Prep Baseball Report

Summer Standouts: West Region 2023s


PBR Florida
PBR Florida Staff

After a long hot summer down in the sunshine state, we want to look back at the many players who stood out at showcases this year. Plenty of committed and uncommitted talent from each high school class made a name for themselves this summer and really stood out to our scouting staff.

Monday, we introduced our 2021 Summer Standout series. This series will highlight players from each class that really stood out at our events this summer. Throughout this Summer Standout Series, we will get ready for our State Games this Fall with the theme of #RepYourRegion. Each standout article will be broken down region by region. Today, we will continue with the West Region 2023 Standouts.

West Region 2023 Standouts

John Abraham RHP / Jesuit, FL / 2023

6-foot-3, 185-pound athletic solid frame. Projectable on the mound, used a ¾ arm angle and a loose arm action while showing quick above average arm speed. Drop-and-drive type pitcher who uses easy effort. Tall balance point with in line shoulders. Lands open with a falling off finish. Threw his fastball 86-88 mph with a max of 89 mph; has running late action and consistent arm side control with sharp movement. (Max spin 2385; Avg 2317). His sharp slider (76-79) had sweeping late action and consistent command. (Max spin 2720; Avg 2612).

Justin Allen C / OF / Sickles, FL / 2023

6-foot-2, 176-pound athletic solid build. Athletic in the box, Allen's best exit velocity was 94 mph. (64.72 mph bat speed average). (20.52 mph hand speed average). Starts in a balanced athletic stance with a quick controlled load, then uses a short controlled stride. Bat speed was above average, showed a level swing plane and high good extension on his finish. Found multiple barrels with some loud contact. Up the middle approach. Behind the plate, he made strong throws to second and produced an efficient position velocity of 82 mph; had soft consistent hands, athletic footwork, and a quick clean exchange. recorded a pop time of 2.08-2.20. Athletic setup with some flexibility. Consistent accuracy to the bases, used a ¾ slot and a short quick arm action. In the 60-yard dash, recorded a time of 7.07.

Ian Barnes SS / C / TNXL Tampa, FL / 2023

Position: SS/C

Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pound lean  athletic frame.

Hit: (RHH) Began in a tall stance with a smooth controlled load, then used a long stride. Developing bat speed. Back foot finish, long swing. Gap to gap approach.

Power: 90 mph exit velocity, average 81.54 mph. 64.88 mph bat speed average. 19.62 mph hand speed average.

Defense: (C) 2.13-2.22 pop times. Athletic footwork, clean exchange. Solid. Some flexibility and athletic setup. (IF) Soft hands, athletic smooth footwork, natural exchange. Athletic. (OF) Soft consistent hands, athletic smooth footwork, packing lengthy exchange. Capable.  Fields the ball one hand, movements laterally were athletic.

Arm: 82 mph infield velocity. 86 mph outfield velocity. 75 mph catcher velocity. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy.

Speed: 7.32 (60-yard).

Pitching: Capable. Tall-and-fall delivery, easy effort. High ¾ arm angle, consistent arm speed, long arm action. Consistent balance point, in line shoulders, lands closed, an athletic finish.

FB: T82. 80-82 mph. (Max spin 2141;  Avg 2055). Sporadic accuracy, running action.

CB: 67-69 mph. Some control, slurvey action, 10/4 movement. (Max spin 2227; Avg 2033).

CH: 68-71 mph. Consistent control, slight running action.

Hunter Baynes RHP / IMG Academy, FL / 2023

Baynes is a 6-foot-2, 195 pound right-hander from IMG Academy who plays summer ball for 5 Star National. Baynes is known for an electric fastball with high spin. Baynes closed out the last two innings of Saturdays 1-1 tie vs Georgia. He went two scoreless allowing just one hit, getting several batters to pop out. Baynes sat 89-91 mostly but jumped it up to 93 mph. Heavy spin fastball up to 2563 rpm with HOP. Mixed an 11/5 curveball and showed feel for the changeup. A lot to like in this uncommitted arm.

Tad Brooks 3B / RHP / Calvary Christian , FL / 2023

Position: 3B/RHP

Body: 5-foot-11, 205-pound athletic  physical frame.

Hit: (RHH) Started in a tall stance with a small load, then used a toe tap. Above average bat speed. Good extension on his finish, simple swing. Gap to gap approach.

Power: 100 mph exit velocity, average 83.40 mph. 67.01 mph bat speed average. 22.56 mph hand speed average. Highest at the event.

Defense:  (IF) Sure hands, athletic footwork, quick exchange. Projectable.  Laterally, movements were athletic and fielded the ball out front.

Arm: 84 mph infield velocity. Very quick arm action, ¾ slot, consistent accuracy.

Speed: 7.64 (60-yard).

Pitching: Projectable. Drop-and-drive delivery, easy effort. Low ¾ arm angle, above average arm speed, short arm action. Athletic balance point, even shoulders, lands closed, a falling off finish.

FB: T83. 79-82 mph. (Max spin 2202;  Avg 2030). Arm side accuracy, running action.

CB: 65-68 mph. Decent control, sweeping action, 10/4 movement. (Max spin 2210; Avg 2085).

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