Prep Baseball Report

Fall Top Prospect Games: Team White Outfield Analysis



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 outfielders that participated on Team White during the event.

Carmelo Venero OF/RHP, R/R, Farragut HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 155-pound prospect flashes athleticism with potential to fill out. Hits from a slightly open stance, level swing path, good balance, line drive approach, flashes gap power, ran a 4.39 home to first time, squared several balls during batting practice round, went 1-for-3 in game play with a sharply hit single into left field. Uses high-3/4 arm slot with short arm action, accurate throws from the outfield with line carry to the bag, 80 mph arm velocity. Versatile prospect from the 2016 class to keep an eye on. Should see production improve with strength gains.

Donnel Bailey, OF, R/R, Blackman HS, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound prospect with a big/strong, athletic frame with upside. At the plate Bailey hits from a slightly open stance, good rhythm, balanced, quick hands, 84 mph velocity, slight uphill swing path, displays middle of the line-up power potential, took an impressive round of batting practice, was 2-for-3 in game play with a double that was smoked in the left center gap that one hopped the wall for an RBI, and another double in the right center gap. Shows athletic actions and natural instincts in the field, 83 mph arm velocity with accurate throws and line carry to the bag, high-3/4 arm slot, long arm action. With continued development could be a top prospect in the state for the class of 2016.

Bailey Baker, OF, R/R, Sycamore HS, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound prospect has an athletic frame that has room to fill out. Baker hits from a slight crouch, slight uphill path, line drive ability, flashes gap power, was 2-for-4 in game play with a bloop single and another that was hit up the middle, ran a 4.68 home to first time. Shows quick defensive instincts in the outfield, reacts to the ball well, uses long, high-3/4 arm action to produce accurate throws, line carry to the bag, 83 mph arm velocity. Good upside.

Jack Willey, OF, R/R, South Warren HS (KY), 2017
5-foot-8, 165-pound prospect has a smaller build with room to fill out frame, that showed the ability to play bigger than his size. Hits from a crouch with an open stance, short stride, good balance and extension, line drive hitter, 80 mph tee exit velocity, ran a 4.56 home to first time, took a good round of batting practice, went 2-for-3 in game play with two singles. Uses short arm action from the high- 3/4 slot, 76 mph arm velocity.

Bryce Woody, OF, R/R, Roane County, 2017
5-foot-8, 150 prospect with a smaller build frame. Has made some adjustments with a wider stance and shorter stride, hands tend to drop during approach producing a long, uphill swing, showed line drive ability when he squared it up, registered a big increase in exit velocity off the tee from previous event at 79 mph (71 at previous event), was 1-for-3 in game play with an RBI single. Madium arm action, high-3/4 arm slot, plays through the ball, 79 mph arm velocity. Has room to make strength gains that should translate to improvements with bat speed and overall game.