Prep Baseball Report

OK Fall Top Prospect Games: First Basemen Analysis


Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director

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PBR OK hosted the fourth annual OK Fall Top Prospect Games at beautiful Central Oklahoma. Over 65 invite-only players showcased their skill in front of the PBR OK staff, 6 colleges and two pro scouts. The talented event saw five sub 7.00 60s, 6 90+ exit velos, 14 infield velos of 80+, four outfield velos of 85+, six sub 2.00 second pop times, and five max fastballs at 85 mph. Players profiles have already been updated with stats and pictures with reports and video to be updated in the weeks to come. The number below do not represent a players all-time best, only what they achieved at this event. Today, we check out the 10 first basemen from the event. 

Complete Roster: Click Here

Complete Pitching Stats: Click Here

Complete Position Stats: Click Here

Garret Baker 1B / RHP / Mustang, OK / 2021

The 6-foot-5, 235 primary first baseman demonstrated a large football-player build with an advanced lower half. The right-handed hitter begins with a tall, slightly-open stance utilizing a repeatable lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. A simple load with the hands allowed for an easy uphill barrel path through the zone creating backspin to the pull-side gap. Demonstrated a feel for the barrel recording an impressive 92 mph bat-exit velocity from the tee, in which there still appears to be more intent to be had. Registered an 8.01 60-yard dash. Displayed soft hands with give during defensive evaluations while flashing comfortability around the bag. Adequate feet created consistently accurate 76 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a high ¾ arm-slot. 

Branden Beaver 1B / RHP / Southmoore , OK / 2021

A 6-foot-2, 180-pound long, lean, and projectable frame. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from an upright and open set-up with rhythm in his hands. Uses moderate stride before launching his hands on a flat path to contact with some length and a high finish. In BP, shows an all fields and flat approach with occasional lift and carry, 85 mph exit velo. Runs a  7.64 60. Defensively,  shows deliberate and mostly clean actions with soft hands around first base. Arm action is loose quick and full in the back before coming through an over the top slot with some accuracy at 80 mph.

CAYDEN BLANTON 1B / RHP / BURKBURNETT, TX / 2022

Demonstrated feel of a solid 6-foot, 185-pound frame with some athleticism. The right-handed hitter begins from an even stance utilizing a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Slight hand wiggle upon setup allows for an easy swing to generate a flat barrel-path into the zone, evidenced by a line-drive approach during batting practice. A strong lower half yielded bat-whip through the hitting zone notching an 87 mph bat-exit velocity from the tee. Recorded a 7.19 60-yard dash showcasing the present feel for his body. The primary first baseman flashed adequate feel around the bag during defensive evaluations with soft hands allowing for accurate 76 mph throws across the infield. The outfielder displayed average footwork with an accurate throwing arm, registering a 76 mph arm-strength from his position. 

Jacob Bookout RHP / 1B / Oklahoma Christian School, OK / 2020

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound primary right-handed pitcher has a long, projectable frame with a starter’s body. Recorded a 7.65 60-yard dash. The left-handed hitter begins from a tall, even stance utilizing a quick lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Sink into the lower-half combined with hip-shoulder separation allowed for the barrel to whip through a slightly uphill path through the zone yielding an impressive 91 mph bat-exit velocity from the tee. Found consistent barrels during batting practice with backspin to the pull-side gap. 

Laif Bradshaw RHP / 1B / Southmoore, OK / 2021

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound primary right-handed pitcher featured a long and lean frame with projectability. The right-handed hitter starts with a tall, even stance utilizing a knee-knock stride to initiate his swing. Demonstrated a consistent, short swing with feel for the barrel using a line-drive approach during batting practice to register an 80 mph bat-exit velocity from the tee. Increased sink into a long lower half will improve an already solid barrel-whip through the zone. Recorded a 7.51 60-yard dash. The first baseman displayed average feel around the bag with a high center of gravity. Smooth transfers allowed for accurate 71 mph arm-strength from his position. 

Caleb Crabtree LHP / 1B / Howe, OK / 2021

Primary left-handed pitcher showcased a lean 6-foot-1, 178-pound frame with projectability. The left-handed hitter begins with a bent, square setup utilizing a toe-tap to initiate his swing. High hands pull the bat through a slightly uphill barrel path upon contact while hitting into a stiff front side. Generated a 78 mph bat-exit velocity from the tee and recorded a 7.65 60-yard dash. The first baseman featured active feet creating momentum toward the target yielding accurate 76 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a high effort, high ¾ arm-slot. 

Trent DeSmet 1B / 3B / Union, OK / 2020

Displayed a large 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame with notable physicality. The right-handed hitter begins with a bent, square stance utilizing a leg-hang to initiate his swing. Demonstrated a strong lower half leading a slightly uphill barrel path into the zone creating backspin to the pull side. Hit behind the baseball well into a stiff front side coupled with solid extension through the zone yielding a solid 89 mph bat-exit velocity from the tee. Recorded a 7.56 60-yard dash. The first baseman featured adequate feel around the bag with a high center of gravity. Soft hands and easy transfers allowed for accurate 70 mph throws across the infield out of a high ¾ arm-slot. 

Caleb Kalcich RHP / 1B / Heritage Hall , OK / 2022

Displayed a large 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame with a strong lower-half. The right-handed hitter starts with an even, balanced stance utilizing a lift-and-replace stride with weight shift to initiate his swing. High hands enter the zone through a flat barrel-path yielding consistent 82 mph bat-exit velocities during batting practice. Recorded a 9.07 60-yard dash. The first baseman demonstrated long actions defensively with average feel around the bag. Soft hands and smooth transfers allowed for accurate 71 mph throws across the diamond out of a high ¾ arm-slot with a moderate takeaway.

Dustin Lee 1B / 3B / Yukon, OK / 2022

Featured a solid 6-foot, 183-pound frame with physicality and long actions. The right-handed hitter begins with a wide, square stance utilizing a quick lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Quick hands pull the bat through a slightly uphill barrel path upon contact while hitting into a front side with give. Demonstrated comfortability to the pull side registering an 80 mph bat-exit velocity from the tee. Recorded a 7.59 60-yard dash. The primary first baseman showcased adequate feel around the bag with a low center of gravity. Arrived on time and played through the baseball allowing for accurate 69 mph arm-strength through a high ¾ arm-slot. 

Will Taylor LHP / 1B / Kingfisher, OK / 2021

The primary left-handed pitcher featured a lean 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame with projectability. The left-handed hitter begins with a backside-weighted, slightly open stance utilizing a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Generated barrel whip while hitting into a stiff front side creating a slightly uphill bat-path through the zone. Found the barrel consistently with feel for the pull side gap recording a bat-exit velocity from the tee of 89 mph during batting practice. Registered a 7.41 60-yard dash. The outfielder showcased active feet that played through the baseball and arrived on time with regularity which yielded accurate 85 mph throws out of a fluid, high ¾ arm-slot. The first baseman showed solid footwork with advanced feel around the bag during defensive evaluations. A strong lower-half allowed for accurate 81 mph arm-strength across the diamond.