Fall Underclass Trials: Outfielder Analysis

PBR Georgia hosted its second annual Fall Underclass Trials on Saturday, November 7th at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA. The event brought together over 50 prospects from the 2023-2024 class for a pro-style workout. We started out by taking a look at the catchers and then the infielders. Today, we move on to the 35 prospects who worked out on the infield. Today, we look at the nearly 20 infielders who participated at the event.

The position as the top outfield prospect at the event belongs to Dominick Scalese (Wesleyan, 2023). Scalese, like we alluded to yesterday in our break down of the infielders, is equipped with a big arm. He led the event in outfield velocity, throwing 92 from the outfield. At the plate, Scalese has a twitchy swing and present bat speed. He is capable of driving the ball middle/pull with force. There is a lot to like about the tool set and there is more to come as he continues to mature. 

Coming in at No. 2 is the superb 2024 3B/OF Jax Phillips (East Cobb Baseball Academy, 2024). Phillip was the top ranked infielder in yesterday's infield breakdown, and flips spots with Scalese in the outfield ranking. Phillips has an uber projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 175-pounds and an easy gap-to-gap swing. To go along with all of that, he has a big arm, clocking in at 89 from the outfield.

Left-handed hitting OF Tyler Bak (North Gwinnett, 2023) lays claim to the third spot on our list. Bak had an impressive showing all around. He posted the fastest 60 time at the event, and then stood out during BP with ultra quick hands and an ability to consistently barrel pitches up.

Keep reading to see who else made our listing of the top-10 outfield prospects at the Fall Underclass Trials. Plus we have reports on the rest of the outfielders in alphabetical order following the top-10. 

Top Outfield Prospects

Dominick Scalese, Wesleyan (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Lanky frame, lots of growth to come, wiry strength, some quick twitch
Hit: RHH. Tall athletic set up, hands start back with a bar load, short stride landing open w front foot. Some fast bat speed with a short path down to ball and long through with a line drive pull approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Good power pull side with extension
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. OF - 92 mph. Short, quick live arm with carry.
Defense: Nice fluid footwork with a quick transfer and release to go along with natural instincts.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60.

Jax Phillips, East Cobb Baseball Academy (GA), 2024 - Georgia commit
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP Physically advanced for his class.
Body: 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Projectable, strength throughout with lots of room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup with an athletic bend in his knees, hands load back as he brings the barrel vertical, low sweeping leg kick timing trigger, good balance through finish.  Gap-to-gap type hitter, consistently drove balls with easy effort, swing works short and quick to the zone, mostly level through, quicks hands.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength, big power potential.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. OF - 89 mph. Advanced arm strength, quick, whippy arm, comes out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the ball with a fluid approach, fields to glove-side in the outfield, on the infield showed quick hands, funneling towards midsection, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.

Tyler Bak, North Gwinnett (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds. Lean, lanky frame, athletic build, some quick twitch muscle.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, weight load back onto back-side, high back elbow, hands load back smoothly as he brings barrel vertical, long stride, good balance through finish, carries lower half through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter, drives the ball, consistent approach, barrel path is mostly level through the zone, quick hands whip barrel through zone, good feel for barrel.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 83 mph. Short, loose arm, quick arm speed, comes out of an over-the-top slot, throws are true with carry, accurate.
Defense: Attacks the ball, plays through athletically, quick, clean footwork, good first step, soft glove hand, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60.

Reid Harvey, Thomas County Central (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 188-pounds. Strong, athletic frame, will continue to add muscle.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, power position, short hand load coupled with a short stride, some explosiveness in lower half, great balance through finish Swing works short to the zone, uphill through, looks to elevate with pull-side pop, easy effort, ball jumps off the bat at-times.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power to the pull side with extension
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. OF - 90 mph. Short, quick arm, accelerates with quick arm speed to a 3/4 slow, throws showed advanced carry from outfield and across infield.
Defense: Plays through the ball athletically with fluid motions, clean footwork, can range to either side with good body control, quick exchanges.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.

Elijiah Smith, Houston County (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic frame, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back early, short stride, good balance, at-times lower half collapses. Swing works short to the zone, mostly level through, quick hands, gains extension on contact, line drive type hitter gap-to-gap.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 79 mph. Arm works long to an over-the-top slot, accurate, throws are true with back spin, quick arm speed.
Defense: Looks more natural in the outfield, plays through the ball athletically in or out, tracks well in outfield with a quick first step, clean exchanges and footwork, shuffles into throw.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. Clean gait.

Heath Whitlock, Starr's Mill (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Proportional build, lean, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, hands start high and remain high on a short load, short stride, great balance, keeps things simple throughout. Barrel path works mostly uphill through the zone, gains extension more times than not, allowing for him to drive the ball with some force middle/pull, good feel for the barrel, quick hands, smooth, repeatable swing.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws carried and were accurate to the plate.
Defense: Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, feel for glove while fielding, clean exchanges, short crow hop.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.

KJ Moon, North Oconee (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. Wide frame, strength throughout with more to come as he matures.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, high hands smoothly load back, short stride, stays on his back-side through finish. Barrel path works uphill through the zone as he looks to lift the ball, generates hard contact to the pull-side, quick hands and present bat speed.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action, slow draw on the back-side, comes out of an over-the-top slot, flicks the ball across the infield.
Defense: Plays through the ball in the outfield, fields deep on the infield, short footwork, good feel for backhand, tracks well to both sides.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60.

Quindon Wright, Terrell Academy (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Physically advanced frame, broad shoulders, strength throughout, good athlete.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short hand load as he shifts weight to back-side, short reverse toe-tap stride, finishes balanced. Gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel works mostly level through the zone, generates good power with his natural strength, able to elevate and drive when he gains extension through the zone.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Big power potential, 93.90 EV off TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long, clean arm action, quick arm speed, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the ball athletically, approaches with fluid footwork, fields out front with feel for glove, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60.

Andrew Wells, Columbus (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 190-pounds. Strong, projectable build, broad shoulders, projects to carry significant strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, good balance through finish, keeps things simple. Swing path is short to the zone, travels uphill as he gains extension through the zone, ball jumps off bat at-times, strong hands/wrists, drives the ball middle/pull.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Big power potential.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. OF - 79 mph. Long, clean arm action, comes out of a high 3/4 to over-the-top slot, throws are true with back spin, accurate from both outfield and infield.
Defense: Plays through the ball athletically in the outfield, good range on the infield, fields out front and funnels into mid section, feel for glove hand, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.

Korey Fortson, Westover (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 200-pounds. Proportional build, strength throughout frame, broad shoulders
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands drop and deepen on load, short stride, at-times will get his lower half through contact, finishes over the plate. Gap-to-gap type hitter, quick, athletic hands, barrel works uphill through the zone as he looks to elevate, generates hard contact, inconsistent timing.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Big power potential.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action to a 3/4 slot, rotational, some pie action.
Defense: Plays through the ball in the outfield, clean footwork, fluid transfers. On the infield, keeps the ball in front as he lets it come to him, fields deep, clean footwork.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matthew Blake Barker, White House (TN), 2023
Positional Profile: OF 
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Lean frame, plenty of time and room to add to.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start near ear and load back, short stride, good balance, high front shoulder. Barrel path is level through the zone, creates line drive contact, top spins balls, some quickness in the hands.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Short, quick arm to a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Most of the time plays through the ball, can at-times work around the ball, has a tendency to stab at the ball with glove, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.

Parker Lee, Brookwood School (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Lean frame, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back, short stride, stiff lower half. Barrel path is long to the zone, uphill though, lets the ball travel deep, gap-to-gap type hitter.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action, full swing on back-side, to a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields deep in his position, approaches with short, flat steps, competent hands, packs the ball on exchanges.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Leonard, Fulton Science Academy (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-7, 140-pounds. Proportional, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands start high and remain high as he loads weight, short reverse toe tap stride, good balance through finish. Barrel path is mostly level through the zone, keeps his hands inside, line drive type hitter, used the entire field, flashed pull-side pop.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot, utilized lower slots while making plays on the run.
Defense: Good pre-fielding footwork, clean and fluid, good range to both sides, feel for glove hand, clean on exchanges, good body control, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

JoJo Martin, Jefferson (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Long, lanky frame, high waisted, plenty of room to fill out with strength.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands start high, drop and deepen on load, long stride into a wide position, good balance. Hit path is mostly level through the zone, creates line drive and fly ball contact middle/pull, has tendency to keep hands inside, some looseness in wrists.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Arm plays long and clean on the back-side, full arm swing, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Stays behind fly balls, plays through everything, competent glove, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60.

Kaden Moore, Dade County (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-foot-0, 175-pounds. Proportional frame, lean strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, early rhythm, hands load back into a near arm bar, shoulders become uphill, finishes on back-side. Pre-sets barrel path, uphill through the zone, lifts the ball, gap-to-gap.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. OF - 71 mph. Long arm action to a 3/4 slot, some stiffness.
Defense: Does a good job of staying behind the ball, fields outs front, long on exchanges, short, choppy footwork.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

Brady Perry, Villa Rica (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 130-pounds. Young, lean frame, lots of time and growth left to do.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, hands start back with barrel flattened out, and load back with some wrapping of the barrel, short stride, good balance. Barrel path is long to the zone, flat through, line drive type hitter, at-times will gain extension through contact.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long, loose arm action to a 3/4 slot, some quickness.
Defense: Plays through the ball with fluid footwork, some feel for glove, at-times stabs at the ball, clean on exchanges.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60.

Thomas Wharton, Milton (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Young, lean frame, plenty of time and room for more growth.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, high hands load back smoothly, short leg kick timing trigger, good balance. Barrel path is mostly level through the zone, creates line drive contact middle/pull, pulls off the ball at-times.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Short, clean arm to a 3/4 slot, some quickness in his arm.
Defense: Plays through the ball well, smooth footwork on fly balls, good first step to either side, clean on exchanges, good feel for glove.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60. 

Preston Wright, Stockbridge (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-7, 140-pounds. Young, lean build, plenty of time and room for growth.
Hit: SH. Similar setup from both sides of the plate. Balanced setup, long reverse toe tap stride, hands deepen, good balance,  Swing path plays level through the zone from both sides, creates line drive contact to the pull-sides, gets better extension on the right-side generating harder contact, some quickness in the hands.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. OF - 79 mph. Arm works short with some looseness and hand speed to a 3/4 slot on the infield. Lengthens arm action in the outfield.
Defense: Moves well in the outfield and on the infield, quick first step, plays through the ball, soft glove, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.

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