PBR Week in Review
June 26, 2017
A look back at what happened at the Prep Baseball Report the week of June 19-25. PBR Player of the Year awards announced in each of our 33 states. A few high-level prospects are back on the market after recent de-commitments. A new recruiting essentials provides advice on showcasing a player’s best tools. Two editions of On the Hunt, showcase reports, updated rankings and much more..
2017 PBR STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ANNOUNCED
The 2017 spring high school season produced a number of dazzling individual performances across all corners of the country, but 33 athletes in the Prep Baseball Report demographic stood above the rest.
The Prep Baseball Report boots-on-the-ground staff is constantly at the field scouting and reporting on high school games throughout the spring, and have identified the athletes who have performed at the highest level within their respective state.
The 2017 Prep Baseball Report State Player of the Year awards include 15 Major League Baseball Draft picks, including the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, Mackenzie Gore from North Carolina.
The players listed below have stood out against their in-state peers and have been awarded the Prep Baseball Report Player of the Year at the state level. It is important to note that the State Player of the Year honors only the states that our boots-on-the-ground scouting staff are currently in.
Take a look at the recipients >>
PBR PLAYER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
Earlier this week, Prep Baseball Report announced the State Player of the Year awards for the 33 states PBR currently covers. These athletes were selected through a variety of criteria including, but not limited to, on-field production and positive character qualities representative of their respective state.
From the list of individual PBR State POY awards, we have selected one athlete who has excelled amongst his peers, on his way to earning the first ever recognized Prep Baseball Report Player of the Year Award:
THE BUZZ: LABAS SWITCHES TO LSU, OTHERS DE-COMMIT
By Nathan Rode and PBR Staff
The college coaching carousel is in full swing, which means we’re also seeing de-commitments around the country. Most of the changes are with underclassman, but there was one notable senior to make a switch recently. North Florida has a new staff and released its recruits from their letters of intent. That made RHP A.J. Labas (Trinity Christian Academy, FL) available and Louisiana State picked him up. Labas was a 17th-round pick of the Mets, but if he opts for school instead of signing, it would be a late boost for the Tigers. They lost RHP Blayne Enlow (St. Amant HS, LA) to the draft, as the Twins popped him in the third round. While Labas certainly isn’t a replacement for Enlow, he could certainly soften the blow. He has a strong frame and a low-90s fastball with arm-side sink while mixing in a sharp slider.
ON THE HUNT: UNCOMMITTED STANDOUTS FROM SUPER 17 TOURNAMENT
By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker
@ShooterHunt
The throngs of college recruiters in attendance at Diamond Nation in Flemington, New Jersey for the Super 17 Tournament were treated to a bounty of riches that are the vast amount of talented uncommitted players from the Mid-Atlantic and New England (and even North Carolina and Georgia). Overcast days on Friday and Saturday made for pleasant recruiting weather, and the coaches in attendance were able to bear down on some of their future players. With more than 75 teams in attendance, PBR and On the Hunt were in attendance to check out some of the top talent. Below are 12 of the players that stood out with their talent, play, or projection on the weekend.
RECRUITING ESSENTIALS: SHOWCASING TOOLS
By Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting
This time of year, players are working to showcase their skills in the most positive manner to as many schools and coaches as possible. For the rising senior class, many are getting ready to make a decision. For the rising junior class, many are trying to figure out where they fit into the baseball landscape. For the rising sophomore and freshman classes, the next goal is within reach and it is time to start climbing that ladder.
When players and coaches are evaluating themselves and others, they will often refer to baseball “tools”. Generally, the five tools are hitting, power, throwing, speed, and defense. These words by themselves are very generic and can take on a whole new life when the words “plus” and “outstanding” are inserted into sentences with the word “tool”.
Today we are going to look at each of the tools, defining what they mean, what scouts may be looking for, and how to showcase your tools in the best light.
More Headlines…
ON THE HUNT: OHIO PITCHERS 2018-2019
Pitchers that performed well at Ohio Top Prospect Games...>>
THE HOTLIST: 2017 STATE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Highlighting players of the year from PBR's coverage area...>>
2017 RANKINGS: FINAL UPDATE
Hoerter finishes in No. 1 spot...>>
ONTARIO INSIDER: 2017 TOP PROSPECT GAMES - TOP PERFORMERS
Best of the best in 14 categories...>>
FINAL CLASS OF 2017 RANKINGS RELEASED
Arms litter the Top 10 in the final rankings update for the class of 2017...>>
TOP PROSPECT GAMES: STATS BREAKDOWN
Toups runs a 6.65; Lejeune opens eyes with all around performance...>>
Givin finishes in top spot, a lot of risers and movers...>>