Panhandle Summer Kickoff Games: Two-Way Analysis

May 29, 2019
Doug Freeman & Phil Kerber
PBR Florida Staff

The 2019 Panhandle Summer Kick-Off Games took place on Saturday May 18th at the 2019 State-Runner up, Northwest Florida State College. Players from the graduating classes of 2019-2023 took place in a pro-style workout followed by a game. Over the next week, we will take a look at a breakdown of every player in attendance broken down by Outfield, Corner Infield, Middle Infield, Catcher, Pitcher-Only and Multi-Position prospects. Today, we take a look at the two-way players in attendance.

To find the full list of stats, please CLICK HERE.

Jakob Allen LHP / 1B / Crestview, FL / 2020

Standing at 5-foot-10, 140 pounds he has a long and lanky frame. Ran a 7.68 60 yard dash. Worked with sound actions around first base and topped at 70 mph. Offensively, he stands tall in the box, Does have a somewhat short stride which leads to him getting rotational at times. Is level through the zone and could benefit from a better separation and then extension through the ball. Exit velocity topped at 76 mph. On the mound, short arm action to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery. Relied primarily on fastball, sat 67-70, touched 71.

Kaiden Bateman RHP / OF / Rocky Bayou Christian, FL / 2023

Standing at 5-foot-8, 140 pounds he ran an 8.05 60 yard dash. Defensively, he has an athletic first step. Has some stiffness that should improve as he matures and gets stronger, but the hands works well from the ground up. Topped at 71 mph across the infield. Offensively, he starts very open. Using a big leg kick trigger, he does get closed but will need to get on time, has above average bat speed for his class and is aggressive to pull. Has an exit velocity of 76 mph and has some tools that can make strides with maturity and strength. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, shoulders stay level, keeps upright, works on-line, lands toe-closed finishing athletically. Fastball played at 69-72, touched 73, flashed run, around zone with. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, feel for. Changeup, mostly straight, 56-58.

John Gee RHP / 1B / Port St. Joe, FL / 2020

6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher and first baseman, strong frame, long limbs. At the plate, sets up with a wide base, loads hands back with some tension, heel lift stride, remains balanced. Swings with easy effort, barrel worked level through zone, generates power to the pull side, with more length has further untapped power, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, has feel around first base, moves well for position, hands played smoothly at-times, some tendency to stab. Arm played short from high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.71 laser-timed 60. On the mound, stabbing action on back-side to a high ¾ slot. Tall and delivery, works on-line, lands square finishing square. Fastball sat 79-81, good tilt. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 68-69. Changeup, mostly straight, 68-70.

Ethan George RHP / OF / Tate, FL / 2020

5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder, broad shoulders, strength throughout frame. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, remains balanced. Strong upper body, drives the ball to the pull side with power, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.31 60. Defensively, arm action was long from an over-the-top slot, kept throws around the plate, 81 mph. Fields position with short steps, clean on exchanges. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, shoulders remain level throughout, lands square, finishing athletically. Fastball sat 80-82. Curveball, 12/6 showed feel for, flashed depth, 67-70.

Tyler Harrington SS / RHP / Baker, FL / 2021

5-foot-10, 135-pound shortstop and right-handed pitcher, lanky, lean frame. Offensively, wide setup, short stride, hands load back, remains balanced. Line drive type hitter, showed good barrel control during BP, barrel is level through the zone, flashed extension, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.37 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm worked a little longer at-times, loads arm with a long arm swing to a predominantly ¾ slot, 76 mph across the infield. Approached ball with short, choppy steps, funnels in to center, quick on some exchanges. On the mound, long, circular arm action to a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, high leg kick, sits on back leg and leads with hip, works on-line finishing square. Fastball showed run at 74-76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 67-71. Changeup flashed sink, 67-79.

Jack Messmore C / RHP / Niceville, FL / 2022

One of the more impressive two-way players in attendance. Defensively, he stood out. While he does have some stiffness in the setup, that should naturally improve with maturity. He has athleticism behind the plate, above average footwork, transfer and arm, topping at 73 mph and pop times ranging in the 1.97-2.07 range. As he gets more comfortable behind the plate and continues to add strength and flexibility, he has a chance to be an above average defender. Really stood out offensively though. The left-handed hitting catcher has a bit of an ankle roll load to small leg kick. The small leg kick helped him stay through the ball, but all around has loose wrists and worked to extension well. Swing played in the game where he hit a double. On the mound, stretch-only, arm is short to a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, keeps momentum on-line towards home, finishing athletically. Fastball sat 79-81, touched 83, flashed cut. Curveball, 11/5 shape, feel for, 64-66.

Grant Norris 2B / RHP / Pensacola Catholic, FL / 2023

Stands at 5-foot-1, 100 pounds ran an 8.46 60 yard dash. Topped at 65 mph across the infield and all tools have a lot of room to grow with maturity and strength. Offensively, he starts slightly open and uses a toe-tap load. There is some steepness in the path, but found the barrel. Still has a lot of room to mature and add strength. On the mound, stretch-only, short arm action, high ¾ slot, good balance, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery. Fastball sat 61-63. Curveball played 53-54. Changeup, mostly straight, 55-56.

Nathan Tiller OF / LHP / Niceville, FL / 2021

6-foot, 165-pound left-handed pitcher and outfielder, long frame. An a 7.55 laser-timed 60. Offensively, from the left-side, open setup, leg kick timing trigger, hands load up, remains balanced throughout. Gap-to-gap type hitter, showed some power to the pull-side, barrel works mostly level with some uphill tendencies, 73 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball with fluid footwork, arm played long from a mostly over-the-top slot, 71 mph. On the mound, long arm action, stab on back-side, uses two different slots, one from a high ¾ window in addition to dropping down to a sidearm release. Fastball sat 67-69, touch 70 from higher slot, came in at 66 from the side. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, 59-61. Changeup, mostly straight, 59-61.

Maddox White OF / RHP / Orange Beach , AL / 2023

5-foot-5, 115-pound two-way prospect,, still physically maturing, ran an 8.61 laser-timed 60. Offensively, narrow, open setup, starts front leg rotated inwards, leg kick timing-trigger. Showed a line drive type approach, as he matures will develop more barrel control, 67 mph exit velocity. Defensively worked out in infield and outfield, used a similar long arm action in both, high ¾ to over-the-top slot, 65 mph from both. Showed solid glove work and feel around the ball. On the mound, short circular arm action, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, finishes square. Fastball sat 62-64 with some run. Changeup, straight, 59-61.