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 middle 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.

Anthony Crowder, SS/RHP, R/R, Knoxville Christian, 2016
6-foot-2, 170-pounds with a long, lanky frame and room to fill out. Hits from slightly open stance, tends to bar arm causing some length in swing but has a short stride and explosive lower half, maintains good balance, good bat speed, 82 mph tee exit velocity, level swing path with line drive approach, shows some power in the gaps, fluid rhythm, took solid round of batting practice, ran a 4.62 home to first time and finished game play with a 2-for-3 effort with two sharply hit singles. Throws from the high-3/4 arm slot using short arm action, arm was 73 mph across the field, displays soft hands, and a clean exchange, will need to improve arm strength and playing through the ball , but shows projectable skill set. Made an impressive diving catch in the hole to get the runner at first in game play.

Hudson Chastain, 2B, L/R, Christian Academy of Knoxville, 2017
5-foot-11, 160 pound right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, smooth load with a short stride, though lower half tends to get over the front side he uses a short swing with a slight uphill path, line drive hitter with fluid rhythm, 71 mph tee exit velocity, showed ability to go to the opposite field during batting practice round, 4.85 home to first time, finished game play with an 0-for-3 effort. Though arm velocity was 68 mph and needs to improve Chastain was accurate with throws to the bag using short arm action and 3/4 arm slot, with a quick, clean exchange. If he can make the necessary strength gains and improvements to overall game, he will be a prospect to follow coming out of the 2017 class.

Brock Myers, RHP/SS, R/R, Davidson Academy, 2017
5-foot-11, 150 pound prospect with an athletic frame posted stats and numbers consistent with his performance at the North Tennessee College Prospect Showcase held in August. At the plate he showed a few evident changes. Stance was slightly open with arm bar and toe tap stride, respectable 80 mph exit velocity, longer uphill swing path than at previous event, went 1-for-4 at the plate with a single to right field, 4.77 home to first time. Short, high-3/4 arm action, soft hands, accurate throws to the bag, 75 mph arm velocity. Two way player who shows promise on the mound and working to improve offensive and defensive skill set.

Austin Helton, 2B, L/R, Stone Memorial, 2016
5-foot-6, 140 pound small body type who should fill out in the future. Hits from a balanced stance, uses hands well to produce a level swing with an opposite field approach, went the other way consistently during round of batting practice, was 0-for-3 in game play, ran a 4.44 home to first time. Uses short arm action with high 3/4 arm slot, needs to improve arm strength that was 70 mph across the field but showed consistent accuracy, plays through the ball well and shows quick defensive instincts.