In addition to Johnson and Mikey Ryan (Archbishop Rummel HS, LA; LSU), who was featured in the Day One Quick Hits, Slade Caldwell (Valley View HS, AR; Ole Miss) has opened more eyes at the ECP. The Ole Miss recruit is a plus runner with a heavy barrel. His 98 EV triple was followed by a 366’, 97 EV foul home run, but of course those don’t count.

Player Spotlight

Slade Caldwell: OF/LHP, (2024) Valley View, AR. Mississippi Commit, 5-foot-8, 162-pound mature strong frame. Athletic advanced during batting practice, the left-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 96 mph. (70.4 mph bat speed average). (22.7 mph hand speed average). Begins in an open athletic stance with a smooth compact load, then uses a controlled small leg kick. Has a short simple swing plane, explosive electric bat speed and good extension on his balanced finish. Through his round he found lots of barrels with tons of loud contact. Gap to gap aggressive approach. From the outfield, he displayed a position velocity of 87 mph. The athletic recruit showcased his speed with a sub-seven 60 time of 6.62. Above average on the mound, showed quick above average arm speed with a short quick arm action and a high ¾ arm angle. Up-tempo type pitcher who shows high effort. Showed consistent athletic balance point and even in line shoulders. Lands square with an athletic balanced finish. Produced a fastball that came in at 79-81 mph; has a straight heavy fastball that showed command around the zone and tilt late action. (Max spin 2044; Avg 1903). Throws a 2/8 heavy curveball (67-69) that has down in the zone command and swing and miss late action. (Max spin 2220; Avg 2146). Has a heavy changeup (75-75) that shows slight action and sporadic around the zone command.

Scout Evaluation

Slade Caldwell, Valley View, 2024, AR

Position: OF/LHP

Body: 5-foot-8, 162-pound mature strong frame.

Hit: (LHH) Athletic advanced. Began in an open athletic stance with a smooth compact load, then used a controlled small leg kick. Explosive electric bat speed. Good extension on his balanced finish, short simple swing. Gap to gap aggressive approach.

Power: 96 mph exit velocity, average 89.4 mph. 70.4 mph bat speed average. 22.7 mph hand speed average.

Arm: 87 mph outfield velocity.

Speed: 6.62 (60-yard).

Pitching: Above average. Up-tempo delivery, high effort. High ¾ arm angle, quick above average arm speed, short quick arm action. Consistent athletic balance point, even in line shoulders, lands square, an athletic balanced finish.

FB: T81. 79-81 mph. (Max spin 2044;  Avg 1903). Around the zone accuracy, tilt late action, straight heavy movement.

CB: 67-69 mph. Down in the zone command, swing and miss late action, 2/8 heavy movement. (Max spin 2220; Avg 2146).

CH: 75-75 mph. Sporadic around the zone control, slight action, heavy movement.

Player Spotlight 

Slade Caldwell: OF/LHP, (2024) Valley View, AR. Mississippi Commit, 5-foot-8, 154-pound athletic frame. Begins in an open stance with a smooth compact load, then uses a controlled stride. Bat speed was explosive, showed a short simple swing plane and high finish. He found lots of barrels with tons of loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Advanced in the box, the left-handed hitter clocked an exit velocity of 91 mph. Athletic from the outfield, he displayed a position velocity of 83 mph; has sure hands, athletic quick feet, and a natural exchange. Movements laterally were athletic and he fields the ball one hand. Used a high ¾ slot with a long arm action while showing consistent accuracy to the base. Fluid on the mound, used a high ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action while showing quick arm speed. Up-tempo type pitcher and uses some effort. Showed consistent balance point and even shoulders. Lands open with an athletic finish. Sat with his fastball at 77-79 mph; shows slight action and command around the zone with straight movement. Threw a tight curveball (70-71) that showed early action and up in the zone command. His tight changeup (72-74) shows tailing action and consistent command. 

Scout Evaluation 

Slade Caldwell, Valley View, 2024, AR

Position: OF/LHP

Body: 5-foot-8, 154-pound athletic frame.

Hit: (LHH) Started in an open stance with a smooth compact load, then used a controlled stride. Explosive bat speed. High finish, short simple swing. Gap to gap approach. 

Power: 91 mph exit velocity. 

Defense:  (OF) Sure hands, athletic quick footwork, natural exchange. Athletic.  Fields the ball one hand, movements laterally were athletic. 

Arm: 83 mph outfield velocity. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, consistent accuracy. 

Pitching: Fluid. Up-tempo delivery, some effort. High ¾ arm angle, quick arm speed, loose arm action. Consistent balance point, even shoulders, lands open, an athletic finish.

FB: T79. 77-79 mph. Around the zone accuracy, slight action, straight movement. 

CB: 70-71 mph. Up in the zone control, early action, tight movement. 

CH: 72-74 mph. Consistent command, tailing action, tight movement.

5-Foot-6, 141-Pound frame, present strength in athletic frame, ran a 6.70, Offensively; open set, simple load simple sstride, barrel flat at foot strike, back knee works underneath body, barrel  works up through contact, short stroke, pull side approach, some sneaky pull side power, 83 mph exit velo, Defensively; attacks ball fields outside right foot, funnel across to left hip, glove pat to throw after gather, quick release with short arm action, average carry, 71 mph arm strength. 

Pitching: high 3/4 slot, quick arm speed, log arm action, good balance point, sme effort to delivery, athletic finish, recoil after release, closed toe land, early clear glove side, short front side, stands up out of back leg at finish, fastball 70-72 mph, arm side run with early fade, curveball 64-67 mph, fastball arm speed, late action on a fastball line with short break in the zone.

5-Foot-6, 141-Pound frame, athletic build with present strength for frame, Ran a 6.50, Offensively; simple set up seperate to load, barrel cocked at foot strike, barrel slightly away from body to contact, back side works underneath body, pull side approach, repeats swing, 84 mph exit velo, Defensively, attacks ball fields outside right hip, funnel to hip, clean arm swing with average carry, 78 mph arm strength. 

Pitching: high ¾ slot, quick arm speed, long and loose arm action, some effort to delivery, slight raise out of balance after big leg kick, slight head lean to clear slot, early glove side pull, closed toe land, spin front foot to release, slight recoil after release, fastball 73-75 mph, sink to arm side, late action, heavy at plate, threw for strikes, curveball 65-67 mph, 1-7 shape, early action, gradual break, fastball arm speed, stands up at release, change up 69-72 mph, fastball arm speed, arm side run, bottom of zone with feel.

5-Foot-5, 135-Pound frame, athletic frame, ran a 7.3, Offensively; open set, simple load, simple stride, stable in the ground to contact, line drive approach, barrel cocked at foot strike, slight uphill approach, short stroke short finish, Defensively; athletic actions, attacks ball fields outside left, funnel to midline, short stroke, average carry, 72 mph arm strength.