By: Tim Kay

PBR Tennessee Director of Scouting

Notes on Team Black hitters can be found below (sorted by exit velocity):

Kavares Tears, OF/LHP, Columbia Academy, 2021
Home-1^st: 4.69, Position Velocity:  86, Exit Velocity: 93
5-foot-10, 205-pound, LHH shows excellent pull power that stacks up with any hitter in the country.  Short, athletic frame w/ some physical projection remaining.  In the box, the lefty hits in a narrow, upright stance w/ back shoulder hand location and slight bat waggle.  Leg kick w/ proper load.  Does a good job keeping weight back and stay on off-speed pitches.  Excellent bat speed.  Power to all fields.  Put on a show in BP w/ numerous home runs out to right field.  Gets a little pull happy in games for fastballs, but will improve at that as he matures.  Consistent loud contact.  Defensively, moves well in the OF w/ above avg arm strength.  One of the top 2021 prospects in the country.

Parker Noland, 3B/C, Farragut, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.51, Pop Time: 2.00-2.06, Position Velocity:  IF - 79, C - 79, Exit Velocity: 91
6-foot-1, 185-pound, LHH showed an advanced all-around tool package that culminated w/ a 1-3 effort in game w/ 2 stolen bases and no swing and miss.  Athletic frame w/ present strength and physical projection.  In the box, hits w/ an open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location and some hand rhythm.  Leg kick to slightly open w/ proper load.  Put on a show in BP, hitting a ball off the right field lights.  Showed gap to gap approach in game w/ barrel feel.  Patient hitter understands his zone, does not expand.  Generates above avg bat speed.  Average runner, but plays up due to knowledge of the game.  When at 2^nd base, was constantly hunting for his “Brian Roberts” stolen base and got quality jumps.  Defensively at 3B, shows soft hands w/ reliable glove.  Some effort in throw.  Arm plays better behind the plate, where he shows athletic movements and quick release.  Caught the last 2 innings of the last game and showed a big target to pitchers w/ soft hands and feel for framing.  Big time 2019 prospect.

Chad Marsh, OF, McCallie, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.50, Position Velocity:  78, Exit Velocity: 91
5-foot-8, 175-pound, RHH impressed in batting practice w/ a loud round and posted one of the top exit velocities of the event.  Strong, athletic build w/ physical lower half.  Hits from a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ toes pointed inward and back shoulder hand location.  Toe tap w/ low hand load.  Big bat speed w/ potential to do damage when connects.  Lot of pull HR power.  Pull oriented approach w/ loft in swing.  Defensively, moves well in OF w/ carry to the target.  Profiles as a power first corner outfielder.  Intriguing power bat in the 2019 class.

Will Long, C, David Crockett, 2018
Home-1^st: 4.84, Pop Time: 2.00-2.06, Position Velocity:  73, Exit Velocity: 90
6-foot-3, 200-pound, RHH showed well throwing w/ power in the bat.  Big, physical kid w/ present strength, projectable frame.  In the box, hits w/ a slightly crouched, slightly opened stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Knee to knee leg kick w/ proper load.  All fields approach w/ projectable above avg power.  Shows bat speed w/ repeatable swing.  Defensively, presents a big target for the pitchers w/ a low target.  Can open the glove more to give pitchers a bigger target to hit.  Can handle premium stuff, showing ability to frame w/ soft hands and beat off-speed pitches to their spot.  Avg arm strength w/ carry to the target and quick release.  High upside uncommitted 2018 C, should be getting looks by all teams looking to fill out their 2018 class with a catcher.

Eric Rigsby, SS, Daniel Boone, 2018
Home-1^st: 4.53, Position Velocity:  80, Exit Velocity: 89
6-foot-1, 175-pound, RHH showed that he has all 5 tools, ranking in the top half of the leaderboard in every category.  Medium, athletic body w/ projectable lower half.  Hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Leg kick to slightly open w/ proper load.  Generates bat speed w/ all fields approach.  Projects for power w/ present gap to gap power playing, went 1-4 in game w/ double to left field.  Average runner is better underway.  Defensively, shows solid actions, w/ reliable hands and feet.  Ball gets in a little deep on him, can do a better job of fielding ball out in front.  Very intriguing uncommitted prospect that should be getting looks for a team needing to fill some middle infield depth to finish out their class.

Nathanial Tate, C, Coffee County Central, 2018
Home-1^st: 4.41, Pop Time: 1.87-2.00, Position Velocity:  81, Exit Velocity: 88
6-foot-1, 160-pound, RHH allowed his big tools to play, putting himself in the Top 10 in several categories from the event.  Features a thin, athletic body w/ lean strength and lot of projection.  In the box, the righty hits from an open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location w/ bat waggle.  Leg kick lands open w/ power load where hands are low.  Generates above avg bat speed for size w/ ability to generate backspin.  Showed some in game power, hitting a triple over the RF’s head to cap off a 2-4 performance.  Above avg runner is a short strider w/ good top end speed.  Stole a base in game and was 4.00 on a drag bunt for a single.  Defensively, caught an inning in game.  Presents quality target w/ soft hands and feel for receiving.  Recorded the top pop time in testing, showing off his plus arm strength.  Potential 5 tool player offensively at the collegiate level. 

Gavin Pulliam, C/RHP, Franklin, 2018
Home-1^st: 5.03, Pop Time: 2.15-2.25, Position Velocity:  74, Exit Velocity: 88
6-foot-1, 200-pound, RHH showed a strong exit velocity.  Medium, physical build w/ strong lower half.  Righty hits from a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location and slight bat waggle.  Shift of weight, leg kick and low hand load.  Big bat speed.  Power over average right now.  Pull oriented approach.  Defensively, provides a strong target for his pitchers w/ soft hands.  Quiet movements behind the plate.  Intriguing 2018 C follow.

Noah Gent, SS, Grace Christian Academy, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.69, Position Velocity:  82, Exit Velocity: 87
5-foot-11, 175-pound, RHH impressed w/ his game playing ability, going 2-4 at the plate with no swing and miss and making a couple nice plays at SS.  Medium, athletic frame w/ present strength.  Straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ high back ear hand location.  Bat waggle.  Shift of weight, leg kick and proper load.  Balanced w/ above average bat speed.  All fields approach w/ projectable power coming.  Barrel feel.  Can recognize and adjust to off-speed pitches.  Average runner who knows how to play the game and run the bases, stealing a base in game.  Reliable defensive middle infielder that makes the routine play and has tools to make the difficult play.  Intriguing combination of 2019 tools in a high upside prospect.

Nick Barnes, OF, Farragut, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.72, Position Velocity:  79, Exit Velocity: 87
6-foot-2, 185-pound, RHH showed some power potential w/ a physical frame.  Tall, athletic frame w/ present strength and physical projection.  In the box, hits w/ a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ back ear hand location and high back elbow.  Little bat waggle.  Stride to slightly open w/ proper load.  Patient approach, disciplined hitter.  Saw the most pitches of any hitter.  Pull oriented approach w/ some bat speed.  Line drive, gap to gap type hitter, though swing was freer in BP w/ more loft.  Moves well in OF w/ throws that looked better than the positional velo indicated.  Intriguing 2019 corner outfield prospect.   

Harrison Travis, C, Soddy Daisy, 2019
Home-1^st: 5.09, Pop Time: 2.15-2.22, Position Velocity:  75, Exit Velocity: 86

*Tweaked his back, so did not see at his best.
6-foot-2, 195-pound, RHH shows intriguing size, bat speed.  Physical frame w/ projection remaining.  Righty hits from a straight on, very slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Shift of weight, stride and short hand load.  Pull oriented approach w/ pull power.  Patient approach, has an idea of what he is looking for in the box.  Projects to hit for power as the body matures.  Defensively, shows carry to target w/ a cocking action in his release.  Defensively, provides a big target for his pitchers to pitch to w/ a quiet glove.  Can set a lower target.  Feel for framing.  Intriguing power first catcher.

Zachary Fritts, OF, Lenior City, 2018
Home-1^st: 4.38, Position Velocity:  86, Exit Velocity: 85
6-foot-1, 150-pound, LHH showed a very strong skillset, recording the 2^nd best OF velocity and featured the 5^th best exit velo for a LHH.  Athletic build w/ lean frame, projection.  Hits w/ an open, straight up stance w/ back ear hand location.  Shift of weight, toe tap landing slightly open and load.  Struggled w/ timing at this event, getting his front foot down late.  Features bat speed w/ pull power.  Pull oriented approach, occasionally flies open.  Shows a quality, disciplined approach, understands his zone.  Flashes gap to gap ability.  Above avg runner shows the tools to stay in CF at the collegiate level w/ above avg arm strength w/ carry through the target and athletic actions.  Also catches for his HS team, becomes intriguing to consider w/ his arm strength and athleticism.  Schools in need of an athletic, above avg runner w/ bat speed need to take a look to fill out their 2018 class.

Wylie Ritter, 1B, Montgomery Bell Academy, 2020
Home-1^st: LH - 4.78, RH - 4.60, Position Velocity:  79, Exit Velocity: LH (85), RH (82)
6-foot-1, 205-pound, SH was the top offensive performer on the day in game, going 3-4 w/ 50 % hard contact.  Medium, athletic build w/ lots of growth potential.  From the left side, hits with a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ back ear hand location.  Shift of weight, crouch, toe tap and proper load.  Same swing from the right side, but a little stiffer w/ the hands.  Better hitter from the left side and better in game hitter than BP hitter.  Shows potential for HR power from the left side, profiles as a gap to gap type hitter w/ consistent barrel feel.  Defensively, moves well at 1B w/ stiff throw.  Reliable glove.  Profiles as a bat first corner infielder w/ power potential.

Evan Potter, C, Smyrna, 2018
Home-1^st: 4.75, Pop Time: 2.25-2.31, Position Velocity:  70, Exit Velocity: 85
6-foot-0, 180-pound, RHH w/ physical body and some bat to ball ability.  Good sized kid, medium, athletic frame w/ present strength in the lower half.  Offensively, hits from an open, straight up stance / back shoulder hand location.  Leg kick (occasional stride) w/ proper load.  Gets a short hitch w/ his hands at times.  Bat stays in zone for long time, shows potential for future power.  Up the middle approach w/ some loft in swing.  Defensively, presents good target to pitchers w/ soft hands and feel for framing.  Shows ability to stick the baseball.  Moves well w/ ability to box balls.  Good looking catching prospect w/ some bat upside.

Cole Fergusson, OF, Wilson Central, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.43, Position Velocity:  80, Exit Velocity: 81
5-foot-10, 150-pound, RHH showed impressive all-around skillset, culminating with a 2 for 4 performance in game.  Athletic build w/ lean strength.  Righty hits from an open, slightly crouched stance w/ weight on his backside.  Hands are in a low back shoulder hand location out in front of body w/ bat waggle.  Stride and load w/ low hand load position.  Gap to gap type hitter w/ some bat speed. Aggressive line-drive oriented approach, wants to swing the bat at the plate.  Wants to use his above average speed to leg out singles and turn singles into doubles.  Stole a base in game w/ good jump.  In the OF, features athletic movements w/ arm strength carrying to target.  Has all the tools to stay in CF at the collegiate level.  A definite follow for the 2019 class.

Jack Rando, 2B, Brentwood, 2020
Home-1^st: 4.91, Position Velocity:  75, Exit Velocity: 80
5-foot-9, 170-pound, RHH showed an advanced feel to hit, going 2-4 w/ zero swing and miss in game.  Short, stocky player w/ physical lower half.  Hits with a slightly open, slightly crouched stance and back shoulder hand location w/ bat waggle.  Leg kick to slightly open w/ proper load.  Has a presence in the box.  All fields hitter w/ some pull power.  Barrel feel w/ ability to backspin.  Really good looking young hitter.  Smart baseball player knows how to run the bases, swiping a bag in game.  Defensively, features smooth defensive actions w/ soft hands and good feet, reliable arm strength.  Very intriguing offensive first middle infielder.

Griffin Livesay, C, Alcoa, 2018
Home-1^st: 4.63, Pop Time: 2.06-2.13, Position Velocity:  73, Exit Velocity: 79
6-foot-0, 157-pound, RHH showed some bat speed in batting practice.  Athletic w/ lean strength.  Righty hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Toe tap and load.  Shows potential for pull power.  Can get a little long at times.  Athletic runner for a catcher.  Avg release w/ carry to target.  An interesting 2018 to get eyes on.

Ryan McCarthy, C, Farragut, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.63, Pop Time: 1.90-1.97, Position Velocity:  78, Exit Velocity: 79
5-foot-10, 170-pound, RHH showed elite catch and throw ability w/ consistent hard contact in game.  Short, average build w/ physical lower half.  Offensively, hits from a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location and short bat tap.  Stride and proper load.  Up the middle offensive approach w/ gap to gap line drives.  Barrel feel w/ ability for future pull power, went 1-3 in game w/ all hard-hit balls.  Average runner for a catcher, knows how to run the bases.  Defensively, shows above average arm strength w/ quick release and above average accuracy.  Puts his throws on the bag.  Receiving, presents a solid target for his pitchers, keeping his glove low, making it easier to frame low strikes.  Moves well behind the plate.  Can get a little glove happy in movement, but small fix.  Elite defensive catcher that projects to hit, big-time prospect for the 2019 class.

Kohl Finch, 2B/RHP, Lebanon, 2020
Home-1^st: 4.65, Position Velocity:  74, Exit Velocity: 79
5-foot-10, 155-pound, RHH showed intriguing tools for a young hitter culminating w/ a base hit in game.  Thin, athletic build w/ lot of physical projection coming.  Offensively, hits from an open, upright stance w/ back shoulder hand location and a short bat waggle.  Toe tap to open w/ no hand load.  Pull heavy approach w/ hips leaking.  Shows some bat speed to project into gap power as gains strength.  Knack for contact.  Avg runner.  Defensively, shows a reliable glove w/ usable hands.  2B arm strength w/ some effort in throw.  Intriguing 2020 middle infielder to watch develop.

Connor Sullivan, C/OF, Wilson Central, 2018
Home-1^st: 4.78, Pop Time: 2.06-2.19, Position Velocity:  OF - 75, C - 73, Exit Velocity: 77
5-foot-10, 190-pound, RHH found a barrel in game while not swinging and missing once.  Short, athletic catcher w/ physical lower half.  Righty hits from an open stance w/ back shoulder hand location and bat waggle.  Leg kick w/ proper load.  Short to the ball w/ gap to gap power.  Patient approach, understands his zone and rarely expands.  Get out on his front side, limiting overall power ceiling.  Intriguing bat w/ some barrel feel.  Defensively, presents a decent target w/ quiet movements.  Leads pitchers, is clear with where he wants the pitch.  Solid hands w/ a feel for receiving and pitch framing.  Intriguing 2018 C worth seeing.

Jacob Jennings, 2B, Soddy Daisy, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.41, Position Velocity:  77, Exit Velocity: 77
5-foot-9, 160-pound, LHH shows above average speed w/ feel for contact.  Short, athletic build w/ some lean strength.  Lefty hits from a straight on, crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Leg kick to slightly open w/ proper load.  Quick to the ball w/ good looking line drive oriented swing.  Pull heavy approach can be corrected by landing square, allowing bat control to play up.  Did not swing and miss once.  Gap to gap type w/ ability to leg out doubles w/ above average speed.  Defensively, shows average hands w/ 2B arm strength.  Intriguing 2019 to follow into the spring.

Bryce Jenkins, RHP/SS/OF, Hardin Valley Academy, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.29, Position Velocity:  OF - 87, IF - 86, Exit Velocity: 77
5-foot-11, 165-pound, RHH showed huge arm strength everywhere he played.  Medium, athletic frame w/ some present strength.  In the box, hits with a slightly open, upright stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Stride to open w/ proper load.  Gap to gap type hitter w/ patient approach.  Pull heavy right now, shows all fields bat control w/ adjustment to landing.  Feel for consistent contact.  Went 1-3 in game w/ line drives.  Above avg runner w/ an idea how to use his speed.  Defensively, worked in the OF and SS, showing off big arm strength at both positions.  Tools to stay at SS w/ carry through the target and athleticism.  Reliable hands.  In the OF, tools to stay in CF w/ athletic movements.  Very intriguing tooled up 2019 to follow.

Skyler Sparks, 2B/OF, DeKalb County, 2020
Home-1^st: 4.78, Position Velocity:  OF - 70, IF - 70, Exit Velocity: 76
5-foot-6, 168-pound, LHH shows some offensive ability w/ barrel control.  Short, physical frame w/ present strength.  Lefty hits from an open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Stride to square w/ low hand load.  Generates bat speed from compact swing.  Projects to have gap to gap power as gets stronger and body matures.  Defensively, moves w/ low effort w/ easy arm action.  On the infield, shows usable hands w/ 2B arm strength.  Intriguing 2020 follow as a bat first middle infielder. 

Thomas Fullerton, OF, Mount Juliet, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.28, Position Velocity:  82, Exit Velocity: 75
5-foot-10, 178-pound, LHH w/ plus running speed.  Medium, athletic build w/ some present strength.  Offensively, hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ bat resting on back shoulder.  Crouch down, stride to square and proper load.  All fields approach w/ understanding of his strike zone, does not expand.  Short to the ball swing w/ developing power.  Plus runner moves very well in OF and around the bases.  Short arm swing on his throw w/ carry to target.  Should stay in CF at the collegiate level.  Very intriguing 2019 prospect w/ some high-end tools.

Christopher Arbuthnot, RHP/3B, Knoxville Catholic, 2019
Home-1^st: 4.47, Position Velocity:  78, Exit Velocity: 74
6-foot-1, 185-pound, RHH w/ physical frame, good athlete for size.  Medium, athletic build w/ physical lower half, upper body projection.  Righty hits w/ an open stance, slightly crouched w/ back shoulder hand location and hands in front of body.  Leg kick w/ power load lands open.  Lot of movement.  Has some power to the gaps.  Some barrel feel.  Power over average right now.  Defensively, shows good hands w/ avg arm strength.  Interesting 2019 prospect to follow