2022 TN Juco Quick Hits: Part One
February 24, 2022
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The 2022 Juco Season is about to be a month old, and there has been plenty of great games and players popping up in our region. In the latest PBR Juco Rankings, TN had three clubs featured in the top 25: #3 Walters State (13-1), #14 Dyersburg State (10-3), and #24 Columbia State (7-3). All across the state though teams are off to strong starts as the state has a .672 win percentage (72-35). The PBR Tennessee staff and PBR Juco colleagues have been traveling the Southeast providing coverage on TN prospects. Dive in below on standout performers and also check out the TN Juco Hub for all the pitching velocities, player videos, and boots on the ground coverage.
Nelson Smith, RHP, Dyersburg State, Soph
(Fr.) Nelson Smith - RHP@DSCCBaseball
— Cayden Hatcher (@C_Hatcher_PBR) January 29, 2022
6’7” 220 lbs.
Athletic 6-foot-7 righty w/ natural arm side run from 3/4-H3/4 slot. Slider flashed hard left to right action at times. Ability to get in on hands of RHH’s.
FB: 86-88 T91
SL: 80-82@PBR_JUCO || @PBR_FL_JUCO pic.twitter.com/7uypcr6JHP
Nolan Letzgus, RHP, Walters State, Soph
RHP Nolan Letzgus of Walters State throws a 92 mph FB by a Chipola hitter. Letzgus has been 90-93 in the fist with a sharp biting breaking ball 80-82. @PBR_JUCO @PBRTennessee @WSCCbaseball pic.twitter.com/uDPHZRpA8S
— Tad Slowik (@TadSlowik_PBR) February 11, 2022
Geo Rivera, RHP, Walters State, Soph
Walters State RHP Geo Rivera throws a FB by a San Jac hitter. Rivera had 2k’s in a 3 up and 3 down inning. He showed explosive stuff with a FB 93-95 and a hard slider 82-84. @PBR_JUCO @PBRTennessee @WSCCbaseball #PBRJUCOHEATSHEET pic.twitter.com/8Fu3Z73Wdu
— Tad Slowik (@TadSlowik_PBR) February 12, 2022
Colby Backus, OF, Walters State, R-FR
Colby Backus OF Walters State gets all of it for a 3 run bomb over the left center field wall to cut Chipola lead to 7-3. Backus is a strong athletic player who can play offense and defense. @PBR_JUCO @PBRTennessee @WSCCbaseball #PBRBOMBSQUAD pic.twitter.com/1vQvGpzxWi
— Tad Slowik (@TadSlowik_PBR) February 11, 2022
Colby Backus of Walters State absolutely crushes a 3 run HR to left centerfield. Backus has pro tools with big time power. The blast put the Senators up 5-0 v Chipola. @PBR_JUCO @PBRTennessee @prepbaseball @WSCCbaseball @DSeifertD1PBR #BIGTOOLS pic.twitter.com/NLpXS6TSsp
— Tad Slowik (@TadSlowik_PBR) February 12, 2022
Wesley Scott, RHP, Walters State, Soph
Wesley Scott RHP for Walters State showing lively stuff early on v Chipola. Scott 3/4 delivery has very good late tail and sink on a 90-93 FB a sharp slider 78-81 and good change. Lots of late movement on all pitches. @PBR_JUCO @PBRTennessee @WSCCbaseball pic.twitter.com/cKOWuowBCO
— Tad Slowik (@TadSlowik_PBR) February 12, 2022
Kohl Drake, LHP, Walters State, Soph
Kohl Drake 6’5 220 LHP for Walters State really knows how to pitch. Drake has an Arsenal which includes a FB 89-92 which gets on hitters quick a late break curve with bite and arm speed and deception on his change. @PBR_JUCO @PBRTennessee @WSCCbaseball pic.twitter.com/Py65oJOp0C
— Tad Slowik (@TadSlowik_PBR) February 12, 2022
Tanner Loyd, RHP, Chattanooga St, FR
FR RHP Tanner Loyd (@ChattStTigersBB) tossed 5 innings of no hit ball with 6 punchies in 10-0 win. Quiet, repeatable delivery w/ quick arm. FB at 88-92 (2132-2352 rpm) and sharp downer SL 79-83 (2408-2595 rpm). Ranked 283 in #JucoWire Rankings. @PBR_JUCO x @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/U9PTGc9jMr
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 14, 2022
Bryce Jenkins, RHP/OF, Cleveland State, Soph. (Tennessee Commit)
Soph RHP @bryce10jenkins (@CSCC_BSB; @Vol_Baseball commit) gets first start of the year on a brisk, chilly Sunday. Simple delivery, attacking the zone w/ 7 Ks. FB at 87-91 (2236-2460 rpm) & sharp 11/5 SL at 77-80 (2481-2718 rpm). Ranked 51st in #JucoWire Rankings. @PBR_JUCO pic.twitter.com/dpLWif1lio
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 14, 2022
Cameron Campbell, OF, Cleveland State, FR
Fr. CF Cameron Campbell (@Cameronking100; @CSCC_BSB) is a versatile table setter at the top of the order. Lean, athletic frame w/ strength. Quiet load, on plane w/ good timing, & getting the barrel to it for a solo HR to RF. @PBRGeorgia native. @PBR_JUCO x @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/vxL659rkWz
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 16, 2022
Kaleb Valdez, 1B/OF, Motlow State, FR
Fr LHH 1B/OF @kaleb_valdez9 (@MotlowBaseball) finished the day 1 for 5, but rhythm in hands and smooth swing w/ plenty of barrels. Peppers RBI single in the 4 hole, sliced one deep to LF, then just misses on pull side HR. @PBRGeorgia native is one to follow this Spring @PBR_JUCO pic.twitter.com/3NUe98aUcm
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 16, 2022
Brock Puckett, RHP, Columbia State, FR
Fr RHP @brock_puckett (@CHARGERS1451) has an uber projectable frame and easy arm stroke. Repeatable delivery and body control down the slope. Tossed 4 scoreless w/ 5 punchouts. FB at 87-92 (1997-2235 rpm) w/ sharp CB at 73-75 (T2493 rpm). Flashed CH at 79-80. @PBR_JUCO pic.twitter.com/qj9bhpoZLl
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 17, 2022
Colton Brumley, RHP, Southwest TN CC, R-FR
RHP @ColtonBrumley21 (@SWTenn_BSB) was lights out in last start: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 11 Ks + win. Quick tempo, competes, and attacks the zone from multiple slots. FB at 84-88 (2088-2246 rpm) w/ arm side life. Sweep SL at 72-75 (2207-2337 rpm). @PBR_JUCO @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/kjyfkhL5Gh
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 21, 2022
Owen Clark, LHP, Cleveland State, Soph
Soph LHP @OwenClark_24 (@CSCC_BSB) w/ a strong start on Saturday: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R (0 ER), & 8 Ks. Quiet, repeatable delivery working to H 3/4 slot. Heavy FB at 82-85 (1826-2087 rpm) w/ slight ASR. 1/7 action CB at 75-77 (2180-2231 rpm). @PBR_JUCO @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/Mgh2Yru5wP
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 21, 2022
Aidan McEvoy, LHP, Dyersburg State, Soph (Charlotte Commit)
Soph LHP @aidanmacbsbl (@DSCCBaseball; @CharlotteBSB commit) has polished delivery at 6-4 205-lbs. Mixing timing & working to 3/4 slot. Lively FB at 87-89 T90 (1956-2125 rpm) w/ some ASR. Flashing sharp CB at 74-75 (T2375 rpm) & CH at 79-81. @PBRPennsylvania native.
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 21, 2022
@PBR_JUCO pic.twitter.com/jrui1kPSLp
Brandon Jernigan, 3B/RHP, Jackson State, Soph.
Soph 3B/RHP Brandon Jernigan (@bjern23; @JSCCBaseball) has shown two way upside. Solid at hot corner w/ some juice at the plate. Locks down a win here w/ FB at 83-87 (T 2161 rpm). Mixing CB at 72-73 (T 2036 rpm) and CH at 74-75. @PBR_JUCO @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/Ue3IV5f7b4
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 21, 2022
CJ Thomas, OF, Southwest TN CC, FR
FR CF @cjthomasII (@SWTenn_BSB) has a physical frame at 6-3, 190-lbs w/ power/speed combo. Hitting .389 w/ 2 HRs, 7 SB, ‘13 RBIs, 1.3:1 BB/K ratio. Rips a RBI single to LF then peppers a RBI double down the LF line. Impact freshman to watch @PBR_JUCO. @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/QJytdbVgxH
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 22, 2022
Gavin Smith, RHP, Dyersburg State, FR
FR RHP Gavin Smith (@DSCCBaseball; @FSUBaseball transfer) pitches with tempo, hides the ball well and has a fast arm. Leads to swing n miss and uncomfortable at bats in relief. Lively FB at 87-90 (2018-2146 rpm) & tunnels SL at 77-80 (2257-2482 rpm). @PBR_JUCO @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/4TgY4ZKmHK
— PBR Tennessee (@PBRTennessee) February 22, 2022
Out of State
Mason Walker, SS, Wallace State (AL), Soph.
Soph LHH SS @masonwalker07 (@WallaceBaseball) with a four hit day and 4 RBIs in 17-7 win. Simple setup keeping hands inside for pull side 2B then gets the head out and unloads on a long ball to RCF w/ a clean bat flip. @PBRPennsylvania native. @PBR_JUCO x @PBR_Alabama pic.twitter.com/JlB7fEcDH5
— Colton Provey (@ColtonProvey) February 16, 2022
Mitchell Heer, OF/RHP, Wallace State (AL), FR
FR OF/RHP @mitchell_heer (@WallaceBaseball; @PBR_Alabama) is a high upside two-way prospect, hitting in the meat of the order & already w/ 2 saves on backend. Physical frame w/ strength. Catches a barrel for a 2-run homer to CF. @PBRGeorgia native and ranked 239th by @PBR_JUCO. pic.twitter.com/sR11hgQ4yw
— Colton Provey (@ColtonProvey) February 16, 2022
Ryan McCoy, 1B/OF, Wabash Valley (IL), Soph.
Soph 1B/OF @Rymccoy7 (@WVCBaseball; @LouisvilleBSB commit) has long frame w/ strength and athleticism. Rips a line drive single up the middle then hits a stinger solo dinger to RCF. @mlbdraftleague prospect + @PBRIllinois native. Ranked 41st by @PBR_JUCO. pic.twitter.com/5wbxmEp4pO
— Colton Provey (@ColtonProvey) February 20, 2022
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