On Sunday June 7th, PBR Scouts were in attendance for the 5 Star Organizaitonal workout at The Athletic Barn in Waxhaw, NC.  The Athletic Barn is a beautiful facility that allowed 5 Star to keep their players spread out, while running close to 200 players through the workout.  Beginning at 9am, the day concluded at 5pm. 

PBR Scouts ran TrackMan for 85 bullpens, collecting data on the arms in the 5 Star Carolina program.  Scouts were also able to see position players workout from their respective positions and take some swings in the cages.  Off-site, 5 Star catchers were able to throw pop times for PBR scouts while position players ran a 60 on the laser timers. 

Today we jump into some of the arms that were on display for 5 Star.  With 85 arms throwing on the day, we are still working through a lot of the notes taken, but these arms stood out.

CLICK HERE to see the roster of players in attendance and their statistics.

 

Quick Hitters: 5 Star Carolina Arms

 

Larson Scholtz (RHP, Asheville HS, 2022) – Physical frame, standing 6-foot-5, 215 pounds.  Still working to define his line and direction but when it is synced up the arm strength plays.  Touched 89, sitting 86-89, with the spin rate up to 2300rpm.  The breaking ball spun up to 2500 with more horiztonal break than vertical, sweeping across the zone at times.

Mason Levin (RHP, St. Andrews Episcopal, MD, 2021) – Fastball played 85-88 with a slider that works out of the fastball slot with solid tilt and angle.  Soft at times at 74, the slider could see a jump with increased hand speed.  Mimics the release of his 3-pitch arsenal. 

Hunter Sloop (RHP, Lake Norman Christian, 2022) – One of the names circled to see on the day, Sloop stands at 6-foot-9 and also stars on the basketball court.  Still working to maintain direction and rhythm over the rubber, there is arm strength.  The fastball ramped up to 88, occasionally sprayed.  Fights for consistency with his secondary stuff out of the hand and then the break and tilt on the curveball and change-up.  The arm is intriguing and with time, he may harness the athleticism into something special.

Mason Smith (RHP, Lincoln Charter, 2022) – There is hand speed and athleticism on the rubber.  Loose, easy slotting with pitches that tend to work from the same window.  Three distinct pitches with their movement patterns.  Fastball touched 88 but it was the arm speed and feel for four pitches that impressed the most.

Jairo Osio (RHP, North Gaston HS, 2021) – High-3/4 slot with some effort through the release.  Average to above arm speed.  Flashed feel for the curveball and change-up but could quicken the arm speed on both.  Fastball at 83-85

Garrett Pyne (RHP, Hickory Ridge HS, 2023) – Arm strength is present in the 6-foot-6, 210 pound righty.   Solid direction and feel, especially for his age and size.  Fastball – changeup in the bullpen with the fastball working 83-85.  Split change tumbeled, spinning at 902 rpm, ranging 74-76.  Solid follow moving forward.

Josh Petusky (RHP, Home Schooled, 2022) – Good rhythm and strong arm action.  Worked 83-86 with a solid feel for his change-up.  Breaking ball was early but still has room left to its ceiling.  Fastball spin rate ranged in the 2300s. 

Michael Posse (RHP, Christ School, 2022) – Velocity was down a bit but it is still athletic on the bump.  Loose, he is able to repeat and create solid extension.  Flashed a hard, top to bottom breaking ball with an induced vertical break of -3.61 inches.  That paired with a fastball with average induced vertical break of 15.66 inches.  Change is still a work in progress. 

Sullivan Jackson (LHP, Lake Norman HS, 2023) – Lanky, slightly blocked at foot strike, flashed solid feel for two off-speed offerings.  Fastball sat 75-78 with a spin rate just below 2000rpm.  Tends to cut the change-up a bit, but as easy as the arm works this should correct with strength and direction. 

Terry Kaler (LHP, Northwest Cabarrus HS, 2023) – 83-84 from the left side.  Loose with length in the 6-foot-3 frame, the arm works with some ease.  Good tilt on a still developing breaking ball.  Advanced change-up for the age. 

Koen Smith (RHP, Ramstein HS, US Forces – Germany, 2023) – Lanky frame that will add strength at 6-foot, 140 pounds.  Short strider works to an over-the-top slot.  Fastball at 73-78.  Works easy and will take a jump with added strength.