Underclass Games: First Baseman Analysis

On Tuesday, June 2nd, PBR Georgia hosted the second annual Underclass Games for the top 2022-204 prospects. Approximately 110 uncommitted prospects from around the state descended upon LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA for a pro-style workout and simulated game.

We continue our positional breakdown with a look at the first baseman in attendance. 1B Baxley O’Brien (Flowery Branch, 2022) put on an absolute show during batting practice, leaving the yard numerous times, according to TrackMan his furthest hit ball traveled 357 feet over the left field fence and he blasted one with an exit velocity of 97.46 mph. O’Brien has a physical build that will only continue to get stronger at 6-foot-2, 201-pounds.

Following O’Brien is the country strong 1B Andon Lewis (Calhoun, 2022). Lewis possesses an immense amount of raw power in his swing as evidenced by his 97 mph exit velocity off a tee and 97.56 mph peak exit velocity during batting practice. Lewis put his power on full display, hitting one 373 feet during his round. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander continues to improve his athleticism around the base. Finally, there is the lanky, athletic 1B Grey Brannen (Westfield, 2022). Brannen possesses one of the most intriguing frames in the class at 6-foot-6, 205-pounds and continues to add strength with much more to come.

Top First Baseman Prospects

Baxley O’Brien, 1B/3B, Flowery Branch, 2022
6-foot-2, 201-pound right-handed hitting first baseman, muscular build with strength throughout the frame, ran a 7.56 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, hands load back into a near arm bar, reverse toe-tap stride into a balanced position, gets into his legs well, good balance through contact. Power approach to the pull-side, taps into the power of his frame well, aggressive swing works in an uphill path through the zone, 93 exit velocity off a tee. Had one of the more impressive rounds of batting practice with some of the hardest and furthest hit balls of the day. Defensively, long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, accurate on throws from both corners, 82 across the infield. Plays through the ball with fluid footwork and transfers, soft glove hand, capable at both third and first base.

Andon Lewis, 1B, Calhoun, 2022
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting first baseman, broad shoulders, country strong, plenty of room to keep adding to frame, ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, short hand drop on load, short stride, good balance. Aggressive pull-side swing, ball jumps off the bat, elite hand and bat speed, barrel whips through the zone in an uphill path, long ball threat any time he finds the barrel, 97 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, clean arm action to a high ¾ slot, 84 across the infield. Moves well around the bag with quick and fluid footwork, competent hands.

Grey Brannen, 1B, Westfield, 2022
6-foot-6, 205-pound right-handed hitting first base, extra large athletic frame, projectable, long and lean with plenty of room to continue filling out, ran a 7.19 laser-timed 60. Offensively, wide, open setup, short stride, smooth hand load, some barrel wrap, good balance throughout. Keeps it simple, level swing through the zone, used middle/pull, flashed ability to drive and back spin the ball, big power potential in frame, 86 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short to an over-the-top slot, accurate across the infield and turning double plays, 85 across the diamond. Fields first base athletically with quick, smooth footwork, clean on transfer.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Tyler Bayer, RHP/1B, South Forsyth, 2024
6-foot-2, 155-pound right-handed pitcher and switch-hitting first baseman, long, projectable frame, still has a long way to go until he is done growing and filling out with strength. On the mound, arm works clean on the back-side with above average arm speed to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, shoulders remains level, works on-line, lands square, finishes with momentum carrying him down the mound. Fastball, 75-77, touched 78, run action. Changeup, fade and sink, potential out pitch. Curveball, 68-70, 11/5 shape. Offensively, similar setup on both sides, tall with weight loaded on back leg, hands load back deep, long stride, good balance. Level swing from both sides of the plate, predominantly uses the pull-side, loose wrists, flashed pop with much more on the way as he fills out his frame, 77 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, clean arm action to a low ¾ slot, 78 across the infield. Moves well and covers ground with long strides, clean footwork, hands work well, clean on transfers. Ran an 8.54 laser-timed 60.

Alex Karst, 1B/RHP, Campbell, 2023
6-foot-6, 205-pound right-handed hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher, massive frame that carries strength with plenty more on the way, ran an 8.14 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup with an athletic bend in his knees, hands load back into a near arm bar, leg kick timing trigger, finishes on back-side. Takes a power approach at the plate, uphill barrel path through the zone, looks to elevate and drive the ball with backspin, 87 exit velocity off a tee, much more power to come as he adds strength and firms up the frame. Defensively, short arm action to a high ¾ slot, accurate on throws, 79 across the infield. Moves well around the bag given his large frame, smooth footwork and transfers. On the mound, arm works short and clean on the back-side to a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, high front-side, works on-line, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 80-82, flashed run. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, 69-71. Changeup, 72-74, fade and sink.

Carson King, 1B, Buford, 2022
6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitting first baseman, lean, long frame, ran a 7.50 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back into an arm bar, leg lift stride, finishes balanced. Takes a power/pull approach, looks to elevate and drive the ball, some whip in swing, 82 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm plays short to a ¾ slot, 85 across the infield. Attacks the ball, playing through it, clean footwork, transfers are long.

Andrew Nixon, LHP/1B, Buford, 2022
5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed two-way prospect, strong build, ran a 7.58 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, short hand load back, long stride to a wide, balanced position, finishes on back-side. Pull-side swing, short to the zone, level through, quick hands, 85 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, pie arm action to a ¾ slot, 83 across the infield. Attacks the ball, fields deep at times, soft glove-hand, feel for back-hand, clean footwork and transfers. On the mound, arm works long to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes mostly square, occasionally falls off towards third base. Fastball sat 80-81, touched 92. Curveball, 62-63, 11/5 shape. Changeup, 69-71, sinking action.    

Eric Paloski, 1B/RHP, Blessed Trinity, 2022
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, physical frame, ran a 7.97 laser-timed 60. At the plate, starts hands high with weight loaded on back-side, short reverse toe-tap, hands load back into an arm bar, good balance through finish. Gap-to-gap type hitter, long barrel path, works uphill through the zone, 84 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action to a ¾ slot across the diamond, shortened up on double plays, 79 across the diamond. Fields position with a wide base, keeps ball in front, clean footwork and transfers. On the mound, arm works long to a ¾ slot, whippy hand speed. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed, finishes with upper body recoil. Fastball sat 78-79, touched 81. Slider, cutting action, 68-69. Curveball, 12/6 shape. Chageup, fade action, 71-72.

Bryn Peacock, 1B/RHP, Northside, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed two-way prospect, proportional frame, broad shoulders, ran a 7.47 laser-timed 60. At the plate, balanced setup, high hands drop on late, short stride, good balance. Line drive type swing works long to the zone level through, primarily uses middle/pull, 86 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action to a ¾ slot, accurate, 81 across the diamond. Competent hands, keeps the ball in front, fields deep, smooth on transfers. On the mound, arm works long with a full arm swing on the back-side to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 78-79, touched 81 with sink. Changeup, 68-70, sinking action. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 67-68.

Elijah Reece, 1B/RHP, North Hall, 2022
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed two-way prospect, long, lean frame, room to add strength throughout. On the mound, arm works long with a stab on the back-side, accelerates quickly to an over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, long strides down the mound, works on-line, lands open, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 80-82, touching 83 with sink. Changeup, 70-71, sink. Curveball, 64-65, 11/5 shape. Offensively, wide setup, shifts weight from front to back on load as hands load with shift, short stride, good balance. Uses the entire field with an uphill barrel path, generates mostly line drive contact, at-times elevated the ball to the pull-side and drove it, 79 exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.65 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm works long to a ¾ slot, 80 across the infield. Fields the ball out front with competent hands, clean footwork and transfers. 

Andrew Walton, 1B, Lanier, 2022
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting first baseman, physical frame with strength throughout, ran a 7.67 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back into an arm bar, long leg kick timing trigger, finishes over the plate. Takes a power approach at the plate, looks to elevate the ball to the pull-side, flashed the ability to drive the ball with force, 91 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, clean arm action high ¾ slot, 84 across the infield. Clean actions at first base, fields deep, smooth footwork and on transfers.

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