Player Spotlight

Jake Jones: C/RHP, (2023) Benton, AR. 6-foot, 200-pound mature physical frame. Above average during batting practice, the switch hitter had an exit velocity of 95 mph. Begins in a balanced athletic stance with a smooth controlled load, then uses a short stride. Bat speed is explosive, displays an uphill short swing plane and high finish. Found lots of barrels with tons of loud contact. Gap to gap approach. While catching, he produced a position velocity of 76 mph during throw downs; had consistent rhythmic footwork, a quick fluid exchange, and sure soft hands. displayed his ability to control the run game with a pop time of 1.94-2.01. Average flexibility and athletic setup. Consistent accuracy to the bases, used a short arm action with an-over-the-top slot. During the event, recorded a 60 time of 7.39. Projectable on the mound, showing quick arm speed he had an over-the-top arm angle with a short arm action. Drop-and-drive type pitcher who shows some effort. Showed athletic balance point and uphill shoulders. Lands square with a clean finish. Threw his fastball 84-86 mph; has swing and miss action and very consistent command with straight movement. Shows late action and in the zone control on his tight curveball (74-75).

Scout Evaluation

Jake Jones, Benton, 2023, AR

Position: C/RHP

Body: 6-foot, 200-pound mature  physical frame.

Hit: (Switch) Begins in a balanced athletic stance with a smooth controlled load, then uses a short stride. Explosive bat speed. High finish, uphill short swing. Gap to gap approach.

Power: 95 mph exit velocity, average 84.19 mph. 67.00 mph bat speed average. 20.10 mph hand speed average.

Defense: (C) 1.94-2.01 pop times. Sure soft hands, consistent rhythmic footwork, quick fluid exchange. Solid. Average flexibility and athletic setup.

Arm: 76 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot, consistent accuracy.

Speed: 7.39 (60-yard).

Pitching: Projectable. Drop-and-drive delivery, some effort. Over-the-top arm angle, quick arm speed, short arm action. Athletic balance point, uphill shoulders, lands square, a clean finish.

FB: T86. 84-86 mph. (Max spin 2292;  Avg 2183). Very consistent accuracy, swing and miss action, straight movement.

CB: 74-75 mph. In the zone command, late action, tight movement. (Max spin 1930; Avg 1853).

5-Foot-11, 200-Pound frame, physical build with present strength, ran a 7.45, Offensively; RHH, even set, slight toe lean to load, barrel rhythm barrel flat at foots strike, aggressive swing, strength to pull side, power in positioning, LHH, simple load with lean back, aggressive stride, barrel cocked at foot strike, slight tilt to hipline, loft to swing, angles to create backspin, 94 mph exit velo, Defensively; transfer in midline, transfer to midline, slight arch off to release, clean carry to release, 78 mph arm strength, 2.00-2.07 pop time. 

PITCHING: over the top slot to high 3/4, big hip tilt, big rotation to release, early clear out, tempo to delivery, open toe land, quick arm speed, short arm extension, some effort to delivery, fastball 82-85 mph, straight action, angled at bottom of zone at times, curveball 70-74 mph, 11-5 shape, underneath at times, fastball arm speed, threw in zone, change up 78-81, fastball arm speed, boaring action to arm side, feel for zone.

5-Foot-11, 190-Pound frame, physical frame with present strength, ran a 7.51, Offensively; Left handed: creep to load, barrel rhythm, barrel cocks to foot strike, fall into landing of stride, back knee works under body, slight over rotation at times in backside, loft to swing, with pull side power, Right Handed: simple set pre set back cree to load, barrel rhythm, barrel cocked at foot strike, stable in the ground through swing, back knee works under body to contact, flat path, line drive stroke, middle of the field approach, 92 mph exit velo, Defensively; simple set up, transfer in midline, slight hip lean to clear feet, sideways move out of stance to throw, short stroke, average carry, 70 mph arm strength, 2.11-2.15 Pop time.

Pitching: high ¾ slot, quick arm, long arm swing, average balance point, falls to 1b at extension, even landing even toes, short glove side to hand break, fastball 78-82 mph, straight action with occasional pull glove side, curveball, 69-72 mph, 11-5 shape, early action gradual break, feel for pitch in zone, slurve action at times, change up 77 mph, arm side run with feel in zone.

5-Foot-11, 190-pound frame, present physical strength, ran a 7.50, Offensively; Left handed barrel rhythm,  toe tap to stride, slight lean over back hip, legs leverage ground, pull side approach, big pull side power, big extension to pull side, RHH: simple set up barrel rhythm, leg lift to stride, barrel cocked at foot strike, back knee leverages underneath flat stroke, pull side extension, 86 mph exit velo, Defensively; clean transfer, feet go sideways out of shoot, short release, with average carry, Catching 70 mph, 2.12-2.14 pop time. Infield; active feet, hop to field, fingers up to field, funnel to midline short funnel quick release, average carry.

Pitching: over the top slot, quick arm speed, short arm action, good balance point, some effort to delivery, smooth rhythm, short front side, work away from release, early glove tuck, even land, roll front foot, fastball 81-84 mph, straight, late life, heavy in zone, curveball 71-72 mph, 11-5 shape, downer action, sharp late at plate, fastball line, short break, power pitch, change up 77-78 mph,  boring action arm side, pitched in zone.