By Tim Kay

PBR Tennessee Director of Scouting

The 2017 PBR Tennessee Fall Prospect Games took place on Sunday, September 24th at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Volunteers.  This event included a position player workout, followed by two 12-inning games. Players were afforded the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of the PBR Tennessee staff and college coaches in attendance. The following is a look at the top statistical performances from the event.

CLICK HERE  to view the stats for all players who participated in the 2017 Tennessee Top Underclass Games.

TOP PITCHING VELOCITIES

88 - Nathanial Tate, RHP, Coffee County, 2018
87 - Matt Taylor, RHP, Dobyns Bennett, 2018
86 - Landon Smiddy, RHP, Farragut, 2019
86 - Hunter Mann, RHP, Gordonsville, 2019
86 - Zach Joyce, RHP, Farragut, 2018
85 - Bryce Jenkins, RHP, Hardin Valley Academy, 2019
84 - Owen Kovacs, RHP, Farragut, 2019
84 - Kavares Tears, LHP, Columbia Academy, 2021
84 - Hayden Robbins, RHP, Mount Juliet, 2019

- Tate, a previously unranked 2018 prospect, led the pitching velocities by hitting 88 six times.  The 6-1, 160-pound righty threw 3 innings and his last fastball of the day, pitch number 52, was 87.  This velocity helped Tate strike out 5.

- Taylor, the top ranked uncommitted senior to attend the event,  pitched at 85-86 and topped at 87.  The 6-6, 225-pound bulldog featured late life through the zone and a quick arm, allowing him to have 4 strikeouts through an efficient 2 innings.

TOP OF VELOCITIES

87 - Bryce Jenkins, RHP/SS/OF, Hardin Valley Academy, 2019
86 - Zachary Fritts, OF, Lenoir City, 2018
86 - Kavares Tears, OF/LHP, Columbia Academy, 2021
83 - Evan Carter, OF/RHP, Elizabethton, 2020
82 - Chase Roberts, C/RHP/OF, East Hamilton, 2021 
82 - Thomas Fullerton, OF, Mount Juliet, 2019

- Jenkins, a previously unranked 2019 prospect, showed off his arm strength in the outfield.  Also ranking in the top 5 for IF and pitching velocity, he showed he has a lot of potential both in the field and on the mound.

- Fritts, an uncommitted senior, was the top OF velocity for a non-pitcher.  He featured carry through the target w/ accuracy.  Also a catcher for his HS team, he is a guy that should be getting a number of college looks, as he tested well in many categories.

- Tears, a Futures Game participant last summer, showed big arm strength in the OF.  He showed off his arm both on the mound (top lefty velocity) and in game, where he gunned a runner attempting to extend a single into a double from right field.    

TOP IF VELOCITIES

88 - Ashton King, SS, Farragut, 2019
86 - Bryce Jenkins, RHP/SS/OF, Hardin Valley Academy, 2019
82 - Noah Gent, SS, Grace Christian Academy, 2019
82 - Dylan Dickert, RHP/3B, Seymour, 2020
82 - Wiggins, Tyler, SS/RHP, Lebanon, 2020

- King, the 44th ranked prospect in the 2019 class, showed off premium arm strength from SS both in the workout and in game.  He showed his range up the middle to make difficult plays look easy.  True SS who can make all the throws.

- Gent, the 27th ranked prospect in the 2019 class, showed enough arm strength to stay at SS w/ reliable defensive actions.  Made a number of nice plays in game, showing his ability to throw from different slots and a reliable glove.

- Dickert, a 2020 prospect attending his first PBR event, showed the best arm of those who took infield at 3B.  His arm plays at 3B and on the mound, where he was up to 83.  A definite prospect to follow.

- Wiggins, another 2020 prospect attending his first PBR event, showed arm strength to stay at SS.  Another two way player, Wiggins touched 80 on the mound, suggesting there is more velocity coming. 

TOP C VELOCITIES

81 - Nathanial Tate, C/RHP, Coffee County, 2019
79 - Parker Noland, 3B/C, Farragut, 2019
78 - Ryan McCarthy, C, Farragut, 2019
75 - Harrison Travis, C, Soddy Daisy, 2019

- Tate showed his big arm strength behind the plate as well, confirming he is a big-time two way prospect.  Handled velocity in his one inning behind the plate in game.

- Noland, a previously unranked 2019 prospect, showed that he can do more then be a part-time catcher.  Showed carry through the target and his arm works well behind the plate.  Received well behind the plate for the final two innings.

TOP C POP TIMES

1.87 - Nathanial Tate, C/RHP, Coffee County, 2018
1.90 - Ryan McCarthy, C, Farragut, 2019
2.00 - Parker Noland, C/3B, Farragut, 2019
2.00 - Will Long, C, David Crockett, 2018
2.03 - Chase Roberts, C/OF/RHP, East Hamilton, 2019

- McCarthy, a previously unranked 2019 prospect, jumped out with his throwing ability.  Featuring a quick release w/ above avg arm strength, he was the only catcher to have every recorded pop time be under 2.00.  A wealth of riches for Farragut at the catcher position.

TOP HOME TO FIRST TIMES

4.21 - Brandon Langenberg, OF, West, 2019
4.28 - Thomas Fullerton, OF, Mount Juliet, 2019
4.29 - Bryce Jenkins, RHP/SS/OF, Hardin Valley Academy, 2019
4.38 - Zachary Fritts, OF, Lenoir City, 2018
4.38 - Evan Carter, OF, Elizabethton, 2020

- Langenberg, a previously unranked 2019 prospect, showed his pure running tool.  Recording a 4.21 from the right side during BP, he showed it was no fluke by running a 4.28 in game.  The premium runner jumped out w/ his tools.

- Fullerton, another unranked 2019 prospect, also showed a premium running tool hitting from the right side of the plate.  His run tool translates well to the OF, featuring a wiry build and the top end speed to stay in CF.

TOP EXIT VELOCITIES

93 - Kavares Tears, OF/LHP, Columbia Academy, 2021
92 - Jacob Goin, C/3B, Page, 2018
91 - Chad Marsh, OF, McCallie, 2019
91 - Parker Noland, 3B/C, Farragut, 2019
91 - Ashton King, SS, Farragut, 2019
90 - Brandon Langenberg, OF, West, 2019
90 - Will Long, C, David Crockett, 2018

- Tears took one of the loudest batting practices of the event.  Hitting numerous balls out to right field, he showed he has elite power.  He also translated it to the game, lacing a double to left center field while showing a patient approach.

- Goin, an uncommitted 2018 catcher, jumped out with the backspin he was able to generate.  Showing pull power in batting practice, he showed he has the potential to do big things with the baseball when he connects.