Baseball was back in North Carolina on Sunday May 31st.  With over 60 players in attendance, and the event being run in waves of approximately 10 players to promote social distancing, PBR Scouts were very impressed with some of the performances.  The Summer Kickoff ID featured North Carolina's first full Tech event with TrackMan and Blast running throughout the event gathering advanced analytics and basic numbers on pitchers and hitters.

The entire event took place at Ultimate Performance in Matthews, NC.  PBR has run several events out of this massive facility.  The layout allows for catchers to make a full length throw to 2B, for outfielders to show off their arm strength with a 60 yard throw, and for infielders to work across a full length diamond.  Offensively, the hitters are able to workout in a 60'x60' cage, seeing the ball fly off the barrel.

The day consisted of a pro-style workout.  Pitchers were up first, throwing controlled bullpens with TrackMan gathering velocity, spin rate, release metrics and movement metrics.  As the position players began their day, they ran a laser timed 30, took reps at their defensive position, and rolled through multiple offensive stations.  For the position players, a radar gun was used to measure arm strength from their positions.  The catchers were able to make full length throws to 2B so scouts could get pop times.  As the hitters progressed to their offensive stations, they were able to collect a static exit velocity off of a tee and then during the live BP portion, Blast gathered pre-contact metrics like batspeed and rotational acceleration.  Ball flight metrics like exit velocity, launch angle, distance, and hang time were collected by TrackMan.

Next up in the breakdown of the Summer Kickoff ID is a quick look at some of the arms that made a quick impression.  While the PBR Scouting staff is still diving into all of the numbers from the event, these are the arms that created some buzz in the building with just eyes on them.  The list of pitchers that were impressive will grow as the analytics are published as well.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stats from the 2020 Summer Kickoff ID

Summer Kickoff ID - By the Numbers

• 63 Total Players in Attendance
• 2021 - 2024 graduating years represented
• 15 players ran a sub 4.05 laser timed 30 yard dash
• 10 position players showed arm strength above 85 mph from their position
• 4 catchers posted pop times of 2.11 or better
• 13 hitters showcased a static exit velocity off of a tee of 88mph or higher
• 13 pitchers touched 85 or higher in their bullpens
• 2 arms bumped 90 mph
• 13 hitters posted a live BP exit velocity of 85 or higher
• 4 hitters posted a live BP exit velocity of 90 or higher
• 3 hitters posted a live BP hard hit percentage of 70% or higher
• 355' marked the furthest ball hit on the day in BP
• 93.8mph marked the hardest hit ball on the day in BP
• 90.8mph was the top fastball thrown
• 2851 rpm was the top spin rate on a Curveball
• 2615 rpm was the top spin rate on a slider
• -2.87 (LHP) to 2.75 (RHP) - Range of release from the middle of the rubber, in feet of all pitchers at the event

 

Quick Hitters: Pitchers at the Summer Kickoff ID

Sylas Boris (RHP, Northwest Guilford HS, 2023) – Quite possibly the next really good arm for the Vikings.  Up to 86. Strike thrower worked the top of the zone with his fastball.  Solid breaking ball that peaked at 71mph.  Loose arm that could grow more in the near future.

Michael Colonna (RHP, Weddington HS, 2022) – Fastball ranged from 88-91 with 12:45 tilt creating a median spin of 2233 rpm.  Working the bottom of the zone, the fastball plays with pace out of the hand.  Athletic arm swing and easy delivery allow for an easy projection of continued growth.  The slider is tight with late action darting away from the fastball tunnel, working out of a similar release.  Around the curveball a bit, we could see an adjustment and a potential for four quality pitches in his future.

Carson Edmiston (RHP, West Wilkes HS, 2023) – Athletic frame jumps out as he toes the rubber, standing 6-foot-2, 170 pounds.  Medium arm swing and high-3/4 slot with the fastball peaking at 83.  Stuff still needs to polish but Edmiston is in good positions and as the arm speed and overall strength levels increase, we will see a jump in stuff, and how it plays.

Everette Harris (RHP, Charlotte Christian, 2022) – Pitch one was thrown and the room got quiet… Arm speed will get scouts dialed in quickly and Harris has arm speed to spare.  Still maturing with plenty of room to add strength to the 6-foot-1 frame, Harris sat 85-87 from a high-3/4 slot with a 1:00 tilt out of the hand, producing a max spin rate of 2280 rpm.  The slider is still developing, working out of a lower release point with inconsistent spin, but the makings of an at least average pitch are present. 

Ryan Hench (RHP, Orange HS, 2023) – physical presence at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds with strength in the frame.  Fastball up to 86 from an over the top slot with a median spin rate of 2026rpm.  The breaking ball plays with hard, downer action, creating an induced vertical movement over the 60 feet of -5.44 inches.  Still working to define who he is as a player, the pitching component will have a chance to play heavy into his future.

Jackson Humphries (LHP, Fuquay-Varina HS, 2022) – High-3/4 with a short arm action and quick, athletic arm, Humphries is another that has taken a jump in his last year, with more expected growth coming.  The fastball reached 88 with some ease in this bullpen.  Impressive spray of releases, working to tunnel his fastball and slider together.  The slider works with late tilt at at 78 with over 5 inches of induced vertical movement.

Carson Morton (RHP, West Stanly HS, 2022) – Intriguing follow.  Big frame with a fastball up to 84 already.  Over-the-top with a short arm action working to load the scapular.  Downer breaking ball spun close to 2400rpm.  Stuff is raw but the makings of something to follow are present.

Connor Paulin (RHP, Fuquay-Varina HS, 2022) – Lanky with long limbs at 6-foot-3, 160 pounds.  Fastball up to 86.  Coiled at balance the arm wraps out of the hand break but he works to get back on time.  Fastball does work from a higher release point, creating early sweep on the breaking ball.  There is length and some depth to the curveball.  Around the zone with feel for the fastball and curveball. 

Andrew Poon (RHP, Northwest Guilford HS, 2022) – Continues to intrigue as his stuff ticks up each time we see him.  Fastball peaked at 85 with a long arm stroke.  Strike thrower.  Solid feel for an advanced change up that should create soft contact.

Jackson Roberts (RHP, Northern Guilford HS, 2022) – Another big step forward for Jackson who has applied strength to his 6-foot-1, 175 pound frame.  The fastball has life at 86-88.  Solid three pitch mix with a slider and change-up that will be at least college average pitches moving forward.  Breaking ball spin up to 2851rpm creating solid vertical and horizontal movement when working through the pitch. 

Aubrey Smith (RHP, South Brunswick HS, 2022) – Fastball ranged 86.96 – 88.74mph.  Broad shoulders and strength present at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds.  Aggressive demeaner, working downhill with intent.  Solid slider with 8:30 tilt and a top end spin rate of 2257 rpm.

Brady Turner (LHP, Oak Grove HS, 2022) – Quick arm and aggressive at 5-foot-7, 160 pounds.  Can spin the breaking ball with feel.  Fastball ranged 82.52 – 85.27, spinning from 1782-2087rpm.  Breaking ball is thrown with intent creating a median vertical break of -6.54 inches at 4:30 tilt.  Can attack the zone and expand with the breaking ball.