2019 Border Battle Reports
October 28, 2017
Tim Kay
PBR Tennessee Director of Scouting
On Saturday, October 21, Tennessee and Kentucky brought some of their best uncommitted prospects in the state to play a 9 inning doubleheader. The two teams split the battle, consisting of a lot of talented pitching and offensive talent.
To read up on this year's participants, see below (hitters sorted by exit velo, pitchers sorted by FB velocity):
POSITION PLAYERS
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Noah Gent SS / 3B / Grace Christian Academy, TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.81, Position Velocity: IF-88, Exit Velocity: 91
5-foot-11, 175-pound, RHH continues to just hit while proving he is a true SS, as he went 2-5 at the plate with a walk and no swing and miss on 5 swings. Medium, athletic frame w/ present strength, some projection. Offensively, hits from a straight on, crouched stance w/ back ear hand location. Short bat waggle. Shift of weight, leg kick and proper load. Still head w/ balance allows him high contact ability. Strong forearms w/ back-spin projects to hit for pull HR power. All fields approach w/ ability to drive the ball where it is pitched. Recognizes spin w/ idea of his strike zone. Average runner underway. Defensively, tested better in arm strength then last month’s previous look while making all the plays in game. Soft hands w/ good feet. High upside middle infield prospect w/ above average bat for position.
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CJ Campbell OF / 3B / Central Magnet School, TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.50, Position Velocity: OF-85, Exit Velocity: 91
6-foot-0, 225-pound, RHH had a big event, testing well in every category and brought it into the game, going 2-3 with 3 hit by pitches. Medium, athletic frame w/ thick lower half. Close to mature w/ present strength. Offensively, hits from an open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location. Bat waggle. Shift of weight, toe tap and proper load. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ extension. Up the middle approach w/ gap power, pull HR power. Barrel feel. Makes adjustments, recognizes spin, has an idea of his strike zone. Moves well for size, projects for a corner spot. Defensively, covered ground in CF, including making a Willy Mays style circus catch in game. Projects as above average defensive corner OF w/ easy arm strength and solid routes, bat reads. Very intriguing player who may end up at 3B this spring. Bat is a must follow.
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Parker Noland 3B / C / Farragut , TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.50, Pop Time: 1.97-2.03, Position Velocity: C-80, IF-82, Exit Velocity: 90
6-foot-1, 185-pound, LHH continues to show high level tools, finding barrels in game but little to show for it, going 1-5 with no swing and miss on 7 swings. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present strength, lot of physical projection. Offensively, hits with a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ weight on back side. Leg kick to square w/ proper load. Generates bat speed through the zone. Up the middle approach w/ pull power. Understands his zone, will not expand. Average runner plays up on the bases. At 3B, is a reliable defender w/ soft hands, above average arm strength. Can play collegiately at both 3B and C. Behind the plate, shows soft hands w/ ability to receive velocity. Presents a solid target for his pitchers, glove rest is a little too loud. Feel for pitch framing, will continue to improve w/ reps. As a thrower, shows quick release w/ carry to target. Popped a 2.0 in game. A very high level catching prospect w/ big time bat.
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Ashton King SS / 2B / Farragut, TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.47, Position Velocity: IF-88, Exit Velocity: 90
6-foot-0, 165-pound, RHH built on his strong showing at the Fall Top Prospect Games and went 2-6 in game w/ impact defensive tools. Medium, athletic frame w/ lean strength, projectable. Offensively, hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location. Mini leg kick to slightly open w/ proper load. Generates bat speed through the zone. Arm bar w/ up the middle approach. Got a little pull heavy on this day. Shows gap power w/ developing HR power. Average runner is above average underway. Has progressively run better times at since last October for each PBR event he has gone to. Defensively, is a true SS w/ soft hands, good feet. Plays through the ball well w/ ability to make tough play and routine play. Plus arm strength w/ carry through target. Big time SS prospect in the 2019 class.
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Home-1st: 4.68, Position Velocity: IF-87, Exit Velocity: 90
5-foot-11, 170-pound, RHH delivered the lone extra base hit for Team Tennessee, a double down the LF line, to go with a strong overall day, where he was 2-5 w/ no swing and miss on 6 swings. Medium, athletic frame w/ present lower half strength, lot of projection remaining. Offensively, hits from an open, slightly crouched stance w/ back ear hand location. Bat waggler. Knee to knee to slightly open w/ proper load. Quick to the ball w/ no wasted movement. Generates bat speed through the zone. Balanced w/ gap power, developing pull HR power. Average runner is above average once underway. Glider. True SS w/ soft hands, good feet. Plus arm strength w/ carry through target. Was not tested in game. A high level two-way prospect in the 2019 class.
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Home-1st: 4.34, Position Velocity: OF-79, Exit Velocity: 90
6-foot-0, 175-pound, RHH shows plus running speed, allowing him to play a plus defensive CF, including going gap to gap to make a play early in game 1. Medium, athletic frame w/ physical lower half, physical projection remaining. Offensively, hits with a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ hands behind back foot in deep position. Picks his front foot up and puts it back down w/ no hand load. Swing was all upper-body on this day, suggesting a high ceiling when legs get involved. Line drive oriented approach w/ ability to go all fields. Gap to gap type hitter likes to use his speed to leg out doubles and triples. Plus runner glides and gets to top speed quickly. Defensively, shows plus range w/ good bat reads. Covers ground in CF w/ high effort throw. A true CF, will be a prospect to watch heading into the spring season.
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Harrison Travis C / 1B / Soddy Daisy, TN / 2019
Home-1st: 5.22, Pop Time: 2.16-2.28, Position Velocity: C-76, Exit Velocity: 90
6-foot-2, 195-pound, RHH shows intriguing size w/ RH power. Medium, well-proportioned frame w/ some present strength, physical projection. Hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location. Slight bat waggle. Stride w/ proper load, bat wrap. Generates bat speed through the zone. All fields approach w/ developing power. Projects to hit for average and power. Simple, repeatable swing, just waiting on physical maturity to unlock full offensive potential. Heavy footed runner. Defensively, presents a big body for pitchers to throw to. Presents quality target for pitchers w/ feel for framing. Moves well behind plate. As a thrower, shows average arm strength w/ carry to target. Slow feet currently behind plate, but agility work should increase his release time and get it closer to what arm strength suggests it should be. An interesting catcher who is an off-season of development away from presenting a very interesting tool package.
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Home-1st: 4.22, Position Velocity: OF-80, Exit Velocity: 86
6-foot-2, 155-pound, LHH shows plus running speed w/ developing offensive profile and projectable lanky frame. Medium, athletic, thin frame w/ lot of physical projection. Long and lanky. Offensively, hits from a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location and weight on his backside. Bat waggler. Toe tap w/ no hand load. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ slight uppercut plane. Line drive, pull oriented approach w/ gap power, developing pull power. Wants to hit the gaps and use his plus running speed. Gets out of the box well w/ plus running speed. Reaches top speed quickly. Moves well in the OF w/ average throwing arm. Was not tested defensively in game range-wise, but threw a runner out at the plate. Intriguing projectable OF who is a very interesting follow into the spring after an off-season of physical maturity.
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Braden Hickey OF / RHP / South Doyle , TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.50, Position Velocity: OF-79, Exit Velocity: 86
6-foot-2, 195-pound, RHH shows intriguing mix w/ no below average tool. Medium, athletic, well-proportioned frame w/ some present strength, some projection. Hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched, wide stance w/ back shoulder hand location. Bat waggler. Shift of weight, toe tap to straight on and proper load. Front foot hitter w/ up the middle approach. Shows ability to hit to all fields. Has an idea of the strike zone, rarely expands. Gap power now w/ developing HR power. Average runner. Moves well in OF w/ arm strength that carries to target. Projects as a corner OF at the next level. A very interesting follow into the high school spring to see how his skill-set has developed.
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Logan Smith C / 3B / Station Camp, TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.75, Pop Time: 2.09-2.16, Position Velocity: C-75, Exit Velocity: 86
6-foot-1, 165-pound, RHH had a strong in game performance, going 2-5 w/ a walk and no swing and miss on 5 swings. Medium, athletic frame w/ lean strength, projection. Hits from a narrow, straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ bat resting on back shoulder. Mini leg kick w/ proper load. Up the middle approach w/ line drive oriented swing. Gap to gap type. Shows ability to hit the ball to all fields. Average runner underway, athletic type catcher is not a base clogger. Defensively, presents an okay target for his pitcher, does not get it set early enough or maintain the position. Soft hands w/ some feel for receiving. Moves well behind the plate. As a thrower, features avg arm strength w/ avg release. Interesting line drive oriented catcher in the 2019 class.
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Home-1st: 4.59, Pop Time: 2.03-2.09, Position Velocity: C-78, Exit Velocity: 85
5-foot-10, 170-pound, RHH continued to show his strong throwing arm behind the plate combined with no swing and miss in game. Short, well-proportioned build w/ some present strength. Hits with a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location. Bat waggle. Stride to square w/ short hand load. All fields approach w/ line-drive oriented swing. Gap to gap type. Shows ability to go with the pitch away w/ authority. Average runner has repeated average run times in the last two events. Defensively, presents a good low target for his pitchers w/ soft hands and feel for receiving. Can get a little loud with the glove pre-pitch. Moves well behind the plate w/ above average release. Pop times were a tad down from last event, but still showed above avg arm strength w/ quick feet behind the plate and ability to put the throws on the bag. Strong defense first catcher in the 2019 class.
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Kaleb Orr 1B / LHP / Sevier County, TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.66, Position Velocity: IF-70, Exit Velocity: 82
5-foot-11, 180-pound, LHH shows athletic frame w/ patient approach, drawing two walks in game w/ no chase. Medium, athletic frame w/ present lower half strength, projection. Offensively, hits with a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ bat resting on back shoulder. Shift of weight, toe tap and load. Patient approach w/ understanding of the strike zone. Up the middle approach w/ ability to hit the ball where it is pitched. Line drive oriented swing w/ some gap power. Bat speed will improve as body matures. Defensively, athletic w/ reliable glove, moves well off of the bag. Interesting corner infielder to follow in after an off-season of workouts.
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Zach Boze 3B / C / Station Camp , TN / 2019
Home-1st: 4.81, Position Velocity: IF-79, Exit Velocity: 81
6-foot-2, 165-pound, RHH shows projectable frame w/ feel for barrel and contact. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present strength, lot of projection. Lean strength. Offensively, hits from a straight on, very slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location. Short bat waggle. Shift of weight, short leg kick and proper load. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ whip. Recognizes spin w/ idea of the strike zone. Finding barrels now, just lacks the extra 10-15 pounds of muscle to truly punish the baseball. Below average runner is better underway. Defensively, shows reliable glove at 3B w/ athletic actions and arm strength w/ carry to target. Better in game defender than showcase defender, made a nice play on a pop-up near the dugout in game. Intriguing mix of tools, if he can add muscle in the off-season, becomes a completely different player.
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PITCHERS
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Max FB: 88, FB: 83-87, CB: 69-72
5-foot-11, 170-pound, RHP featured lightning quick arm, allowing him to strikeout 4 in 2 innings. Medium, athletic frame w/ present lower half strength, lot of projection remaining. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ short rocker step into plant foot. Leg kick into leg drive w/ H ¾ release and proper finish. Gathers at leg kick to ensure direction to the plate. Repeated better on this day. Lightning quick arm still learning to consistently use legs. FB w/ arm side run and sink. Tough to elevate when pitching down in the zone. Medium downer CB flashes proper rotation, shape. Early breaker at times. Flashes above average w/ late break. Generated 20 % swing and miss rate (3 of 15) while pumping strikes (22 of 35). Projects to fill the zone as delivery gets more repeatable with reps. Impact 2-way prospect in the 2019 class.
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Ben Peoples RHP / 1B / Giles County, TN / 2019
Max FB: 88, FB: 85-88, CB: 66-68
6-foot-0, 175-pound, RHP threw 2.1 hit-less innings, recording 4 strikeouts w/ 50 % swing and miss rate. Medium, athletic frame w/ projectable lower half strength. Lot of projection remaining. Pitches from a full wind-up with a rocker step into plant foot on the first base side of the rubber. Leg kick into hip drive and ¾ release w/ proper finish. Long in back w/ slight stab. Deceptive w/ glove coming through high to draw hitters’ eyes. Quick arm w/ downhill plane. FB shows occasional arm side run, occasional ride through the zone. Above average CB w/ tight spin, above average depth. True out pitch. DNS CH. Thrower developing feel for strike zone. Projects to throw a lot of strikes as repeats timing within delivery. Generated 4 of 8 swing and miss (50 %), recorded 3 of his 4 strikeouts as called strike 3. Impact 2019 arm that is a must see this spring.
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Drew Edwards RHP / OF / Arlington, TN / 2019
Max FB: 86, FB: 82-86, CB: 68-74, CH: 71
6-foot-0, 160-pound, RHP showed ability to miss barrels once he settled in. Medium, athletic frame w/ lot of physical projection remaining. Lean strength. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ rocker step into toe tap and setting of the plant foot. Balance point to leg drive w/ H ¾ release and proper finish. Can control glove hand better to improve direction to the plate, works to have him finish falling off to the first base side. Quick arm w/ low effort throw. FB shows occasional ride through zone, occasional run and sink. Gets on you as a hitter. Medium downer CB comes up out of hand, early breaker w/ average depth. Flashed tightness w/ average depth once – closer to CB I saw in his last outing of the fall. CH w/ arm-speed, late fade and sink. Projects to pitch w/ intent as he gets more reps on the mound. A very intriguing 2019 arm to follow into the spring.
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Graham Elkins RHP / 1B / Knoxville Halls, TN / 2019
Max FB: 84, FB: 80-84, CB: 71-73, CH: 71-74
5-foot-10, 195-pound, RHP shows deceptive delivery w/ swing and miss off-speed stuff. Short, stocky frame w/ physical lower half. Close to mature w/ some upper body projection remaining. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ short rocker step into plant foot being set. Balance point into hip drive and H ¾ release w/ finish and falling off to first base side. Deceptive w/ a lot of limbs coming at the hitter to distract eyes. Can get too far to first base side at times, will fall down rubber instead of drive. Quick arm. Straight FB w/ occasional ride through the zone. Flashes short arm side run. Tight CB w/ late break. Average depth w/ proper shape, rotation. CH generated 75 % swing and miss (3 of 4). Arm speed w/ late fade, sink. Pulls the string. Uses as put-away pitch to righties and lefties. Feel for throwing strikes, projects to pitch w/ intent. Generated 39 % swing and miss overall (7 of 18). An interesting arm to catch this spring.
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Hayden Robbins RHP / 1B / Mount Juliet , TN / 2019
Max FB: 83, FB: 79-82, CB: 70-72, CH: 73-74
6-foot-3, 180-pound, RHP repeated his outing from Fall Top Prospect Games last month, where he needed just 18 pitches to record 2 scoreless innings. Tall, athletic profile w/ some present strength, lot of physical projection. Pitches from a full wind-up with a short rocker step into toe tap and setting of his drive foot. Leg kick and hip drive into H ¾ release w/ proper finish. Quick arm w/ repeatable mechanics. Some downhill plane. Straight FB w/ occasional ride through zone. Slurvy CB is short downer w/ proper rotation. Early breaker. Flashes average depth. CH w/ arm-speed, fade, occasional sink. Repeated his strike throwing from Fall TPG (13 of 18), projects to command. Arm speed suggests velo jump coming w/ physical maturity, an intriguing arm to follow into the spring.
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Connor Haley RHP / Northview Academy, TN / 2019
Max FB: 81, FB: 79-81, CB: 70-75, CH: 73
6-foot-2, 180-pound, RHP shows projectable body w/ feel for throwing strikes. Medium, athletic, well-proportioned frame w/ projectable lower half. Some present lower half strength. Pitches from a full wind-up with short rocker step into setting of drive foot. Leg kick into H ¾ release and upright finish. Front leg driven, back leg along for the ride. Stab in back. Low effort delivery. Some downhill plane. FB shows occasional arm side run, flattens out when elevated. Medium downer CB gets a little loose, inconsistent shape. Flashes true CB life, flashes as a SL at others. Flashes proper rotation, depth, shape. Straight CH w/ arm-speed. Controls the baseball, projects to command. An interesting 2019 who will have another velo jump, just a matter of when.
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Connor Smith RHP / OF / Brentwood, TN / 2019
Max FB: 78, FB: 75-78, CH: 72, SL: 70-73
6-foot-2, 165-pound, RHP is a strike-thrower, recorded 2 strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Medium, athletic frame w/ lean strength, lot of projection. Pitches from the full wind-up with a short rocker step into drive foot set on rubber. Hip turn w/ hip drive and ¾ release point. Some deception to RHH’s. Repeats and arm is on time consistently. FB shows occasional arm side run w/ occasional sink. Occasional straight. SL is a slurve, flashes as a medium downer CB at times, ¾ tilt SL at other times. Gets big, early breaker. CH w/ armspeed, occasional fade and sink. Above average control, throws a lot of strikes, developing command. Generated 3 of 16 swing and misses (19 %). An interesting arm to watch from a good program.
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Kaleb Orr 1B / LHP / Sevier County, TN / 2019
Max FB: 76, FB: 72-75, CB: 65
5-foot-11, 180-pound, LHP avoided barrels while striking out 1 in 2 innings. Medium, athletic frame w/ present lower half strength, projection. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ a short rocker step into setting drive foot. Balance point into H ¾ release w/ proper finish. All arm in delivery, can utilize legs and hips a lot more. Glove side can be stronger and brought to his chest to improve repeatability of delivery. Low effort throw. FB shows arm side run w/ occasional sink. FB heavy in this outing, threw 31 of 33 pitches. Medium downer CB w/ average depth, proper shape, rotation. DNS CH. Projects to command as streamlines mechanics, present control. Finesse lefty.
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