TN All-Uncommitted Team (2020): Pitchers
April 17, 2020
Challenging week for many seniors across the state as TSSAA canceled the 2020 season due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; however, that's not going to stop our coverage highlighting talented uncommitted players with collegiate aspirations. Our PBR Staff continues to assemble our hypothetically team of the best uncommitted 2020 prospects from all across the state. We created a squad of 25 seniors, broken down into 11 position players, 9 pitchers, and 5 two-way prospects. Today, we'll take a look at the nine pitching prospects plus one late addition position player due to a player commitment.
During these complex times, any uncommitted 2020 player looking to play collegiately, send info/video to Scouting Director Colton Provey.
Pitchers
Caid Sanders, RHP, Hendersonville Rank: 100
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Sanders had a strong outing under the lights against Beech in early district play. Navigating his way out of some big jams, like an escape artist. FB worked 82-84, topping 85 with some occasional hard cut action. CB worked 68-70 with late bite and manipulated the shape into a 71-73 SL with good tilt. Both proving to be put away pitches.
Justin Scheitel, RHP, Blackman Rank: 133
6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Slim, projectable frame with room for more. Has made some strides and impressed on the bump. Tossed a complete game no-hitter for Old Hickory at the PBR Fall Open. FB sat 82-84, topping 85 out of high 3/4 slot. An athletic arm that throws FB with confidence on both sides of the plate. Also showed sure hands and advanced actions in the infield.
Bracken Rice, RHP, Rossview Rank: 135
Uncommitted right-handed arm, who re-opened recruitment heading into Spring season. Simple, repeatable delivery with good rhythm. Short, stab arm action out of 3/4 slot. Heel lands square, stiff front leg while reaching out with good extension. His barrel dodger FB worked 83-85 w/ decent spin. Disguised the 72-75 breaking ball well off the FB tunnel, challenging to pick up as hitter. Mixed in CH at 72-75 w/ some ASR and touch of depth. Very pitchable 2020 prospect with steady mix of stuff and separation.
Nicholas Vaccaro, RHP, Christian Brothers Rank: 142
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound utilityman is a good athlete with some upside on the mound. A middle infielder naturally with sub 7.00 sixty time, had a strong outing on the bump at TBCA this past summer. FB sat 83-86 with good life and consistently filling up the zone. Worked a hitless inning, inducing 3 groundball outs. Tight, 10/4 snapping breaking ball at 70-72 with good bite and some depth. Quick, twitch athlete who could be a solid bullpen arm at next level.
Avery O’Brien RHP White House Rank: 145
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound right hander had a strong outing at TBCA showcase this summer, tossing two frames, surrendering one run, and punching out two. FB worked 83-85 generate some swing and misses. Mixed solid curveball at 71-72 with nice shape. Threw hard changeup at 80-81 with good arm speed and some depth.
Hunter Deering, LHP, Brighton Rank: 159
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound lefty showed potential w/ 2 pitches. Short, athletic frame w/ physical lower half, some physical projection. Pitches from a full wind-up into ¾ release throwing slightly across body. FB shows occasional arm-side run at 78-81. CB is a slurve that flashes proper shape, rotation at 66-70. Strike-thrower flashed ability to locate FB to both sides of the plate. Generated 4 swing and misses. (4.10.18)
Jackson Izatt, LHP, Rossview Rank: 215
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound lefty fills up the zone and competes on the bump. Short, athletic frame w/ some present lower half strength, some physical projection. Solid arm, who can mix three pitches from High 3/4 slot. Simple, repeatable, compact delivery. FB showed short arm-side run at 75-81. Mixed curveball, medium downer flashed proper rotation at 68-71. CH was a go-to pitch, arm-speed w/ short fade at 70-72. Looks like a FB out of the hand, velo separation causes weak contact. Also provides competitive at bats from left side.
Reece Milam, RHP, Nolensville Rank: 223
6-foot-2, 160-pound righty has medium lanky frame with good projectability. Pitched from 3/4 slot w/ long loose arm action. Good pace on the mound w/ smooth drive towards plate. Milam has pitched in some big games, tossing a 1-run CG opening round win in the AA state tournament last year, while showcasing a 4-pitch arsenal. FB has average life w/ good command, kept the ball down in the zone. Best secondary offering was sharp hard 10/4 slider w/ swing & miss tendency. CB was slower breaking ball w/ proper shape and good speed differential. CH showed some fade. Located all four pitches, showing strong pitchability.
Ethan Pennington, RHP, Clarksville Rank: 227
6-4, 200-pound righty is a large, projectable frame with mature feel. Bulldog, prototypical pitcher build. Pitches from a full wind-up into a ¾ release. Repeats his up-tempo delivery. Low effort throw. Downhill plane w/ angle. FB shows occasional short arm-side run at 81-84. Medium downer CB w/ proper shape and rotation at 70-73. CH w/ arm-speed, fade and short sink at 73-74. Chance for 3 average or better pitches. Around the zone w/ his 3-pitch mix, flashes ability to pitch to both sides of the plate with his FB. (3.22.19)
Bonus
Due to Carter Davis (Covington) winter commitment to Columbia State CC, we decided to add one player to round out the squad of 25.
Grant Livesay OF Alcoa Rank: 125
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound outfielder showed to be a strong defensive outfielder and got off to a hot start at the plate in the 2020 campaign. Livesay improved upon his offensive game this offseason while adding good mass. Sparkplug at the top of the Tornado lineup, by picking up extra base hits and swiping bags. A late bloomer, who seems to have found his stride and can provide some value at next level.