Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

PBR 17U National Championship - The Arsenal of Arms

July 25, 2023
Justin Goetz
Assistant Scouting Director

With college programs being able to recruit 2024’s with no restrictions on contact, they showed up by the dozen at the 17U National Championship. There has been some serious movement by colleges throughout the tournament, with multiple players committing to power 5’s and mid-majors alike before it’s even ended. I can all but guarantee you that each of the 5 uncommitted players in this article will have a D1 home by the end of the year. But the committed players below are just as exciting, as this article is a blog of my personal favorites I scouted during the event. While many other players deserve to be on this list, these are the 10 that left the biggest impression on me both in performance and long term outlook.

Brendan Ealy RHP, 2024, Rawlings Tigers Black (Center Grove, IN)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 170 pounds. Ealy was one of the most unique talents in all of the 17U National Championship, but his circumstances as an overall prospect are just as interesting. Coming into the tournament he viewed himself mostly as a position player, and rightfully so as a plus runner (6.68 60 yd) with a cannon (94 OF) for an arm and standout defense in CF. He threw a total of ONE inning as a RHP this spring. But when he stepped on the hill at LakePoint, the scoreboard began to light up with velo and rarely seen spin rates from the 2,500 to 3,000 RPM range. No, it wasn’t just a nasty breaking ball. Brendan was throwing 2 pitches with near top of the scale spin numbers, his FB and SL. His riding FB worked in the 2.4k - 2.5k range and reached even higher on several occasions! If that seems tough to barrel, you would’ve been even more shocked by his wiffle ball SL that worked regularly at 2.8k almost reaching the rare company of pitchers with a 3k breaking ball (T2971). The combo of both is a double-edged sword. His ability to the the SL for strikes in any count made his FB impossible to sit on, and the insane ride from the spin on his heater separated from his SL so well that all hitting approaches went out the window. While he lacks experience on the mound, I only see that as a positive with his elite athleticism. The ceiling is endless, arm is as fresh as it gets (low mileage), and he’s a strike thrower with a naturally well sequenced delivery. His clean, fluid arm action and consistent direction (smooth, well timed up+down+out phases) are a good example of what position players who are plus athletes can do when given a shot on the mound. This is a perfect fit for D1 programs that will 1. Let him keep his natural delivery+arm action while making minor mechanical tweaks over time without overloading him with info. 2. Expanding his ability to read and attack hitters, which he already has feel for. 3. Get him regular INN year 1, allowing him to go through the ups & downs of success and failure. Ealy is a player I’ll bet on 10 out of 10 times as a mound talent!


Logan Grubb LHP, 2024, Commonwealth Xpress (Anderson County, KY)
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 160 pounds. This animal of arm speed was one of the biggest draws in 17U Natty, and it’s easy to see why. The athleticism in the delivery is very high level and checks every box. He controls the body at a lighter weight, is balanced+weightless over the rubber, has plus ease of operation with very good posture overall as he works down the mound. Grubb’s gradual increase in pace and timing of when to release the front hip creates an effortless momentum in the stride phase as he moves down the hill with gravity. This allows him to hold his upper half with the backside as he the lower half begins to create distance+move faster, giving this young lefty some serious slingshot effect despite being far from his physical ceiling. His front hip leads the stride and keeps the stride knee+foot connected, allowing him to land in essentially the same position his leg is in during stride phase. It allows his front knee to hold firm and the foot to just “catch” his landing. The lead leg block is still developing and will become more pronounced as he gets stronger, increasing velocity. Logan’s slight crossfire landing and closed foot allow it to rotate more violently and for a longer period until release. While not every player moves at the same pace for controlled violence post landing, Grubb moves conducive to some of the games hardest throwers. When you combine his sequencing, connection, and effortless momentum with rare fast twitch and nasty angle, you get a FB with a nearly endless ceiling that gets endless whiffs. Not only does the angle play the heater up tremendously, but he hides the ball well and has zero fear attacking RHH hands. Despite working in the upper 80’s the pitch was getting more whiffs than most low-mid 90’s HS FB’s in the ‘24 class. While he didnt have a consistent feel of his CB in the outing, it won't take much for him to repeat it like he does his FB. The pitch was high spin and flashed sharp action, he was just drifting and likely trying too hard to throw the best CB of all time instead of just trusting the muscle memory. I feel Grubb can easily be a starter in college (especially due to current FB control), and it shouldn’t be too tough for this high level athlete to control the CB and CH. He won’t need them too often, as he’s going to be able to get through a lineup twice throwing a majority of FB’s. The consistency will come as he adds more lean strength.
JK McKnight LHP, 2024, Louisville Legends (Boyd County, KY)
Morehead State Commit. 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. It would be nearly impossible to decide on who my favorite arm was from this electric tournament. But as far as my safest bet to be a starter long term in college and beyond, McKnight is the guy without a doubt. When you look through the deliveries of MLB starters throughout the league, the percentage of them that aren’t at least A/AVG is very low. JK’s is already plus, and it is the foundation to his ability to control the zone and maintain consistent pitch life. The obvious improvement in his delivery since Future Games is a testament to his hard work off the field and passion to be great on the mound. His improvements have led to his true stuff shining on the big stage at LakePoint, and his 4.1 INN, 1 H, 6 K performance is the proof. He worked in & out, up & down with the FB, making himself difficult to predict. The CB was thrown in any count, and consistently controlled to both edges. He showed fiery competitiveness throughout the outing, not giving an inch to any hitter. Although I didn’t see any CH, there are no concerns about his ability to develop one and I’m sure he’s already working on that. The hard work and huge improvement on his delivery since Future Games is unreal, as it has gone from raw to MLB quality. This is an ode to his aptitude and athleticism.  I believe this is a player with a significant chance to be a priority (SP) draft arm out of college.
 Delivery Breakdown - McKnight is very efficient in his movements and it begins with the offset windup and subtle side step that square him up to the plate easily. His glove and lift knee work in perfect rhythm as he coils into peak leg lift, ensuring the hands will break on time so that the arm action is working at the same pace of his stride. As you see in the tweet below, his hips uncoil first as the torso is still coiled to the back hip which builds up torque for more violent rotation at landing. But most importantly, he holds that torso coil (to back hip) until late in stride when his leg swings into line and the front hip begins clearing to prepare for landing. This puts his chest+shoulders+front elbow (in vertical line with balls of feet) in a perfect line to the plate just before/at landing and allows his arm action and hand to time up perfectly. The combo of ideal timing/rotation (of uncoiling torso) and clean elbow lift and impeccable elbow spiral are the 2 main reasons he is 100% spin efficient, and his FB spin is well A/AVG. It allows the pointer & ring finger to stay directly behind the ball and come off the fingers at the exact same time. If JK were to uncoil early or late (chest+shoulders+lead arm open/closed at landing), the ball would come off either pointer finger dominant or ring finger dominant and wouldn’t leave the finger tips at the same time, creating inefficient/less spin. He compacts down the hill very well and his ability to hold the hip hinge allows him to direct his momentum into a developing lead leg block. As his legs get stronger and he can begin to the block slightly earlier (during arm spiral), the velo will jump even more and take extra pressure off his arm.

Enoch Martinez-Velasquez RHP, 2024, USG Arsenal (Elev8 Academy, FL via OAX, MX)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 200 pounds. Although he could be considered undersized, this is a stocky and strong frame that I feel will hold up well over time. I didn’t see anyone pitching with more consistency or a better plan than Enoch. Although the delivery is unorthodox, it checks off all the pitching absolutes and he produces very good rhythm. He repeats at a high level with an ideal build of pace, advanced sequence and timing overall. It’s an intimidating drop & drive delivery due it’s intensity, compactness, and ability to create such an incredible amount of momentum through up+down+out phases that his violent lead leg block makes it look like he is jumping at hitters. His elbow lift and spiral are very clean despite the unique delivery and his scap load is the equivalent to loading a cannon. There is no hesitation in him on the mound, as he is coming at you with his best stuff each pitch with no fear regardless of who he is facing. Regardless of count, he will not let up on hitters and I saw a lot of them fold mid AB when they realized he’s going to attack with his best stuff regardless of count. With such an aggressive delivery, you would expect Martinez to be a bit wild overall and be more of a risk to walk hitters. That couldn’t be further from the truth. This is a player with real pitchability. Both sides hitters have to protect against his FB or risk a broken bat. The heater bores hard out of hand on RHH, and seems to sprint away from LHH. The pitch had 16-18 HZB often (plate is 17 inches wide), making it a nightmare to time up. He locates it well to both edges and likes to climb it above the hitter's hands as well. What truly separated him was the nasty SLV with by far the best control and some of the most consistent shape I saw of any breaking ball in the tournament. Its combo of a big sweep and 2 plane snap got a freeze or whiff every pitch I saw in my 2 INN look, and he did not throw a single one of them outside the zone without getting a swing. Enoch is a native of Oaxaca, Mexico and is eligible for the International Signing Period until December 15th of this year. If he doesn’t get what he needs to begin his career, he will focus on dominating on the mound at a college in the states. I have already spoken with multiple Power 5’s are interested in him should he decide to go that route. While the ceiling isn’t huge, I feel the floor is pretty safe and he reminds me of a young Erasmo Ramirez. They are similar builds, and I feel Martinez-Velasquez can have A/AVG command of his FB/SLV in the future like Erasmo and will be able to throw multiple variations of both. I think he’s got a real chance to succeed as a #6 or #7.
Liam Roche LHP, 2024, Mac N Seitz (Shawnee Mission South, KS)
Iowa Commit. 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. Every time I see a player is committed to Iowa at LakePoint, I immediately make them a target to scout. Roche is another high powered arm in a line of big time talent that the Hawkeyes continue to produce on a regular basis. This is a large frame with a strong lower half who I see eventually at 6’1” 225-230. He has the frame to put on much more strength, and the arm speed has already well arrived at his current build. Roche is a fearless competitor who attacks the bottom of the zone with his steep, late tailing heater that surely qualifies as a SNK for me. Hitters either beat it into the ground or wanted no part of it entirely. I have no doubts it will be able to work in the mid 90’s in the future and has the chance to be dominant down in the zone, whether as a starter or reliever. His sweeping CB has some serious downward tilt and although he didn’t throw it often after the first 2 INN, it has the best potential to be a plus pitch of any other lefty breaking ball I saw in the tourney. He threw 1-2 others that I missed on film that had easy MLB avg life and stood out among all others in terms of sudden bite and overall depth. I actually like the slower build of pace in his delivery, and he has a nice feel for building power in it as he works down the mound. A good adjustment to see from him will be for him to stack his upper half a bit later in the delivery (after his front hip releases and he’s underway to the plate in stride), which will allow him to use all of his ground force. Currently, he tilts the shoulders/stacks upper half over the rubber just before he starts working to the plate, causing him to jump to the front side by landing and waste a good bit of his power and connection. This puts more pressure on his arm and causes the arm to have to speed up, which is the reason for the sporadic command and FB getting away from him up in the zone at times. When scouting amateur players, it’s important to know that every one of them have things to improve on and just one small fix can rapidly improve their game to the next level. Overall, I feel that Roche is going to be a big name in college baseball and conversations of each MLB scouting staff for the years to come.
Kian Vorster RHP, 2024, Vipers National (South Oldham, KY)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. Despite the majority of baseball industry ignoring the facts of endless 6 foot & under starting pitchers who are MLB stars (Strider, Urias , Stroman, Sonny Gray, McClanahan, Framber, Nestor Cortes), the next crop of “undersized” arms are on the grind trying to prove themselves just like Drey Jameson & Cade Kuehler did to become recent top Rd picks. Evaluating, developing, and representing a few undersized arms of my own that are currently MLB starters (Reese Olson, Xzavion Curry), I know what they look like in HS before being finished products. My eyes and gut tell me Kian Vorster will be one of them. A native of South Africa who is fluent in 2 languages (Afrikaans, English), Kian is more well traveled than most and has lived in multiple US states. This will make adjustment to college/pro baseball easy. As far as his on field talent, the fast twitch fibers are on another level, and even ahead of some of the names mentioned above at the same stage. Not only does he have a plus delivery on another level of explosiveness, but his FB metrics are of the same quality or better in multiple categories. His top of zone VAA is right below Joe Ryan levels, who many metric madmen know as the king. His 20-23 range of IVB is plus, and his spin rates work in the 2300’s which is A/AVG MLB. His clean (mid depth) shorter circle arm action is so well connected to his largest muscles on the backside, and he really hides the ball. He has one of the best lead leg blocks I’ve seen in a HS, which will be a big key to his steady climb in velo. Despite being just a tick above 175 lbs, there is plenty of present strength and a strong lower half. I can see him easily holding 190-195 in the future and that’s the point he will become a powerhouse of velocity. The CB has real potential to be an A/AVG pitch especially because his rare FB will play it up (he threw multiple that were better than in video). Although I didn’t see the CH, I hear good things about that is well. What he doesn’t have in height, he makes up for with very good balance, timing, coordination, and athleticism. The taller a pitcher is, the harder it is to repeat their delivery especially when fatigue sets in. I love the late effort in his delivery and have no questions about his frame or stuff in terms of being a starter in the future. He has plenty of control for his age and is in the stage of trying to maximize velo/stuff while throwing strikes. This is the proper way to build, as it’s impossible to throw strikes with your best stuff if you don’t practice it from a young age. Stuff is king, and Kian is going to have one of the best FB/CB combos in college baseball. He has the combo of fast twitch fibers and advanced delivery that will allow him to undoubtedly sit in the mid 90’s one day and grab more when he needs it. This is a no doubt future pro prospect, and it could be as early as next July.  
Gaven Smith LHP, 2024, Game On Baseball (Lee County, GA)
Georgia Southern Commit. 6-foot-5, 170 pounds. As many of our regular readers know, I am one of the biggest supporters of this Lee County future legend. But his story in Deep South GA is far from over with, as he has another spring to make a jump in stuff after already dominating last spring. He has the ability to work deep into starts due to his clean, effortless delivery that he repeats an an extremely high level for his current height. It lends him well advanced control of the FB and CB. His low spin FB is highly effective low in the zone due to heavy sink & tail, and he has identical feel with it arm side and glove side due to an repeating his direction (line to the plate) so well. But due a lengthy stride and big extension, his FB is playing nearly as well up in the zone. He’s effective to all edges. This was the best strike thrower we had at ‘22 Future Games, and that natural ability will only get better and better as he finally stops growing. I don’t think that will be anytime soon though, as his dad is at least a couple inches taller than him. He’s long been the highest ceiling arm in the class for me, and the velocity continues on a healthy, steady climb. He was 83-86 T87 at Future Games last year, and a year later is now sitting at his former top T89. The low 90’s are so close I can smell it, but that’s not where the velo ceiling will end. The SLV/Sweeping CB is highly intriguing, and his feel to spin has 5x’d since last summer. It’s gone from minimal break, to a 69-72 two planer, to now a much sharper 71-74 with just as much sweep as depth. The best part? He’s been throwing it for strikes the whole time. He’s continuing to develop a mid-upper 70’s CH that I have no doubt will be of similar quality to the CB as he uses it more, judging by his ability to pronate. Gaven continues to make it look easy on the bump, and he’s only scratching the surface.


Brennen Grams RHP, 2024, ISA Royal (Kimberly, WI)
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Commit. 5-foot-11, 175 pounds.
This was easily one of my favorite performances to watch at the PBR 17U National Championship. Another electric arm I loved in this tourney that will be considered undersized, and that comes with a whole bag of chips on his shoulder. Grams tied the bump with the unquestioned belief that no one is going to touch him on the mound. You could put Mike Trout in there, and this SIUE commit has zero doubts he can K him up. This is the type of athlete that can manifest success into existence, just by the incredible belief he has in himself. But what I love about him most is the edge he has to him. His approach to pitching is to punch hitters in the mouth until they quit. His FB plays well up in the zone with A/AVG IVB numbers, and a nice movement profile averaging 15 IVB (T17) 13 HZB (T14). His lower release height of 5 ft and very minimal extension  creates not only some carry up on the zone but some real steepness down in the zone. While he doesn’t get a huge amount of whiffs, I didn’t see anyone barrel his FB. He got ahead with it on foul backs & takes consistently, and once Grams gets ahead in the count on you it’s over. His unique SL looks identical to his FB out of hand, only to snap off the table with two plane depth and sharply cut/dart to the glove side just when hitters think they have a shot to make contact. But the truth is, they have no shot. He can tunnel it off his top of zone FB consistently, and can bury it with ease off his steep bottom of zone FB. The pitch is on an ideal trajectory to being a mid 80’s or better hammer as far as velocity, and hard bite. He also has a CB in the low 70’s to throw hitters off balance, and his ability to pronate leads me to believe the CH will soon be serviceable in college. I feel he can have immediate success in college with the FB/SL combo and as he learns to command the heater and develops the CH for LHH can become a serious impact starter at the D1 level. This twitchy athlete sure has more velocity on the way. With his elite on field makeup, I would put nothing past him as far as his ability to reach his goals.  


KJ Wood CF, 2023, USA Prime Midsouth (Watertown, TN)
Central Alabama CC, 5-foot-6, 140 pounds.
This was without a doubt my favorite position player in the tournament. His speed, hustle, and instincts impact every facet of the game on a consistent basis. KJ plays opposing teams like a fiddle and it starts at the plate. As a near top of scale runner with run times that rival the MLB’s best, he’s a huge threat to bunt. Wood can lay them down with accuracy to either line or past the pitcher to either side for auto hits. He may not have the cleanest swing, but his quick hands and exceptional bat 2 ball skills allow him to make consistent contact vs quality arms. What I like most about him offensively other than the bunting is that he will draw walks and have long AB’s. This is a guy you cannot let get on 1st base. Once you do, he’s automatically stealing 2B and 3B no matter who your catcher is. I’d put my money on him swiping 2nd every time against the best catch & throw C’s in the age group. It’s not just his raw speed, but incredible reaction time that allows him to get elite jumps on pitchers. Despite being only 5’6, he has the strides of someone much taller and covers ground in a flash. He may not have quite the long speed of Kyle Henley or Isaiah Drake, but he accelerates to top speed better than any HS runner I have seen. Wood has run a 6.33 on a track, but is more of a high 6.4’s runner currently that plays up due to his incredible reaction time, form, and acceleration. Being that each base is only 90 ft away (30 yards), I think this is the best pure base stealer I’ve seen at the HS level in a very long time. He stole 7 bases in the 2 games I scouted him. Being that KJ has much more strength he can put into his frame in JuCo, I think he can get much faster and more explosive. While I don’t think the bat will ever be able to have an impact at the MLB level, I truly do feel that this could be the 2nd coming of legendary pinch runner Terrance Gore (who also took the JuCo route). A base stealing artist and defensive replacement who can get down a bunt on command. Wood is certainly in an elite class of speed before reaching his physical ceiling, and Gore’s fastest 60 was a 6.32. He’s not as fast as Gore yet, but is turning in 80 run times on the basepaths and the weight room in college while get him to that next level. They have that same ability to read pitchers, similar reaction time, and ability to accelerate to top speed in a flash. I got to watch Gore’s electric play in HS and the FL panhandle in college, and feel Wood has the same ability to chase down balls in CF. The instincts, routes and range are ridiculous, as he can camp under balls that almost every other CF his age would never have a shot at. While he doesn’t bunt as well as Terrance did at the same age, he’s not far off. I will be tracking KJ’s success closely at Central Alabama CC and feel he will be an immediate weapon there in all facets. He is the most exciting player to watch I’ve seen all summer.


Jackson Kornylo RHP, 2024, Canes Canada (Donald A. Wilson, ON)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-5, 198 pounds.
As far as projecting on velocity goes, this is one of the easiest bets for future plus FB velo you’ll find. A rangy/gangly 6’5” with a combo of easy operation and surprising intent, this is was one of the most exciting ceilings I’ve scouted this summer. His unique crossfire delivery and classic loose as can be garden hose arm action create some nasty angle and life in his arsenal. His FB is ridiculously heavy, and is going to be a nightmare for hitters each summer as he is going to break dozens of wood bats and cost a lot of parents a lot of money. But it’s not just heavy, the edge to edge (home plate is 17 inches wide) run on the pitch (T19 HZB) is about is live as you’ll see in an arm his age. He moves the pitch in & out with ease depending on if he’s facing a RHH or LHH. His taller posture adds even more steepness to the bowling ball of a pitch, and plays up his SL. The SL is a gyro type that seems to spin in place for a majority of its flight with a late, subtle sweep+depth. The gyro shape of the pitch resists gravity and makes it tough to track for hitters. They are expecting an earlier break, but it spins longer and resists gravity without breaking so hitters end up swinging over or under it. While I didn’t get enough of a look to go in depth on Kornylo, D1’s from across the country will be glued onto him for his Future Games outing. Regardless of him being a starter or reliever, that SNK/SL combo is going to play for a long time in this game.

Related Content