PBR Nevada hosted its inaugural PBR Top Prospect Showcase (Invite Only) on June 10^th at 9 am at Desert Oasis High School. Participants were able to perform in front of coaches and recruiters from programs such as the University of Utah, Pepperdine, Grand Canyon, Dixie State and Seattle. Below is a look at the statistical leaders from the workout. 

Pitchers

’20 Nolan Patterson (Coronado) LHP – The 6-foot-2 175 Patterson has some upside. With a feel for 3 pitches and a fastball that topped out at 85, he is positioned for some velocity jumps with delivery adjustments.  He throws from a ¾ slot with solid zone feel and pitch definition. Patterson featured a curveball 60-79 and changeup 73-75.

’20 Ryan Steinhauer (Spring Valley) LHP – The undersized Steinhauer (5-foot-8, 155) displayed good pitchability.  He showed area control of his fastball, ranging 77-80. The curveball is 66-68 and changeup 73-74. His arm works from a ¾ slot and it is easy to see him eating innings at the next level with velocity improvement.

’20 Jacob Baca (Desert Oasis) LHP – Baca looks the part at 6-foot-4 190 he is a physical presence with high ¾ arm action. His fastball was up to 83 but there is more in the arm. He has limited feel for off speed, slowing his arm on his secondary pitches. The two-sport (football/baseball) athlete is poised for jumps with steady work and dedication to his delivery and the position.

Outfielders

’20 Sean Pauly (Galena)  – Pauly is a physical 6-foot-3 205, corner outfielder with the tools to be a potential middle of the order bat. He throws from an overhand slot, making on target throws with confident footwork and a reliable glove to release exchange. At the plate, he makes consistent loud contact with a flat swing. He sets up with a high back elbow and the bat positioned deep in his top hand palm. There is a manageable length to his swing with solid bat to ball feel. He has room for growth as a player but there is an intriguing naturalness to his game.

’20 Brant Hunt (Silverado) – Hunt is an athletically built player (6-foot 175) with the potential to maybe play all three outfield spots or catch. His 7.0 60-yard time on a damp/soft track and his athleticism could get lost behind the dish. He displayed a quick throwing exchange, utilizing long hop throws to the bases. At the plate, Hunt has a simple approach with a quick handsy swing. He has a steep plane and is consistently short through the ball, but solid contact produces strong carry. There is an intriguing naturalness to his game and with work and development could have a high ceiling.

’20 Payton Brooks (Arbor View)  – Brooks possesses a solid skill set. He is a lean, 5-foot-8 130, outfielder with a max positional velocity of 83 to accompany a true and accurate throwing arm. He moves around the outfield easily with good fielding actions and efficient mechanics. At the plate, he makes consistent quality contact with a line drive approach to all fields. Weight and strength improvements could play up present tools, but easy to see Brooks as an uber utility type player at the next level. 

’20 Colton Zobrist (Desert Oasis) - Strong 6-foot 185, Zobrist is a corner outfielder whose bat will need to carry him. He made on target throws from the outfield with reliable actions. At the plate, he relies on strength over bat speed in a mostly pull side approach. Zobrist batting practice rounds included some loud contact that could translate to a middle of the order bat down the road.  Zobrist could see some jumps in his game as the former two-sport (baseball/football) player has decided to dedicate his final year of high school to baseball.

Infielders

’20 Everett Williams (Damonte Ranch)  – Really like what this young man has done with himself over this past spring.  He has transformed his body to become a viable left-handed hitting third baseman with capable infield actions and present pull side power. His future ability to get into his lower half during the swing could provide power to all fields. His batting practice displayed consistent quality contact. Williams has a strong desire to play at the highest level and willing to put the time and work in. Look for him to continue to progress and hold down the hot corner with a ceiling has a middle of the order bat.

’20 Colby Smith (Desert Oasis) - Smith is going to profile at third or second base with a reliable glove and enough arm strength to play all three infield positions. He has a solid feel for turning double plays from both sides of the bag. He has a feel for multiple angle throws in double play feeds as well as In the box, he has rhythm swing with good plane, making consistent quality contact. Weight and strength gains may provide some pull side power down the road, but present levels lend more to a gap to gap type guy. 

’20 Layne Adaro (Las Vegas)  – The undersized Adaro is a game time player. His tools may not jump off the page, but he has good infield actions and his footspeed and footwork will play up his arm strength. Adaro likely profiles as a second baseman at the next level but this baseball player could fill in anywhere on the diamond. The left-handed hitter uses the whole field, spraying line drives during batting practice. In order to truly appreciate the player, consider seeing in-game performance.

Catchers

’20 Lane Oliphant (Reno) – Sturdy bodied backstop, Oliphant is a well-schooled receiver with soft yet strong hands. He maintains instincts for the position and is quick on block and recovery. He throws from a high ¾ slot with a quick exchange and is on target with consistent 2.0 pop times in the tag zone. He relies on strength over bat speed with a natural loft to a swing with manageable length, driving the ball well to the opposite field gap during batting practice. He maintains a middle of the field approach but can show sneaky pull-side power.