For PBR Georgia's inaugural event, 30 prospects from around North Georgia descended on River Ridge HS for the 2018 North Georgia Summer Trials.  In the third installment of our event coverage, we take a look at the three attendees who will be setting foot on a high school campus for the first time this fall. This group is just getting started and all have the frame to get bigger and stronger.

Barrett Bocca 1B / RHP / Cherokee Christian, GA / 2022 Bocca has good size at 6-foot-1, 187-pounds and is still growing into his frame. Right-handed hitter has a straight away set-up at the plate and is geared middle-away with his approach. Triggers and finishes with a dominate bottom hand, causing him to pull the bat through the zone at times; a more aggressive top hand will allow him to activate some of his size and leverage. On the mound, Bocca exhibits good balance and direction to the plate, pitching from a high-3/4 slot and showing feel for three pitches. Arm stroke is clean and compact, although he pitches against a low front side. A fastball at 73-74 flashed good downhill angle. His knuckle-curve at 64-66 has good shape and will firm as velocity comes. He already shows feel for landing the pitch. He also has promising feel for a change-up with hand side action. As he learns to use his size and leverage, power and velocity will follow.

 

Andon Lewis 1B / RHP / Calhoun, GA / 2022 Young two-way prospect with good size at 6-foot, 185-pounds. Lewis stands tall at the plate and shows a pull approach with good pull side power. Logged an 86 mph exit velocity with more in the tank as he learns to better incorporate his lower half. On the mound Lewis also stands tall and better incorporation of his lower half would compliment his quality arm speed. He has a solid present fastball for his age at 78-79 and, as he adds strength to his frame, velocity will climb. His curveball has solid shape and 11-4 action. As he learns to finish it, could turn into an out-pitch. As with most young arms, the change-up is his distant third pitch.  Right now he slows his arm significantly and lacks true commitment to the pitch. Overall, he is a promising young arm with good ingredients to develop on the mound.

 

Garrett Pate SS / OF / Harrison, GA / 2022 5-foot-8, 130-pound middle infielder shows promising projection to his overall baseball actions and athletic frame. Offensively, the right-handed hitter sets up with a straight away stance and rocks back with his lower half to load, at times collapsing and losing some leverage. His up the middle approach serves him well and he showed good feel for the Barrel.  Defensively, Pate exhibited soft hands and clean exchanges. His arm strength will improve as he matures, but he already has a quick release and accurate arm. As a runner, Pate showed good strides during his 60, turning in a 7.06 time. With actions already in place, a solid follow who just needs to add natural maturity and strength.

 

2018 North Georgia Summer Trials Analysis