By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The PBR Kentucky Top Prospect Games took place June 16-17 at Western Kentucky University and afforded close to 120 players from around the state the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the PBR Kentucky staff and many college coaches in attendance. The following is a look at the position players from Team Red. This is position player analysis only. Those position players who also pitched at the event had that evaluation featured in a previous article.

middle infielders

Hunter Childress, SS, Nelson County HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 160-pounds, showed improved measurables across the board, left-handed hitter hits from an open stance, squares front side with a short stride, line drive type hitter, uses all fields, 85 mph exit velocity, ran 4.39 down the line, went 1-for-4 in game play with a single up the middle. Extremely soft, quick hands defensively, plus actions and body control with ability to throw from multiple arm slots, quick first step and good angles to the baseball, 80 mph velocity across infield.

Blake Benz, 2B, L/R, North Bullitt HS, 2016
5-foot-9, 150-pounds, left-handed hitter hits from an open stance, squares up with a long stride, aggressive approach, line drive type hitter with occasional gap power, good bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity, ran 4.48 down the line, went 1-for-4 with a double to right-center in game play. Has soft hands, quick exchange, short ¾ release, good body control with athletic actions, 74 mph velocity across the infield.

Slate Robinson, SS, R/R, Male HS, 2016
6-foot-4, 170-pounds, long/lanky frame, right-handed hitter hits from an open stance, gets to square with a mid-length stride, uphill swing path, creates some lift and shows some pull-side power, 76 mph exit velocity, showed some speed running 4.45 down the line, hit well going 2-for-3 in game play with a triple to left-center and four RBI. Showed average hands defensively, short high-3/4 release, quick exchange, some accurate throws, 74 mph velocity across the infield.

corner infielders

CJ Bush, 1B, R/R, Lexington Catholic HS, 2016
6-foot-1, 220-pounds, very good athleticism for size, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, explodes with lower half, plus bat speed, 96 mph exit velocity, showed significant pull-side power in BP, ran 4.78 down the line, went 1-for-3 in game play with a single to left field. Soft hands and moves well defensively with quick feet around the bag, athletic first baseman, good arm strength, 85 mph across the diamond.

Mason Vinyard, 3B/RHP, St. Mary HS, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pounds, projectable frame, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, good balance, line drive type hitter, 81 mph exit velocity (big increase from previous event), ran 4.92 down the line, went 2-for-4 in game play with a single to left and one to center. Shows soft hands, athletic corner actions, good body control, long high-3/4 release, 83 mph arm across infield, accurate throws, has made impressive strides in game.

Colin Enlow, 3B, R/R, Woodford County HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 205-pounds, strong lower half, right-handed hitter hits from an open stance, leg kick with mid-length stride, short swing path with extension through contact, consistently barreled the baseball in BP with power potential, impressive in game play going 3-for-3 with a triple to right-center, ran 4.75 down the line. Soft hands, showed a drop in arm strength from previous event with some stiffness, 74 mph velocity with some accuracy.

Luke Price, RHP/1B, L/R, Christian Academy of Louisville, 2017
6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed hitter, hits from an open stance and loads back, short stride, shows flashes of pull-side power and could develop more in the future, 81 mph exit velocity, ran 4.84 down the line, went 0-for-3 in game play. Has soft hands defensively, shows some athleticism for size, 73 mph arm strength across the infield with accurate throws.

Jameson Hinkebein, 3B, R/R, Bethlehem HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pounds, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, level swing, line drive type hitter, showed a big jump in exit velocity at 83 mph, improved speed with 4.66 home to first, went 0-for-4 in game action. Shows capable hands, ¾ release, inconsistent throws across the infield, below average arm strength, 71 mph across the infield.

outfielders

Jack Schneider, OF, R/R, Daviess County HS, 2017
6-foot-3, 190-pounds, athletic frame, right-handed hitter shows big power potential, balanced stance, short stride, plus bat speed, 98 mph exit velocity, good speed with 4.24 home to first time, went 1-for-3 in game play with a single. Made one throw from OF in pre-game workout that was 89 mph (had some elbow soreness).

Jackson Boggs, OF, R/R, Lafayette HS, 2016
6-foot, 160-pounds, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, generates good bat speed, short swing path with extension through contact, line drive type hitter with gap to gap approach, good round of BP with consistent line drives, ran 4.37 down the line, improved 86 mph exit velocity, went 0-for-4 in game play. Defensively, plays through the ball well with quick/athletic feet, long high-3/4 release, 88 mph velocity with carry, very accurate throws to the bag, showed improved measurables across the board.

Aidan Elias, OF/RHP, R/R, Sayre HS, 2016
6-foot-2, 170-pounds, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced set up, short stride, good use of lower half with good balance, short swing path with good extension through contact, occasional gap power in good round of BP, good speed, 4.31 down the line, 85 mph exit velocity, went 1-for-3 in game play with an infield single. Plays through the ball with athletic actions, accurate throws with carry, 86 mph arm strength.

Sammy Mudd, OF/RHP, R/R, St. Xavier HS, 2017
5-foot-8, 155-pounds, right-handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, short swing path, line drive type hitter who shows some pop for size, gap to gap approach, bat speed present, 88 mph exit velocity, ran 4.59 down the line, went 0-for-4 in game play making hard contact on a few occasions. Good defensive outfielder, plays through the ball well, athletic actions, long over the top release, good arm strength with online carry, 86 mph velocity.

Luke Thatcher, OF, R/R, East Jessamine HS, 2016
6-foot-3, 170-pounds, projectable frame, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, good balance, flashed his power potential with a home run to left in BP, good bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity, went 0-for-3 in game play, ran 4.63 down the line. Plays through the ball, athletic actions, long high-3/4 release, some accurate throws, 82 mph velocity (86 previous event).

catchers

Matt Malesick, C/OF, R/R, Scott County HS, 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pounds, quick-twitch athlete, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, short swing path, line drive type hitter with occasional gap power, generates bat speed, 92 mph exit velocity, ran 4.45 down the line, went 1-for-2 in game play (left early) with a double. Athletic behind the plate with big arm strength, long release that will need some refinement, 85 mph velocity, 1.94-2.03 pop times, athleticism allows to play outfield, 87 mph OF velocity, committed to Western Kentucky following the event.

Austin Hash, C, R/R, Campbellsville HS, 2016
6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, strong frame creates some bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity, swing generates some lift with pull-side power, ran 4.83 down the line, went 0-for-3 in game play. Showed 75 mph arm strength behind the plate, quick transfer and release, footwork stays online, pop times ranged from 1.94-2.02 with most throws accurate to the second base bag.