By Chris Fuller and PBR Kentucky Staff

More than 70 players convened at Bellarmine University on July 15 for the Kentucky College Prospect Showcase.  The following is a look at the group of first basemen who participated in the event.  Among the group, Ryan Ward recorded the top infield velocity at 77 mph while narrowly missing the top 60 time of the group at 7.20. Bryce Spalding recorded the highest exit velocity of the group at 88 mph, and Brady Schmidt recorded the top 60 time at 7.19.

Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Cody Clark, 1B, R/R, Marshall County HS, 2016
6-foot-3, 240 pound prospect shows some softness in hands defensively, reached a top velocity of 74 mph across the infield.  At the plate, hits from an open stance and squares front side with a short stride, showed improvement from previous event in not getting to front side early, consistently barreled the baseball in his round of batting practice with some gap power, showed some improvement in running 7.96 60 yard dash, 87 mph tee exit velocity (89 at previous event).

Drew Clark, LHP/1B, L/L, Butler County HS, 2016
6-foot-2, 190 pound prospect showed average hands and feet defensively, reached a top velocity of 73 mph across the infield.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, has a long and level swing path, line drive type hitter with gap to gap approach, ran 7.75 60 yard dash, showed some bat speed with 84 mph tee exit velocity.

Sam Clinard, 1B/LHP, L/R, DuPont Manual HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 155 pound prospect shows average first base actions and feet around the bag, loose arm across the infield with a top velocity of 71 mph.  At the plate, hits from an open stance and squares front side with a short stride, has a level swing path, line drive type hitter, some involvement of lower half in swing, offensive game will benefit from added strength to frame, ran 7.95 60 yard dash, 80 mph tee exit velocity.

Chase Collins, 1B/OF/LHP, R/L, St. Xavier HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 140 pound prospect, hands play at first base and shows decent movement around the bag, reached a top infield velocity of 67 mph across the diamond.  As an outfielder, plays through the ball, uses long arm action through over the top arm slot, reached a top velocity of 70 mph, should continue to develop arm strength.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup, loads back with front foot, line drive type hitter, good extension through contact, ran 7.76 60 yard dash, 72 mph exit velocity, should continue to make strides in overall game with added strength to frame.

Joey Collins, 1B, R/R, New Albany HS, 2015
6-foot, 185-pound prospect shows soft hands defensively and decent feet around the bag, reached a top velocity of 73 mph across the infield.  At the plate, hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, line drive type hitter who flashes occasional gap power, ran 7.71 60 yard dash and registered a tee exit velocity of 82 mph.

Brady Schmidt, 1B, S/R, Atherton HS, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect with athletic frame, shows soft hands defensively with quick and fluid footwork around the first base bag, reached a top velocity of 71 mph across the infield. At the plate, the switch-hitter had a slightly better round from the right side, hits from a slightly closed stance from the right side with a wide base and minimal stride, line drive type hitter.  From the left side, hits from a wide base with minimal stride, level swing path, ran 7.19 60 yard dash, showed similar bat speed from both sides of the plate with 80 mph exit velocity from the left side and 79 mph from the right side.

Bryce Spalding, 1B/OF, R/R, Greenwood HS, 2015
6-foot-3, 220-pound prospect has participated as both a 1B and OF at events this summer, appears more comfortable at 1B, shows average hands with decent footwork around the bag, reached a top velocity of 72 mph across the infield, also showed improved arm strength from the OF at 82 mph.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, line drive type hitter with occasional flashes of gap to gap power, generates some bat speed with strong frame, ran 7.82 60 yard dash, showed an increase in tee exit velocity at 88 mph (85 at previous event).

Ryan Ward, 1B, R/R, Conner HS, 2015
6-foot-2, 220 pound prospect shows good athleticism for size, hands play defensively and shows good feet around the bag, reached a top velocity of 77 mph across the infield.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, creates lift in his swing with some pull power, hit long home run to left field in his round of batting practice, ran 7.20 60 yard dash, 85 mph tee exit velocity.