OK Winter Showcase Analysis: First Basemen
January 11, 2020
PBR OK hosted the third annual OK Winter Open at the state of the art World Baseball Outreach indoor facility. There were invite-only players showcased their skill in front of the PBR OK staff, 4 colleges and a pro scout. The talented event saw six sub 7.00 60s, five 90+ exit velos, five infield velos of 80+, three outfield velos of 85+, two sub 2.00 second pop times, and nine max fastballs at 80+ mph. Today, we take an in-depth look at the six first basemen from the event.
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Hank Horton LHP / 1B / Broken Arrow, OK / 2023Showcased a lean and projectable 6-foot-3, 168-pound frame with ability to add more strength as he matures. The left-handed hitter begins from a bent, even stance utilizing a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Demonstrated a slightly uphill barrel path with some pull through the hitting zone. Hips got rotational at times allowing for a 79 mph bat-exit velocity off the tee. Registered an 8.38 60-yard dash. The first baseman displayed adequate feel around the bag with soft hands and a moderate center of gravity. Generated accurate throws of 69 mph across the diamond out of a hitchy, high ¾ arm-slot with a short takeaway. |
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Cooper McMurray 1B / LHP / Bishop Kelley , OK / 2020The Kansas commit displayed an advanced physical 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame with noticeable strength. The left-handed hitter begins in a tall, even stance utilizing a leg-kick to initiate a fluid swing through a slightly uphill barrel path. Advanced barrel whip and a strong lower half created easy lift to the deep pull-side gap while hitting into a stiff front side. Showcased an easy, consistent stroke allowing for his hands to work through the ball with regularity. Registered a loud 93 mph bat-exit velocity off the tee. The primary first baseman demonstrated adequate feel around the bag with a soft glove hand. A lower center of gravity will create increased range to both sides. Notched accurate 80 mph throws across the diamond out of a fluid, high ¾ arm-slot. |
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Nathan Rogalski LHP / 1B / Deer Creek, OK / 2023Demonstrated feel for an advanced 6-foot, 180-pound frame with athleticism in his actions and room to add strength as he matures. The left-handed hitter begins with a balanced, even stance utilizing a toe-tap stride with slight hip glide to initiate his swing. Displayed a pull-side approach while hitting into a soft front side, coupled with solid feel for his hands. Registered an 86 mph bat-exit velocity and recorded a 7.64 60-yard dash. The first baseman showcased easy, fluid actions with a low center of gravity creating momentum towards the target with regularity. A soft glove hand and smooth transfers generated accurate 83 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of an easy, high ¾ arm-slot. |
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Cody Rossman 1B / 3B / Sapulpa, OK / 2020Demonstrated feel for a large, physical 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. The right-handed hitter begins with a bent, slightly-open stance utilizing a knee-knock stride with advanced sink into the lower-half to initiate his swing. Displayed a strong high-effort swing in the zone with the barrel whipping through a slightly uphill path. Showed solid extension through the ball while hitting into a stiff front side, registering a 92 mph bat-exit velocity off the tee. Recorded a 7.52 60-yard dash. The primary first baseman showcased adequate feel around the bag with a soft glove hand. Arrived to the ball on time while notching accurate 72 mph arm-strength out of a high ¾ arm-slot with a short takeaway. |
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Benjamin Simpson LHP / 1B / Metro Christian, OK / 2021Showcased a long 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with room to fill out as he matures and present athleticism. The left-handed hitter begins with a tall, slightly-open stance utilizing a knee-knock stride to initiate his swing. Demonstrated some sink into the lower half while the hips yank slightly off the ball to the pull-side. Displayed feel for his hands entering the zone through a slightly uphill path during batting practice while hitting into a stiff front side, registering a 78 mph bat-exit velocity. Recorded a 7.15 60-yard dash. The first baseman featured long movements out of a low gravity setup with adequate feel around the bag. A quick first step created range to the glove side. Notched accurate 72 mph throws out of a long and fluid, high ¾ arm-slot. |
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Cade Williamson 1B / 3B / Mustang, OK / 2020Showcased a large 6-foot-4, 245-pound frame with advanced physicality and a strong lower half. The right-handed hitter starts with a wide, even stance utilizing a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Sink into the lower half generates a slightly uphill barrel path into the hitting zone with noticeable bat speed. Demonstrated solid extension through the ball with a thunderous 94 mph bat-exit velocity off the tee while hitting into a stiff front-side. Showed feel for his hands with ability to spray the ball towards the middle of the field with lift to the pull-side gap. Recorded an 8.09 60-yard dash. The primary first baseman displayed a soft glove hand with adequate feel around the bag. A high center of gravity could improve with more sink into the lower half which will improve range to both sides. Feet arrived on time to the ball and allowed for accurate 80 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a high ¾ arm-slot. |
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