OK Summer Open: Shortstop Analysis

September 7, 2019
Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director

PBR OK hosted the third annual OK Summer Open at Central Oklahoma University. Nearly 75 players showcased their skill in front of the PBR OK staff and multiple colleges.

Complete Roster: Click Here

Complete Pitching Stats: Click Here

Complete Position Stats: Click Here

Check out the 19 shortstops from the event, here.

Ethan Avra SS / 3B / Sapulpa, OK / 2021

A 5-foot-11, 165-pound rising junior right-handed hitter who ran a 7.09 60-yard dash. Slightly closed stance features an armbar and knob of bat pointed toward his front foot. Rocks weight to backside and incorporates a short, lift-and-replace stride, cocking the bat slightly from its initial starting position. Despite this unorthodox approach, his eyes stay level and the ball comes off his bat well, as he registered an 86-mph exit velocity. Showed a soft glove hand and feel for fielding the baseball out front during fungo work. Accurate arm from an over-the-top slot which generated 83-mph arm strength across the diamond.

Cal Birchfield SS / RHP / Rattan, OK / 2021

Rising junior left-handed hitter who ran a 7.14 60-yard dash. Starts from an upright, open stance and incorporates a toe-tap into a square base. Rests bat on shoulder, raises it with a waggle and wraps barrel behind his head to launch. Stays under control, repeats swing and used the whole field during his BP round. Keeps barrel in the zone and hits through contact well. Additional strength in his 6-foot, 160-pound frame will help him grow into gap power (registered 80-mph exit velo on this day). Defensively, he gains ground with a solid approach to the ball. Can play high at times, causing him to work down to the ball instead of behind it. Posted 85-mph arm strength across the diamond.

Braylon Brooks SS / RHP / Tuttle, OK / 2024

A developing 5-foot-6, 130-pound frame with athleticism and plenty of room to fill in as he matures. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts in an athletic, square base with rhythm in his hands set high by his ear. Initiates his swing with a toe-tap load and small knee-knock before launching his hands on a flat bat path through the zone. Some length to swing, but consistently barreled up balls generating line-drives to all fields during BP. 76 mph exit velocity. 8.21 60-yard dash. In the infield, showed confident, clean actions with soft hands and good footwork. Throws from a high-¾ arm slot yielding accurate throws at 76 mph.

Keaton Campbell SS / 3B / Charles Page, OK / 2022

Displayed a tall, lean 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with obvious projectability. The right-handed hitter begins with a back-leaning, square stance utilizing a leg-kick to initiate his swing. Displayed hands that stayed in tight throughout the swing, generating a flat barrel path upon entering the zone. Showcased feel of the lower half, yielding adequate barrel awareness . Recorded an 80 mph bat-exit velocity, which will improve with increased barrel whip. Registered a 7.45 60-yard dash. The primary middle infielder showed active feet starting with his approach jump timed with the ball being delivered to the plate. Played low to the ground with long actions and adequate range coupled with a soft glove hand. Consistent, easy transfers into a high ¾ arm-slot with a short takeaway yielded accurate throws of 75 mph across the diamond.

Evan Casey SS / OF / Sapulpa, OK / 2021

Showcased a lean 5-foot-10, 145-pound frame with present athleticism and projectability in a body he currently has feel for. The right-handed hitter starts with an even, balanced stance utilizing a slow, controlled toe-tap to initiate his swing. Displayed a fluid lower half with feel for his hands while hitting into a soft front side. Demonstrated a line drive approach yielding a 77 mph bat-exit velocity. Recorded a 6.86 60-yard dash. The primary shortstop featured smooth, easy actions while arriving to the ball on time with regularity. Footwork played actively through the ball at impact generating consistent, accurate throws of 78 mph across the infield out of a quick, over-the-top arm-slot. The outfielder showcased advanced footwork with feel for creating momentum towards the target. A quick arm and comfortable transfers allowed for accurate 86 mph arm-strength with carry from his position.

Gabe Clyden SS / 2B / Piedmont, OK / 2022

Displayed a lean, athletic 5-foot-8, 120-pound frame with room to add size and strength. The right-handed hitter begins with a wide, even stance utilizing a barrel that points back towards the catcher. A short lift-and-replace stride allowed for a flat barrel path to enter the zone yielding a 72 mph bat-exit velocity . Hit into a stiff front side while showing some feel for his hands. Recorded a 7.69 60-yard dash. The primary middle infielder demonstrated a comfortable, smooth approach to the ball arriving on time with regularity. A low center of gravity and momentum towards the target generated a 75 mph arm-strength out of a high ¾ arm-slot with a moderate takeaway.

Steven Colon Jr SS / 2B / Deer Creek, OK / 2020

A lean 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame with lots of room to add size and strength. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from an even and slightly front foot heavy set up with some rhythm in his hands. Uses a big knee-knock load before throwing his hands on a flat path through contact. In BP, shows a middle of the field and flat approach with developing strength, 74 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.32 60. Defensively, shows clean and quick footwork with some softness in his hands. Shows clean exchanges and a quick release. Throws with a very short arm stroke through a ¾ slot with developing accuracy at 71 mph.

Connor Dong SS / RHP / Choctaw, OK / 2023

The 5-foot-8, 130-pound primary shortstop showcased a stocky frame with room to add size and strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter begins from a narrow, even setup utilizing a leg-hang to initiate a flat barrel path into the zone. Demonstrated feel for his hands evidenced by spraying line drives towards the middle of the field . Registered a 76 mph bat-exit velocity while hitting into a stiff front side and recorded a 7.66 60-yard dash. The shortstop featured short, quick actions while playing low to the ground. Feet arrived on time to the baseball and allowed for accurate 71 mph arm-strength across the infield out of a short, high ¾ arm-slot.

Nicholas Harris SS / RHP / Edmond Sante Fe, OK / 2023

The 5-foot-9, 130-pound primary middle infielder demonstrated a lean frame with obvious projectability and room to add strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance with knees pointed inwards utilizing a leg-lift to initiate his swing. Hit into a stiff front side with slight weight-shift allowing for a flat barrel path through the zone. Registered a 73 mph bat-exit velocity and ran a 7.57 60-yard dash. The shortstop featured short, quick actions while playing low to the ground coupled with a soft glove hand. A short, high ¾ arm-slot yielded accurate 69 mph throws across the infield during defensive evaluations.

Cole Harrison SS / 2B / Putnam City North , OK / 2021

Demonstrated a lean 5-foot-8, 130-pound frame with fluid actions and room to add strength as he matures. The left-handed hitter begins with a wide, open stance utilizing a quick toe-tap to initiate his swing. Fluid, easy hips allowed for a flat barrel to enter the zone yielding a 73 mph bat-exit velocity. Displayed feel for the barrel with ability to hit the ball where it’s pitched. Recorded a 7.46 60-yard dash. The middle infielder played with a low center of gravity generating range to both sides of his body. A soft glove hand and rhythmic transfers allowed for an accurate 72 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a moderate, high ¾ arm-slot.

Kolby Henry 2B / SS / Elgin , OK / 2021

Showcased a lean, projectable 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame with present strength and some fluidity in his actions. The right-handed hitter begins from a wide, open stance utilizing a knee-knock stride to initiate his swing. Some weight shift upon impact and stretch in the upper-half allowed for barrel whip through a slightly uphill path in the zone. Generated some barrel whip yielding an 82 mph bat-exit velocity and recorded a 7.51 60-yard dash. The primary second baseman featured adequate footwork to both sides of the field while creating momentum towards the target. A soft glove hand allowed for smooth transfers and accurate 74 mph throws across the diamond out of a high ¾ arm-slot.

Miles Lock SS / 2B / Deer Creek, OK / 2022

Displayed a lean 5-foot-8, 140-pound frame with room to add size and strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter starts from an even, balanced setup utilizing a short leg-lift to initiate a flat barrel path into the hitting zone. A controlled, simple swing allowed for advanced barrel awareness . Hit into a front side with late give yielding a 76 mph bat-exit velocity. Recorded a 7.22 60-yard dash. The primary shortstop showcased average footwork with a low center of gravity. A semi-stiff glove hand and smooth transfers generated accurate 72 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a repeatable, high ¾ arm-slot.

Jonah Mahen SS / RHP / Crossing Christian, OK / 2021

Showcased advanced feel of a lean, athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame with room to add future strength. The right-handed hitter begins from a wide-open stance with his number showing to the pitcher, utilizing a toe-tap to generate solid hip drive and initiate his swing. A strong lower half with fluid hips allowed for a flat barrel path to notch an 85 mph bat-exit velocity. Displayed advanced barrel awareness with the ability to drive any pitch to either gap. Recorded a noticeable 6.63 60-yard dash. The primary shortstop featured solid footwork creating downhill momentum towards his target upon impact. Soft glove hand funneled the ball into the stomach while smooth transfers yielded accurate 86 mph arm-strength across the infield out of a repeatable, high ¾ arm-slot.

Austin Miller SS / 2B / Putnam City North, OK / 2021

Demonstrated a long and lean 5-foot-8, 135-pound frame with room to add size and strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter begins from a narrow, open stance utilizing a short leg-kick to initiate his swing. Generated a line drive approach while hitting into a stiff front side. A flat bat path yielded consistent 68 mph bat-exit velocities with some feel for his hands. Recorded a 7.68 60-yard dash. The primary middle infielder displayed a solid first step arriving on time consistently to the ball. Fluid actions and adequate footwork yielded accurate 72 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a repeatable, high ¾ arm-slot.

Jake Mitchell SS / 2B / Pawnee, OK / 2022

A long, lean 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame with projectibility and room for added strength. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts in a square stance, with his weight shifted to his backside and rhythm in his hands. Starts his swing with a reverse toe-tap load and short stride before launching his hands on a downhill bat path through the zone. Generates backspin on the ball, consistently barreling line-drives and fly balls to his mid/pull side during BP. Showed some bat speed, registering an 83 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.35 60-yard dash. Defensively, the primary infielder uses a pre-pitch approach jump and methodical footwork to attack the ball. Adequate hands and transfers, throwing from a ¾ arm-slot yielding throws at 73 mph.

Devin Page SS / OF / Homeschool , OK / 2023

Displayed an athletic, lean 5-foot-8, 136-pound frame with room to add strength as he matures. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts with an open, knee-knocked stance with his bat rest on his shoulder. Starts his swing with a small leg kick and stride before launching his hands on an uphill bat path through the zone. Keeps his weight back and gets good extension, consistently barreling line-drives to all fields during BP while registering a 78 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.26 60-yard dash. Defensively, the shortstop shows clean fielding actions and soft hands, attacking the ball out in front. Has a quick, high ¾ arm-slot that produced accurate 78 mph throws to first.

JayShaun Sykes SS / RHP / Moore, OK / 2024

A young 5-foot-6, 115-pound frame with present athleticism and plenty of room to add size/strength as he matures. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts in an athletic, balanced stance with rhythm in his hands. Starts his swing with toe-tap load and a small coil in his hands. Flat bat path with some length to swing, but produced line-drive and fly balls during BP, registering a 70 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.39 60-yard dash. Defensively, the primary infielder showcased soft hands and good footwork while staying low through the ball. Mad consistent, accurate throws from a ¾ arm-slot at 70 mph.

Logan Troxell SS / OF / Yukon, OK / 2023

A developing 5-foot-7, 135-pound frame with athleticism and room for added strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter starts in an athletic, balanced stance. Starts his swing with a small leg lift, shifting his weight to his back-side before launching his body towards the ball with a flat bath path. Will sometimes drift onto his front side, losing some power. Has good barrel awareness and feel for his hands, using all fields to spray line-drives during his round of BP. Registered a 75 mph bat exit velocity. Ran a 7.41 60-yard dash. Defensively, showcased clean footwork and good hands, fielding the ball out in front of his body. Quick transfers, throwing from a high-¾ arm-slot yielding accurate throws at 71 mph.

Hunter Wesberry SS / C / Waurika, OK / 2020

Showcased a 5-foot-6, 122-pound frame. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts from an athletic, balanced set-up. Initiates his swing with a toe-tap load, slightly coiling his front side before planting his front foot and dropping his hands for a flat bat path through the zone. Utilized the entire field, producing line-drives during during round of BP. Registered a 67 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.50 60-yard dash. The primary infielder shows adequate footwork and glove with quick transfers. Stays low through the ball, throwing from a low-¾ arm slot with some accuracy at 66 mph.