Blue Ridge College Classic Baseball Showcase - Quick Hitters-Pitchers
November 29, 2021
Prep Baseball Report of North Carolina was on hand at Athletes Lab in Maiden, NC on Saturday November 20th for the Blue Ridge College Classic Baseball Showcase. Players went through a workout in the spacious ALAB Facility that featured a 30-yard sprint, catchers going through a defensive workout making throws to second base, pitchers throwing a controlled bullpen, hitters taking live batting practice in the open area allowing for coaches and scouts to see ball flight, infielders taking ground balls, and players getting their arm velocities measured while doing pull-downs into a net. Several college coaches were in attendance to observe the workout.
Below we take a look at some of the pitchers who stood out during their bullpens. Be on the lookout for more information to follow in the coming days.
Quick Hitters - Pitchers
Samuel Carpenter, RHP, Lincolnton, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound build. Works across his body some quickness to his arm, high ¾ release. Around the zone with his fastball at 81-84 mph. Fastball has some run to his arm side. Changeup has sinking action at 76-78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape with gradual break at 65-67 mph.
Connor Peschel, IF/RHP, Foard, 2022
Athleticism present in a 6-foot, 165-pound frame with room to fill out in the coming years. Worked only from the stretch. Arm is loose and quick. Fastball sat at 82-84 mph (2300 spin) with occasional cutting action. His best pitch is his breaking ball that he threw with aggression at 74-75 mph (2300 spin). Breaking ball has sharp break darting down and away from right hand hitters.
Frame has length, high waist, with room to add weight and strength. Filled the zone up with 3 pitches during his pen. Fastball ranged from 84-87 mph. Landed his breaking ball for strikes at 72-73 mph (2300 spin). Changeup has run to his arm side at 79-80 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed on both secondary offerings. His frame and loose arm should allow for his stuff to climb heading into next year.
Average build. Worked to the bottom of the zone with his fastball at 82-83 mph. Fastball has slight run to his arm side. Breaking ball has across break at 72-73 mph. Changeup has run and sink at 76-77 mph. Has feel for all three pitches.
Sammy Nexsen, RHP, Hickory, 2024
Average build. Fastball sat at 78-80 mph from a high ¾ slot. Sweepy breaking ball at 62-66 mph. Flashed a changeup at 73-75 mph. Has some deception working across his body with a high ¾ slot.
Carson Dahle, RHP, East Lincoln, 2024
Athletic frame with room for maturation ahead. Loose arm with quickness using a high ¾ slot. Fastball ranged from 80-82 mph. His changeup was his best secondary pitch on this day with some run and sink at 73-74 mph. Flashed a breaking ball at 69-70 mph. Athleticism suggests jumps coming in the future.
Cade Norton, C/RHP, Blue Ridge (SC), 2024
6-foot, 165-pound frame with room for maturation ahead. Worked only from the stretch with his fastball sitting at 82-84 mph. Has feel for his changeup with fading action at 75 mph. Flashed a breaking ball at 71-74 mph.
Drew Wayne, RHP/IF, East Lincoln, 2024
Fastball worked from 76-78 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 70 mph. Threw his breaking ball for a strike at 67 mph. Arm has some quickness with a compact arm stroke and high 3/4 release.
Tate Jensen, LHP, Draughn, 2025
Attacked the bottom of the zone during his pen with his fastball sitting at 75-78 mph from a high ¾ slot. Has feel for his breaking ball at 62-64 mph. Located his changeup to his arm side with fading action at 71 mph. Stuff should continue to tick up as the body matures.
Tyler Goodson, RHP, Maiden, 2024
Strength present in a 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame. Arm strength present. Fastball ranged from 85-88 mph. Lands slightly across his line with a short arm action and high ¾ slot. Erratic with his fastball at times. Breaking ball is sharp at times with 11/5 tilt at 70-73 mph. Flashed a changeup at 77-79 mph. Stuff could jump in the near future as he continues to add strength and repeat his delivery with more consistency.