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Team Carolina Take Pool; Big Arm Takes Center Stage

August 2, 2022
Brandon Hall
Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director

Team Carolina - 8 Team Missouri - 6


Team Carolina finished up their 4 day Future Game experience with a typical experience at LakePoint.  With the final game slot of the day, Team Carolina’s 4:30 game slot was pushed back to 7:30 with a George Thunderstorm that rolled through the area.  While the game was delayed, there was still plenty of atmosphere around the complex.  Team Carolina took on Team Missouri, who entered the final game at 2-0 in the pool play.


With a win, Team Carolina would sit atop the pool for the 2022 PBR Future Games.  Early the game was back and forth as each club got use to playing through a light rain.  As the rain subsided, Team Carolina began to take control with another strong performance on the mound and an aggressive mentality at the plate.  Team Carolina would win 8-6, but more importantly the members of Team Carolina put on a big show over the 4 day event, turning heads of college coaches from coast to coast.


Game 3 Player Notes


Trey Roberts, RHP, Green Level HS, 2024
Long and lean, it is easy to project where Roberts could be in a couple of years.  The arm is athletic with well above average arm speed through a high-¾ release.  He sprayed the fastball a bit in this outing, but was the first on the bump after the rain delay, and pitched through a steady mist in his two innings of work.  The fastball bumped 90, sitting 84-88 with solid arm side run, spinning at 2250rpm.  The slider should be a weapon as he continues to progress, ranging 73-76 with short, late, horizontal action.


Briggs McKenzie, LHP, Corinth Holders HS, 2025
Quite possibly the biggest buzz of the week belongs to the big lefty.  The frame catches the eye at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, and the delivery is stable with solid direction working to an over-the-top release.  The stuff was flat out electric.  The fastball ranged 88-90, living in the bottom of the zone, and flashing the ability to pitch to both sides of the plate.  While the arm speed was extremely quick, the fastball played up with 2300+rpm out of the hand.  He paired the fastball with a late, sharp breaking ball at 76-77, 2600rpm.  The two pitches consistently received swing and misses in the zone, plus plenty of late count chases.  On top of his ability to attack hitters, McKenzie showed feel for controlling the run game, flashing an above average pick move and some feel for when runners may look to take a base.

 

 


 


Cole Greer, RHP, Berkeley HS, 2025

Average size with a high over-the-top slot, Greer’s overall stuff does not take full affect until hitters get in the box.  They were routinely late on 86-88 in the zone due to the way the fastball plays out of the hand with 2400+ rpm.  Greer works with confidence and attacked with the fastball working up and down at times.  He pairs the fastball with a big top to bottom breaking ball at 71-73, 2300rpm curveball.  He has shown an ability to land the pitch consistently even with the big, arcing break.  Vs. left handed hitters he unveiled a change-up he has been working on at 78 with some fade.  While it is his 3rd pitch, it has the makings of an at least average pitch that should allow him to give hitters a different look when warranted.


Landon Penfield, 3B, Blythewood HS, 2024
The left handed hitter earned Dicks Sporting Goods Player of the Game honors after singling hard to left field, tripling to center field, knocking in one and scoring the go ahead run for Team Carolina.  An advanced approach with the ability to use all fields, Penfield’s bat was very impressive throughout the week at LakePoint.

 

 


 


JJ Parsons, C, Southwest Guilford HS, 2024
Listed at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Parsons is a commanding presence behind the plate.  Well above average receiving skills got several arms in the zone early and kept them there throughout their outings.  Adept at calling a game, there was solid rhythm throughout his innings behind the plate with an ability to get the arms ahead in the count and the ability to finish hitters when the opportunity presented itself.  The arm plays with some ease, showing a quick transfer and easy release.  Excellent carry and accuracy throughout the week.


Sawyer Black, OF, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2024
Advanced left handed hitter showed an ability to handle right handed power stuff as well as good left handed pitching.  Was on the barrel several times in game 3, as he had been throughout the week.  Will be primed to show up in the next couple of years as a hitter to watch.  Committed to Liberty shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 PBR Future Games.

 

 


 


Braden Mauro, SS, Daniel HS, 2024
Long and lanky, athletic frame.  Left handed hitter.  Good defender with a ton of confidence in his hands and his arm.  Skills should allow him to stick at SS as he moves forward.  Competitive at-bats throughout the game play, facing advanced arms all week. 

 



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