By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

Over the next couple of weeks we are going to recap some of the best statistics we have on record since our launch in April of 2014. We have covered the top 60 times in the 2017 and 2018 classes.  We continue our look back with the best 60 times in the 2016 class.

Braden Smith, OF, Lakewood, 2016 
60 Time: 6.60
Commitment: Uncommitted
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder impressed with legitimate physical athletic ability.  Hits from a balanced athletic setup, hands load back smoothly, creating good separation. Has leg kick that he gets down early and shows explosion with his lower half. Bat speed is fast with a short path and good extension producing line drive gap-gap power producing 81 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Threw 75 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with good hands, playing through the baseball aggressively when fielding. Showed exceptional range in center, while also throwing a runner out at home during the games. Impressed everyone with running a 6.60 and 6.72 60. Athletic outfielder had a good day 2 going 2-2 with a 4.21 home to first time.

Tanner Robinson, OF, Pomona, 2016 
60 Time: 6.75
Commitment: Uncommitted
5-foot-6, 150 pounds. Bats and throws right. Showcased the best speed at the tryout running a 6.75 60 time. In the outfield has long loose arm from over the top motion. Threw 73 mph from right field to 3rd. Ranges well in the outfield and plays behind fly ball well. At the plate has some rhythm and swagger. Hands are high and load to ball smooth, short stride with line drive level swing, good extension and one hand finish. Bat speed produced 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Nice potential at lead off position.

Cameron Brown, LHP/OF, D'Evelyn, 2016 
60 Time: 6.77
Commitment: Uncommitted
5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder/LHP was 80 MPH from the outfield with carry. Arm is loose and throws from a high ¾ slot. Showcased athletic actions defensively with fluid feet and a clean exchange.  Plays through the baseball well.  Had the second fastest 60 time at event with a 6.77 time.  At the plate hits from an athletic open setup with wide feet. Has a load that is back and down.  Short stride with leg-kick. Balance is good.  Bat path is long and on a level swing plane. Has gap to gap power  Registered a 80 MPH exit velocity. 


Quin Cotton, OF, Regis, 2016 
60 Time: 6.80
Commitment: Grand Canyon University 
5-foot-11, 175 pounds. Bats and throws right. Impressive looking athlete. At the plate has no wasted movement from a balanced athletic stance. Load is smooth and stride is short. Bat speed and lower half are explosive. Has line drive gap to gap power that produced the 2nd fastest exit velocity at the tryout at 91 mph. Shows power potential. In the outfield displays confidence with good actions. Throws from a high 3/4 arm slot at 84 mph with good carry. Ran a 6.80 60 time. Was the most athletic looking player at the tryout. High 2016 player to follow in our state. 


Thomas Nagel, RHP/3B, Dakota Ridge, 2016 
60 Time: 6.80
Commitment: Uncommitted 
6-foot-1,175-pound right-handed third baseman/right-handed pitcher/right-handed outfielder. Defensively, has a good frame for third base, throwing 81 mph across the diamond from short, over the top arm action with accuracy. On the mound, utilizes long, loose, high ¾ arm slot.  Easy effort, slow tempo, tall-and-fall type delivery produces 78-80 mph fastballs from the windup and stretch.  Slows arm a bit on 68-69 mph breaking ball with 12/6 shape that was also thrown for strikes.  Nagel is starting to develop into his body and is an interesting follow over the next two years, especially if his velocity takes a jump into the mid to upper 80’s. with lanky, athletic frame.  Hits from a tall, balance set-up, hands wrap back, utilizes a short stride with leg kick. Produces an inside out swing with gap-gap power. Shows good bat speed that produces 79 mph exit velocity.

Related Material