NC ProCase: Quick Hitters-Position Players
March 31, 2021
Prep Baseball Report of North Carolina has quickly become the most trusted independent scouting source in North Carolina, and across the country. Each of the past two years, PBR of NC has hosted 20-30 of the top draft prospects in North Carolina as part of their ProCase. On March 28th, PBR of NC continued the tradition with 22 players performing in front of pro scouts at Diamond Xtreme in Kernersville, NC.
Pitchers and catchers were up first. Catchers were able to go through a full defensive workout, throwing through to 2B at the spacious indoor facility. Pitchers threw controlled bullpens, one at a time, with Trackman gathering advanced analytics. Following the pitchers, hitters took live BP in the open atmosphere of Diamond Xtreme with Trackman gathering ball flight data. The event ended with the infielders and outfielders going through a defensive workout.
Located in Kernersville, Diamond Xtreme features a 90'x90' cage that allows for ground balls and throws across the infield. Catchers are able to make full length throws to 2B. During BP, scouts and coaches are able to watch and track the ball off the bat to get a better gauge of each hitter in attendance.
Below we begin our breakdown of the players at the event. Each player in attendance has been graded out by PBR scouts as a potential draft follow for their senior year, and moving into their college years if they choose to attend school.
CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stats
Quick Hitters-Position Players
Bryan Arendt, C/3B, 2021
Balanced in the box with a fluid, balanced swing. Barrel is short to the ball, flat through the zone getting plenty of extension through the middle of the field. Made hard contact through the middle and to the right center gap with the ball off his barrel topping at 99.45 mph. Has plenty of arm strength from behind the plate with throws topping at 86 mph and pop times ranging from 1.80-1.87.
Brooks Brannon, C/OF, 2022
Strength present in his 6-foot, 200-pound frame. Worked gap to gap during his BP rounds launching some balls to the left center gap with multiple exit velocities over 100 mph. Loose hands getting his barrel in the zone early and staying through the zone. Pop times ranged from 1.91-1.97 with his arm topping at 79 mph to second base.
Alec DeMartino, OF, 2021
Strong and athletic at 6-foot-2, 204-pounds. Bat speed stands out topping at 88.80 mph. Crushed balls through the middle of the field with several balls recorded off his bat at over 101 mph. Hands have looseness with his barrel staying through the zone a long time. Fluid actions defensively with his arm topping at 96 mph.
Ayden Edwards, C/3B, 2021
Short, compact stroke staying balanced throughout his swing. Consistently hit balls off his barrel lining balls back up the middle. Hands are strong and quick with his top exit velocity at 97.20 mph. Pop times ranged from 1.93-2.04.
Vance Honeycutt, SS/OF, 2021
Athleticism present in a long, lean frame at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds. Relaxed in the box with a direct path to the ball and his barrel working flat through the zone. Lined balls back up the middle and to the right center gap with a balanced approach. Ball off his barrel topped at 99.10 mph. Relaxed on the infield with fluid actions and his arm topping at 86 mph.
Chris Katz, C/3B, 2021
Strong, sturdy build at 6-foot, 214-pounds. Launched balls through the middle of the field with his top exit velocity at 99 mph and his average exit velocity at 93.49 mph. Compact swing with lift to his barrel path through the zone. Bat speed topped at 76.30 mph. Arm topped at 79 mph from behind the plate with his best pop time at 1.94.
Ryan McCrystal, C/RHP, 2021
Left hand hitter with a fluid stroke. Hands are loose and keeps his barrel through the zone. Balanced approach with plenty of barrel feel making consistent hard contact to both gaps. Ball off his barrel topped at 96.87 mph. Arm strength shows behind the plate with his pop times ranging from 1.85-1.96 and his throws peaking at 82 mph.
John Newton, OF/3B, 2021
Made tons of loud contact during his BP rounds consistently hitting balls off his barrel. Multiple exit velocities recorded at 104 mph or better. Has plenty of barrel awareness in a balanced, repeatable swing. Average exit velocity of 98.40 mph with his bat speed topping at 80.20 mph. Fluid actions in the outfield with his arm topping at 96 mph.
Graham Smiley, C/3B, 2022
Consistently barreled balls during his BP rounds working through the middle of the field. Multiple exit velocities of 102 mph or better. Generates bat speed in a balanced swing with a direct path to the ball and his barrel staying through the zone. Pop times ranged from 1.91-1.97 with his arm topping at 83 mph.