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Five to Watch: Reopened Recruitment

September 14, 2022
Colton Provey
TN Scouting Director

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It's very rare for guys within the senior class top forty to be uncommitted, but this has been a very different recruiting cycle for many reasons. Throw into the mix that over the past few weeks several players opened up their recruitment, including a pair within the top 30. Below, we'll dive into five players that are testing the open market and looking for a new collegiate home. 

 

Five to Watch

Caleb Hampton, OF, Baylor School, 2023
The dual-sport athlete has been committed to the Gamecocks since fall of 2020, but decided to test the waters with the desire of playing baseball and football at the next level. 5-foot-10, 195-lb physical frame w/ athleticism and explosiveness. Balanced stance w/ small leg kick and compact hand load. Generates above average bat speed while getting on plane and provides some serious thump (T 95.2 exit velo). Keeps everything simple and compact before ball jumps off the bat. Defensively, can play all three outfield positions. He's not only a quick runner, but a powerful runner (7.10 sixty in July 2020), who can cover ground and apply pressure on the base paths. He's got good arm strength (85 OF velo in 2021) as well, making him a well rounded defender. On the gridiron, his tools translate well to RB as he keep his pad level down w/ a blend of power/speed. Through the first three games, he's amassed 549 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns while the Red Raiders are off to a 3-0 start. 

 

 

Jordan Carter, OF, Grace Christian, 2023
The power hitting outfielder has been committed to Memphis since fall of 2021, but with the changes in coaching staff will be exploring his options heading into his final Spring. 6-foot, 200-lb physical frame w/ lower half strength and quick burst. Wide, balanced stance w/ compact load and quick stride. Generates above average bat speed w/ good rotation (T 19.1 G). Great approach at the plate, as he'll take his walks and look to do damage working gap to gap. Drives the baseball into the power alleys (T 98.5; Avg: 85.5 exit velo) and uses his speed (6.89 sixty) to stretch hits into doubles/triples. Defensively, currently plays CF, but probably slide over to LF at next level. He's only played outfield for little under two years, but does a nice job tracking the ball into the gaps. He's got a short, compact arm action w/ average arm strength (81 OF Velo) that can be improved. Carter is a consistent run producer in the middle of the order and easily one of the top bats available on the board. 

 

Trace Phillips, SS/RHP, Grace Christian, 2023
The two-way prospect has been committed to Memphis since fall of 2021, and just like his GCA counterpart opened up his recruitment following the summer coaching changes. 6-foot-3, 182-lb long, lanky frame w/ room to add mass and projection. At the plate, tall back-loaded stance w/ bat tip load and small stride. Generates above average bat speed (T 71) w/ line drive power and more to project (T89.9; Avg: 83.7). In game, got a knack for picking up hits and spraying the ball around the yard. Defensively, has the glove to stick at SS, but can be moved around the infield. The glove is his best tool as he has soft hands, crisp transfers and sound footwork. Throws from various arm slots w/ good rhythm and above average arm strength (82 INF Velo). Not a crazy runner (7.34 sixty), but covers ground well defensively utilizing his long strides to make all the plays. On the mound, he's got a good ceiling as he's consistently been 81-85 w/ feel for two secondary offerings. The FB has some life to it and plays up from 85, which is a velocity he's been stuck on for the past two looks. Mixes CB at 71-73 and gets good action on his CH to neutralize LHH. Phillips has two way upside w/ a great glove and a frame to work with. He lacks some strength and physicality to round out his game, but he's still just scratching the surface of his potential on both sides of the ball. 

 

 

Connor Martin, RHP, Goodpasture, 2023
The Goodpasture right hander has been committed to Wright State since Fall of 2021, but decided to explore his options heading into the Fall. 5-foot-9, 165-lb compact frame w/ lower half strength. Although smaller in stature, Martin has shown to be a true competitor on the mound and has the stuff to back it up. Repeatble delivery w/ good tempo and some effort. Drop n drive lower and opens up the hips early for some deception w/ square toe landing. Quick arm action working up to low 3/4 slot. FB has been 84-88 w/ good life and carry (T 2444; Avg: 2156 rpm). Mixed SL at 74-78 w/ good feel for spin (T 2636 rpm) and swing n miss offering. It's got hard bite, which he can land for strikes or expand the zone for chase. Shown CH at 79-81 w/ good deception off the FB to round out the mix. Martin has been a staple in the Goodpasture rotation and always brings the intensity to the mound. Although his frame may limit his ceiling, he can really pitch it and lean on two above average offerings at any time. 

 

Eli Ramsey, OF, Tipton Rosemark, 2023
The TRA outfielder has been committed to MTSU since last Fall, but decided to reopen his recruitment heading into the Fall. 6-foot-4, 195-lb lean, wiry frame w/ room to add mass and some athleticism. Balanced, open stance w/ simple load and small leg kick. Generates above average bat speed and does a nice job getting on plane, leading to consistent hard contact. Spray hitter from left side, peppering line drives and flashes of gap power w/ more to project (T 89.5 in Jan. '21). Defensively, slots as a corner OF guy w/ above average speed (7.30 sixty in Jan '21) and solid arm strength (84 OF Velo). He has also shown some two-way upside as he's been very solid on the mound. Ramsey is just outside the Top 50, but his open recruitment slots him as the no.3 lefty bat available in the class. 

 

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