By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The 2016 Top Prospect Games took place on June 14-15 and afforded more than 150 players from around the state the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the PBR Kentucky staff and numerous college coaches in a combination showcase/game play event.

CLICK HERE to view the top statistical performers and statistics for all players in attendance.

The following is an in-depth look at the position players from Team 8 (Gray). Please note that this is position analysis only. Those position players who also participated as a pitcher at the event had their pitching performance featured in a previous article.

Middle Infielders

Cade Byers, SS, Pikeville, 2018
60 Time: 6.96, Position Velocity:  IF-83, Exit Velocity: 84
6-foot-3, 165-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, stays quiet and uses a simple hand load to trigger swing, keeps the barrel in the zone and made hard contact to all fields, really hit well in game play going 3-for-3 with hits to all fields including a triple to left. Showed average hands defensively with good athleticism and range, has solid arm strength across the infield from a long high-3/4 release with accurate throws. Byers has good upside and has potential to develop into a high-level prospect with continued development.

Dylan Penick, 2B, Logan County, 2019
60 Time: 7.95, Position Velocity:  IF-73, Exit Velocity: 79
5-foot-8, 145-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, loads back with a leg kick and gets foot down on time, shows loose hands and a solid swing that produces consistent mid-field contact, went 1-for-4 in game play with a single to CF. Can work through the baseball better at times but shows soft hands and an ability to throw on the move, average arm strength for age across the diamond. Penick will be one to watch from the 2019 class, especially as foot speed improves.

Christian Payton, SS, Jeffersontown, 2019
60 Time: 7.47, Position Velocity:  IF-69, Exit Velocity: 70
5-foot-10, 138-pound RHH hits from an open stance, loads back with front foot and uses a mid-length stride, level swing path, average bat speed with an opposite field approach, will see continued development of offensive game with added physical strength, went 2-for-4 in game play with two singles to RF. Has average hands defensively, can work through the baseball more effectively, short high-3/4 release with developing arm strength. Young player with a solid foundation to build upon.

catchers

Clay Trusty, C, Beechwood, 2019
60 Time: 7.71, Pop Time: 2.02-2.15, Position Velocity:  C-71, Exit Velocity: 81
5-foot-9, 165-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, shorter swing path got a little steep at times on this occasion, line drive type hitter with gap to gap approach, went 0-for-3 in game play with fly ball contact, did register best exit velocity to date. Shows quick feet with a solid release behind the plate, arm strength has been similar at each event he has attended with similar pop times, solid young catcher with a good foundation of catch and throw skills.

Michael Sharp, C, Tates Creek, 2017
60 Time: 7.51, Pop Time: 2.12-2.20, Position Velocity:  C-73, Exit Velocity: 81
5-foot-9, 155-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, slight hand load, line drive type hitter showed mostly opposite field contact, average bat speed, went 1-for-4 with a bloop double to RF. Showed best pop times to date, footwork stays online but has room to get quicker, made accurate throws to the bag. Sharp continues to show some improvement in his overall game.

corner infielders

Lukas Tackett, 3B, Spencer County, 2017
60 Time: 7.77, Position Velocity:  IF-80, Exit Velocity: 87
6-foot, 175-pound RHH improved measurables considerably from previous event. Hits from balanced stance, short stride, long swing path, went 0-for3 in game play. Showed solid hands defensively with enough arm strength to make all the plays at third base, high-3/4 release with accurate throws, has fairly athletic corner actions.

Kaleb Justice, 1B, Logan County, 2018
60 Time: 7.92, Position Velocity:  IF-70, Exit Velocity: 88
6-foot-3, 240-pound LHH hits from balanced stance, short stride, uses strong frame and some hand quickness to generate good bat speed, has potential to hit for power, went 0-for-3 in game play. Moves well around the first base bag with good athleticism for size, hands are soft and made accurate throws. Justice will need to be watched closely as he could develop significant power from the left side of the plate.

Michael Thomason, 3B, Carlisle County, 2018
60 Time: 7.25, Position Velocity:  IF-75, Exit Velocity: 82
5-foot-10, 170-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, minimal load, shows occasional pull side power, uphill path at times, some upper body stiffness, went 0-for-3 in game play. Shows adequate hands defensively, average arm strength from a short high-3/4 release, decent body control and ability to throw on the move.

outfielders

John Ullom, OF, Male, 2018
60 Time: 6.97, Position Velocity:  OF-80, Exit Velocity: 87
6-foot, 175-pound RHH hits from an open stance, squares up with a short stride, creates occasional lift at contact, swing path works uphill at times, generates good bat speed, ball jumps off the barrel and showed power to the left-center gap, went 2-for-3 in game play, above average runner. Shows athleticism in the outfield and plays through the ball well, arm strength showed improvement from previous event from a long high-3/4 release with online throws. Ullom is in the conversation of soe of the top outfielders in the 2018 class.

Shane Taylor, OF, Rowan County, 2019
60 Time: 7.52, Position Velocity:  OF-71, Exit Velocity: 77
5-foot-10, 150-pound LHH hits from an open stance and uses a leg kick trigger, foot can occasionally get down late, flat path through the zone produces line drive contact to all fields when everything is in sync, made contact in each trip to the plate showing his ability to use all fields though he went 0-for-4. Footwork can get a little choppy at times defensively, has average arm strength for age from a shorter high-3/4 release. Taylor has potential to be a solid left-handed hitter in the 2019 class.

Evan Saindon, OF, Somerset, 2017
60 Time: 7.70, Position Velocity:  OF-72, Exit Velocity: 76
5-foot-11, 165-pound LHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, uses a slight hand load that leads to a fairly compact swing, line drive type hitter produced mid to opposite field contact in BP, average bat speed, went 1-for-4 in game play with a single to RF. Has room to improve playing through the ball defensively, uses a long high-3/4 release to produce below average arm strength.