Underclass Games: Middle Infielder 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.

Our positional breakdown continues with a look at the prospects who worked in the middle infield. Leading th way is 2020 PBR Future Games participant and now Georgia southern commit Tyler Triche (North Forysth, 2022). Triche impressed with his easy gap-to-gap approach at the plate and advanced feel for the barrel. He has more than enough arm strength, 88 across the infield, and athleticism defensively to stick on the left-side at the next level.

Following Triche is the physical left-handed hitter Tyler Presnell (Cherokee, 2022). Presenell has an easy effort swing that works gap-to-gap. He also showed, when he wanted to, he could turn on a pitch and elevate the ball with force to the pull-side, registering a 90 mph exit velocity off the tee. A member of Team Georgia at the 2019 PBR Future Games, Taylor Shultz (Allatoona, 2022) continues to fill out his athletic frame. A savvy defender, he has quick, confident hands. At the plate, Shultz works the entire field with a line drive swing.

Two-way prospect Kayne Jinks (Franklin County, 2022) follows in our top-5. Jinks has a strong build that will only get more physical and add more to power to his entire game. The right-handed hitter posted one of the top exit velocities from a tee at 93 and followed it up by topping out at 88 across the infield. Rounding out our top-5 is Ashton Odak (Denmark, 2023). Odak has barely scratched the surface of his lean, high-waisted frame, but has already shown natural strength. He has quick hands and early rhythm at the plate, look to pull the ball and do damage. As he adds strength to his frame, the swing will play with considerable force.

Top Middle Infield Prospects

Tyler Triche, INF/RHP, North Forsyth, 2022
Georgia Southern commit. 6-foot-1, 182-pound right-handed hitting infielder and right-handed pitcher, proportional frame, strength throughout, athletic build, ran a 7.15 laser-timed 60, one of the top pure hitters in Georgia’s Class of 2022. Offensively, open setup, smooth rhythm in hands, loads hands back, gets them started early with forward momentum on stride, great balance through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter, easy effort, advanced barrel control, has the ability to drive the ball up the middle and spray line drives to all fields, 87 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works long and loose with quick arm speed, utilizes multiple arm slots to get the ball out quickly, 88 across the infield. Athletic defender, plats through the ball with fluid footwork and confident hands, soft glove-hand, maintains good body control while making plays on the run. On the mound, arm works clean and loose through a ¾ slot, accelerates quickly out front. Drop and drive delivery, works on-lin, lands square, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 81-83, touched 84, armside run. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, some bite, 72-73. Changeup, 75-76, fade action.

Tyler Presnell, INF, Cherokee, 2022
5-foot-11, 190-pound left-handed hitting infielder, strong, athletic frame, projects to add much more strength and fill out considerably, ran a 7.25 laser-timed 60. Offensively, keeps it simple, balanced setup, short hand load couple with a short stride, great balanced through finish, stays under control. Easy effort gap-to-gap swing, when he wanted to could turn on the ball and elevate with force, mostly level barrel path, present bat speed, quick hands, 90 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, clean, loose arm, easy effort to a ¾ slot, 84 across the infield. Fields position athletically, keeps glove hand out front, clean on transfers and with footwork, competent glove hand on back hands, good body control on the move.

Taylor Shultz, MIF, Allatoona, 2022
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitting, athletically built, some quick twitch muscle, ran a 7.12 laser-timed 60. At the plate, tall, open setup, hands load back quickly into a near arm bar, long stride to a balanced position through contact. Line drive type swing, uses the entire field, lets the ball travel, advanced barrel control, 85 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, loose arm, quick arm speed, utilizes multiple arm slots effectively, accurate across the diamond at 82. Advanced defender, quick, smooth action, plays through the ball athletically, soft glove hand, gets rid of the ball quickly on transfers, clean, confident footwork.

Kayne Jinks, MIF/RHP, Franklin County, 2022
6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed two-way prospect, strong build that will only continue to fill out as he matures, ran a 7.60 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, high hands load back into an arm bar, short stride, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, generates hard contact, flashed the ability to hit for power to the pull-side, barrel path works uphill through the zone as he looks to put the ball in the air, 93 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long, clean arm action, some quickness in arm, high ¾ slot, throws carry across the diamond at 88. Plays through the ball with confident hands, soft glove hand, clean footwork and transfers, given size and strength a move to 3B may be in his future. On the mound, arm plays long and loose, quickly accelerates out front to a high ¾ slot, gets downhill. Drop and drive delivery, controlled tempo, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 84-85, touched 86, sinking action. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, feel for, 70-71. Changeup, 74-75, fade action.

Ashton Odak, SS, Denmark, 2023
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, long, lean frame, high waist, projectable build, ran a 7.30 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, shallow leg kick timing trigger, good balance through finish. Pull-side hitter, early timing, level barrel path through the zone, present bat speed, quick hands sees the ball early, some aggression in swing with easy effort, 84 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, loose arm, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, accurate throws showed carry, 84 across the diamond.  Fields position athletically playing through the ball, at-times fields the ball deep, confident hands, clean on transfers, good range and body control on the move.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Grayson Baldovin, INF, Lassiter, 2023
5-foot-10, 160-pound switch-hitting infielder, lean build, still has plenty of physical development to do, ran a 7.56 laser-timed 60. Offensively, similar setup from both sides of the plate, balanced setup, heel lift stride, hands load back smoothly, good balance through finish. Line drive type hitter, uses the entire field, loose wrists, swing will benefit from added strength to frame, potential to be a gap-to-gap type hitter, 78 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action to a ¾ slot, accurate on throws, 73 across the diamond. A fundamentally sound defender, clean transfers and footwork, good range to both sides, confident in his ability, good body control.

Caleb Brown, MIF, Parkview, 2024
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, advanced frame, long with developing strength throughout, projectable. Offensively, open setup, hands load back smoothly, big leg kick timing trigger, finishes on back-side. Line drive type hitter who will develop into a gap-to-gap type hitter with added strength and reps, barrel works uphill, gains extension, lets the ball travel, 79 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, ultra short arm action to a ¾ slot, 72 across the diamond. Fields position out front and with chest over the ball, funnels into midsection, confident in hands, clean transfers, showed good body control on the move.

Conrad Cason, SS, Greater Atlanta Christian, 2024
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, lanky, lean build, ran a 7.50 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, hands load back, short stride, balanced finish. Line drive type hitter, used middle/opposite field, low effort swing, works level through the zone, 72 average exit velocity via TrackMan during batting practice. Defensively, short arm action, shallow stab, to a low ¾ slot, 75 across the diamond. Stays back on the ball, fields out front, funnels into midsection, clean on transfers.

Garrett DeHart, MIF, Campbell, 2022
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, athletically built, plenty of room to fill out with strength, ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back smoothly bringing the barrel vertical, short stride, good balance throughout, keeps things simple and under control. Line drive type hitter as the barrel works level through the zone, some aggression in swing, uses the entire field, 75 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, some length on the back-side of draw, quick arm speed, utilizes multiple slots effectively. Plays through the ball with active feet, confident glove hand, clean transfers and overall footwork.

Eyon Everett, SS, Redan, 2022
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, athletically built, lanky, lean strength throughout, ran a 7.10 laser-timed 60. At the plate, narrow, balanced setup, leg lift stride, hands load back smoothly, controlled tempo, good balance, at-times finishes on back-side. Line drive type hitter, level barrel path through zone, quick hands stay inside the ball, uses the middle of the field, flashed the ability to elevate and drive gap-to-gap, 85 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short to an over-the-top slot, throws are true and accurate at 79 across the diamond. Fields position athletically with good body control, quick footwork, confident glove hand, funnels into mid section, clean on transfers, ranges well to both sides.

Jacob Fernandez, SS, West Forsyth, 2022
5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed hitting shortstop, proportional frame, lean strength, ran a 7.69 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands load back smoothly, leg kick timing trigger, good balance through finish. Takes a mostly line drive approach middle/pull, at-times elevated the ball to the pull-side with some force, some whip in barrel, gets the most out of his frame, with added strength has the potential to be a gap-to-gap type hitter, 83 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, quick arm to a high ¾ slot, accurate across the infield at 82. Fields position athletically with soft hands, plays through the ball, funnels into midsection, quick on transfers, quick footwork, displayed great body control on plays made on the run.

Spencer Muffuletto, SS, Jackson County, 2023
5-foot-6, 120-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, athletic build with tons of growth still left to do, ran a 7.01 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands load back with controlled tempo, long stride, good balance through finish. Line drive type hitter works gap-to-gap, short barrel path to the zone, level through, some quickness and whip in hands and barrel, 77 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, quick arm action to a low ¾ slot, accurate on throws, 70 across the diamond. Plays through the ball athletically, quick first step, good range to both sides, active feet attack the grounders, clean on transfers, confident hands.

Camden Page, INf/C/RHP, West Hall, 2024
5-foot-9, 180-pound switch-hitting infielder, catcher and right-handed pitcher, strong build, ran a n 8.15 laser-timed 60. At the plate, similar setup from both sides, open with weight loaded onto back-side, hands load back as barrel becomes vertical, finishes on front side carrying momentum through finish out towards the mound. Gap-to-gap type hitter from both sides, barrel works level through the zone, meets the ball out front, 83 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, showed traditional catcher's arm action, short, over-the-top, throws were true, kept throws on the right-side of second, 72 out of the ctouch. On the infield, arm works short from a lower slot, 81 across the diamond, 81 across the infield. Clean actions behind the plate and on the field, instinctive first step, smooth on transfers and with footwork. On the mound, arm plays short with a quick stab on the back-side to a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball, sat 73-75, touched 76, sinking action, Curveball and slider showed similar 11/5 shapes, both pitches played at 64-66. Changeup, fade action, 71-72. 

Jayden Reid, SS/RHP, Westlake, 2023
5-foot-7, 130-pound switch-hitting two-way player, lean build, ran a 7.58 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, low hands load back smoothly, short stride, good balance through finish. Line drive type hitter, athletic hands work to keep the barrel level through the zone, some quickness in swing, 81 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, quick arm to a ¾ slot, 79 across the infield. Fields position with athleticism, good range and body control to both sides, clean on transfers, confident hands. On the mound, arm plays long with a wrist curl on the backs-side to a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes upright crossing over. Fastball sat 79-81, touched 82. Curveball, 68-70, 11/5 shape.

Malcolm Robinson, MIF, Shiloh, 2023
5-foot-9, 180-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, broad shoulders, developing muscle throughout frame, ran a 7.40 laser-timed 60. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, short stride, hands load back, good balance, keeps things simple and under control. Line drive type hitter, some whip in barrel, level through the zone, uses the middle of the field, 77 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action, winds up, high ¾ slot, 67 across the diamond. Fields the ball deep breaking down early to receive, clean on transfers.

Cole Taylor, MIF, Buford, 2023
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder, proportional build with plenty of room to add strength, ran a 7.42 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, cocks hands on load, leg kick timing trigger, high finish on back-side. Middle/pull approach, looks to elevate and drive the ball, aggression in swing, quick hands, 85 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action to an over-the-top slot, throws are true, 78 across the infield. Plays through the ball with confident hands, soft glove, funnels into mid section, clean on transfers.

Nolan Turner, SS/RHP, Chestatee, 2022
5-foot-11, 147-pound right-handed two-way prospect, long, lean frame, ran a 7.48 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, short stride, deep hand load into an arm bar, finishes balanced. Gap-to-gap type hitter, long, level barrel path through the zone, some lift in wing, elevates the ball, 88 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm plays long to a mostly low ¾ slot, 79 across the infield. Fields the ball deep with reactive hands, funnels into midsection, clean transfers, good range with long strides to both sides, clean on transfers. On the mound, long, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, stays tall throughout finishing upright. Fastball sat 77-79, touched 80, armside run. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 64-66. Changeup, 69-70, fade action.

Ace Williamson, SS, Carrollton, 2022
6-foot-1, 168-pound left-handed hitting shortstop, highly athletic, quick twitch, proportional build, ran a 6.83 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands load back smoothly, long stride, finishes with good balance. Line drive type hitter, works middle/pull, barrel path is flat through the zone, inconsistent timing, at-times gains extension through contact, 89 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm plays from a low ¾ slot to side arm angle, throws showed carry at 85 across the infield. Fields position athletically, good range to both sides, competent glove work fields out front funneling into mid section with agile hands, clean on transfers.

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