Prep Baseball Report

2023 Top Underclass Games: BLAST Leader Board


Brandon Hall
Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director

On Sunday October 28th, PBR was at NC State's Dail Park to host the Top Prospect Games: Underclass.  The event featured perhaps the most talented underclass field of talent that PBR has put together for one event.  With over 50 of the top players in the state on one field, we thought we would have a great day... and we did.

The day opened with the position players going through some athletic testing with Swift Athletics.  Players had the chance to run on a laser timed 60 yard on turf.  With Swift, PBR Scouts were able to collect the 60yd time, plus a 10yd split and a 30yd split.  With younger athletes, the 10yd and 30yd give a great glimpse and a players explosiveness out of the gate and a top end run speed, even if they cannot maintain that top end speed through the 60 yd course.  Players also went through some jumping test with Swift.  Players were tested in the vertcial jump as well as a 4-jump RSI.

Following the athletic testing, each hitter took multiple rounds of BP.  During BP, TrackMan was used to get ball flight information off the bat.  BLAST sensors were used to get readings on each hitter with their swing prior to contact.  Following BP, players went through a defensive workout at their primary defensive positions with PBR scouts taking metrics on arm strength.

After the player workouts, the event concluded with two controlled scrimmages.  Pitchers threw to live hitters in game situations that were controlled by PBR Scouts.  While the workout gives PBR Scouts and coaches a lot of information to digest, the game setting allows players to continue to show their skill set and to apply their tools in a competitive fashion.

Top Prospect Games: Underclass - Notes
+ 4 Players ran sub 6.90 in the sixty
+ 18 players ran sub 7.20 in the sixty
+ 20 players saw their peak run speed above 19mph
+ 19 players ran sub 4.00 in the thirty yard split
+ 12 players saw a max vertical jump of 30in or more
+ 10 players posted a BLAST Bat Speed Max of 75mph or higher
+ 12 players posted an average exit velocity above 85mph through their two rounds.
+ 99.9mph was the top exit velocity recorded on Sunday
+ 22 players posted an exit velocity of 90mph or higher
+ 5 catchers posted a velocity out of the crouch of 79mph or better

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stat breakdown from the Top Prospect Games: Underclass

BLAST Swing Leader Board

Peak Hand Speed

Peak Hand Speed is the observed maximum speed as measured on the handle of the bat (measured six inches from the knob of the bat). Peak Hand Speed will occur prior to the moment of impact, very close to the commit time in the swing when the wrists unhinge.

Max Hand Speed

Average Hand Speed

Bat Speed

Bat Speed is the observed speed of the sweet spot of the bat at impact. The sweet spot of the bat is measured six inches from the tip of the bat.

Peak Bat Speed

Average Bat Speed

Rotational Acceleration

Rotation measures how quickly your bat accelerates into the swing plane. Rotation is a good indicator of how you build bat speed by sequencing properly vs. pulling the bat with your hands. The quicker your rotational acceleration, the more power you will have and the more time you have to make a decision at the plate.

Max Rotational Acceleration

Avg Rotational Acceleration

Average On Plane Efficiency

Measures the percentage of your swing where the bat is on the swing plane. Your vertical bat angle at contact establishes the plane for that swing. Plane is a great indicator for making more consistent contact on the barrel of the bat.