By John Cackowski
Director of Scouting

This Sunday, April 26th, the Prep Baseball Report will be teaming up with the Colorado Dugout Club to host the Junior Sunbelt Tryout at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. 

On Thursday 1/15/15 at the Colorado Dugout Club Coaching Clinic, PBR Colorado and the Colorado Dugout Club announced an exciting partnership. PBR Colorado will be the new sponsor of the Junior Sunbelt Classic Team. This year, each player will participate in a pro-style workout with everything being video-taped that will be hosted on their online profile along with their verified statistics and player write-ups.  The Prep Baseball Report is subscribed to by more than 450 colleges and pro scouts across the country. Furthermore, the top players will be listed in our statewide player rankings.

Last year’s talent at the Sunbelt Classic was incredible; we hope to continue that tradition with talented players such as yourself. Most of the top players on the Junior Sunbelt team last year are now ranked among the top in their respective class.

The Junior Sunbelt Classic is a nationally recognized tournament that began in 1977.  Over the years players like Randy Johnson, Troy Aikman, and Johnny Damon have played in the Sunbelt. Teams from Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Canada now participate.  This will be one of the most competitive 10 games you have played as a high school baseball player.  Scouts from around the country representing all levels of colleges and professional teams will be present to evaluate the talent heavy tournament. 

High School coaches have been nominating players to tryout for the Junior Sunbelt Team, and players have been requesting an invite on the website. PBR Colorado will host the tryout which will be at ThunderRidge High School on 4/26/15. The Colorado Junior Sunbelt Coaching Staff, and select MLB scouts including the Senior Director of Scouting for the Colorado Rockies Marc Gustafson will be in charge of picking and naming the team.

Only cost for players who make the team will be the tryout cost. In years past tournament costs per family were $485. Players who make the team will be provided flight to McAlester, Under Armour Uniforms, and extra Under Armour gear. Junior Sunbelt Classic players will stay with host families in McAlester, OK.

Currently there are over 60 of the best juniors in the state to see the entire roster CLICK HERE

There is still time to request and invite. To request and invite CLICK HERE

Players to watch at the Junior sunbelt classic tryout:

Bo Weiss, RHP, Regis Jesuit
Currently ranked No. 4 (63 overall) and is Committed to North Carolina. Currently ranked No. 4 in 2016 class and 63 overall. 6-foot-3, 180 pounds. Starting to get going this spring. In Rocky Mountain Scrimmage on 3/14/15 was throwing 84-87 hitting 89 twice. Curve ball was really fooling hitters with late, sharp 12/6 break. Today touched 90 sitting mostly at 88. Has a quick easy delivery with easy effort and very loose arm. Had a nasty 76-79 mph circle change. Very projectable.

Preston Snavely, RHP, Fort Collins
Currently ranked No. 5 (171 overall) and is Committed to Wichita State 6-foot-5, 190-pound, right-handed pitcher.  Very projectable. Smooth easy effort delivery keeps him square to the plate with a long and loose arm.  Delivered pitches from both an over the top slot as well as a high ¾ slot. Pitched one inning in relief. Fastball was 90-91 and hit a 92. Much improved from 3-1-15 Preseason All-State event where Snavely was 86-87.

Matt Burkart, RHP, Eaton
Currently ranked No. 7 (235 overall). 6-foot-1, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher.  Fastball lives in the mid-80's with slight run and good command both in and out in the zone and throws a nasty knuckle curve from 75-77 with sharp 12/6 break. Has good hands at ss with fluid footwork, and plays through ball well. Keeps hands out in front. Very athletic. 3 pitches for strikes. Solid two way player. 

Tommy Gillman, SS, Columbine
Currently ranked No. 9 and is committed to Texas AM. 5-foot-10, 170-pound switch-hitting shortstop.  89 MPH exit velocity from left and 86 MPH from the right.  Defensively, threw 83 MPH across the diamond from short, loose, ¾ arm slot with accuracy and more in the tank arm strength wise.  Possesses plus fielding actions for the middle infield, with a good feel for when to use full arm.  Hands are soft, quick footwork, ranges well both up the middle and in the hole, solid body control on run through ball.  Ran a 3.97 home to first.

Brice Johnson, LHP, Pine Creek
Johnson is currently ranked No. 10 in the Colorado 2016 class. 6-foot-6, 185-pound left-handed pitcher with room to grow.  Projectable LHP with a smooth motion with level shoulder, square landing and athletic finish. Tends to open up front knee on landing, and if he closes down will add velocity. Gets great extension towards plate.  Arm is long and quick and delivery comes from a high ¾ arm slot.  Easy effort to the plate produced 83-85 MPH fastball with slight tail and good command of the zone.  Curve ball sat 71-73 with sweeping 2/8 action down in the zone.  Change was thrown with FB arm action with good sink down in the zone and was 72-74 MPH. Again another highly projectable pitcher, especially when looking at frame

Quin Cotton, CF, Regis Jesuit
Currently ranked No. 12 in the 2016 class. 5-foot-10, 165 pounds. Bats and throws right. One of the most athletic players in the state. Hits from an open stance, smooth load back, and above average bat speed. Now hitting 3-Hole for Regis Jesuit. Underrated power.

Grant Schroeder, RHP, Grandview
Currently is ranked No. 14 in the 2016 class.  6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player, long thin frame. 86 MPH exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm, 84 MPH across the diamond. Runs a 4.2 home to first.  On the mound uses tall and fall delivery, works on line, easy effort, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 84-86 MPH, flashed sink. Curve showed short action, 66 MPH. Changeup 71-73 MPH. Secondary pitches thrown with good arm speed. 

Bailey Collins, OF, Dakota Ridge
Currently ranked No. 15. 5-foot-11, 180 pound, left-handed hitting outfielder.  Possesses a strong athletic frame.  Defensively, showcased good hands with fluid feet.  Plays through the baseball well.  Ran a 4.0 home to first.  At the plate starts in an athletic setup.  Load is smooth and uses a short stride.  Good use of the lower half.  Bat speed is quick with some barrel whip.  Had an exit velocity of 88 MPH.  Consistently gets to extension.  Plays first base as well.

 2016 prospects who did not receive an invite to this event can still get in front of the PBR Scouting Staff this spring, summer, and fall.