The 2018 Lumberjack Open Scout Blog provides insider information, videos and scouting notes collected by the PBR MN Scouting Staff through this year's tournament. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, videos, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the PBR Minnesota Scout Blog is loaded with information ...

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2018 Fall Lumberjack Open

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Lumberjack Open Friday August 17th

+  Northstar's 2019 grad Timmy Smith took the ball in their first pool play game vs Minnesota Mash. The RHP throws from a low 3/4 arm slot that creates some arm side run with his fastball.  His Fastball sat 77-79 mph locating it well for strikes.  His breaking ball was 66-68 mph with good spin and shape.

+ 2019 RHP Alex Watterman started on the mound for the Minnesota Mash and went the distance throwing a complete game shutout.  Watterman was using his 80-82 mph fastball that showed good downhill action from his over the top arm slot.  His fastball topped at 83 mph and at times had some sinking action when entering the strike zone.  His curveball showed consistent 11/5 shape and was thrown for strikes at 67-68 mph.

+  Konnor Kirchoffner the #109 ranked player in PBR overall 2020 class hit clean-up for the Mash.  His projectable frame and physical presence projects well at the next level.  The right-handed hitter showed good bat speed and an agressive swing in their first pool play game

+ 2-way player 2020 Brett Bateman took the mound today for Great Lakes Black.  The left-handed pitcher started and went the distance in a game that ended in run rule.  His fastball was 82-84 mph and had late arm-side run.  He also added a couple hits from the left side of the plate, using the middle of the field well going both to left and right center.

+ Max Moris a 2020 grad who caught the game for Bateman showed well behind the plate.  Throwing a 1.97 pop time with a quick transfer and throws with good carry and accuracy to second.  At the plate he showed a slight uphill plane and flashed an aggressive swing with solid bat speed and pop.  

Saturday August 18th

+  Northstar"s Graham Netten took the ball today in their pool play game.  The 2019 RHP was 84-86 mph with his fastball that showed heavy sink from his 3/4 arm slot.  He also threw a 72-74 mph sweeping slider with solid spin and shape consistently for strikes.

+  Big body Miles Halligan Northstar's first baseman drilled a double to center in his second at bat.  Halligan who is ranked #337 overall in the 2020 class showed physical present strength at the plate.  His slightly uphill swing is raw but shows plenty of pop.  

+  A couple of younger guys stood out today for the Minnesota Mash. 2020 RHP Dylan Kiratli was 76-77 mph topping at 79. His arm works from a 3/4 arm slot and has some fastball run. An arm that could develop with consistent work.  First baseman Zach Walton was also a young impressive 2020 bat.  In the box he had good rhythm and a simple approach and took aggressive swings in advantage counts.

+  2019 Drew Grindahl played short stop and hit third for the Minnesota Iceman.  Defensively he has plus actions and soft hands.  Grindahl moves well laterally and allows himself to make plays both to his right and left. His arm plays well and has good carry and accuracy.  

+  Minnesota Iceman 2019 RHP Ben Palmer took the ball against Pine Tar. His fastball was consistently 77-79 mph and topped at 80 mph.  Palmer displays a smooth easy effort delivery with a 3/4 arm slot.  He breaking ball was also for strikes at 67-68 mph with average spin and shape.

+  2019 Ben Borrman a 2-way player for the Minnesota Iceman was exceptional today.  He displayed both power and speed at the plate.  His quiet approach led to two extra base hits to the right-center gap and also beat out an infield hit.  On the mound he pitched one inning closing the game out sitting 84-86 mph with varying fastball action.  

+ Great Lakes Lumberjacks 2019 catcher Ben Gallaher was solid at the plate in their final pool play game.  The right-handed 3-hole hitter showed physical strength in his swing and solid bat speed.  He got the scoring started early with a single through the left side.

+  Ryan Thelen a tall lanky 2019 RHP came in relief today for the Great Lakes Lumberjacks.  His high 3/4 arm slot was 84-86 mph and touched 87 mph with his fastball.  His curveball was thrown with good arm speed at 72-74 mph and flashed good spin and 11/5 shape.  

+  The Channel Cats left side of the infield was solid.  Brenden Bethke who played short stop is athletic with good actions defensively.  He stay below the ball well and fields out in front.  His arm has good carry with accuracy.  At the plate he shows an athletic stance and solid bat speed.  Jake Hjelle a right-handed hitting third baseman hit 3-hole in the line up.  He has some stiffness in his swing but shows raw present strength with above average bat speed.  

Sunday August 19th

+  2021 Minnesota Mash - Martin did not disappoint Sunday.  Up and down their line up had plenty of guys who could swing.  Mason Trocke a LHH outfielder displays a simple stance and easy swing,  and had a double each way in the game that showed his power.  Ben Taxdahl a strong frame RHH corner infielder drilled a double the other way.  He starts with an open stance and leg lift trigger into his swing that shows solid bat speed and good swing plane.  Connor Weitgrefe is a long lanky RHH 2-way player that has good rhythm and solid bat speed with a projectable frame.  Carter Hanson a left-handed hitting 2-way player who hit in the middle of the order.  Tall frame with good rhythm into a smooth swing.  Tayden Fredericks played short stop and showed good actions with solid hands.  He has room to grow physically but an INF to keep an eye on.  

+  Northstar Navy who won the 18u Championship Sunday had 2020 Hunter Day take the mound in their first playoff game.  The RHP was 82-85 mph and showed a couple 87s with his fastball early.  His curveball was 73-74 mph with good spin and 11/5 shape.  A swing and miss pitch that kept hitters off-balance.  

+  Adam Mazur a 2019 INF from Northstar Navy had plenty to show Sunday.  His long lever body moves well defensively.  Shows good range from short, with sure hands and his arm plays well.  At the plate he displayed good rhythm into a balance swing and has a solid swing plane.

+  Minnesota Iceman 2021 Nockleby who took the 16u Championship shows plenty of athleticism in their line up.  Center fielder and RHH Max Kelly was a 4.30 home to first.  Typical lead off hitter with speed and runs the bases well.  Antonio Manos a RHH showed some power when hammering a ball to right center.  He has simple mechanics with a frame that has room to fill out. Short stop Lucas Hess has actions defensively and an arm that plays.  At the plate he has little movements and a middle approach.  Right-handed hitting Yossi Scott a taller frame is one to keep an eye on.  Raw swing that can be a little long at times but shows strength with good bat speed.  

+  2021 left-handed hitting Josh Kingery for the Minnesota Swat played center field.  At the plate he shows a strong body with average bat speed and an aggressive swing.  In the outfield he reads the ball well and has range tracking down balls into the gaps.