NC Top Underclass Games Record Book
August 16, 2019
Prep Baseball Report entered the North Carolina space in the summer of 2016. The summer of 2017 saw the first full slate of events and an explosion of coverage across the state. In August of 2018, the first Top Underclass Games was held, featuring players from across North Carolina competing at Jim Perry Stadium on the campus of Campbell University.
Each of the last two summers the event has flourished at Jim Perry Stadium, featuring some of the best players in North Carolina. Now that three years are in the books, we can begin to look back and compare players from different years.
The setup at Prep Baseball Report allows player statistics and performances to be saved. This allows coaches, scouts, and even players to see how players from different graduating years may have stacked up when they were the same age. For events like the Top Prospect Games, PBR can compare and contrast players and create a record book for the event.
The 2019 Top Underclass Games were very successful with a lot of high end players on display for both pro scouts and college coaches. Below is a look at the updated record book for the Top Underclass Games in NC.
North Carolina Top Underclass Games Record Book
The 60 Yard Dash
The 60 has been run on a synthetic surface all three years, utilizing a laser timing system. In 2018, two blazing times were turned in by Wes Turley and Archie Dean Herring, each running under 6.55. Two times from the 2019 event made it inside the top 5 of all-time.
Exit Velocity
A new record was posted by Larson Scholtz in 2019, topping the 94 mph mark that led the way in both 2017 and 2018. In all, the 2019 Top Underclass Games has 5 of the top 7 marks in the event’s history.
Positional Velocity – Infielders
The infielders that attended the 2019 Top Underclass Games re-wrote this section of the record book, taking all five of the top slots in the event’s history. Bryan Arendt had a huge day last week and will show up a couple of more times in the record book, taking the top slot on the infield with a 90mph bolt across the diamond.
Positional Velocity – Outfielders
Freddy Wooten obliterated the standing record of 86 mph with a 91 mph throw from right field at this year’s Top Underclass Games. Three of the top 5, top throws were recorded at the 2019 event.
Catcher Pop Time & Positional Velocity
Bryan Arendt takes the top spot with both his pop time and his positional velocity out of the crouch. The 2021 prospect has an elite arm, with carry, and a good exchange to compliment the arm. Ryan McCrystal and Chris Katz each had big days in 2018 and have both continued to improve in the past year.
Max Fastball
In 2017, Tyler Driver went from relative unknown to a high end prospect after one inning and an Instagram post. The 2019 committed to Charlotte, but decided to sign with the Mariners when selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. His 90 mph fastball has held up for three years as the top fastball at the Underclass Games. Harrison Garner was right on his heels in 2019, touching 89, with a very bright future ahead of him.