Prep Baseball Report

Future Games: Team NC Game 2 vs. Maryland


Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

Follow: X | Facebook | Instagram 

From Wednesday, July 24, through Sunday, July 28, Prep Baseball is hosting the next edition of its prestigious Future Games at LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Ga., featuring the country's best uncommitted talent. And, for the first time ever, the Future Games is hosting not just its typical set of incoming juniors and freshmen, but also a 17U division of uncommitted Class of 2025 players who will participate in the inaugural Senior Future Games.

On the first day of the 2024 Future Games, all players representing grad classes 2025, 2026, and 2028 will be participating in a pro-style workout in front of a fleet of Division I coaches alongside fellow prospects representing nearly every state in the nation.

Today we take a look at some of the top performances from workout day, from within Team NC.  Several players put up eye popping numbers.  North Carolina was well represented atop the national leader boards with their day at LakePoint..

+ Click here to view all captured statistics from the 16U Workout Day.

GAME 2: TEAM NORTH CAROLINA vs. TEAM MARYLAND

Notes on the Pitchers

Chase Kiker RHP / 3B / Metrolina Chrisitan Academy, NC / 2026

One of the top arms in the country, Kiker's outing on Friday afternoon was highly anticipated based on the action around the Team NC field.  He did not disappoint.  Ranging 89-93, sitting 91-93 early, Kiker flashed a fastball that jumped on hitters with a solid feel for pitching.  The breaking ball and change-up also flashed as above average pitches.  Defensive woes got the strong righty in some trouble in his final inning of work, loading the bases with no outs.  Kiker turned the notch up a bit and proceeded to punch the next three hitters out, showcasing elite stuff, but more importantly, giving coaches a chance to see the competitive nature that coaches and scouts that know him rave about.  He loves to compete. He loves big moments. He tends to come up big when he is needed most. At the 2024 Future Games, Kiker recorded all 6 of his outs via the strikeout.

Fastball: 89-93
Slider: 77-79, 2400rpm
Change-up: 81-86, 1600rpm

 

Colton Haire RHP / OF / Pro5 Baseball Academy, NC / 2026

Haire is a strong bodied righty with a clean delivery and arm.  The fastball sat 86-88, but it was the breaking ball that caught most of the attention.  A hard curveball at 74-76, up to 3000rpm, suggesting there is growth that could come quickly with the fastball.  The breaking ball has a chance to become a true out pitch at the next level.  The athleticism present is good, giving some schools thought of a potential dual prospect as roster limits lower in the coming years.  Offensively he works as a switch hitter and flashes gap power.

Fastball: 86-88, 2400rpm
Curveball: 74-76, 3000rpm
Change-up: 81, 1800rpm

 

Ryan Engle OF / LHP / Westchester Country Day, NC / 2026

A true dual prospect, Engle had the chance to shine on the third day of the event and second game day.  Being a dual prospect, especially at an event like this can take up a lot of energy.  Engle still flashed an advanced fastball with very interesting metrics.  It is paired with a hard, late slider.  Still young and maturing, Engle is still polishing the delivery and arm action, as well as his use of his stuff.  The stuff will play as Engle continues to move up the ladder.

Fastball: 86-90
Breaking Ball: 76-80, 2300rpm
Change-up: 78, 1600rpm

 

William Vetter RHP / 3B / Cary High, NC / 2026

Vetter has obvious length and athleticism over the rubber.  The 3/4 slot produces a fastball with heavy run and sink.  Pairing that offering with his slider, Vetter can attack the middle of the plate and let the ball move, creating "X" patterns out of the hand, confusing hitters as the ball enters their decision zone. Vetter has advanced stuff now, creating issues for hitters, but he is just scratching the surface of how to use his arsenal and will give hitters a lot of headaches moving forward.

Shortly after the Future Games, Vetter committed to continue his playing career and education at Virginia Tech.

 

Game 2 Offensive Notes

+ Xander Sutton (C, Gaston Christian, 2026) had two solid at-bats, singling to center on his second.  Offensively, Sutton is compact and quick to the baseball.  He produced quality at-bats throughout the week in Atlanta, getting one look at high level arms, in each at-bat.

+ Cason McGinnis (SS, North Lincoln HS, 2026) continues to impress in the game situations.  A shortstop with feel for speed of the game showed arm stength, carry, and timing on several plays that moved him to his right or created charge plays. All of McGinnis' tools seem to tick up in the game situation.