Fall Underclass Trials: Preview

November 4, 2020
Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

On Saturday, Nov. 7, PBR Georgia will host its first showcase of the fall at LakePoint Sports with the second annual Fall Underclass Trials, an event open to all prospects representing the graduating classes 2023 to 2024. There are approximately 60 prospects slated to attend already, and registration is still open. You can register for a spot still by clicking here.

This open showcase will provide prospects in the state a platform to perform in front of our staff to earn invitations to future invitation-only events, like the PBR Future Games, the Super 60 Pro Showcase, as well as summer events like the Top Prospect Games and the Underclass Games.

This event is the first in a series of events used to identify talent for the 2021 PBR Future Games. Last year’s event produced four prospects who went on to be selected to play in the 2020 PBR Future Games: Kennesaw State commit OF/RHP Matthew Hoskins (Peachtree Ridge, 2022), C Luca Perriello (Greenbrier, 2024), C Jonathan Vigoa (Rome, 2022), and Oklahoma State commit RHP Manning West (Apalachee, 2022).

While we’re looking forward to meeting and evaluating talent in the state we’ve not yet seen, we’re also looking forward to reviewing a few of Georgia’s best and brightest who have already landed on our radars.

We start with the lone committed prospect attending the event, future Georgia Bulldog 3B/RHP Jax Phillips (East Cobb Baseball Academy, 2024). Phillips was one of the first 2024s in the state to commit and for good reason. A lean, projectable 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitter, Phillips has a frame that you can dream on. As he continues to mature and fill out, the power potential in his bat is what is truly intriguing. On the mound, he continues to see upticks in velocity, presently running his fastball up to 85. The potential for his use as a two-way player makes Phillips a high follow and a name to remember nationally for the next few years.

Two high upside arms that will be in attendance Saturday are 1B/RHP Alex Karst (Campbell, 2023) and RHP/1B Trevor Booton (LaGrange, 2023). Karst stands an imposing 6-foot-7, 205-pounds with a lot of room to fill out his frame. Last time we saw Karst, at the Underclass Games in June, he sat 80-82 with a near 2400 rpm spin rate. We suspect that the velo is nowhere near close to being a finished product. Booton is highly intriguing with a lean, lanky 6-foot-4, 175-pound frame. He has a short, clean arm action, consistently getting out front on-time and works with an athletic delivery. When we saw him at the Georgia Dugout Club Top 100 in June he sat 83-84. The velo will keep climbing, but it is his slider that is a real game changer. The pitch has late action and profiles as a potential swing and miss pitch.

Moving on to some of the position players that will be in attendance. We start with SS/RHP Dominick Scalese (Wesleyan, 2023). Scalese has been on radar for some time now and continues to trend upwards. A lean, athletically built prospect, he has a big, quick twitch arm that is capable of putting up gaudy numbers across the diamond and from the outfield. That arm strength also translates to the mound where he can sit in the mid 80s. At the plate, he shows a smooth, gap-to-gap type swing that will continue to improve as he adds strength to his frame.

SS Tyshon Patty (Mountain View, 2023) really impressed our staff all summer and fall at LakePoint. An athletic, quick twitch right-handed hitter, he has a smooth, explosive swing. From what we have seen of Patty, he has a gap-to-gap type swing with real power to the pull-side.

Thomas County Central utility player Reid Harvey (2023) is a do it all type prospect. At the plate, he has a gap-to-gap approach with a quick, whip-like barrel that has an uphill path through the zone. Harvery has also shown the ability to do damage to the pull-side. Defensively, Harvey has the ability to play nearly anywhere on the infield. Equipped with a big arm, he can handle playing third base or a corner outfield position. At 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, Harvey continues to add muscle to his frame and it shows in his overall game.

Lastly, there is SS JD Rediger (River Ridge, 2023) who we had a chance to see multiple times this fall. Rediger is an athletically built middle infielder with quick, smooth actions defensively. Offensively, he is a line drive hitter who has much more to come as he continues to mature.

To view the entire roster click here.

ITINERARY

Check-in for Position Players: 8:20 to 8:40 a.m.
- 60-yard dash
- Offensive Evaluations (exit velo, mechanical analysis, batting practice, TrackMan, Blast)
- Defensive Evaluations (arm strength, mobility, positional reps)
Check-in for Pitchers only: 8:20 to 8:40 a.m.
- Bullpen Sessions (15-pitch session, mechanical analysis, TrackMan)
- Catcher Evaluations (evaluating receiving/blocking skills)
Catchers will stay for both sessions.