On Saturday November 11^th, Prep Baseball Report held an open prospect identification, in conjunction with the Performance Academy, at Jim Perry Stadium, on the campus of Campbell University.  With over 70 players in attendance, PBR ran a full pro-style workout, gathering information on each player in attendance.

Position players were up first, going through a full offensive evaluation that included a laser timed 60 on the turf at Campbell, an exit velocity test off a tee in the cage area, and several rounds of batting practice, live on the playing field.  Following the offensive testing, a full defensive evaluation took place with outfielders throwing from right field, infielders working out at shortstop and at first base, and catcher being evaluated on pop times, blocking and recovering, and receiving. 

Following the position players, pitchers and catchers were evaluated in a bullpen setting.  Delivery, arm action, arm speed, stuff, velocity, and command were all taken into account as scouts dialed into each arm in attendance. 

PBR scouts in attendance were able to take stats on each player in attendance, while compiling evaluations on players that will lead to potential invites to the Preseason All-State, Top Prospect Games, the Future Games, and the Super 60.  Player statistics are available, with evaluations and player video coming in the near future.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster from the workout, along with the statistics compiled.

Below are notes from the day, from PBR’s North Carolina Director of Scouting.  More information will be release within the week as PBR continues to cover the state of North Carolina.

By The Numbers:

+ 72 players worked out at the event.  All players ranged from 2020 – 2022 graduates.
+ 17 players ran a sub 7.20 sixty on the laser timer. 
+ 7.51 was the median sixty time for the event
+ 91 mph was the top arm velo on the day from Infielder Daniels Stephens (2020)
+ 6 players worked at 83 mph or better across the diamond with a median infield velocity of 73 mph
+ 89 mph was the top OF velocity with 6 at or above 82 mph from right field.  The median velocity was 75 mph
+ 18 catchers worked out with a median pop time of 2.12 and a median positional velocity of 72 mph out of the crouch
+ 2 catchers posted a sub-2.00 pop time with 7 at or below 2.10
+ 2 hitters broke the 90 mph barrier in exit velocity with 13 above 85 mph.  The median exit velocity was 80 mph
+ 87 mph was the top Fastball in the bullpen sessions
+ 6 players worked at 81 mph or better, out of the 16 bullpens
+ 78 mph was the median fastball for the event.

Quick Hitters

+  Rodney Bonilla (C, Apex Friendship HS, 2020) has continued to improve after showing positive signs throughout the summer.  Pop times and arm strength have continued to trend in the right direction.  Accuracy has also improved as he has become quicker in his stance.  Offensively, there is marked improvement in his barrel ability and the consistency with which he is driving the baseball.

+ Gabriel Brewington (RHP/INF, Corinth Holders HS, 2020) is an intriguing athlete.  At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, there is still a lot of room for maturation and strength, but the frame already has some quickness and strength present.  On the mound, the arm works and there is some arm speed, with a fastball up to 84 at this workout.  As he continues to mature, it is not a stretch to see the fastball taking a quick jump forward.

+ Alex Imposimato (C/OF, Heritage HS, 2020) put up a lot of solid numbers on the day.  He started by running a 7.00 sixty and then posting an exit velocity of 88 mph.  Behind the plate, the arm works, showing carry with a top pop time of 2.00.  At 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, he uses his quickness to his advantage.

+ Riley Kenney (OF, Holly Springs HS, 2020) catches the eye with a physical 6.foot-3, 200 pound frame.  While still a little raw in the box, there is damage when on the barrel with an exit velocity up to 86 mph.  He also ran a sub-7.00 sixty on the laser.  As his growth slows, the combination of speed and strength could be lethal as barrel awareness continues to improve.

+ Blake McCain (OF, Grace Christian, 2020) is a lanky athlete that has some hitterish tendencies in the box.  An exit velocity of 85 mph will improve as he begins to add strength to the 6-foot-2, 190 pound body.  He also ran a 7.25 which, again, could see a big jump after an off-season program.

+ Gavin Mortenson (SS, Northwest Guilford HS, 2020) is an alum of the PBR Future Games, representing Team Carolina this past summer.  An elite defender, some down time after the summer and a less rigorous fall season have allowed the body to begin to add strength.  The arm has always had carry, but the defensive velocity jumped to 85 mph on this day.  During BP, the bat path was much more direct and the contact was much louder than during his time in Indianapolis.  Mortenson committed to Western Carolina after attending the Open ID.

+ Jaycob Quirit (RHP/OF, Nimitz HS (TX), 2020) won for most miles travelled for the Performance Academy Open ID at Campbell, flying in from Texas.  A lanky 6-foot, 130 pounds, there is quickness in the body.  85 mph across the infield, there is a little more effort in the arm swing off the mound.  The quickness in the body is intriguing as he may take a big jump when strength is added.

+ Daniel Stephens (SS, Rolesville HS, 2020) may have been the big winner on the day.  A good athlete with length present in a 6-foot-1, 170 pound frame.  It is easy to see that he is still maturing and will add strength.  Solid round of BP followed by a 7.10 sixty.  The big number was the 91 mph positional velocity across the infield.  There is rhythm in the catch and exchange and the ball floated across the diamond.

+ Zane Taylor (OF/RHP, Crossroads Flex, 2020) jumped on the mound and immediately touched 89.  He then sat 84-87 from a long arm swing and over-the-top delivery.  Small stature at 5-foot-10, there is strength and a defined lower half.  From the outfield Taylor reached 89 mph as well.  There is some twitch to go with his arm strength as he ran a 7.07 as well.

+ Richie Van Tassel (SS, RHP, 2020) does a lot of things with ease and posted a lot of solid numbers off the board.  At 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, there is plenty of room to dream about what happens when he adds strength.  If quickness comes too, he is fundamentally solid and will take quick steps forward.

+ Bryan Arendt (C, Holly Springs HS, 2021) looks to be physically mature each time we see him, but he continues to add to his muscular 6-foot-1, 190 pound frame.  There is some stiffness in his hips and his setup, but the arm works out of the crouch.  A positional velocity of 79 mph paired with a pop time of 1.90.  He also registered an exit velocity of 90 mph and a sub-7.00 sixty.  Raw in certain aspects, there is athleticism and strength.

+ Peter Maldonado (C/RHP, Heritage HS, 2021) has a lean frame at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds.  Athleticism and quickness are present and he should see a big jump in some of his numbers as he adds strength to his frame. Loose swing working from a lagged position with whip and advanced bat speed.  Barrel awareness will need to improve but there is a lot to like in the presence at the dish.

+ Ty Minneci (3B, Cardinal Gibbons, 2022) has broad shoulders and strength present in a 5-foot-10, 185 pound frame.  Offensively, he does not get cheated and as a 2022 led all hitters with a 91 mph exit velocity.

+ CJ Powell (C, Lincoln Charter, 2022) is another young right handed hitter that airs it out in the box.  While he is still working to develop barrel consistency, there is an explosion when he is on the barrel, launching a ball out of Jim Perry Stadium’s right center field gap… a no-doubter off the barrel.