Preseason All-State: Top Statistical Performances
January 31, 2019
One hundred of the top players from across North Carolina converged on Pineville, NC and the On Deck Academy to take part in the PBR Preseason All-State event. In its third year, the Preseason All-State event has become one of the premier events in North Carolina for high caliber high school players.
Billed as one of the top events in the state, with an incredible roster put together the day did not disappoint. Personal records, as well as event records were shattered throughout the day. For the uncommitted seniors in attendance, the event provides good ammunition to fire at college coaches just before the spring season begins. For the underclass, they were able to connect with college coaches as well as throw their hat in the ring for future invite only events such as the Super 60, PBR Future Games, and Top Prospect Games.
CLICK HERE to see the full roster from the workout, along with the baseball analytics compiled on each player.
CLICK HERE to see the speed and agility numbers compiled on players in attendance.
As we continue our look at the Preseason All-State, we take a dive into the statistics from the event. We look at each area PBR Scouts collected analytical data to see who were the top performers in each category.
Preseason All-State - By the Numbers:
+ The event soldout in record time, over 20 days prior to the event
+ 95 of the 100 registrants showed up for the workout
+ 26 players in the Senior Class
+ 48 players in the Junior Class
+ 80 players ran a timed 30 yard dash. Median time of 4.08 with 31 players running a 3.90 or better
+ 44 players worked out on the infield
+ 78 mph was median velocity of infielder’s positional throws. 12 players clocked 81 or higher
+ 28 players worked out in the outfield
+ 86 mph was the median positional throw from the outfield with 2 players above 90 mph.
+ 18 catchers workout behind the dish with 6 players recording a positional velocity of 76 mph or higher
+ 2.08 – 2.18 was the median Pop Time range for catchers
+ 9 catchers registered a best pop time of under 2.10 in the workout format
+ 35 pitchers worked out in the bullpen format
+ 83 mph was the median of the max fastballs from each pitcher
+ 13 arms touched 85 or better with one arm reaching 90 mph
Statistical Leaders
Max Fastball
With a median velocity of 83 mph in the 35 bullpens thrown, 13 arms worked at 85 or higher. Inside the fastballs at 85 or higher, 11 of the 13 pitchers are 2020 or 2021 graduates. The high velocity of the day belonged to RHP Seth Keener of East Surry, a 2020 graduate.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Max FB |
1 | Seth Keener | NC | East Surry | 2020 | RHP | 90 mph |
2 | Reid Dittner | NC | Apex Friendship | 2019 | RHP | 87 mph |
3 | Zack Michael | NC | Apex | 2019 | OF | 86 mph |
^ | Rhett Lowder | NC | North Stanly | 2020 | RHP | 86 mph |
^ | Andrei Beal | NC | Parkwood | 2020 | RHP | 86 mph |
^ | Jackson Kirkpatrick | NC | McMichael | 2020 | RHP | 86 mph |
^ | Corey Avant | NC | Sun Valley | 2020 | OF | 86 mph |
4 | Penn Sealey | NC | Broughton | 2019 | RHP | 85 mph |
^ | Ty Cummings | NC | Corinth Holders | 2020 | RHP | 85 mph |
^ | Zane Taylor | NC | PRO5 Academy | 2021 | RHP | 85 mph |
^ | Cyle Phelan | NC | Fuquay Varina | 2021 | LHP | 85 mph |
^ | Daniel Brown | NC | Needham Broughton | 2020 | LHP | 85 mph |
^ | Baxley Holshouser | NC | Sanderson | 2020 | RHP | 85 mph |
5 | Carson Starnes | NC | P27 Academy | 2021 | RHP | 84 mph |
^ | Jacob Carter | NC | Crest | 2019 | RHP | 84 mph |
6 | Carson Hinnant | NC | Heritage | 2020 | RHP | 83 mph |
7 | Noah Barozzino | NC | Hough | 2020 | 2B | 82 mph |
8 | Michael Gracer | NC | Northwest Cabarrus | 2021 | 1B | 81 mph |
^ | Samuel Fleming | NC | Zebulon Vance | 2020 | SS | 81 mph |
^ | Matt Heavner | NC | North Lincoln | 2022 | SS | 81 mph |
^ | Spencer Calloway | NC | East Forsyth | 2019 | RHP | 81 mph |
^ | Clay Stanley | NC | J. H. Rose | 2019 | RHP | 81 mph |
^ | Matthew Upchurch | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2019 | LHP | 81 mph |
9 | Grant Sutton | NC | William A. Hough | 2021 | SS | 80 mph |
^ | Josh Stephens | NC | East Lincoln | 2021 | OF | 80 mph |
^ | Matt Poole | NC | Corinth Holders | 2021 | RHP | 80 mph |
10 | Carson Swaim | NC | Oak Grove | 2020 | RHP | 79 mph |
^ | Will Austin | NC | Eastern Alamance | 2020 | RHP | 79 mph |
Other arms at 85 mph: Daniel Brown (LHP, Broughton HS, 2020), Baxley Holshouser (RHP, Sanderson HS, 2020), Cyle Phelan (LHP, Fuquay-Varina HS, 2021)
Catcher Positional Velocity
Part of the defensive work for the catchers includes taking a positional velocity on throw downs to second base with the catchers working out of their crouch. 2020 Three Hillier led all catchers showing elite arm strength at 81 mph. Close behind is NC State commit, 2022 Graham Smiley.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | C Velo |
1 | Three Hillier | NC | Asheville | 2020 | C | 81 |
2 | Graham Smiley | NC | East Lincoln | 2022 | C | 78 |
^ | Carson Hinnant | NC | Heritage | 2020 | RHP | 78 |
3 | Michael Groves | NC | Holly Springs | 2020 | C | 77 |
^ | Peyton Wilkins | NC | Wayne School of Engineering | 2021 | C | 77 |
4 | Chris Katz | NC | Heritage | 2021 | C | 76 |
5 | Kenny Leiner | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2020 | C | 75 |
^ | Carter Merrill | NC | Stuart Cramer | 2020 | C | 75 |
6 | Nathan Nygaard | NC | Sun Valley | 2020 | C | 74 |
^ | Maxwell Doherty | NC | Lake Norman Charter | 2020 | C | 74 |
^ | Lane Rhodes | NC | Fuquay Varina | 2019 | C | 74 |
^ | Chet Sikes | NC | Wesleyan Christian | 2020 | C | 74 |
7 | Matthew Suppa | NC | Ardrey Kell | 2022 | C | 73 |
^ | Ethan Martin | NC | Northwest Guilford | 2020 | C | 73 |
^ | Andrew Schuldt | NC | Hough | 2021 | C | 73 |
8 | Jeb Despard | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2021 | C | 72 |
9 | Will Austin | NC | Eastern Alamance | 2020 | RHP | 71 |
10 | Jonathan Villa | NC | Lumberton | 2020 | C | 68 |
Other Catchers at 74 mph on positional throws: Lane Rhodes (C, Fuquay-Varina HS, 2019), Chet Sikes (C, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2020)
Catcher Pop Times
Nine catchers flashed at least one pop time of 2.10 or better. Chet Sikes led all catchers posting an accurate throw at 1.94. Smiley and Wake Forest commit, Chris Katz each came in under 2.00 at 1.98.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Pop Time |
1 | Chet Sikes | NC | Wesleyan Christian | 2020 | C | 1.94-2.00 |
2 | Graham Smiley | NC | East Lincoln | 2022 | C | 1.98-2.01 |
3 | Chris Katz | NC | Heritage | 2021 | C | 1.98-2.07 |
4 | Lane Rhodes | NC | Fuquay Varina | 2019 | C | 2.00-2.07 |
5 | Michael Groves | NC | Holly Springs | 2020 | C | 2.00-2.08 |
6 | Three Hillier | NC | Asheville | 2020 | C | 2.01-2.09 |
7 | Andrew Schuldt | NC | Hough | 2021 | C | 2.03-2.08 |
8 | Maxwell Doherty | NC | Lake Norman Charter | 2020 | C | 2.08-2.18 |
^ | Peyton Wilkins | NC | Wayne School of Engineering | 2021 | C | 2.08-2.18 |
9 | Ethan Martin | NC | Northwest Guilford | 2020 | C | 2.11-2.18 |
^ | Kenny Leiner | NC | Pro5 Baseball Academy | 2020 | C | 2.11-2.18 |
10 | Carson Hinnant | NC | Heritage | 2020 | RHP | 2.15-2.18 |
^ | Nathan Nygaard | NC | Sun Valley | 2020 | C | 2.15-2.18 |
Other Catchers at a 2.08 pop time: Peyton Wilkins (C, Wayne School of Engineering, 2022)
Infielder Positional Velocity
Daniel Stephens followed up a strong workout in November at a PBR Scout Day showcasing advanced carry across the diamond again, posting the top infielder velocity of 87 mph. Two 2021 graduates showed inside the top 10 with Will Marcy and Michael Gracer.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | INF Velo |
1 | Daniel Stephens | NC | Pro 5 Academy | 2020 | SS | 87 |
2 | Will Marcy | NC | PRO5 Academy | 2021 | SS | 85 |
^ | Gavin Mortenson | NC | Northwest Guilford | 2020 | SS | 85 |
^ | Samuel Walker | NC | Northwest Cabarrus | 2019 | SS | 85 |
3 | Ty Cummings | NC | Corinth Holders | 2020 | RHP | 84 |
4 | Colton Stotler | NC | West Wilkes | 2020 | 3B | 83 |
5 | Samuel Fleming | NC | Zebulon Vance | 2020 | SS | 82 |
6 | Will Hood | NC | Pro 5 Baseball Academy | 2019 | 2B | 81 |
^ | Logan Sylvester | NC | Wesleyan Christian | 2020 | 3B | 81 |
^ | Michael Gracer | NC | Northwest Cabarrus | 2021 | 1B | 81 |
7 | Michael Starrs | NC | Porter Ridge | 2019 | 2B | 80 |
^ | Matt Heavner | NC | North Lincoln | 2022 | SS | 80 |
8 | Devin Tonkins | NC | Greensboro Day | 2021 | OF | 79 |
^ | Jermie Greene Jr. | NC | South Iredell | 2019 | SS | 79 |
9 | Jared Emory | NC | Cherryville | 2019 | 3B | 78 |
^ | Jacob Mabe | NC | West Stokes | 2020 | SS | 78 |
^ | Grant Sutton | NC | William A. Hough | 2021 | SS | 78 |
^ | Noah Barozzino | NC | Hough | 2020 | 2B | 78 |
^ | Chet Sikes | NC | Wesleyan Christian | 2020 | C | 78 |
10 | Nathan Samii | NC | Charlotte Latin | 2021 | 3B | 77 |
^ | Joshua White | NC | Middle Creek | 2019 | SS | 77 |
^ | Jaxon Masterson | NC | Sanderson | 2021 | SS | 77 |
^ | Will Austin | NC | Eastern Alamance | 2020 | RHP | 77 |
^ | Gavin Fragale | NC | Southlake Christian | 2021 | SS | 77 |
Outfielder Positional Velocity
Not one, but two players equaled or surpassed the event record on the positional throws from outfielders. Zane Taylor posted a 92 and Matt Kelley touched 91. Players were evaluated working through a ground ball, working to show arm strength, carry, and accuracy in their transtion.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | OF Velo |
1 | Zane Taylor | NC | PRO5 Academy | 2021 | RHP | 92 |
2 | Matt Kelley | NC | Corinth Holders | 2020 | OF | 91 |
3 | Matthew Walker | NC | Saint Stephens | 2020 | OF | 89 |
^ | Corey Avant | NC | Sun Valley | 2020 | OF | 89 |
4 | Andrei Beal | NC | Parkwood | 2020 | RHP | 88 |
5 | Payton Bloom | NC | Pro5 Academy | 2022 | OF | 87 |
^ | Archie Dean Herring | NC | Greensboro Day | 2021 | OF | 87 |
^ | Jordan Thalacker | NC | Parkwood | 2020 | OF | 87 |
6 | Jack Stevens | NC | Hibriten | 2020 | OF | 86 |
^ | Dylan Mauldin | NC | Ashbrook | 2019 | OF | 86 |
7 | Carson Hinnant | NC | Heritage | 2020 | RHP | 85 |
^ | Lefrederick Wooten | NC | East Bladen | 2021 | OF | 85 |
8 | Zack Michael | NC | Apex | 2019 | OF | 84 |
^ | Peyton Wilkins | NC | Wayne School of Engineering | 2021 | C | 84 |
^ | Michael Groves | NC | Holly Springs | 2020 | C | 84 |
9 | Lane Rhodes | NC | Fuquay Varina | 2019 | C | 83 |
10 | Logan Hall | NC | Myers Park | 2021 | OF | 82 |
^ | Josh Stephens | NC | East Lincoln | 2021 | OF | 82 |
^ | Matt Poole | NC | Corinth Holders | 2021 | RHP | 82 |
Exit Velocity - Offensive
22 hitters posted an exit velocity of at least 90 mph off the barrel. This was by far the deepest lineup of hitters flashing advanced strength with the barrel. The median exit velocity of the 80 hitters landed at 86 mph off the barrel. Two underclass players led the way, each at 96.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Exit Velo |
1 | Michael Gracer | NC | Northwest Cabarrus | 2021 | 1B | 96 |
^ | Chris Katz | NC | Heritage | 2021 | C | 96 |
2 | Corey Avant | NC | Sun Valley | 2020 | OF | 95 |
^ | Dylan Mauldin | NC | Ashbrook | 2019 | OF | 95 |
3 | Matthew Walker | NC | Saint Stephens | 2020 | OF | 94 |
^ | Alex D'Agostino | NC | Middle Creek | 2019 | 1B | 94 |
4 | Jared Emory | NC | Cherryville | 2019 | 3B | 93 |
^ | Graham Smiley | NC | East Lincoln | 2022 | C | 93 |
5 | Will Hood | NC | Pro 5 Baseball Academy | 2019 | 2B | 92 |
6 | Carter Merrill | NC | Stuart Cramer | 2020 | C | 91 |
^ | Daniel Brown | NC | Needham Broughton | 2020 | LHP | 91 |
^ | Jeb Despard | NC | Marvin Ridge | 2021 | C | 91 |
^ | Jermie Greene Jr. | NC | South Iredell | 2019 | SS | 91 |
7 | Malik Dixon | NC | North Lenoir | 2019 | 2B | 90 |
^ | Jack Stevens | NC | Hibriten | 2020 | OF | 90 |
^ | Hogan Stallings | NC | Wake Forest | 2020 | 1B | 90 |
^ | Matt Kelley | NC | Corinth Holders | 2020 | OF | 90 |
^ | Three Hillier | NC | Asheville | 2020 | C | 90 |
^ | Josh Stephens | NC | East Lincoln | 2021 | OF | 90 |
^ | Cyle Phelan | NC | Fuquay Varina | 2021 | LHP | 90 |
^ | Zack Michael | NC | Apex | 2019 | OF | 90 |
^ | Lane Rhodes | NC | Fuquay Varina | 2019 | C | 90 |
8 | Joshua White | NC | Middle Creek | 2019 | SS | 89 |
^ | Logan Sylvester | NC | Wesleyan Christian | 2020 | 3B | 89 |
^ | Archie Dean Herring | NC | Greensboro Day | 2021 | OF | 89 |
^ | Andrew Schuldt | NC | Hough | 2021 | C | 89 |
9 | Michael Starrs | NC | Porter Ridge | 2019 | 2B | 88 |
^ | Carson Starnes | NC | P27 Academy | 2021 | RHP | 88 |
^ | RJ Rhem | NC | Myers Park | 2019 | OF | 88 |
^ | Samuel Walker | NC | Northwest Cabarrus | 2019 | SS | 88 |
^ | Jackson Bowman | NC | Wesleyan Christian | 2020 | 2B | 88 |
10 | Nathan Samii | NC | Charlotte Latin | 2021 | 3B | 87 |
^ | Michael Groves | NC | Holly Springs | 2020 | C | 87 |
^ | Aly Dawood | NC | Cuthbertson | 2019 | SS | 87 |
^ | Nathan Nygaard | NC | Sun Valley | 2020 | C | 87 |
^ | Jordan Thalacker | NC | Parkwood | 2020 | OF | 87 |
^ | Jonathan Villa | NC | Lumberton | 2020 | C | 87 |
^ | Tanner Sweatt | NC | Porter Ridge | 2020 | OF | 87 |
Other hitters touching 91 mph in testing: Jeb Despard (C, Marvin Ridge HS, 2021), Daniel Brown (LHP/1B, Broughton HS, 2020), Jermie Green Jr. (3B, South Iredell HS, 2019)
Top 30 Yard Dash Times
Players had the option to run a laser timed 30 yard dash on the turf surface at On Deck. With 80 players running, the median time was 4.09 seconds. Twenty-one players ran sub-4.00 with 2021 Archie Dean Herring tying the event record of 3.71 seconds.
Top 5-10-5 Agility Times
The 5-10-5 agility test allows players to showcase speed, lateral movement, and quickness. Players begin in the middle of the testing area, running 5 yards to one side, back ten yards the other way, before finishing with a 5 yard spring through the start/finish line. Players were hand timed. 68 players ran the 5-10-5 agility test with a median time of 4.62 seconds. Only one player broke 4.30, with Matthew Walker running a 4.15.
Top Standing Long Jump
67 players tested in the standing long jump. The median result came in at 8'5". The power produced in this test shows up in some of the quickness drills and in recorded velocities for many of these players.
- NC Future Games: Team NC vs. Team VA 8/15/24
- NC 2024 Top Prospect Games: Quick Hitters - 2027 Position Players 8/15/24
- NC Senior Future Games: NC Hitters BP Metrics 8/15/24
- NC 2024 Top Prospect Games: Quick Hitters - 2026 Position Players 8/15/24
- NC 2024 Top Prospect Games: Quick Hitters - 27'&28' Pitchers 8/14/24