The premier winter scouting event in North Carolina took place on Sunday January 28^th at On Deck Academy in Pineville, NC.  The beautiful facility allowed PBR to conduct a full pro-style workout while it was pouring outside.  For the second year in a row, the event sold out, with over 60 of the top players in North Carolina on hand.

Each player went through a full workout, updating statistics for their PBR Profile page as well as adding a new evaluation and video.  Pitchers threw a controlled bullpen, understanding it is still January, where they were asked to continue with their build-up process for the spring. 

PBR’s staff included three former D1 coaches and recruiting coordinators as well as a number of coaches with a tremendous back ground at various levels of baseball.  Also, on hand were several pro scouts, working to get an early look for the spring.  The event was broadcast live through Twitter and Periscope, allowing PBR to hear from coaches from as far away as Arizona.    Video was taken of each athlete and the video will be cut into short clips, highlighting their performance on the day.

An athletic group of catchers worked through a long day.  Showing up with the pitchers, PBR staff was able to evaluate their ability to receive.  As the rest of the position players arrived, the catchers were able to complete an offensive evaluation and work out at a secondary position if they choose.  The group, made up of 2019 and 2020 graduates, presented different tools, each with an asset that allow them to compete at high levels. 

Sullivan Newsome (C/1B, Weddington HS, 2020) impresses with his athleticism and projection.  The right handed hitter took several loud rounds of BP, while sitting with some looseness while receiving.  Nathan Nygaard (C/INF, Sun Valley HS, 2020) has physical strength, working with quickness behind the plate through his transition.  The bat has continued to develop as well. 

For a complete breakdown on the catchers, scroll down below.  Each evaluation covers each catcher’s complete day at the Preseason All-State event.

2018 Preseason All-State: By The Numbers

• 64 Players went through the workout at On Deck Academy
• By Class: 6 SR, 39 JR, 18 SO, 1 FR
• 19 players ran a 4.00 or better in the 30 yard dash. 
• 19 of 26 infielders charted a positional velocity of 80 mph or better. 
• 5 arms registered 88 mph or better from the outfield. 
• 4 of 6 catchers flashed advanced carry with a position velocity, out of the crouch, of 74 or better
• 13 hitters registered an exit velocity, off the barrel, of 90 mph or better. 
• 32 hitters were better than 85 mph. 
• 12 pitchers worked at 83 or higher. 
• This event featured 30+ players that have attended a PBR of North Carolina event in the past year and a half. 

Click Here for the full roster of players that attended the Preseason All-State

Click Here to see the complete statistical breakdown from the Preseason All-State

Catcher Evaluations

 

 

Jacob Bebber C / 3B / Alexander Central, NC / 2020   5 feet 9, 165-pound build with a strong lower half. Balanced setup from the right side of the plate with a smooth, fluid load. Uses his lower half well generating above average bat speed with an exit velocity of 86mph. Looks to stay gap to gap with short bat path getting good extension through the zone. Good feel for his barrel and stays balanced throughout his swing. Behind the plate he shows average hands, feet get heavy at times leading to longer exchange. Throws from a high-3/4 slot with a shorter arm action. Shows some accuracy with his arm topping at 72mph. Above average hands and shows more arm strength from the infield at 78mph across the diamond. Recorded times of 4.25 in the 30-yard dash and 5-10-5 agility test,8-7 in the standing broad jump.

 

 

Spencer Bright C / 3B / Lincoln Charter School, NC / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 138 / POS: 17   Lanky athletic build at 6 feet 1, 175 pounds. Shows fluid footwork behind the plate with quick clean exchanges and an easy release. Throws from a high-3/4 slot with a short arm action and carry to his throws. Throws topped at 74mph to second base. Shows good hands on the infield with fluid actions and a quick exchange. Arm peaked at 77mph across the diamond. Right hand hitter with a smooth load showing a fluid swing and short path to the ball. Has feel for his swing with quiet hands and a line drive approach with his exit velocity peaking at 83mph. Recorded times of 4.46 in the 30yard dash, 4.93 in the 5-10-5 agility test, and 8-1 in the standing broad jump.

 

 

Cambell Conard C / 2B / T C Roberson, NC / 2020   Average build at 5 feet 10, 173 pounds. Switch hitter who shows good feel from both sides of the plate. Uses an athletic setup from both sides with a small leg kick. Fluid swings using his hips to generate above average bat speed. Shows a line drive approach getting good extension through the zone. Shorter swing right handed with an exit velocity of 82mph;  80mph left handed. Behind the plate he receives easy with fluid feet and clean exchanges. Throws from a high-3/4 slot with a short arm action leading to accurate throws with his arm topping at 75mph, out of his stance. Also, shows good infield actions with average hands and playing through the ball with fluid feet. Topped at 80mph across the diamond. Recorded times of 4.15 in the 30-yard dash, 4.61 in the 5-10-5 agility test, and 9-0 in the standing broad jump.

 

 

Sullivan Newsome C / 1B / Weddington, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 3   Lanky, athletic, projectable build at 6 feet 2, 195 pounds. Athleticism plays behind the plate with fluid footwork and quick, clean exchanges. Throws over the top with a short arm action and carry on his throws.  Positional velocity of 75 out of the crouch.  Good feet on the infield with his arm peaking at 80mph, across the diamond. Offensively, works from the right side with an open setup and high hands. Short stride working to get his lower half through the ball. Bat path gets long at times, working out of the zone quickly.  Ball jumps when there is length through the zone.  Average to above barrel awareness.  Bat speed exists. Exit velocity recorded at 86mph.  Posted times of 4.27 in the 30-yard dash, 4.70 in the 5-10-5 agility test, and 8-1 in the standing broad jump.

 

 

Nathan Nygaard C / 1B / Sun Valley, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 49 / POS: 7   Strong build at 6 feet 1, 195 pounds. Hits from the right side using a balanced open stance. Toe tap in his load getting his lower half involved throughout the swing. Strength in the swing generating above average bat speed. Good feel for the barrel.  Stiff at times working out of the zone to quick. Exit velocity recorded at 87mph. Behind the plate shows average hands with a clean transfer leading to a short arm action. Throws topped at 71mph. Quick release over loading arm strength.  Recorded times of 4.48 in the 30yard dash, 4.93 in the 5-10-5 agility test, and 8-11 in the standing broad jump.

 

 

Tristan Robinson C / OF / Freedom, NC / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 198 / POS: 28   Average build at 5 feet 9, 185 pounds. Right hand hitter with a slightly crouched, balanced setup with high hands. Uses a short stride with not much going back to get his lower half involved. Uses a more pull approach with his bat path getting long at times. Exit velocity recorded at 81mph. Behind the plate he shows average hands with clean exchanges. Uses his lower half throwing from a high-3/4 slot with a short arm action. Throws peaked at 71mph from the position. Recorded times of 4.05 in the 30yard dash, 4.72 in the 5-10-5 agility test, and 8-9 in the standing broad jump.

 

 

Andrew Sarno C / 3B / Charlotte Catholic, NC / 2020   5 feet 11, 190-pound build. Works from the right side offensively with an open stance. Works back in his load with his hands working from low to high. Gets extension through the zone working uphill at times. Exit velocity recorded at 82mph and should improve with more lower half in the swing. Average hands behind the plate with clean exchanges. Uses a short arm action with his throws topping at 65mph. Average actions on the infield and will improve with better footwork. Recorded times of 4.46 in the 30yard dash, 5.38 in the 5-10-5 agility test, and 8-1 in the standing broad jump.

 

 

Bryce Stober C / 2B / Hickory, NC / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 188 / POS: 25   Average build at 5-feet-8, 160 pounds. Shows clean exchanges with average hands behind the plate. Short arm action throwing from a high-3/4 slot topping at 74 out of the crouch. Shows more arm strength from infield peaking at 81mph, with quick feet and average actions. Hits from the right side with a balanced setup working back in his load with a short stride. Shows quiet hands with above average bat speed and an exit velocity of 82mph which should improve with more rhythm and lower half throughout his swing. Recorded times of 3.96 in the 30-yard dash, 4.18 in the 5-10-5 agility test, and 9-7 in the standing broad jump.