Prep Baseball Report

Border Battle Spotlight: Owen Simmons


Zach Boraski
North Carolina Assistant Scouting Director

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June begins the summer circuit for recruiting and player evaluation.  One event that has become a "must" for players, coaches, and scouts in the Carolinas is the NC/SC Border Battle.  This year's event took returned to UNC Charlotte's Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium for two days of action, featuring 130 of the best players in NC and SC.  They did not disappoint. 

On Tuesday June 11th, the position players went through their offensive and defensive evaluations.  North Carolina worked out first taking multiple rounds of BP, followed by their defensive evaluations and athletic testing.  As North Carolina finished, South Carolina started with their athletic testing, defensive evals, and finally their offensive evaluation.  Coaches and scouts were able to see multiple rounds of BP from each player plus see them move around at their primary defensive position, getting a feel for their athleticism and feel for the game.

Wednesday June 12th was game day.  Each player was scheduled to play in one 9 inning game with pitchers throwing live to hitters.  In total, NC and SC squared off in 4 exciting games and the roster of the top players in the two states put on a show.

Below we begin the process of unpacking everything we saw at the high level event.  From stats to player notes, to a deep dive into some analytics, we will work to uncover everything these players did and all the numbers they put up at the two day event.  To see the full roster and full statistical package, CLICK HERE.




Scouting Report

A 5'9 righty with a thick lower half from JH Rose High School. Utilzes a high 3/4 arm slot with a long takeway, and a direct delivery down the mound. Simmons fastball ranged 84/87 on the day and has been as high as 89 MPH with ASR present especially down in the zone. Throws a 12/7 tilt spike curve that can be a out pitch, with the ability to get swing and miss down in the zone. Command and feel for both pitches, Simmons can generate quick outs with the ability to get swing and miss when needed.