PBR Cup 2022, Days 2 & 3: Upperclass Takeaways
September 19, 2022
Prep Baseball Report is on the ground at LakePoint this weekend hosting and diligently covering the fall’s annual PBR Cup, featuring myriad pro prospects that scouts are already beginning to familiarize themselves with for next summer’s MLB Draft. While the Class of 2023 division features a handful of players ranked right at the top of our national rankings, so do the PBR Cup’s 2024 and 2025 divisions.
We’ll be publishing a daily set of highlights and takeaways from the Cup, so be on the look-out for those stories. Next week, stay tuned for analysis from PBR VP of Scouting, Shooter Hunt, who is in attendance this weekend in LakePoint as well.
Continue reading below for Day Two & Three takeaways from high-level Class of 2023 and 2024 players; view our Day One Upperclass notes by clicking here.
PBR CUP, DAY 2 & 3
MLB DRAFT '23 HIGHLIGHTS
+ Braden Holcomb, SS, Foundation Academy (FL), 2023
I have never seen a ball leave the park as fast as the 🚀 #VandyBoys commit ‘23 SS Braden Holcomb (@PowerBSB) hit, 106.9 EV 👀, highest EV I’ve ever seen @LakePointSports. Grown man strength.@PBRFlorida | #PBRCup | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/xp3sQyCn9d
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) September 18, 2022
+ Dillon Head, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
#Clemson ‘23 Dillon Head(@HFHS_BASEBALL)
— Justin Goetz (@JGoetzPBR) September 18, 2022
Showing innate feel for the barrel going 1 hand on this low, outer half pitch to keep him from rolling over. Really smooth, natural forward move. @ShooterHunt @PBRIllinois pic.twitter.com/jaDzxdeebp
+ Kyle Johnson, LHP, Riverside (VA), 2023
‘23 OF/LHP Kyle Johnson (VA) working 87-91 (2100) and attacking the zone with some ASR.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 18, 2022
Shorter sweep to a 70-71 SLV & faded 78 CH.
More in the tank with athletic movement down the mound.
2-way recruit for @DukeBASE #MLBDraft || #PBRCup@PBRVirginiaDC pic.twitter.com/jKMKM3NlmO
+ Jaxon Lucas, SS, Garner (NC), 2023
Great AB from ‘23 SS Jaxon Lucas (NC) who barrels this 3-2 pitch to the back side gap.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 18, 2022
Got off some great swings early & pitch recognition stands out along w/ balance. Simple g2g approach. @NCStateBaseball recruit #PBRCup || #MLBDraft@PrepBaseballNC pic.twitter.com/J0gmeaj5sD
+ Tyler Pitzer, RHP/OF, South Fayette (PA), 2023
‘23 Tyler Pitzer (PA) continues to show well as one of the more athletic arms in the class.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 17, 2022
Working fast at 89-91 w/ quick arm up to 2470 rpm w/ more in the tank.
Quality SL tunnels at times (78-80)@GamecockBasebll recruit#PBRCup || #MLBDraft@PBRPennsylvania pic.twitter.com/jjnwFLNfvG
+ Cooper Pratt, SS, Magnolia Heights (MS), 2023
‘23 SS Cooper Pratt (MS) checks lots of boxes w/ a strong chance to stick at short long term.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 17, 2022
Easy actions w/ smooth g2h
Quick hands produce direct path with some strength. Singles here 👀👇@OleMissBSB recruit #PBRCup || #MLBDraft@PBR_Mississippi pic.twitter.com/81eVvCBNor
+ Reilly Witmer, RHP, Naples (FL), 2023
‘23 RHP Reilly Witmer (FL) comes out 88-92 getting whiffs on the fastball.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 17, 2022
CH (82-84) is best secondary & profiles well off of FB.
SL backed up some in mid 80s.
Easy velo. Big frame. @GatorsBB recruit #MLBDraft || #PBRCup@PBRFlorida || @PowerBSB pic.twitter.com/0DKh6tJImP
CLASS OF '23 & ‘24 IMPACT
+ Cooper Allen, RHP/MIF, Wake Forest (NC), 2023
#UNCW ‘23 RHP/MIF Cooper Allen (@_thedirtbags) working w/ 3 quality weapons. Athleticism and arm speed stand out w/ present feel for supination.
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 17, 2022
FB: 86-88 T90
CUT: 80-83 (23-2500rpm)
SL: 75-78 (23-2500rpm) @ShooterHunt || @PrepBaseballNC || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/4CAwQmbX5Q
+ Dylan Alonso, RHP, Rabun Gap (GA), 2023
#MTSU ‘23 RHP Dylan Alonso(@ArtilleryBB @RG_Eagles)
— Justin Goetz (@JGoetzPBR) September 18, 2022
6’4 210 sleeper prospect in GA. Raw delivery w/ solid lower half mech & steadily improving arsenal. Short circle AA natural & lightning quick, aggressive stuff.
FB 88-91 T93 bore
CB 73-75 T76 🔨@ShooterHunt @PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/sWvzbgGPlr
+ Justin Best, OF, Combine Academy (NC), 2023
#GoNoles ‘23 OF Justin Best (@Official_ECB)
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 17, 2022
Big tools across the board w/ intriguing mix of projection and already present strength. Gets south to go north creating ability to match plane. Game is played at a different pace for him! @PrepBaseballNC || @ShooterHunt || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/Re3ExMd3h5
+ Holden Brauner, OF, Windermere (FL), 2023
#Vols ‘23 Holden Brauner (@PowerBSB)
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 18, 2022
One of my favorite hitters in the entire 2023 class. Scrappy athlete w/ advanced hit tool. This 1B gives his team the lead! @PBRFlorida || #PBRCup https://t.co/JDG8jToZcn pic.twitter.com/87NUbFCdqY
+ Cade Brown, 3B, Parkview (GA), 2024
What a difference a few weeks can make. #GoDawgs commit ‘24 3B Cade Brown (@5starnational) has made several adjustments at the plate & is seeing immediate results. Multiple XBH at the #PBRCup, including this 💣.@PBRGeorgia | @ShooterHunt | #PBRBombSquad pic.twitter.com/KKRyuhfK9q
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) September 17, 2022
+ Preston Crowl, RHP/3B, Franklin County (VA), 2023
#Hokies ‘23 RHP Preston Crowl (@_thedirtbags)
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 18, 2022
Electric stuff in short showing. FB living at 90-93 w/ subtle ride up. Snapped off a few CB in low 70’s w/ big shape. @ShooterHunt || @PBRVirginiaDC || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/pTdh9A7rP9
+ Sims DeLong, RHP, North Atlanta (GA), 2023
#GoGenerals ‘23 RHP Sims Delong (@643DPAthletics) working FB/CB combo w/ north-south approach. Compact, explosive 3/4 slot w/ some deception. Projectable 6’2 170lbs!
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 17, 2022
FB: 87-89 T89.4 (23-2500rpm)
CB: 70-75 (23-2600rpm) @PBRGeorgia || @ShooterHunt || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/uQQAoz4PAJ
+ Luke Dickerson, MIF, Morris Knolls (NJ), 2024
‘24 Luke Dickerson (NJ) continues to impress with each new look.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 17, 2022
Simple approach with direct path that produces firm contact to all fields.
Picks up a second double for @ArtilleryBB @UVABaseball recruit#PBRCup || @PBRNewJersey pic.twitter.com/uu5ex1ZNk8
+ Bryson Graves, OF, West Florence (SC), 2023
Intriguing look at uncommitted ‘23 Bryson Graves (SC) who comes out 87-89 with a quality 80-82 slider that tunnels some.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 18, 2022
Athletic arm with more in the tank. Aggressive down the mound.
Good name to know.#PBRCup || @PBR_SC pic.twitter.com/hbPVpLnSrU
+ Perry Hargett, SS, Metrolina Christian (NC), 2024
‘24 SS Perry Hargett (NC) turns this one around for a single before moving up on a bobble in left.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 18, 2022
Bat speed stands out along with the twitchy athleticism. @DiamondHeels recruit #PBRCup || @PrepBaseballNC @_thedirtbags pic.twitter.com/WaaskfWQWW
+ Ira Jeffries Harris, SS/3B, Hillgrove (GA), 2024
#Mizzou ‘24 IF Ira Jeffries Harris (@Official_ECB)
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 18, 2022
Gets the morning started w/ a bang. Creating steep barrel angle to match plane on this 0-0 low and away FB. Underrated athlete who has showcased immense power potential from both sides👀 @PBRGeorgia || @ShooterHunt || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/0hZepcvFK8
+ Gavin Kelly, C/UTL, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA), 2024
#WVU ‘24 C/UTL Gavin Kelly (@ArtilleryBASE) showing a lot of tools early this morning! Ability to backspin the ball to opposite field+match plane is very impressive! +runner for position. Athletic-strong frame. EZ juice 🧃@ShooterHunt || @PBRPennsylvania || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/OgaxmFBj90
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 17, 2022
+ Jake Moore, OF, Chatham (VA), 2023
#Liberty ‘23 OF Jake Moore(@_thedirtbags)
— Justin Goetz (@JGoetzPBR) September 17, 2022
Definition of fluidity at the plate. Great balance due to weight staying on inside of back foot, allows hips to touch & go off backside. Quiet head, good body control. Picture perfect trigger, hands don’t stop moving 💥@PBRVirginiaDC pic.twitter.com/f1VqTlQCUR
+ Michael Mullinax, OF, North Cobb Christian (GA), 2024
‘24 OF Michael Mullinax (GA) continues to impress as one of the class’ top prospects.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 17, 2022
Elite athlete with loud outputs from both sides with simple approach & flat path.
Laces a single here that hardly gets 8 feet off the ground. @BaseballUGA recruit#PBRCup || @PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/0rD0DcuV9c
+ Solen Munson, C/OF, Dubuque Hempstead (IA), 2023
‘23 C Solen Munson (IA) has gotten off some big hacks all weekend.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 18, 2022
Gets rewarded with this muscled single to the opposite field.
Physical presence with swing to match. @ASU_Baseball recruit #PBRCup || @PBRIowa pic.twitter.com/Zegd7l0yGS
+ Thorpe Musci, RHP, Parkview (GA), 2024
#WreckHavoc commit ‘24 RHP Thorpe Musci (@TEAMELITENATION) was humming along this morning, collected 8 Ks in 3.2 IP. Three pitches for strikes, overpowering FB/SL combo.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) September 17, 2022
FB: 89-92, T93
SL: 79-82
CH: 84, sink@PBRGeorgia | #PBRCup | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/43PLJDzQO7
+ Kolt Myers, RHP/3B, Bartram Trail (FL), 2024
#Gators ‘24 RHP Kolt Myers showed off some intriguing arm talent in limited showing!
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 17, 2022
FB: 88-89 T90@PBRFlorida || @ShooterHunt || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/C6egbohRhi
+ Khaleel Pratt, OF, Augusta Christian (GA), 2024
#WeAreUK ‘24 OF Khaleel Pratt(@ACLionsBaseball @Official_ECB)
— Justin Goetz (@JGoetzPBR) September 17, 2022
Showing off one of the smoothest swings around for his 2nd hit of game. This one does no justice to his 98 EV double from the right side his 1st AB. Future top of the scale raw pwr & arm.@ShooterHunt @PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/QvT5e785WC
+ Ethan Pulliam, MIF, Starkville (MS), 2023
Nice piece of hitting from dual-sport prospect, ‘23 Ethan Pulliam (MS) who changes planes and stays on this one for an opposite field single.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 18, 2022
Athletic frame continues to add lean strength w/ more likely. @HailStateBB recruit #PBRCup || #MLBDraft@PBR_Mississippi pic.twitter.com/VqtVq2rIV4
+ Raudi Rodriguez, MIF, Georgia Premier Academy (GA), 2023
#Gamecocks ‘23 MIF Raudi Rodriguez (@GBSARays)
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 18, 2022
Quick twitch athleticism w/ innate ability to hit to all fields. Continues to show out this weekend! No doubt HR yesterday 👀🚀 @ShooterHunt || @PBRGeorgia || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/rTAdKcBjPx
+ Asher Sabom, North Cobb Christian (GA), 2024
#Wofford ‘24 IF/RHP Asher Sabom(@USAPrimeNat) 6’3 185
— Justin Goetz (@JGoetzPBR) September 17, 2022
Athlete w/ lots of feel to hit. Barrels quality arms consistently. Improvements in launch position (barrel over head, knob to catcher) can make him a special bat in college. Real hand eye, A/AVG future + run@PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/s6cmKguGQj
+ Tate Strickland, RHP, Harrison (GA), 2024
#Vols ‘24 RHP Tate Strickland (@Official_ECB)
— Chaz Crawford (@chaz_crawford4) September 17, 2022
Athletic operation w/ some projection! Supination shines throughout arsenal! Feel for 3 pitch mix.
CUT: 86-89 T90 (24-2600rpm)
SL: 76-80; gyro, will flash sweep
CH: 74-77 @PBRGeorgia || @ShooterHunt || #PBRCup pic.twitter.com/MBCp2VfLUz
+ Gabriel Tirado, C/3B, Loomis Chaffee (CT), 2024
‘24 C Gabriel Tirado (CT) drops a heavy barrel on this opposite field shot for a home run.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 17, 2022
The @UConnBSB recruit routinely gets off big swings in all counts. Lots of intent. #PBRCup || @PBR_NewEngland @SCPanthers_ pic.twitter.com/8B4Xi5NdYi
+ Adonys Velez, SS, Olympia (FL), 2024
#GoNoles ‘24 Adonys Velez(@PhillieScout)
— Justin Goetz (@JGoetzPBR) September 17, 2022
Well sequenced swing w/ good rhythm & mechanics. Controlled forward move, effortless in & out of launch position. Nice inside out swing to the RC gap for a 3B! @PBRFlorida @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/cJ97K9oFzb
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