2018 Top Underclass Games: Outfielder Analysis

Wednesday August 8th saw some of the Top Underclass players from across North Carolina converged on Jim Perry stadium on the campus of Campbell University.  The Top Underclass Games culminated PBR’s three days at Campbell and the talent on hand was impressive.

Close to 45 players took part in the day.  Position players ran through a full pro-style workout, running a laser timed 60, going through offensive testing, taking live BP, and working out defensively.  PBR was able to take statistics on each player throughout the workout. Video has been added to each player's profiles on PBR in the coming week.  Pitchers threw in live game situations, working two controlled innings, allowing hitters to get live at-bats.

In the coming week we will take an in-depth look at each player in attendance.  Today we start with a talented group of outfielders. Two ran sub-6.60 sixties, each breaking the previously standing 60 yard dash record. Several hitters showed strength through the zone with impressive rounds of BP that translated in game play.

PBR Top Underclass Games: By the Numbers
+ 44 Players worked out on the day… 39 took part as position players and 15 pitchers threw in live game action.
+ Top Underclass Games Record - Laser timed 60 of 6.48… Topped a record time of 6.52 recorded earlier in the day
+ 42 Players ran the 60.  4 ran under 7.00. Median time of 7.42.
+ 8 of 21 infielders had a positional velocity across the infield topping 80 mph
+ 7 of 15 outfielders posted a positional velocity of 80 mph or better
+ 5 of 9 catchers recorded workout pop times under 2.10
+ 15 hitters with an exit velocity of 85 mph or better… 9 above 88… 5 above 90 and the leader at 94.
+ Median fastball of 81 with two arms reaching 87 mph on the day.

CLICK HERE for a complete roster from the 2018 Top Underclass Games

CLICK HERE for a the complete statistical results from the Top Underclass Games.

2018 Underclass Games: Outfielder Analysis

Max Crawford, II OF / SS / Salisbury, NC / 2021   5 feet 8, 150-pound athletic build. Hits from the right side using an open setup.  Smooth back in his load with a short stride.  Stays balanced throughout his swing and generates above average bat speed.  Uses a line drive approach and can drive the ball when he stays in his legs.  Exit velocity recorded at 79 mph.  Has average hands in the outfield with fluid feet and clean exchanges.  Long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Accurate arm that peaked at 73 mph.  Recorded a 7.24 in the 60-yard dash.

Jordan Thalacker OF / Marvin Ridge, NC / 2020   6 feet 1, 180-pound strong build.  Hits from the right side using a crouched setup. Steps slightly open during his load, looking to clear his hips during his swing.  Barrel works uphill with strength in his swing.  Works mostly pull side during batting practice with average bat speed.  Strength over bat speed at this time.  Exit velocity recorded at 88 mph.  Plays through balls in the outfield with a longer exchange.  Hands will play better as he gets more fluid through the ball. Long arm action, throwing from a ¾ slot with his arm peaking at 78 mph.  Recorded a 7.27 in the 60-yard dash.

Tanner Martin OF / 1B / Foard, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 56 / POS: 10   Physical presence at 6 feet 4, 195-pounds.  Athletic with a strong, defined lower half.  Quickness exists, running a 7.09 sixty.  Hits from the right side using an open setup.  Smooth load with a short stride.  Fluid swing with a line drive approach.  More strength than bat speed with his exit velocity topping at 91 mph.  Ball jumps when on the barrel.  Displayed barrel awareness in BP and in game.  Wants extension with an ability to drive balls to opposite field.  Showed his strength at the plate in game, driving a ball to the opposite field gap.  Plays through balls in the outfield with average hands and clean exchanges.  Long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Positional velocity peaked at 81 mph.  Average instincts in the outfield.  Athleticism and reps should allow him to continue to mature at the position as well.

Wes Turley OF / Porter Ridge, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 83 / POS: 16   Defined strength with a strong lower half at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds.  Set an event record with a 6.48 sixty on a laser timed course.  Same course saw 6 players run similar times they had posted in previous month.  4.23 on a home to first with a complete swing on a rollover to 3B.  Speed is not translating to premium defender in the outfield yet, but there is feel for the position.  Cautious to the ball with an athletic transfer and medium arm swing.  Clean, the arm projects to continue to improve.  Average carry is present, with accuracy at 78 mph out of the hand.  Right handed hitter is balanced with a weight shift back while the shoulder pre-set very slightly uphill.  Short stride with an active back-side.  Good balance throughout.  Average barrel awareness with quickness in the swing.  Tends to be under or rollover balls and exit velocity will rise with more barrel ability.  Presently 84 mph off the bat.

Max Green OF / RHP / Cornerstone Charter, NC / 2020   Length is present in a 6-foot-2, 159 pound frame.  Plenty of room to add strength with continued maturity.  Right handed hitter is tall and narrow with some bat waggle.  Big leg kick loads the weight back.  Aggressive stride, gliding to the front side with his weight.  Works to be direct, average feel for the barrel and average to slightly above bat speed.  Wants extension and has rhythm throughout.  Exit velocity off the barrel peaked at 70 mph and will increase with strength and more barrel awareness.  From the outfield, plays through the ball with clean exchanges and long feet.  Long arm action gets to an over-the-top slot with some feel for accuracy at 74 mph out of the hand.  In game, showed an ability to get on-line with his first step.  Ran a 7.50 timed sixty and a 4.53 home to first in game.

Stewart Evans OF / Scotland, NC / 2021 Strength is present in a lanky, athletic frame, standing 6-foot-1, 180 pounds.  Big winner from the day with his strength and athleticism playing well in the workout and game setting.  Quickness showed, running a 6.94 sixty.  Plays with quickness and good instincts in the outfield.  Offensively, the loud BP translated into loud contact in game with an exit velocity of 90 mph recorded.  Righty is tall and balanced in the box, using a slow weight shift back and small stride to set his launch.  Bat head tips to a vertical position in the load. Aggressive back side through the swing generating advanced bat speed.  Direct path works for extension with leverage.  Average barrel awareness will increases with increased head discipline.  Head was better in 2nd round and with each at-bat during the day as well.  Clean transitions in the outfield with a long arm action.  Some effort in the release to an over-the-top slot.  Positional velocity of 82 mph out of the hand with carry and average accuracy.  Still maturing and plenty of room to his ceiling.

Archie Dean Herring OF / SS / Westchester Country Day, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 86 / POS: 18   Average frame with strength and quickness present.  Stands 5-foot-10, 160 pounds.  Blistering sixty time of 6.52 on a course verified by 6 other runners running similar times to a time PBR recorded in the previous month.  Speed still transitioning defensively where he is learning to trust his first step.  Arm has carry from an athletic transition with a positional velocity of 82 mph out of the hand.  Showed some feel for accuracy.  Offensively, right handed hitter is geared for extension with uphill leverage.  Open, balanced and athletic.  Uses a weight shift back to load.  Vertical bat.  Good rhythm to the launch position.  Ball tends to get deep as the hands work to create leverage.  Barrel awareness can improve.  Quickness when he turns it loose, flashing an exit velocity of 88 mph off the bat. When on the bases, good instincts and extremely aggressive looking to get to the next bag.  Can create pace and stress offensively.

Giovanni Garcia OF / 3B / Gray's Creek , NC / 2021 Broad shoulders in an average frame.  Stands 5-foot-8, 165 pounds.  Strength exists with an exit velocity of 87 mph from the right handed hitter.  Balanced and athletic in his setup.  Waggle in the bat head as it works to a vertical slot for launch.  Short stride.  Stays in his legs.  Flat path with line drives working gap-to-gap.  Good barrel awareness and better than average bat speed.  Average instincts in the outfield, working to play through balls when he can.  Clean transitions to a long arm swing and over-the-top slot.  Some effort in the release.  Average carry and accuracy with a positional velocity of 79 mph out of the hand.  Ran a 7.52 sixty.