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2023 TN Rankings: Uncommitted Risers

September 6, 2022
Colton Provey
TN Scouting Director

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With the latest 2023 TN Rankings release, the list expanded to 250 prospects with 75 college commits and tons of uncommitted talent looking for homes. Several players stood out this summer, making big jumps climbing into the top 120 overall. Below we'll dive into ten uncommitted players that college coaches will want to check on to close out the year, including four arms, a pair of two way prospects, and four position players. 

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Uncommitted Risers

Jack Brafa, RHP, South Gibson Co., 2023
Uncommitted. Solid frame at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Full arm circle with a H3Q slot. FB had late life and generated a lot of weak contact. Pitch sat 88-90 in the first inning and settled at 85-87. Found most success running pitch inside to RHH as it allows pitch to use that natural life and jam hitters. 11/5 shape on CB at 70-73, showing good feel for pitch and getting some s/m when starting out in middle of zone and diving away from hitters. Also flashed a CH at 78, tunnels well with FB. Brafa missed significant time on the mound last Spring, but came on late and put together a strong summer leading to his 14 spot jump. 

 

Keaton Reese, RHP, Mt. Juliet, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot, 180-lb athletic proportional frame w/ present strength throughout and some projection. Quiet, repeatable delivery w/ controlled tempo and high leg lift. Drop n drive lower half as he glides down the slope into square toe landing. Full arm circle w/ quickness working up to 3/4 slot. Attacks with the FB at 85-88 (T 2297 rpm) w/ life and some late horizontal bite. Mixes two distinct sharp breaking balls. CB at 70-73 (T 2267 rpm) w/ depth and more downer bite, but maintains deception of FB. Hard SL at 73-77 (T 2279 rpm) w/ more 10/4 shape and flashes more swing n miss potential. Reese was stellar for the Golden Bears out of the pen, and seems a natural fit there at the next level with potential to develop as starter w/ development of a CH.


Drew Whalen, RHP/3B, Franklin, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot-1, 200-lb proportional frame w/ present strength. Mostly works from the stretch w/ slightly open setup w/ hands set at chest. Mixes looks to the plate w/ leg lift or quick slide step. Drop n drive lower w/ slightly closed foot landing. Loose, quick arm action, coming from low 3/4 slot. FB just continued to improve over the year, as it was 82-87 this Spring before peaking at 85-89 T90 this summer at Lakepoint. Low spin w/ heavy arm side run and some sink. Mixing CB at 67-71 w/ good shape and bite, landing for strikes or bury for chase. Positionally, tools to stick at 3B w/ solid hands and good arm strength (86 INF Velo). Wide balanced stance w/ laid back bat and simple stride. Generates good bat & hand speed while consistently barreling up the ball (T 93.6; Avg: 86.3) w/ heavy dose of line drives and gap pop. Whalen emerged this Spring as a steady no. 2 arm and bat, earning all-district honors. He’s continued to build a great resume w/ two way upside and higher ceiling on the mound. 

 


Ben Daniel, OF/RHP, Ensworth, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot-1, 160-lb two way prospect w/ lean wiry frame and athleticism. At the plate, tall slightly open stance w/ small leg kick/toe tap and bat tip load. Generates above average bat speed and gets on plane while spraying line drives to all fields, with power to project (T 91.3; Avg: 82).  Athletic swing, incorporating his entire frame and controls barrel thru contact w/ two handed finish. Defensively, slots as corner OF guy w/ 7.17 sixty and good arm strength (88 OF velo). On the mound, simple delivery w/ tall n fall lower half & square foot landing. Loose, whippy arm action up to 3/4 slot. Attacked the zone with heavy FB at 84-86 w/ some sink (Avg: 1780 rpm) and late life. Showed two breaking balls with SL at 70-75 & CB at 69-70 w/ good shape keeping hitters off balanced. Flashed CH as a solid fourth offering at 76-78, locating down w/ some depth and fade. The other Daniel twin is climbing the board and making a name for himself as he looks for an opportunity at the next level. 

 


 

Jack Scearce, 3B, Centennial, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot-1, 180-lb proportional frame w/ lower half strength and physicality. Crouched, open stance w/ toe tap stride and compact load. Generates great bat speed (T 77.7; Avg: 74.5) w/ uphill plane and strong two handed finish. Looking to elevate and drive the baseball pull side to middle approach w/ gap power (T 372 ft) and consistent hard contact (T 96; Avg: 89.6 exit velo). Gets good extension and carry on batted balls. Defensively, projects to stay at 3B w/ good athleticism (6.87 sixty) and good arm strength (86 INF Velo). Quick feet, clean transfers, w/ soft hands. Short arm stroke from various angles w/ accuracy. Scearce shows a lot of upside and even some versatility to move around the infield or even into the outfield. 



Andrew Gaughan, OF, Father Ryan, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot, 180-lb athletic proportional frame w/ quick twitch and room to add more strength. At the plate, tall, balanced stance w/ simple load and quick stride. Generates excellent bat speed (T 79.5; Avg: 73.7) and hand speed while staying balanced and spraying the ball to all fields w/ flashes of gap power (T 94; Avg: 84.5). Defensively, projects as a true CF w/ 6.63 sixty and really tracks the baseball, letting his athleticism shine (Also: 28.9 vertical jump). The speed is the standout tool, but as quick as he is it plays up in gameplay w/ quick burst down the line and defensively. Long draw arm action with solid arm strength (80 OF velo). Gaughan is one who really impressed this summer and has some high ceiling tools that college coaches can really work with in development. 

 

Kenny Cox, C, ECS, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-0, 215-lb developed frame w/ present strength throughout and physicality. Open crouched stance w/ big leg kick and quiet hand load. Heavy dose of hard contact w/ pull side approach and power (T 94.8 exit; T 366 ft). Looks to get the head out and drive the ball with authority (Avg: 89.6 exit velo). Defensively, varied stances from traditional to one knee setup. Soft hands, working up thru the ball and showed strike stealing ability as a receiver. Solid arm strength (T 75 C Velo), but quick clean transfers getting the ball out and on target consistently (T 2.03 pop). Also 7.37 runner. Well rounded uncommitted senior, who is a reliable defender and shows power upside. The catcher position was fairly crowded in uncommitted talent, but after a couple guys came off the board, Cox’s name should be one to watch for those looking for a solid backstop. 


Hutson Miles, MINF, Goodpasture, 2023
Uncommitted, 5-foot-10, 145-lb lean, wiry frame w/ athleticism and room to add mass. Offensively, tall, slightly open stance w/ small leg kick and simple load. Generates above average bat speed (T 70.2) and excellent rotational acceleration (T 30.8; Avg: 24.4 G). Keeps the approach simple, spraying hard line drives to all fields (T 88.1; Avg: 82.8). Gets the barrel on plane at an elite level (T 94; Avg: 86.2 on plane percentage), leading to consistent hard contact. Defensively, profiles best at 2B due to size, but good runner (6.94 sixty) and very sound defensively. Light feet and good footwork w/ sure soft hands and sound fundamentals. Short arm action from various slots and good arm strength (84 INF Velo). Miles is not an overly physical player, but his instincts and how he plays the games stands out amongst his peers. A true dirtbag ball player that can help any roster. 


Easton Forsyth, RHP, Lebanon, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot-4, 235-lb big, physical frame w/ lower half strength and projection. Hybrid delivery w/ feet stacked and big first step. Maintains tempo and gathers well at leg lift w/ drop n drive lower half and squared foot landing. Short, stabby arm action working up to H 3/4 slot. FB continued to tick upward throughout the year after being 78-84 early this Spring and rose to more 83-88 w/ heaviness and arm side action. He gets some natural sink at times. Offspeed is still a work in progress, as his CB speed has varied and the CH lacks action. However, the CB has improved w/ more consistency and can be a serviceable pitch off the FB. The rising senior is still figuring out his frame and has some rawness in his pitchability, but the upside is there and he’s performed well this past year. 


Ben LaLance, RHP, Siegel, 2023
Uncommitted, 6-foot-4, 195-lb tall, long leg frame w/ plenty of projection and room to add strength. Stock delivery w/ strong balance point. Drop n drive backside extending his stride down the slope w/ square foot landing. Shorter, stabby arm action, getting the arm up on foot plant and working up to H 3/4 slot. FB at 83-85 w/ solid spin and slight ASR at times (T 2161 rpm). More velocity in the tank, but a solid base to mix his offspeed. CB at 67-69 (T 2143 rpm) w/ great shape and sharp 12/6 action. Landed for strikes and potential as swing n miss offering. Mixes SL at 73-75  (T 2051 rpm), which varies in shape but 10/4 action plane. Occasionally cuts w/ gyro spin, but when right gets sharp late bite w/ depth as chase pitch. CH at 71-74 rounds out his mix w/ solid feel and some fade. A traditional pitchability guy, who has made a velocity jump and flashing more upside with his off speed offerings, definitely trending upwards as a rising senior.

 

 

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