FTB Tryouts PBR Upgrade: 2020 Breakdown

September 11, 2017

By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

Orlando, FL- From August 18-20th one of the top organizations in the country, FTB, held their Fall 2017 Tryouts for players from the 2018-2022 classes. Players participated in bullpens on Friday night, went through a full pro-style workout on Saturday, and finally ended the weekend on Sunday with a game.

Below is a breakdown of the 2020s in attendance that added the PBR Upgrade option:

Jordan Rowe C / OF / PSL Centennial , FL / 2020

5-foot-11, 160 pound catcher. Offensively, the right handed hitter has a wide base. The hands drop some in the load, but has some present bat speed for his class and is aggressive to the ball. When he learns to get better separation,clearance with the back side and strength it should translate to more power. Defensively he shows a lot of athletic, quick twitch action. His feet work well and quickly and his transfer to release is clean. He had accurate throws, topping out at a 1.93 pop time. There are some present tools and will be an interesting follow.

Robert Diaz C / RHP / Saint Cloud , FL / 2020

The stocky 6-foot,1 65 pound pound catcher has a quality pre=pitch rhythm. He shows the ability to get separation and get on time. He has a strong, balanced lower half and when he hits off of a strong front side he shows power potential. The hands work well and shows loose wrists with bat speed out in front of the plate. Defensively there is some stiffness, but the hands work well. He has a clean transfer to release and can improve the 2.08 pop time with quicker footwork.

Christopher Driscoll C / OF / Lake Mary, FL / 2020

5-foot-11, 175 pound catcher. Has a stock strong frame. The right handed hitter starts the load on his toe and gets a quality stride and separation. He is balanced, with a level line drive path through the zone with present bat speed for class. Defensively, he has good hands and topped out at 71 mph behind the plate. Also showed a pop time 2.08.

Tommy Ricketts 3B / RHP / Lake Wales, FL / 2020

Physical 6-foot-1, 190 pound 3B/RHP. Shows present strength offensively, weight shifts to front side and creates bat speed out in front. Defensively, the hands work and arm should continue to get stronger and be strong enough to stay on the left side. On the mound, his fastball has worked 82-84 and has some heavy late life. Shows potential with the curveball at 70-72 mph. There is a lot of strength and tools that will be intriguing to watch going forward.

McGwire Holbrook C / RHP / Bishop Moore, FL / 2020

Rankings State Rank:35 POS:6

Recent West Virginia commit coming off of an impressive Future Games continues to impress. The catching continues to improve and will be a solid defensive catcher. Offensively, his bat is his best tool. He is balanced with an advanced approach and feel for hitting. There is gap-to-gap power with more to come in the future.

Tyler Dowdy 1B / RHP / Plant City, FL / 2020

6-foot-2, 240 pound 1B/RHP. Offensively, power is his best tool. He has a toe tap load and is aggressive through the zone. He can get rotational, but when everything is on time and extended he has pull side power. This showed in batting practice where he was one of three players to hit a ball out of the ballpark.

Tyler Andrews SS / 2B / Lowndes, FL / 2020

5-foot-11, 175 pound infielder is a right handed hitter with a level swing. He shows the ability to get quality separation and will see a benefit from better use of the lower half and added strength. Defensively he moves well. There is some athleticism and the hands work. Will continue to improve as he gets stronger and gets more repetitions.

Brenden Vern SS / RHP / George W. Jenkins, FL / 2020

Athletic 5-foot-9, 160 pound SS/RHP. Offensively, he hits with a medium leg kick. He creates quality rhythm, stays on time and level. Drove line drives up the middle during batting practice. Defensively he is rangy and light on his feet. With a quick first step, his hands are sound and gets rid of the ball quickly and accurately. On the mound he has a quick arm and throws from a high 3/4 slot. There is some effort and tends to swing the lower half open losing some of his strength. The fastball worked 78-80 while also throwing a 70 mph curveball and a 70 mph changeup.