Fall Underclass Trials: Pitcher 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 wrap up our event analysis with full reports on all the pitchers in attendance. It was a strong group of young pitching prospects.

The group of pitchers who worked out were very competitive, and it made for a top job to rank the top prospects. Leading the way is RHP Evan O’Neill (Blessed Trinity, 2023). O’Neill has a lean, projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame that will continue to gain strength as he matures. He has a strong fastball that led the event at 86 mph. O’Neill backs it up with a solid 12/6 curveball and a fading changeup.

The youngest prospect to make the top prospect list is LHP/OF Heath Whitlock (Starr’s Mill, 2024). Whitlock was a breakout arm, pounding the zone with his fastball and curveball. Whitlock is an athlete on the mound as he sat 80-83. What set him apart was his swing and miss breaking ball, a sharp slurve that plays 71-74.

One of the most projectable prospects in attendance, RHP/1B Trevor Booton (LaGrange, 2023) stands a long, lean 6-foot-4, 180-pounds. Booton has good feel for three pitches. That fastball sat 82-83, touching 84. There is plenty more in the tank given his frame and arm action. He adds in a tight cutting slider and a potential swing and miss changeup.

Keep reading to see who else made the top prospect list and full reports on all the remaining arms, listed alphabetically.

Top Pitcher Prospects

Evan O'Neill, Blessed Trinity (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Large, projectable frame, strong lower half with even more room to fill out.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, sits back on his lower half as he drives down the mound, high front-side, works on-line, lands square, finishes tall and crossing over.
Arm Action: RH. Arm works clean on the back-side with a smooth, controlled draw, comes out of a 3/4 slot, quick arm speed.
FB: T86, 82-85 mph. Plays with run and sink action, especially when thrown to the arm-side.
CB: 69-70 mph. 12/6 shape, some depth to it.
CH: 75-77 mph. Fade action to both sides of the plate.

Heath Whitlock, Starr's Mill (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Proportional build, lean, athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, long stride down the mound, works on-line, lands toe open, finishes crossing over.
Arm Action: LH. Short, quick arm action to a 3/4 slot, whippy arm speed, repeats well.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Running action, worked all areas of the zone with, 83.3 % strikes vis TrackMan.
CB: 71-74 mph. Slurve hape, sharp action, swing and miss pitch, worked in and out with, 100 % strikes via TrackMan.
CH: 75-76 mph. Sinking action, fade armside.

Trevor Booton, Lagrange (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 180-pounds. Large, projectable frame, broad shoulders, lots of room to fill out.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, stays tall, strides across the mound, creates a difficult angle for the batter, lands square, finishes square to home, easy effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Short, clean arm action, does a good job hiding the ball on back-side, some quickness, 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Flashed armside run, good feel for.
SL: 73-75 mph. Tight cutting action, around the zone with.
CH: 75-76 mph. Fade and sink action, potential swing and miss pitch.

Alex Karst, Campbell (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-7, 205-pounds. Extra large frame, projectable, broad shoulders, plenty of room for more strength.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, high front-side, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home and upright.
Arm Action: RH. Arm works quick and short on the back-side, does a good job of keep arm on time with lower half, 3/4 slot, repeats well.
FB: T86, 80-85 mph. Works mostly straight, flashed armside run.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape, has depth and some late bite to it, potential swing and miss pitch.
CH: 72-74 mph. Fade and sink action.

Reid Harvey, Thomas County Central (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 188-pounds. Strong, athletic frame, will continue to add muscle.
Delivery: Easy effort, drop and drive delivery, starts with his back leg bent, works on-line with a smooth stride, lands square and finishes square to home.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm action,, quick arm speed, some length on the back-side, over-the-top slot, at-times arm lags behind.
FB: T85, 83-84 mph. Mostly straight, 2274 spin rate.
CB: 66-70 mph. 11/5 shape, showed depth and bite.
CH: 76-77 mph. Sinking action, plays well low in the zone.

Nate Isler, Cambridge (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-5, 215-pounds. Extra large, physical frame, projectable, room for more.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, stays on his back-side well, works on-line towards home, lands square, finishes walking down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, short stab on the back-side, gets out front consistently, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Plays mostly straight, locates up in the zone.
CB: 68-69 mph. 11/5 shape, depth.
CH: 70-74 mph. Fade action, maintains arm speed.

JD Rediger, River Ridge (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 155-pounds. Strong, Athletic Frame,
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, quick stride, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over with some recoil.
Arm Action: RH. Short, athletic arm action, gets out quick front with looseness, slings it from a low 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Heavy armside action, good feel for, 2509 arm action.
SL: 71-75 mph. Sweeping action, swing and miss pitch, feel for, 80% strikes via TrackMan.

Landon Lee, North Hall (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds. Lean frame, broad shoulders, projects to add more to frame.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over, repeats delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, loose arm action on the back-side, quick throughout, comes out of a 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Plays with armside run.
CB: 69-70 mph. 12/6 shape, flashed sharp action when located low in the zone.
SL: 70-72 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin, downer action, swing and miss pitch, 2412 spin rate.
CH: 77-79 mph. Fade action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Davis Budd, North Paulding (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Lean frame, high waist, projects to add plenty more to frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, methodical, works on-line, lands on his heel, toe closed, finishes square to home.
Arm Action: RH. Long, full arm swing on the back-side, 3/4 slot, at-times arm lags behind.
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Mostly straight, some armside run.
CB: 61-63 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual break.
CH: 66-69 mph. Plays with fade.

Evan Doss, East Coweta (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP/INF
Body: 5-foot-8, 170-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame, will continue to fill out as he matures
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, methodical, works on-line, swinging stride, opens hips up early, lands toe open, finishes crossing over.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw on back-side, accelerates to a 3/4 slot, repeats.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Plays with sink low in the zone, good feel for.
CB: 65-66 mph. 11/5 shape, flashed depth and feel. Best secondary
CH: 70-71 mph. Fade action.

Will Elkins, Brookwood School (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 157-pounds. Lean build, lots of time for more growth.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes walking down the mound.
Arm Action: LH. Arm action is long with a full arm swing on the back-side, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Heavy sinking action.
SL: 63-68 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual break.
CH: 67-69 mph. Heavy fade and sink, tough pitch low in the zone.

Gant Geiger, Charlton County (FL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. Long, lean frame, high waist, lots room to fill out.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, big leg kick, long stride down the mound, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home.
Arm Action: RH. Arm works short on the back-side, keeps wrist locked on back swing, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Plays with some run, located up in the zone.
CB: 60-62 mph. 12/6 shape, depth and some bite.
CH: 68-70 mph. Fade action, some deception.

Isaiah Haygood, Valdosta (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Strong, sturdy build, thick lower half.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, long stride, works on-line, lands square, back leg lags through finish, finishes square.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action to a 3/4 slot, clean on back-side.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. Plays mostly straight, flashed sink.
CB: 60-63 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual break.
CH: 69-70 mph. Fade action, some feel for.

Caden Henderson, Ware County (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Proportionally built frame, strong lower half.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery sits back on lower half, works on-line, lands square, spins off the mound, momentum carries him towards first heavily.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, reaches back on draw, arm remains continuous, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 76-77 mph. Running action, located arm side.
CB: 65-68 mph. 11/5 shape, some depth.
SL: 70-72 mph. Sweeping action.
CH: 74-75 mph. Sinking action, pulls the string.

Ellington Hodge, Decatur (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Lean, lanky frame, high waist, plenty of growth left to do.
Delivery: Tall and fall, stays tall on his back side, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, quick hand speed, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 70-74 mph. Plays mostly straight. flashed sink.
CB: 60-65 mph. 12/6 shape, some bite low in the zone.
CH: 63-66 mph. Sinking action.

Brayden Jacobs, East Jackson (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 195-pounds. Physical, durable frame, strength throughout.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, front side leaks out occasionally, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm action, works from a 3/4 slot, quick hand speed.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Sinking action, good feel for.
SL: 66-69 mph. 11/5 shape, downer action, depth.
CH:  mph. Sinking action, plays well low in the zone.

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.
Delivery: Tall and delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes kicking his bag leg through.
Arm Action: RH. Quick draw with some stabbing on the back-side, accelerates with quickness to a 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 72-75 mph. Armside run.
CB: 60-63 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual break.
CH: 64-65 mph. Sinking action, deceptive, maintains arm speed.

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.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over.
Arm Action: RH. Arm action is short to an over-the-top slot.
FB: T81, 75-80 mph. Mostly straight, some sink when located low in the zone.
CB: 64-66 mph. 12/6 shape, some depth.
CH: 68-70 mph. Sink and fade action when low.

Kade Nicholson, Habersham Central (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Wide frame, thick, strong build.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, sits on lower half, works on-line, lands with hips open, toe-closed, finishes square to home.
Arm Action: RH. Arm plays clean on the back-side to an over-the-top slot.
FB: T74, 70-73 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 57-59 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual break.
CH: 67-68 mph. Flashed some sink and fade.

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.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, swings stride leg open, lands square, finishes with an aggressive crossing over.
Arm Action: RH. Arm action is long to an over-the-top slot. 
FB: T72, 69-71 mph. Mostly straight, some run.
CB: 59-60 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action, had some bite when located low.
CH: 64-66 mph. Fade action.

Will Walker, Seminole Couty (GA), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 140-pounds. Proportional frame, lean build, solid athlete.
Delivery: Pronounced drop and drive delivery, creates some deception, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over, some recoil.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, shallow stab, quick arm speed to an over-the-top slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Plays with armside run.
CB: 60-62 mph. 12/6 shape, big breaker.
CH: 66-67 mph. Showed fade and sink.

Quindon Wright, Terell Academy (GA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Physically advanced frame, broad shoulders, strength throughout, good athlete.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, high front-side, works on-line, lands toe open, finishes crossing over.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm, full arm swing on the back-side, over-the-top slot, at-times gets backed up.
FB: T80, 76-79 mph. Plays with armside run.
CB: 64-67 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual break.

Braxton Yerta, Chambers Academy (AL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Strong, broad frame, physical build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, short stride, front side leaks out, works on-line, lands with lower half open, finishes crossing over and walking down mound.
Arm Action: RH. Arm action is short with some stiffness, comes out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Mostly straight, flashed run.
CB: 58-61 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual break.

Related Content