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PBR National Championships - North Carolina Team Previews

July 23, 2019
Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

As we approach the end of July, many on the summer tournament circuit are beginning to finish their game play before a break heading into the fall season.  This week at LakePoint, the nation’s premier baseball facility, Prep Baseball Report is hosting the PBR National Championships.  Several teams with North Carolina talent are heading to the greater Atlanta, GA area to compete.  Below are some notes on teams and players to watch for the weekend.

 

PBR National Championships – North Carolina Teams Preview

Full Schedule Here

Full List of Participating Teams Here

 

17U Division - 5 Star National NC

This 5 Star Roster has firepower in the box and on the mound.  They have a history in playing well at the PBR events in LakePoint, winning the 17U National Program Invitational earlier this summer.  The roster has a combination of players that are committed as well as uncommitted.  There are several pro follows for the 2020 draft as well.

Five to Follow:


 

Preston Hall 3B / OF / Myers Park, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 376 / POS: 33
  • Committed to College of Charleston
  • Elite left handed bat that will draw some pro interest into the spring season
  • Participated with Team Carolina at the 2018 PBR Future Games

Gus Hughes RHP / OF / Grimsley, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 8
  • Committed to Charlotte
  • Will work upper 80s to low 90s with a devestating breaking ball
  • Participated with Team Carolina at the 2018 PBR Future Games

Nathan Nygaard C / 1B / Sun Valley, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 94 / POS: 12
  • Continues to be very steady behind the dish, with an arm that carries with accuracy through the bag at 2B
  • Pop time as low as 2.03
  • Exit velocity peaked at 90 mph.

Chandler Riley SS / 2B / Cox Mill, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 5
  • Committed to Charlotte
  • Left handed stroke finds a lot of barrel against all types of pitching
  • Has worked to improve himself defensively and can play anywhere on the infield
  • Participated with Team Carolina as part of the 2018 PBR Future Games

Trey Truitt OF / RHP / East Mecklenburg, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 1
  • Committed to ECU
  • Dual sport (football) in high school
  • Physical athlete that is drawing professional interest and will continue to catch eyes throughout the upcoming spring.
  • Participated with Team Carolina at the 2018 PBR Future Games.

 

 

17U Division – Dry Pond Baseball

Dry Pond brings a roster of players to watch as many remain uncommitted but with high potential in their ceilings.  There is a combination of pitch-ability and stuff on the mound the coaching staff will be able to mix and match, as well as athleticism in the box that can create some big innings.

Five to Follow:

 

 

Jake Soorus OF / RHP / North Lincoln, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 52 / POS: 3
  • Ran a 6.51 for PBR at the State Games of NC in June
  • Exit velocity up to 93
  • Fastball up to 88 last week with PBR watching a Team Tournament

Samuel Fleming SS / OF / Zebulon Vance, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 139 / POS: 30
  • High ceiling athlete
  • Lanky and continuing to add strength to the frame
  • Exit velocity up to 85 in summer of 2018

Brycen Turcotte LHP / OF / Bandys, NC / 2020

  • Projection exists in a slender, lanky frame
  • Up to 83 for PBR with a solid breaking ball
  • Quick arm and loose hips

Derek Farley 1B / 3B / SouthLake Christian Academy, NC / 2021

  • Athletic in a big frame.  Flexible through the hips and core
  • Exit velocity up to 87

Matthew Hancock 3B / 1B / St. Stephen's, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 169 / POS: 6
  • Physical in the box
  • Exit velocity up to 86 at the Preseason All-State in February

 

 

 

17U Division – Launch City Baseball

A new club on the circuit in 2019, Launch City has played well at times this summer.  Drawing a majority of their players from the western NC area, the PBR National Championships will be an opportunity for this program to stamp itself as a high level competitor moving forward.

Five to follow:

 

 

Riley Cash SS / 2B / Crest, NC / 2020

  • Athletic with feel for the barrel
  • Works with rhythm on the infield

Kade Smith 2B / SS / Alexander Central, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 143 / POS: 7
  • Guilford College commit
  • Lanky frame will continue to add strength

Adam Rushing 1B / RHP / East Gaston, NC / 2020

Cade Kuehler RHP / OF / Cuthbertson , NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 80 / POS: 25
  • Campbell commit
  • Big arm potential with a fastball that continues to grow

Robbie Crump RHP / C / Cuthbertson, NC / 2020

  • Fastball has continued to grow this summer
  • Up to 83 at the South Atlantic Championships in mid-July

 

 

 

16U Division – 5 Star National NC

This club provides a sneak peak at several players that will be with Team Carolina at the PBR Future Games July 31 – August 3.  High end talent litters the roster, and this club will be one of the favorites entering the week.

Five to follow:

 

 

Archie Dean Herring OF / SS / Westchester Country Day, NC / 2021

Rankings  StateRank: 34 / POS: 5
  • Elite runner
  • Will be with Team Carolina at the 2019 PBR Future Games

Carson Starnes RHP / SS / Parkwood, NC / 2021

Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 2
  • High end arm with a very high ceiling
  • Will be with Team Carolina at the 2019 PBR Future Games

Stewart Evans OF / Scotland, NC / 2021

Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 360 / POS: 58
  • Loud bat has created a ton of havoc this summer, including a big week at the PBR National Program Invite at LakePoint in June
  • Will be with Team Carolina at the 2019 PBR Future Games

Isaiah Lowe RHP / 3B / Christ School, NC / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 6 StateRank: 13 / POS: 5
  • Potential dual at the next level
  • Arm will and has bumped 90 throughout the summer
  • Will be with Team Carolina at the 2019 PBR Future Games

Adam Quintero SS / RHP / Piedmont, NC / 2021

Rankings  StateRank: 77 / POS: 15
  • Athletic middle infielder that has made big strides this spring and summer.
  • Will be with Team Carolina at the 2019 PBR Future Games

 

 

 

16U Division – Dry Pond Baseball

Dry Pond has put together a solid roster that should be able to compete with anyone in the field on any given day.  Several projectable frames that college coaches will need to follow as they work to figure out where they may be in a year or two.

Names to Know:

Player Analysis Header

Matt Heavner SS / OF / North Lincoln, NC / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 1
  • NC State commit
  • High energy and high fundamentals

Michael Crayton RHP / 3B / West Stanly, NC / 2021

  • Big frame with some projection
  • Showed feel for pitching in bullpen session with PBR in May

 

 

15U Division – Launch City Baseball

As programs build the depth of their younger talent can give you a feel for where the program could be in a couple of years.  This is a big week for the 2022s out of Launch City as they look to build momentum into future seasons.

Names to Know:

Jaxon Cogdill C / RHP / East Gaston, NC / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 45 / POS: 6
  • 2.03 pop time in a workout
  • Exit velocity up to 87
  • Physcial presence in the box with strength through contact

Blaine Hartness C / OF / Alexander Central, NC / 2022

  • Sub 7.20 runner for PBR
  • Exit velocity of 82 with a still maturing frame.