Top Prospect Games: Team 9 (White) Position Players

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 9 (White). 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

Eric Sottile, RHP/SS, Lexington Catholic, 2018
60 Time: 7.28, Position Velocity:  IF-87, Exit Velocity: 83
5-foot-9, 150-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, short stride, fluid load gets him ready to trigger swing, works the middle of the field with a compact swing that produces line drive contact, went 1-for-4 in game play with an infield single. Works through the baseball well and registered the top infield velocity of the event from a long high-3/4 release, hands play well and shows good lateral movement. Sottile is an interesting two-way prospect.

Paul Wise, 2B, Montgomery County, 2018
60 Time: 7.08, Position Velocity:  IF-74, Exit Velocity: 88
6-foot, 175-pound LHH hits from a slightly open stance with a leg kick trigger, took an impressive round of BP that included several line drives to the gaps, generates good bat speed and has a compact swing, continued to hit well in game play going 2-for-3 with two singles to CF, showed well above average bat speed in exit velocity testing. Above average runner for age who moves fluidly defensively, average hands and arm strength from a short ¾ release. Bat is best current tool.

James House, SS, Seneca, 2017
60 Time: 7.14, Position Velocity:  IF-71, Exit Velocity: 80
5-foot-8, 135-pound RHH hits from an open stance and squares up with a short stride, has a fairly flat path through the zone, line drive type hitter who showed a middle to opposite field approach with average bat speed, went 2-for-4 in game play. Shows athleticism and good lateral movement defensively, hands are soft and play well, short high-3/4 release with accurate throws, current arm strength plays better at the second base position.

catchers

Kyle Harbison, C, Scott County, 2019
60 Time: 7.15, Pop Time: 1.91-1.99, Position Velocity:  C-73, Exit Velocity: 82
5-foot-11, 163-pound RHH hits from an open stance and squares up with a short stride, slight hand load triggers into a very short swing path, likes to work the middle to opposite field with line drive contact, went 0-for-3 in game play. Defensively, has the makings to be a top catch and throw guy, hands and feet are quick which lead to an extremely quick transfer and release, made some accurate throws to the bag, has an athletic presence behind the plate. The 2019 class has proven to be deep in quality catchers already, and Harbison is one that makes it so.

Brady Higdon, C, Breckinridge County, 2017
60 Time: 7.58, Pop Time: 2.02-2.10, Position Velocity:  C-74, Exit Velocity: 93
6-foot, 210-pound RHH hits from a balanced stance, loads back with front foot with a short stride, swing path can be steep  at times, high hand finish, flashes occasional power with frame-generated bat speed, went 1-for-2 in game play with a sac fly and bloop single. Defensively, has a fairly quick transfer and release, average arm strength with some accurate throws, above average footwork that stays online.

corner infielders