By Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

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On Sunday August 27th, the CBA Copperhead organization held their PBR Scout Day at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC.  A gorgeous day, the Copperhead players ran through a full workout in front of PBR's staff and college coaches. 

Each position player ran through a full style workout, running a sixty, taking a live BP on the field, and going through an individual defensive workout.  Statistics were taken on exit velocity off the bat, arm speed from the defensive position, and pop times for catchers.  Pitchers threw a controlled bullpen for PBR staff and coaches, allowing them to feature their repertoire, showing stuff and command. Each player attending the scout day will have their PBR profile updated with their updated statistics, an evaluation, and video from the workout.

The catchers featured a diverse group of players ranging in age from the 2018 graduating class through the 2021 class.  Mark Lyda (Bandys HS, 2021) showed consistent pop times under 2.20 with plenty of room to continue to fill out in the coming years.  Brett Burchett (Mooresville, 2018) has a powerful frame and quick bat.  Right handed hitter was impressive during his BP session and shows an ability to receive well with an easy setup and target.  Full analysis on the CBA Copperhead catchers is below.

CLICK HERE for the full roster from the CBA Copperheads Scout Day

CLICK HERE for the complete statistical report from the Scout Day

CBA Copperheads Scout Day Quick Hitters
+ 42 players participated in the Scout Day
+ 28 pitchers threw bullpens
+ 36 position players completed the workout
+ 2020 OF Christian Thomas ran a PBR NC Event record 6.59 sixty (laser timed / hand started)
+ 15 hitters posted an exit velocity of 80 mph or better
+ 7 players ran better than 7.30 in their sixty
+ 9 pitchers touched 78 or better off the mound
+ Players ranged in graduate years from 2018 - 2021

Catcher Analysis

 

Brett Burchett C / 1B / Mooresville, NC / 2018 Strong build with a defined lower half at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds.  Right handed hitter has some power potential with an exit velocity peaking at 89 mph off the barrel.  Open stance, loads back with a vertical bat working to a lagged position.  Quick bat works flat through the zone.  High finish.  Line drives stayed in the middle of the field.  Repeats a simple swing with some barrel ability.  Behind the plate, flexible hips with good hands.  Arm has carry with a positional velocity of 73 from the crouch.  Pop times ranged 2.13 – 2.31.  Accuracy can be improved throwing from his knees and from his feet.  Better pop times working from the knees.  Arm finishes with some shoulder restriction through the release.  Strong, quick exchange works with a short arm swing to a high-3/4 slot.  Ran a 7.80 sixty.

 

 

Nicolas Curtis C / 1B / Fort Mill, SC / 2020 Young player with a 6-foot-2, 165 pound frame.  Length in the levers and plenty of room to add strength.  Short arm swing works to a high-3/4 slot from the crouch.  Pop times ranged 2.25 – 2.41 with a positional velocity of 70 mph out of the crouch.  On-line with throws but lacked carry through the bag.  Loose hips and an easy catch and exchange.  Worked out from the infield and outfield as well.  78 across the diamond, showing rhythm in the feet and the ability to throw from multiple angles.  Arm touched 79 from the outfield.  Left handed hitter begins tall and open with a vertical bat.  Bat head relaxes as he uses a toe tap for timing and weight shift.  Short stride towards the plate.  Average bat speed, with some strength, works level through the zone.  Stays in the middle of the field with line drives.  Lacks balance at times as the swing can be cut off.  Exit velocity peaked at 77.  Ran a 7.86 sixty.

 

 

Mark Lyda C / 2B / Bandys, NC / 2021 Young player with solid athleticism and fundamental foundation.  Looseness in the hips and an ease in his transfer from behind the plate.  Hands work well receiving.  Pop times ranged 2.11-2.17 from the 5-foot-7, 150 pounder.  Quickness in the feet and a strong exchange across the chest load the arm.  Positional velocity of 70 mph from the crouch.  Ball tends to fade to arm side, lacking some carry.  Accuracy should improve as the ball carries.  Right handed hitter produces barrels, staying in the middle of the field.  Simple, repeatable approach.  Balanced setup, shifting his weight back and using a short stride.  Good head discipline gets to average bat speed.  Short, level path.  Exit velocity peaked at 71 mph.  Timed sixty at 7.89.

 

Ryan McCreary C / 2B / HG Christian, NC / 2021 Average build in a 5-foot-9, 140 pounder.  Young frame that should continue to mature.  Right handed hitter sets up in an athletic base using a toe tap to load back.  Front arm works to a barred position at launch with a vertical bat.  Looks for extension as the barrel stays inside the baseball.  Hooked some balls into the pull side gap.  Barrel awareness can improve.  Exit velocity peaked at 71 mph.  Behind the plate pop times ranged 2.38-2.49 with a positional velocity of 61 out of the crouch.  Inconsistent with accuracy.  Average exchange with a long arm action working to a high-3/4 slot.  Arm speed from right field touched 64 mph with a long arm swing to a high-3/4 slot.  Some shoulder restriction through the release.  Ran a 7.78 sixty.

 

Kody Thomas C / 2B / Mount Pleasant , NC / 2018 Catcher stands 5-foot-8, 170 pounds with strength in the frame.  Pop times ranged 2.06-2.25 from a short arm swing and high-3/4 slot.  Some accuracy on throws measured 71 mph out of the hand, from the crouch.  Clean exchange that works across the chest into a strong throwing position.  Quick feet are aggressive through the ball.  Hips have flexibility.  Hands work well receiving.  Right handed hitter starts balanced and athletic.  Short stride.  Level bat path, occasionally working up hill, with average bat speed.  Works off the back leg, rotating through the swing.  Stays gap-to-gap.  Exit velocity peaked at 79.  Ran a 7.84 sixty.