Game Report: Father Ryan @ Clarksville

February 28, 2018
Tim Kay
PBR Tennessee Director of Scouting

On Monday, Father Ryan traveled to play Clarksville for an 11-inning scrimmage. This was a warm, sunny day, which has been rare in the state lately and was a great day for baseball. For reports on standouts, read below (and check the Twitter feed for video highlights!):

Clarksville Hitters

Nathan Barksdale OF / Clarksville, TN / 2021

Freshman OF showed above average running speed. 5-11, 160-pound w/ athletic frame w/ present strength in lower half, projectable. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into knee to knee leg kick w/ proper load. Pull oriented approach w/ natural loft. Generates bat speed through the zone. Projects to hit for average w/ pull power. Above average runner gets to top speed quickly. Projects to play CF, but was not tested on this day.

Kyle Buck C / OF / Clarksville, TN / 2018

Uncommitted catcher/outfielder showed contact-oriented approach w/ gap power. 5-11, 160-pounder w/ athletic frame w/ some lower half strength, some projection. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ bat waggle into stride and load. Quiet, repeatable swing. Gap to gap approach, lot of line drives. Gap power. Above average runner underway ran a 4.38 down the line. As a catcher, shows some feel for framing w/ some stiffness. Can present an early target w/ his glove. Popped a 2.13 between innings. Was not tested in the OF.

Ford Cooper 3B / 1B / Clarksville, TN / 2019

Switch hitting third basemen showed idea of strike zone w/ same swing from both sides of the plate. 6-0, 192-pounder w/ well-proportioned frame, projectable. Offensively, hits from a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ bat waggle into proper stride and load. Up the middle approach w/ some loft, bat-speed. Gap power. Defensively, showed solid glove at 3B w/ projectable arm strength.

Skyler Luna SS / 2B / Clarksville, TN / 2018

Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 4

Tennessee commit showed shortstop defensive tools w/ same above average bat. 5-10, 160-pounder w/ lean, athletic frame, present lower half strength, projectable upper body. Offensively, hits from a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into proper stride and load. Barrel feel w/ repeatable swing. Generates bat speed through the zone. Quiet. Projectable pull power. Defensively, featured soft hands w/ above average feet, projectable arm strength w/ carry to target.

Kyle Magrans C / 1B / Clarksville, TN / 2021

Freshman C/1B showed advanced bat, going 4-4 w/ 2 doubles and no swing and miss. 6-1, 177-pounder w/ present strength in lower half, some physical projection. Offensively, hits in a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into toe tap and proper load. Generates plus bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft. Advanced barrel feel, spin recognition for age. Projectable power to all fields. Above average runner underway, takes some time to get to top speed. Played first base on this day, flashed ability to scoop baseballs, was not tested on groundballs.

J.T. Miller OF / Clarksville, TN / 2018

Uncommitted OF showed some bat-speed w/ feel for contact. 5-10, 155-pounder shows well-proportioned build w/ some lower half strength, some physical projection. Offensively, hits in a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into toe tap and load. Quiet w/ repeatable swing. 2-strike adjustment into stride as opposed to toe tap. Gap power. Feel for contact. Was not tested in the OF.

Garrett Spain OF / Clarksville, TN / 2018

Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 4

Austin Peay commit showed same advanced bat-speed we saw this fall. 5-10, 170-pounder features lower half present strength w/ projection. Offensively, hits w/ an open, slightly crouched stance w/ bat waggle into stride and load. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft. Pull oriented approach w/ pull power. Projects to hit for average and power. Was not tested in CF.

Clarksville Pitchers

Gavin Hams LHP / Clarksville, TN / 2019

FB (73-76), CB (65-68), CH (69-70)

Finesse lefty threw 3 perfect innings, striking out 4. 5-11, 159-pounder features athletic frame w/ some lower half present strength, projection. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ H ¾ release. Repeats. FB shows short arm-side run, occasional sink. Medium downer CB w/ late bite, proper rotation. Shows feel for manipulating depth, throwing it w/ a purpose as out pitch or get-me over pitch. CH w/ arm-speed, fade and sink. Around the zone, shows feel for locating off-speed pitches. 4 swing and misses on 14 swings, including 4 of 5 on off-speed pitches.

Nick James LHP / Clarksville, TN / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 3

FB (83-87, T88), CB (68-72)

Power lefty showed quick arm, touching 88 while flashing a plus CB while not allowing a hit over 3 innings, striking out 5. 6-0, 195-pounder shows present strength in lower half, some physical projection remaining. Pitches from a full wind-up into ¾ release. Quick arm w/ some effort. Well-tempoed, repeatable delivery. FB flashes short arm-side run, occasional ride through the zone. CB flashes w/ tight rotation, above average depth, developing consistency. Mixed in CH and SL in warm-ups, but did not throw in game. Around the zone, more control than command right now. Flashes ability to pitch w/ intent w/ FB. 5 swing and misses on 22 swings.

Colton Reeves RHP / OF / Clarksville, TN / 2018

FB (80-83), CB (66-68), CH (70)

Uncommitted RHP struck out 6 over 3 innings. 6-2, 154-pounder is extremely projectable, featuring some lower half present strength. Has not scratched the surface of his frame potential. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ H ¾ release. Quick arm. Pitches across his body, allowing velocity to play up w/ deception. Straight FB. Big downer CB comes up out of hand, get me over type pitch. Straight CH. Around the zone, projects to command as adds strength to frame, will allow him to repeat delivery deeper into the outing. 5 swing and misses on 16 swings.

Ethan Pennington RHP / 3B / Clarksville, TN / 2020

FB (77-81, T82), CB (63-64), CH (67-68)

6’4, 200-pounder shows everything you look for in a young pitcher, striking out 3 in 2 innings. Prototypical pitcher frame w/ present lower half strength, projectable. Bulldog build. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ H ¾ release. Downhill plane w/ quick arm. Straight FB flashes short arm-side run. Big loopy CB comes up out of hand, good pitch to get ahead with. Straight CH w/ arm-speed. Flashes control, learning to repeat delivery, consistent timing. Projects to command. 4 swing and misses on 13 swings.

Father Ryan Hitters

Seamus O'Connell C / Father Ryan, TN / 2019

Catcher shows plus arm strength, leadership qualities you look for in the position. Medium, athletic frame w/ some lower half strength, projectable. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into stride w/ low hand load. Occasional hitch as works to get hands through the zone from the load position. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ projectable power. LD oriented approach, wants to use the whole field. Defensively, presents occasional target for his pitchers w/ solid hands, feel for framing. Needs to work on staying square when blocking, tendency to open up. Will improve w/ reps. Shows plus arm strength w/ carry through target, learning proper footwork. Popped a 2.06 between innings.

Jack Trew 3B / RHP / Father Ryan, TN / 2019

Athletic 3B showed bat-speed. Tall, athletic frame w/ some present strength, very projectable. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into toe tap to slightly open w/ proper load. No-stride approach w/ 2 strikes. Learning to repeat same swing. Flashes bat-speed through the zone. Best offensive days are ahead of him, just needs reps. Was not tested defensively. Also pitched, touching 82 while mixing in above average CH w/ fade.

Carter Vrabel SS / RHP / Father Ryan, TN / 2020

Athletic middle infielder flashed bat-speed. Tall, athletic frame w/ lot of projection, some lower half strength. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into stride and deep hand load w/ near arm bar. Pull oriented approach w/ projectable pull power. Flashes bat speed through the zone, learning to repeat same swing. Was not tested defensively. Also pitched, touching 80 while mixing in CB and CH w/ proper shapes.

Father Ryan Pitchers

Jack McLaughlin RHP / Father Ryan , TN / 2018

Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 17

FB (80-84), CB (67-68), CH (72-73)

Belmont commit fresh out of basketball showed downhill plane as he builds his arm strength back up. Tall, long and lanky frame w/ lot of physical projection. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ quick arm into over the top release. Downhill plane. Straight FB. Big downer CB w/ proper shape/rotation. Comes up out of hand on occasion w/ above average depth. CH w/ arm-speed, short fade. Strike-thrower keeps the ball down, flashes ability to pitch in and out w/ intent. 3 swing and misses on 13 swings.

Ryan Ragsdale OF / LHP / Father Ryan, TN / 2018

Rankings StateRank: 159 / POS: 37

FB (74-77), CB (63-67), CH (72)

Roane State commit threw 2 hitless innings, striking out one. Short, athletic frame w/ present lower half strength, some physical projection. Pitches from full wind-up w/ H ¾ release. Repeats. FB shows short arm-side run, occasional sink. Medium downer CB w/ average depth. Flashed tighter w/ late bite deeper into the game. Firm straight CH. Strike-thrower fills the zone, flashes ability to pitch down in the zone consistently. 1 swing and miss on 14 swings.

Reed Tyler RHP / 1B / Father Ryan, TN / 2020

FB (75-79), CB (70-72), CH (73-74)

Physical righty shows ability to spin a plus breaking ball while striking out 3. Prototypical pitcher frame, tall, high-waisted w/ physical lower half, projectable. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ ¾ to H 3/4 release. Some downhill plane. FB shows occasional short arm-side run. CB flashes plus w/ tight rotation, above average depth. Put-away pitch. Developing straight CH. Around the zone, flashes ability to pitch w/ intent. 5 swing and misses on 15 swings, including 3 of 3 on CB.