By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker
@ShooterHunt

Day One of the 2017 PBR Future Games allowed position players from 20 teams to showcase their skills in a pro-style workout. Close to 300 uncommitted 2019-2021 players put on a show in front of throngs of collegiate coaches from schools spanning from coast to coast and everything in between. Event records were threatened constantly, broken and tied once, and it was easy to see that the talent level was high. There was a buzz in the air, and murmurs to be heard throughout the crowd as multiple players stepped forward to make some noise along with an excellent introduction to the week. With plenty more on the way the rest of the week, here are 10 things that stood out.

 

Oklahoma Is The Place To Be

The Sooner State entered into the PBR family less than a year ago, and in its first day, the state produced some of the bigger names to follow the rest of the week. While he will get the start in tomorrow’s opening game, 2020 RHP/OF Nate Wohlgemuth (Owasso HS, OK) gave a glimpse to all in attendance as to why he is the top-ranked player in the 2020 class. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound, broad-chested right-hander uncorked 94 mph throws from the outfield, and his short, quick stroke had balls jumping off his bat. With several other 2020’s from Oklahoma having great days, it was OF Jace Bohrofen (Westmoore HS, OK) who really stood out to me. At 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, Bohrofen is far from being done filling out, but the left-handed hitting outfielder showed simple stroke with loose actions, and calmly sent balls shooting from gap to gap. The wiry-athlete is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential, and there is much more on the way for him in the future. While there were plenty of other strong performances, 2019 IF Connor Beichler (Owasso HS, OK) had a heck of a day. After running a 6.56 60-yard dash, he had one of the better hitting rounds of the day with balls jumping off the barrel from his quick hands. In the field he showed some twitch while remaining smooth.

The 2021 Class Has Arrived

C Austin Bode (White Creek Lutheran HS, IN), SS Alex Mooney (St. Mary’s Prep, MI) and OF Kavares Tears (Columbia Academy, TN) each showcased their skills to college coaches before stepping foot in a high school classroom. While it may feel a bit early to be talking about the next level, each player demonstrated a strong foundation to build on over the next four years. Bode showed quick, powerful hands at the plate from the left side with proportional strength throughout his developing frame. Mooney showed some feel for the barrel at the plate, and demonstrated solid movements in the field that will have coaches following him for the next few years. Finally, Tears showed, perhaps, the most power of any player on the day, as he crushed balls over the wall in right field multiple times. He showcases near plus power while working uphill through the zone, and has a loose finish.

NYC Stand Up

One of the bigger surprises of the day came from 2019 SS Aaron Perez (All Hallows HS, NY). The same twitch that he showed in his hands while at the plate, he brought out to the field to flash the leather. Perez was outstanding, moving side to side with ease, and quickly getting rid of the ball from all angles. He is going to have a chance to defend at a high level, and should continue getting better as he fills out.

Blue Grass Standouts

The 2019 class in Kentucky is filled with plenty of catching talent, and Colin Burgess (Tates Creek HS, KY) has added himself to the list. His smooth path to the ball and feel for the barrel allowed him to stroke line drives to the middle of the field. During the defensive portion, Burgess’ quick transfer allowed him to produce low times around 1.97 to second base. Other interesting standouts included 2020 SS Ethan Kavanagh (Highlands HS, KY), 2019 IF Noah Blythe (Tates Creek HS, KY), 2019 OF Trenton Neuer (Lexington Catholic HS, KY) and 2019 3B Tyler Wagner (Walton-Verona HS, KY).

Milazzo Shines

2019 C Alex Milazzo (Zachary HS, LA) had quite the day. The backstop ran a 6.93 60-yard dash, and was far and away the top defensive catcher. With times as low as 1.86 to second base, and multiple other sub-2.0 times, Milazzo loudly made a name for himself on the day. He showed off a strong, accurate arm with carry, and at the plate, demonstrated feel for the barrel while taking a mature, line drive filled round.

Crum Rakes

OF Derek Crum (Gaither HS, FL) has been my pick for a while now and he continued to roll with a professional round of hitting. The left-hander shows off quick hands and balance at the plate. I have been a fan of his workman-type approach, and he has continued to grow over the past year, and is now one of the best, uncommitted hitters in the country in my opinion.

Greer Shows All-Around Tools

SS Jalen Greer (St. Rita HS, IL) had one of the more complete days of any player. The 6-foot-2, 165-pounder ran a 6.92 60-yard dash before calmly and routinely fielding ground balls, and showing off an 87 mph arm across the diamond. At the plate, he showed the balanced, line drive approach that he has consistently shown in the past, and with more room to add to his frame, his quick hands should be producing gap to gap power in the future.

Mounce Is Quick In Different Facets

OF J.T. Mounce (Cypress Christian HS, TX) posted a 6.49 60-yard dash before showing off that same twitchy-speed in the outfield with some carry on his throws. At the plate, he is balanced with quick hands, and his barrel showed some lag that allowed him to stroke line drives from gap to gap.

Pennsylvania Power

Team Pennsylvania loudly made its presence felt to start the day with strong BP rounds from multiple players. 2019 OF Austin Bradbury (Cedar Cliff HS, PA) is a physical 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, and ran a 6.78 60-yard dash before unleashing throws from the outfield of 92 mph. However, it might have been his balanced attack at the plate that really made him stand out. With easy loading hands connected to a short stride, Bradbury drove balls into the gap with ease while looking under control. It is easy to envision even more power coming from such a controlled swing in the future, and his balance should help him stay on all pitches. Standing close to 2020 IF Kevin Karstetter (State College HS, PA), the first thing that stands out is just how physical the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is. He has broad shoulders and a strong lower half that allow him to stroke balls to the gaps. He is a thicker athlete in the field, and while he will likely shift to third base at the next level, he showed off solid hands at shortstop.

Have a Day, Drew Gilbert

With nearly every player from the MN/IA/NE squad deserving of a write-up on the day—and they will get plenty of ink in coming days—2019 OF/LHP Drew Gilbert (Stillwater HS, MN) continued to show why he was one of my favorite players from the PBR circuit that I traveled throughout the winter. The left-handed hitting outfielder posted a 6.93 60-yard dash, topped out at 91 mph in the outfield, and showed the whippy-strength needed to drive balls all over the yard. Gilbert is an athletic defender, and his arm strength transfers over to the mound, as well. Look for him on the bump later this week.

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