On back-to-back days in August, PBR hosted the Top Prospect Games and the Top Underclass Games at Campbell’s Jim Perry Stadium.  The Top Underclass Games featured players from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 classes, working out for PBR scouts and close to 20 college programs in attendance.  Position players participated in a full pro-style workout followed by a live scrimmage with pitchers throwing in a controlled environment to the hitters.

The Top Underclass Games saw plenty of high end talent.  Today we look at the primary pitchers from the 2021 class that attended the Top Underclass Games.  One arm worked up to 89 with heavy stuff, while several others marked themselves as definite follows into the fall and spring seasons.

CLICK HERE to see the full statistical results from the Top Underclass Games.

 

Top Underclass Games - 2021 Pitchers

 

PITCHERS

Harrison Garner RHP / OF / Garner, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 5   Athletic frame with quickness and strength present at 6-foot, 155 pounds.  Athletic delivery with good pace building to an extremely quick arm.  Works level through the shoulders, coiled and closed at balance.  Lands on-line with a square front foot, getting the shoulders back in-line.  Easy effort with a long, loose arm swing.  High-3/4 slot.  Fastball jumps out of the hand with life at 86-88, bumping 89.  Swing and miss in the zone and created chase when elevated.  Late slider worked with fastball hand speed at 74-77, pounding the zone.  Straight change-up has deception with the fastball-like hand speed.  In the zone with the change at 81-84.  Arm speed and athleticism suggest continued growth toward a high ceiling.

Colbie Howell RHP / OF / Fuquay-Varina, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 112 / POS: 26   Lanky, athletic build, standing 6-foot-1, 155 pounds.  Simple delivery, stable over the rubber with a kick to the low chest and a hand pump up to his chin.  Slight stiffness through hips.  Level, lands slightly across his line and square with the front foot.  Long arm swing to a high-3/4 slot.  Average to above arm speed.  Attacked the zone, pounding the glove with both fastball and curveball.  Fastball at 79-82.  Slider at 71-73.  Harder sliders had late tilt with softer sliders creating a slight hump out of the hand.  Created swing and miss and chase on the fastball and slider.

Matthew Hughes LHP / OF / Cedar Ridge, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 137 / POS: 16   Thin frame with length in his limbs at 6-foot-2, 155 pounds.  Slow tempo to the delivery using a low kick to balance.  Level, works on-line and lands square on the front foot.  Long arm swing has some effort, reaching out of the glove.  Average arm speed.  Over-the-top slot with good extension.  Attacked the zone with the fastball at 76-79.  Decent feel for the breaking ball, ranging 63-64 with early, gradual 1/7 tilt.  Hand speed on the breaking ball mimics that of the fastball.  Stuff should jump as he continues to add strength to the frame.

Jack McIntosh RHP / SS / Cleveland, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 119 / POS: 29   Average build at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds.  Simple, repeatable delivery.  Kick to the mid-chest with good rhythm and a strong back side.  On-line, works level, landing in-line and square.  Medium arm swing with a slight elbow lead, but clean.  Above average arm speed.  High-3/4 slot.  Fastball has arm side run, attacking the zone at 77-81.  Lacked some extension on the breaking ball with early, gradual 11/5 tilt.  Ranging 66-70, the breaking ball had arm side misses throughout the outing.

Sam Perez RHP / 1B / Middle Creek, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 40 / POS: 12   Easy projection in a 6-foot-6, 180 pound frame.  Uses the height and leverage to create good extension with a spin rate of 2300 or better on the fastball.  Tall over the rubber, there is decent rhythm, working on-line, landing slightly closed with the front foot at foot-strike.  Long, loose arm swing with above average arm speed, working to an over-the-top slot.  Fastball ranged 84-86, in the zone, getting swing and miss in the zone and chase when elevated.  Downer breaking ball with late, sharp tilt, disappearing under bats at times.  Curveball works with good arm speed at 74-75.  Flashed some deception with the change-up at 73.  Strike thrower with a long frame and good arm speed, he should continue to climb toward a high ceiling.

Jason Dandeneau RHP / OF / Cleveland , NC / 2020   Average frame with length at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds.  Plenty of room to add strength in the coming years.  Works level, staying tall over the rubber.  Coils the hips at balance.  Lands slightly across his line with a square front foot.  Long, loose arm swing to an over-the-top release with average arm speed.  Fastball at 78-81.  Attacked the zone with the fastball.  Some sink when thrown to the arm side.  Breaking ball has a slight hump out of the hand with early, gradual 11/5 tilt.  Slows the arm at times.  Breaking ball ranged 62-64.  Has feel for landing the off-speed.