Shooter's Spotlight: PBR Cup Draft Names
September 23, 2022
Back at Lakepoint for the Fall’s crown jewel, PBR Cup, the scouting community once again enjoyed the friendly confines with an immaculate setting that brought both college recruiters and MLB scouts. Players in each high school class were present, representing states from coast-to-coast. From the most prevalent names in the upcoming draft, to future year’s top prospects, to the uncommitted masses, and a burgeoning 2026 group, the event was a buffet for recruiters and scouts alike. Below, a look at the MLB Draft talent from the 2023 class that was on hand including multiple Day 1 hopefuls as well as the potential first overall pick.
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Walker Jenkins OF / SS / South Brunswick, NC / 2023A hand injury robbed Jenkins of part of his senior draft summer, but the 2023 class’s #2 player, and the most imposing prospect, hardly looked rusty while competing with his South Charlotte Panthers squad at the PBR Cup at Lakepoint. Stoic in the box with a professional approach, the country strong, 6-foot-3, 210-pound slugger went 5-for-8 in three games that included multiple extra-base hits including a walk-off home run in the Panthers’ first game of the event. Balance pervades his presence in the box with a slight crouch presenting an athletic look. A somewhat handsy trigger to the load works fluidly in connection with a minor leg kick, and while his frame is longer, there is an innate ability to remain compact throughout the stroke while creating quickness in a small window. Working short-to-long through the zone, Jenkins covers the plate with ease, and for as exciting as the power potential is, the hit-tool is the first thing of note. He effortlessly tracks pitches without being sped up, and the approach is militant with a keen sense for delivering heavy barrels no matter where or what pitch is sent his way. The boxes continue to be checked with each subsequent look, and his tunnel vision approach to development is sure to draw the admiration of every scouting department. A consummate teammate with what appears to be an unmatched work ethic, there was no fanfare or scouts around each night when Jenkins made his way to the cages to get more work in. Without question, Jenkins is a top 10 pick, and the potential that he hears his name called at 1:1 is hardly farfetched.
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