On Tuesday August 6^th, PBR hosted the Rawlings Prospects for the 3^rd straight year, in their PBR Scout Day.  Players in the Rawlings Prospects program were able to go through a full pro-style workout with PBR gathering information and video on each player.  Players ran a laser timed 60, worked out at their defensive position, and took multiple rounds of live BP.  Pitchers were able to throw controlled bullpens.

The individual player analysis continues with a look at the catchers and infielders in attendance.  Two primary catchers went through the workout with three primary infielders.  Inside the evaluations, each player is broken down and projected out into their future.  Links to individual player videos are in the player names below.

CLICK HERE for the complete look at the day’s statistics.

 

Rawlings Prospect: Catcher and Infielder Analysis

 

CATCHERS

Ethan Wilkins C / 1B / Purnell Swett, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 63 / POS: 9 6 foot 1, 205-pound build with strength present.  Tall, relaxed setup from the right side of the plate.  Small leg kick during his load with quiet hands.  Quick hands with bat speed through the zone.  Has gap power and homered to his pull side during batting practice.  Keeps his barrel in the zone with above average barrel awareness.  Exit velocity recorded at 90 mph.  Quick feet, transferring across his chest, with a short arm action, throwing from an over the top slot.  Positional velocity from a crouch position topped at 75 mph.  Some feel for the bag with pop times ranging from 2.14-2.35.  Receives with average hands behind the plate.  Recorded a 7.83 in the 60.

Jack Irby C / Leesville Road , NC / 2020 Strong build at 5 foot 11, 185-pounds.  Left hand hitter with a slightly open base, sitting into his legs.  Hands work back in the load with an average stride getting back to even.  Flat swing path, hitting line drives to his pulls side.  Barrel gets extension out front.  Average bat speed with strength to his pull side.  Exit velocity recorded at 88 mph.  Quick feet through his throws to second base with a short arm action, throwing from an over the top slot, with his arm topping at 77 mph from a crouch position.  Accurate arm with pop times ranging from 2.10-2.21.  Feet are slanted in his setup behind the plate with hip mobility, receiving with average hands.  Recorded a 7.63 in the 60.

INFIELDERS

Austin Joyner 2B / OF / North Lenoir, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 119 / POS: 3 Average build at 5 foot 11, 160-pounds.  Hits from the right side with a balanced setup.  Short stride with a small hand load creating some bat angle behind his head.  Some quickness to his hands with a slightly uphill bat path.  More hands than lower half in his swing.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 89 mph.  Fluid and athletic through balls in the outfield with average hands.  Some accuracy to this throws from a high ¾ slot that topped at 85 mph.  Fluid feet on the infield, working around the ball.  Average hands funnel to his midsection after catch.  Accurate arm across the diamond that topped at 83 mph.  Recorded a 7.01 in the 60.

Will Orr 2B / SS / Fuquay-Varina, NC / 2021 Average frame at 5 foot 11, 178-pounds with room to add strength.  Hits from the right side with a slightly open, narrow base with his hands starting in front of his back shoulder.  Hands work back during the load with a short stride.  Some quickness to his hands with a short barrel path an inside out approach.  Loose hands with above average feel for the barrel.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 89 mph. Fluid actions defensively with average hands, funneling to his midsection after catch.  Some accuracy to his throws across the diamond that topped at 73 mph.  Recorded a 7.61 in the 60.

Bryson Willis OF / 2B / West Carteret, NC / 2021 Lanky frame at 5 foot 10, 145-pounds with room to add strength.  Relaxed, athletic setup from the right side.  Toe tap during his load with the barrel tipping forward then back.  Loose, quick hands with some lift in the swing.  Works middle to his pull side with average to above average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 90 mph.  Active feet on the infield catching the ball in the center to left side of his body.  Accurate arm from an overhand slot that topped at 72 mph to first base.  Recorded a 7.41 in the 60.