran the sixty in 7.70. 


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Others to Watch

+ Three of the 2018s attending have committed.  Jake Wolf (RHP, Middle Creek HS) is committed to UNC Greensboro.  PBR’s staff has seen him up to 85, but with a maturing frame and quick hand it is easy to  project growth in the fastball in the near future.  Olen Stamper (RHP, West Rowan HS) jumped on the PBR scene after throwing in a fall game for West Rowan.  Long and lean, the arm works with some ease.  The ceiling for his stuff is elevated and he may get their quickly.  Gavin Birkhimer (OF, South Mecklenburg HS) worked out for PBR last year as part of the Carolina Viper program.  Quick twitch is present in a 5-foot-9, 180 pound frame.  Last year the frame only had 170 pounds, but produced an exit velocity of 89 mph off the barrel.

2019 Grads

Plus: Log in or subscribe to see 3 2019's with complete evaluations and video, as well as information on another 6 players.


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