By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker

 

In a new segment at the state level called, In the Weeds, PBR National Crosschecker, Shooter Hunt, takes a look at uncommitted players regardless of class whose skills and intangibles sometimes get missed in a showcase setting, but whose value to a good team at the next level is immeasurable. Some of the players included in this segment are under the radar, others have been overlooked, and some are late bloomers and fast-rising. Whatever the reason, our boots-on-the-ground scouting staff has identified many uncommitted prospects who can thrive with the right fit at some collegiate level. In the first of a two-part series, In the Weeds, takes a look at some of the talent that came out of PBR Minnesota’s Preseason All-State event. Though the season may be short, the talent is long coming out of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Most kids play at least two sports with a high number competing in three, so there are many late-bloomers. With slew of excellent athletes, Minnesota is packed with talent waiting to be found.

 

Barron Holtz, OF/RHP, PEM HS, MN, 2018
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Holtz is a wiry athlete with considerable room to fill out in the future. Equipped with a live, whippy right arm, Holtz has a chance to be a impact two way player at some level in college. He shows quickness with a 6.78 60-yard dash, and demonstrated impressive bounce and great hands in the outfield to go along with his 92 mph arm that was accurate with carry. At the plate, Holtz sets up slightly open and hunched over at the waist with his hands at shoulder level. He rocks his weight back with a leg kick while his hands go down and back before they work quickly through the zone on an upward path. Holtz’s hands became stagnant before coming through the zone, but he showed enough athleticism to make up for it. Currently, Holtz sprays line drives to all fields, but with additional strength has a chance to work gap to gap in the future. On the mound, Holtz remains athletic, and sat 85-88 at the PBR Minnesota Preseason All-State event. He shows a slight hook of his hand in the back before coming through with quickness out of a high ¾ slot. Though it was very early in the preseason, Holtz’s secondary pitches are only developing pitches at this point. His curveball tumbled at 73-76 while his changeup (80-82) will need more work in the future, as well. However, Holtz’s athleticism and strong right arm give great hope that he will blossom on the mound in the future as he appears to be raw and more of an outfielder who also can hop on the mound. Overall, Holtz shows the raw tools necessary to be a possible impact player at the next level. He has a very strong set of tools, and will have a chance to progress at a rapid rate with more game action.