Prep Baseball Report was at Ting Park in Holly Springs, NC on Friday October 18^th for a PBR Scout Day with the East Coast Clippers.  Clipper players were taken through a full pro-style workout by PBR Scouts.  Offensively, players took multiple rounds of live BP and went through an exit velocity testing station in the cages.  Defensively, each player was able to workout from their respective position with scouts putting full evaluations on each player, while taking statistics on arm strength and pop times for catchers.  Pitchers threw controlled bullpens with scouts getting velocities, spin rates while also watching mechanical setup, delivery, arm action and more.

As we rollout the evaluations on each player in attendance for the PBR Scout Day, we look at the primary catchers and pitchers in attendance.  This group includes four Clipper players.  Each catcher showed upside in the box and behind the dish.  Each arm flashed the ability to create ways to get outs.  Full evals with stats, including spin rates on the pitchers, and links to video are below.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and statistics from the Scout Day

 

East Coast Clippers: Catcher and Pitcher Analysis

 

CATCHERS

Luke Evans C / 3B / Trinity Academy of Raleigh, NC / 2022   Average frame with strength and some athleticism present at 6-foot, 185 pounds.  Defensively, has average bend with good hands.  Receives with some ease.  Exchanges across the belt to a short arm swing and high-3/4 slot.  Loose, shows good accuracy with average carry at 75 mph out of the crouch.  Pop times ranged 2.01 – 2.26 as the exchange and release carry the top end times.  On the infield, continues to show athleticism with some rhythm to the feet.  Work to center the ball, occasionally receiving off the right inside hip.  Funnels to the midsection, easy exchange and medium arm swing to a high-3/4 slot.  Average accuracy and carry with a positional velocity of 77 mph across the diamond.  Right handed hitter is open and balanced in his setup.  Uses a leg kick to load the weight back.  Medium stride, occasionally letting the weight drift forward.  Level, working for extension with average bat speed.  Strength is present in the hands.  Average barrel feel.  Pull tendency.  Exit velocity peaked at 85 mph.  Ran a 7.27 sixty.

Austin Williams C / OF / Leesville Road , NC / 2021   Average frame at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds.  Strength is present from the right side of the plate.  Works to swing it and create impact on every swing.  Open stance, balanced using a leg kick to create some rhythm and load the body.  Medium stride.  Works for extension with average bat speed.  Backside works to clear through each pitch with aggression.  Pull tendency.  Head has movement through contact.  Exit velocity of 89 mph off the barrel.  Behind the dish, sits well in his stance.  Hands work and handled the zone.  High exchange across his chest to a quick release.  High-3/4 slot.  Some carry with throws around the bag.  Out of the crouch, the arm measured 75 mph with pop times ranging 2.11 – 2.19.  Ran a 7.47 sixty.

 

PITCHERS

Blake Hanly LHP / 1B / Heritage, NC / 2021 Large frame, standing 6-foot-3, 195 pounds.  Small side step and stable through a leg lift to the mid-chest.  Slight pelvic tilt forward and then back out of balance.  Works on-line, landing in-line with a closed front foot.  Long arm swing, can reach at times.  Head crouches through release with a ¾ slot floating to a high-3/4 slot.  Fastball at 76-78, played straight with a spin rate of 1754-1829 rpm.  Controlled the zone, with good feel for his arm side.  Breaking ball tends to sweep early out of the hand at 65-66.  Has feel for the zone, working middle to glove side.  Spin rate on the breaking ball ranged 1523-1568.  Change-up has fade, working with deception from a fastball-like hand speed through release.  In the zone, the change sat 66-68 with spin at 1188-1250 rpm.

Thomas Welton LHP / 1B / Leesville Road, NC / 2021   Average frame with room to add strength, standing 5-foot-10, 150 pounds.  Strike thrower.  Starts slightly side-saddled with a small rocker and easy lift to the lower chest.  Slightly coiled and closed at balance.  Long arm swing with looseness to the top.  Fights for his slot as the front side clears, working from a high-3/4 release.  Decent athlete, did repeat the delivery.  Fastball sat 74-77 with spin rates ranging 1825-2024 rpm.  Good change-up with run as it enters the hitting zone.  Hand speed creates good deception.  Change sat 66-68.  Spin rates ranged 1160-1365 rpm on the change-up.  Breaking ball tends to roll out of the hand with early, gradual 2/8 tilt.  Tends to slow the arm at times.  Curveball sat 58-61 while spinning at 1737–1816 rpm.