Oct. 6 Mobile Prospect ID Scout Analysis: Infielders

Gage Tufnell (2020, 1B/RHP, East Central MS) 6’3 185 lb. 1B/RHP that turned in a 7.06 60 yard dash at the event. At the plate he showed nice strength in the hands with some pull side pop. Slightly open stance with the feet and a leg kick approach allow him to create some violence with a level swing path. Solid actions around the bag at 1B and things seemed natural to him. Did a nice job of coming off the bag to start a 3-6-3 DP with. On the mound the FB sat in the low 80’s and touched 84 mph and he seemed to really hide the ball from hitters and the pitched seemed to really explode late. The breaking ball showed true 12/6 shape and also showed late action. The changeup was in the low 70’s with deception out of the hand.

Cole Loftis (2022, RHP/3B, Hayden) Showed nice arm side action and plus command on the FB that was up to 81 mph. The arm action is clean and quick with late life on the FB. Really commanded the bottom half of the zone. The breaking ball showed tight spin with slider type action at 69-70 mph. Really located to both halves of the plate with all pitches.  Even stance toe tap approach at the plate showing nice hands at the plate. The swing plane is level and he could add some more juice in the future by staying through the hitting zone a bit longer. Solid fundamentals at 3B with nice glove action and athletic movement on the slow roller in front of him. 

Cole Berry (2021, 1B/LHP, Faith Academy) Solid ‘21 1B/LHP that has shown a ton of improvement and added strength since we last saw him a year ago. Showed a tall set up at the plate with a small leg kick approach that resulted in juice to all fields. The swing is short and compact with some tilt in the swing path. Really like the explosiveness in the hands and the ability to keep the barrel in the hitting zone. Solid actions at 1B and everything seemed natural to him as he played low to the ground on ground balls and showed nice lateral movement. On the mound he was very consistent throughout his pen as the FB sat 81 mph and had nice arm side action with late sink. The 12/6 breaking ball was also commanded down in the zone in the low 70’s creating a definite 2 plane pitch. Pounded the bottom half of the zone with everything during his pen. Solid, repeatable mechanics. 

Kelly Lanier (2022, 1B, Mobile Christian) At the plate he showed a slightly open stance and a toe tap approach to create some violence with the barrel. Really kept the barrel through the zone a long time and showed slight tilt in the swing plane and power to all fields. There is some present strength in the hands (84 mph exit velocity off a tee). Showed high level defensive actions at 1B and seemed to move naturally around the bag. The feet work and there are no issues with the glove. Athletic player that is an interesting ‘22 follow. 

Brendan Guerry (2021, RHP/3B, Fairhope) Even stance with the feet and showed nice rhythm in the hands getting to the launch position of the swing. Showed some pull side power (91 mph exit velo off a tee) but also showed the ability to handle the pitch on the outer half of the plate. There is some tilt in the swing path and he did a nice staying inside the baseball. At 3B, showed solid footwork to get in a position to field a big hop and looked very natural with the glove on the backhand play. On the mound he showed clean mechanics and arm slot and the changeup appeared to be a major weapon as he commanded this pitch in the low 70’s and is a definite “swing over the top” pitch to right handed hitters as there was legit tumble. The FB was commanded well in the bottom half of the zone topping at 79 mph, showing late arm side action. 

Ryan Kelley (2022, 2B/RHP, Baker) Slightly open leg kick approach for this ‘22 grad that showed some definite tilt in the swing path. Did a nice job keeping the barrel through the zone which led to a nice showing to the pull side. There is nice, short action in the hands. There should be more juice to come. Defensively, he made things look easy and really fielded ground balls out in front of him with a quick transfer. Showed nice lateral range and made a difficult backhand play look easy, showed well with the arm across the infield. Big time arm side action on the 2 seam fastball that can be a big time pitch as the velocity develops. The FB was up to 76 mph and the 12/6 breaking ball showed real nice shape at  64-66 mph. Mechanics were natural and easy. 

Cade Howell (2022, 3B/RHP, Baker) Slightly open leg kick approach as he does a very nice job using his lower half in his swing. Does a nice job of keeping his hands short and getting to the pitch on the inner half of the plate. The hands are quick and he shows some nice bat speed. There is tit in the swing path and nice juice to the pull side. Has some violence in the swing. Defensively, the actions at 3B are solid and he did a nice job of gathering himself for the throw to 1B. Quick transfer and the ball seemed to really come out of the hand well. On the mound the FB sat in the low 70’s, topping 73 mph with some sinking action on the pitch. He also appeared to “cut” the FB at times. Nice command of his offspeed pitches with a very athletic delivery. The breaking ball showed nice down action and the changeup was thrown from the same arm speed as the FB.  

Cameron Warren (2024, SS/OF, Saraland) One of the younger players at the event but held his own, showing advanced athleticism and a very balanced swing. Stayed short with the swing and showed continued juice to the backside gap. Started from a slightly open stance and used a toe tap approach with some tilt in the swing path. Very natural, easy actions at SS that he made look easy. Effortless with the glove and the transfer is quick with accurate throws to 1B. There is some current arm strength that will continue to improve as he gets older. Nice looking ‘24 prospect. 

Matthew Dalton Baggett (2022, RHP/2B, Faith Academy) Very quiet approach at the plate showing some pop to the pull side. The hands are set back in the stance with a simple approach on the front side. Solid presentation with the glove at SS and looked athletic fielding the slow roller in front of him. Stayed through his throws to 1B and stayed low to the ground fielding ground balls. On the mound, the FB sat mid 70’s and touched 79 mph while working exclusively from the stretch. The arm worked well over the top and the FB showed some solid down action on several pitches. 

Connor Robinson (2023, SS/RHP, Faith Academy) Young ‘23 grad that worked from a ¾ arm slot on the mound showing a FB 70-71 mph but commanded that pitch well. Velocity should increase as he gets older and stronger. Worked exclusively from the stretch and flashed a breaking ball with over the top action. The breaking ball showed top spin. Nice athleticism showcased by a 7.00 60 yard dash. At the plate he started with an open stance to a leg kick approach and created nice torque in the swing. The hands are set high in the stance and he showed some pop off the barrel to both gaps. Really liked the work at SS and the actions were simple and athletic. The glove works and he really looked natural on the backhand ball. Showed nice ability to throw from different arm slots. An athletic ‘23 prospect. 

Bryce Epperson (2021, LHP/1B, Baldwin County) Very natural and athletic looking setup with the bat from the left side. There is definite tilt in the swing path and he does a nice job keeping the barrel through the hitting zone. Loved the finish with the barrel. The short, compact approach showed a mostly middle to oppo approach with some present strength. Showed some quickness around the bag and worked the feet through the ground ball into the throw. On the mound, everything he threw had some movement on it. Working from a high ¾ slot and short arm action, the FB showed legit ASR and the breaking ball showed late 12/6 shape. Really showed solid glove side command with the FB up to 71 mph.   

Ty Waters (2026, C/2B, UMS Wright) Youngest player at the event but he held his own on the day. At the plate, the feet started even and he was really on top of the plate but showed no problem of handling pitches on the inner half. Showed really nice use of the lower half in his swing and there is some juice off the barrel to all fields. Very simple, controlled approach in the box and did a nice job with the top hand through the finish of the swing. Defensively he did not make any throws on the day but his feet and athleticism getting to ground balls was as solid as anyone in attendance. The glove was always out in front while fielding and he did a nice job fielding the slow roller to his glove side. A young player to keep an eye on in the future