By Matt Byrd
Tennessee Director of Scouting

The West Tennessee Prospect Games took place on August 16 at USA Baseball Stadium and afforded close to 50 players from around the state to showcase their abilities in a combination showcase/game play event. The following is a look at the middle infielders who participated for Team White at the event.

CLICK HERE to view the stats of all players in attendance.

Ben Glass, 2017, St. Georges Independent, SS
The 6 foot 1, 170- pound prospect posted a 7.00 60 time and had a 82 mph position velocity across the infield. Defensively, Glass shows plenty of athletic ability, soft hands, good arm strength, fluid footwork, short arm action, and accuracy on throws. Glass has the ability defensively to play multiple positions at the next level with the athleticism and arm strength to stay at SS. Offensively, Glass has impressive bat speed from the right side and had an 85 mph exit velocity off the tee. Glass hits from a balanced setup, smooth back load, shows good balance, has an aggressive approach, is line drive type hitter with gap to gap ability. Glass went 1-for-3 during game play and had an impressive round of BP. He has the potential to be a high-level prospect.

Myles Christian, 2017, Olive Branch (MS) , SS/OF
The 6 foot 1, 165-pound prospect posted a 6.91 60 time and had a 78 mph position velocity across the infield and a 83 mph velocity from the outfield. Defensively, Christian has good arm strength, soft hands, accuracy on throws, fluid footwork, natural instincts, clean exchange, and is an all around good athlete all over the field. Offensively, Christian has fast bat speed from the left side and had an 83 mph exit velocity off the tee. Christian hits from a balanced setup, has a short stride with a slight leg kick, uses his lower half,  has good balance, fluid rhythm, has a smooth swing with ease, stays on the off speed pitch well, and Is a line drive type hitter. Christian went 2-for-5 during game play for the white team and will be a prospect to keep an eye on.

Casey Harford, 2017, Harding Academy, SS
The 5 foot 10, 158-pound prospect posted a 7.07 60 time and had a 78 mph position velocity across the infield. Defensively, Harford shows good arm strength, some accuracy, capable hands with a quick exchange, and natural middle infield instincts.  Offensively, Harford hits from a balanced setup, has a long stride with a slight leg kick involved, shows average balance especially on pitches away,  line drive type hitter. Harford went 0-for-4 during game play but put the ball in play in each at bat for the white team.

John Louis Bland, 2016, Christian Brothers, SS
The 5 foot 11, 186-pound prospect posted a 7.51 60 time and had a 73 mph position velocity across the infield. Defensively, Bland has average hands and arm strength, fluid footwork, natural instincts, works thru the ball, and has a short release. Arm strength projects better as a second baseman at the next level. Offensively, Bland has average bat speed from the left side and had a 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Bland hits from a balanced setup, has a short stride, shows good balance, fluid rhythm, and has a very smooth swing. Bland went 1-for-2 during game play for the white team.

Jack Malone, 2017, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (MI), MIF/OF
The 5 foot 11, 160-pound prospect posted a 7.42 60 time and had an 81 mph position velocity across the infield. Defensively Malone shoed good arm strength, accuracy on throws, fluid footwork, short arm action with a quick release, average hands, shows athletic ability but struggled some with the backhand play.  Offensively Malone shows average bat speed from the right side and had an 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. He hits from a balanced setup, has a short stride, average balance, fluid rhythm, and is a line drive type hitter that uses the opposite field well. Malone went 1 for 4 during game play.