PBR Scout Day: OTK Baseball - Catchers & Outfielders

June 11, 2017

By Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

On Saturday June 3rd, the On The Korner Saints held their PBR Scout Day at Gaston Christian School. The players in attendance went through a full pro-style workout, running a 60, being evaluated on defense, and on offense. Pitchers threw extended bullpens for their evaluations. Each player received a complete PBR profile, including up to date statistics, an evaluation, and a video.

On the Korner, also referred to as OTK, is a North Carolina program based out of the Gastonia region. Players are able to work out at the OTK Performance Facility and the program has several teams stretch across different age brackets.

Over the coming days, we will be looking at several positional groups, profiling each player in attendance. Today we take a look at the Catchers and Outfielders.

PBR Scout Day: OTK Catchers and Outfielders

Catchers

Patrick keirstead C / Forestview, NC / 2019

Works at his craft behind the plate, wanting to be a good target and allow pitchers to work down in the zone. Setup can be a little stiff, but the hands worked ok and the “want to” factor is very high blocking. Needs polish, but pitchers seemed to enjoy throwing to him. Arm ranged 2.26-2.50 on throws to 2B, showing a feel for accuracy while topping at 68 mph from the crouch. High transfer and short arm action work to an over-the-top slot. Feet may work open at times, creating some fade action on throws. Offensively, the right-handed hitter works from an open position, loading back with a small leg kick to an aggressive stride. Some stiffness in swing, looking for extension and creating some hook. Barrel awareness can improve. When on the barrel, showed strength. Exit velocity topped at 77 mph. Ran a 8.38 sixty.

Caleb Venn C / 1B / Gaston Christian School, NC / 2019

Some projection left in the lanky 6-foot-2, 185 pounder as the frame can handle some strength. Showed a strong willingness to work with pitchers, wanting to block and be a true receiver. Sits a little high at times, but hands worked with some ease. Feet work a little heavy on throws but clean transfers, at times low, work to a short, over-the-top slot producing pop times ranging 2.29-2.55 with accuracy. From the crouch, arm strength measured at 68 mph. Right handed hitter starts open and balanced. A short stride works with to a level swing with some length. As rhythm improves, so should barrel awareness. Exit velocity topped at 78 mph. Ran a 8.16 sixty.

Outfielders

Adam Anderson OF / LHP / North Gaston, NC / 2019

5-foot-9, 145 pounder ran a 7.50 sixty and showed average carry from the outfield, topping at 76. Fluid and clean with his approach and exchange. Plays through the ball working to a long arm swing and over-the-top slot. Right handed hitter starts tall and loads back without a stride. Direct swing path, occasionally working inside-out, level for the most part. Late with the timing and tied up in the upper body at times. Exit velocity measured 71 mph off the barrel.

On the mound, fastball ranged 65-70, cutting and sinking the ball at times. Consistent arm side run out of the stretch. Breaking ball sat 60-62 with good spin in a 1/7 break. Located and showed feel. Change-up ranged 64-66. Front side cleared early on the pitch creating soft run, while the hand speed mirrored fastball. Easy delivery and repeats a high-¾ slot. Some stiffness in the long arm swing. Strike thrower with feel for secondary stuff.

Landon Helton OF / OF / Stuart Cramer, NC / 2018

Athletic build with long levers in a 6-foot, 145 pound frame. Some quickness, running a 7.04 sixty and flashing at least average bat speed. Arm measured 76 mph from the outfield with some accuracy and average carry. Played through balls, with clean exchanges to a long, loose arm swing and over-the-top slot. Foot work and exchange stood out in the workout. Left-handed hitter works from a tall base, sitting open. Aggressive stride, loads the bat to a flat position at launch. Some uphill leverage in the swing, looking for extension. Good rhythm with a pull tendency, hooking balls at times. Barrel worked thin through the ball, with an exit velocity of 79 mph.

Jason Maggs OF / 2B / Stuart Cramer, NC / 2018

Some projection left in the thin, lanky 6-foot, 150 pounder. Ran a 6.98 sixty. Right handed hitter works from a balanced stance, loading back, using a short stride. The barrel begins in a vertical position before flattening during the load to a repeated barrel position. Level through the zone, produced line drives working gap-to-gap, getting extension through the ball. Average barrel awareness led to an exit velocity of 80 off the barrel. From the outfield, showed a strong arm swing to an over-the-top slot with accuracy. Positional velocity measured at 72 mph.

Dylan Mauldin OF / OF / Ashbrook, NC / 2019

Strong and athletic at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Produced a position velocity of 82 from the outfield and an exit velocity of 91 off the barrel. Ran a 7.37 sixty. Right handed hitter has projection left as he is still maturing. Works from an open stance, using a leg kick to get to an average stride. Quick bat stayed level, getting extension and working to the pull side. A little stiff as the body stays high in the base through most swings. Can pull off balls and the head discipline can improve. Ball jumped when on the barrel. Good strength that translates in the swing. Worked with athleticism, playing through balls and making clean exchanges from the outfield. A short, strong arm swing works to a high-¾ slot. Easy approach and transfer worked to accuracy and carry.

Ethan Revels OF / RHP / Gaston Christian, NC / 2019

Thin, 5-foot-11, 140 pound right handed hitter sets up balanced and athletic in the box. Weight shift load with a short stride work to create a level swing that stays inside the baseball, working gap-to-gap. Hands load to a cast position, creating some barrel issues. Exit velocity topped at 76 mph. Rana 7.50 sixty. Played through balls, with clean exchanges from the outfield. Long arm action works through some stiffness to an over-the-top slot. Well above average accuracy on throws measured at 68 mph from the outfield.

On the mound, fastball ranged 68-71. Breaking ball has gradual 10/4 action, touching 65. The change-up is pushed at times with a slow arm, ranging 64-66. Elbow works above the shoulder line in the arm swing creating some shoulder restriction. Command jumped after pitch 15, showing a feel for all three.

Brennan Walker OF / 2B / Cox Mill, NC / 2020

Young, athletic frame at 5-foot-6, 120 pounds. Ran a 7.27 sixty and showed an exit velocity of 72 mph off the barrel. Right handed hitter works from a tall, balanced stance. Weight shift loads him back into a short stride. Level swing through the zone, thin through the ball, with a high finish. Exit velocity topped at 72 mph off the barrel. Showed an accurate arm, touching 64 mph in the outfield drills. Fluid and clean, very conservative with the exchange to a long arm action and over-the-top slot.

Steven Yarab OF / C / Clover, NC / 2020

5-foot-6, 130 pounder with a bright future. Easy and accurate from the outfield with the arm measuring 77 mph from the position. Works fluid to and through the ball with easy exchanges. Short arm arc to a high-¾ slot producing at least average carry. Right handed hitter works off his back leg to get extension in a line drive swing geared to pull. Starts from an open stance, using a leg kick to get to a short stride. Good head discipline. Exit velocity topped at 78 mph. Ran a 7.31 sixty.