By Doug Hall
Tennessee Director of Scouting

The PBR Tennessee Fall Top Prospect Games event took place at Lipscomb University on November 1 and afforded close to 60 players the opportunity to showcase their abilities in a combination showcase/game play event. Despite abnormally chilly conditions, some solid performances were turned in as some players established themselves as potential high-level prospects.

Below we take an in depth look at the group of corner infielders that participated on Team Navy during the event. This is position player analysis only. Those players who also pitched at the event will have their pitching analysis featured in a separate article.

Kevin Escalona, 3B/SS, S/R, Seymour HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound prospect shows athleticism and versatility. The switch-hitting Escalona currently plays SS, worked out at the corner where he projects at the collegiate level. Open spread stance from the right side of the plate, good rhythm, uphill path, appears more natural from the left hand side, slightly open, balanced spread crouch, shows good wrist and hand quickness, 82 mph exit velocity, solid batting practice round driving the ball to all fields, runs well, 4.43 home to first from the left side, went 1-for-4 in game play. Uses short, high- ¾ arm action, accurate throws to the bag with 77 mph arm velocity, natural fielding instincts, moves fluidly, quick, clean exchange, above average hands. Versatility to play multiple positions and ability to hit from both sides of the plate give Escalona good projectability.

Ethan Cady, 1B/LHP, L/L, McCallie HS, 2016
6-foot-1, 205-pound prospect is a big strong body type. Hits from a slight crouch spread stance, generates good body torque with 84 mph bat velocity to show middle of the line-up power potential, good extension through the zone, explosive lower half, maintains good balance, notable batting practice, hit most balls squarely, drove ball well to the gaps, ran 4.68 home to first time, 0-for-3 in game play. Uses long arm action, high-¾ arm slot, 78 mph arm velocity with carry to the bag, good foot work around the bag, flashed sure hands. One to add to your 2016 watch list.

Gage Gregory, 1B, R/R, Goodpasture HS, 2017
6-foot-4, 200-pound prospect is a big strong body type. Slight crouch open stance hitting set-up, smooth/quiet load, short toe tap stride, good lower half usage, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm, shows gap to gap power, good bat path to ball, tendency to cut swing off, mechanical work should improve extension through the hitting zone, shows good bat speed with 86 mph exit velocity, solid batting practice round, went 1-for-4 in game play with a line drive single to right field. Shows natural instincts around the bag with good footwork, short arm action, high-¾ slot, shows sure hands and accurate arm. Another class of 2017 to follow closely.

Warren Preston, 3B, R/R, Brentwood Academy, 2016
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, drops hands, long stride, really clears hips flashing pull power especially to the left center gap, good extension, 79 mph bat velocity, ran 4.81 home to first, went 2-for-4 in game play with two singles. Uses short arm action from the ¾ arm slot, 73 mph arm velocity, quick/active feet in the field, clean exchange. Shows some next level projectability.

Carter Atkinson, 3B/RHP, R/R, Franklin HS, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound athlete hits from a spread crouch, smooth/quiet load, level bat path, showed line drive ability to all parts of the field during batting practice, 74 mph exit velocity, ran 4.87 home to first, finished game play 0-for-2. Uses short, high-¾ arm action, shows quick instincts, above average hands. Should continue to improve arm strength and bat speed.