Preseason All-State West: Quick Hitters Pitchers
February 8, 2024
The Preseason All-State events in North Carolina have quickly become the top winter events for the top players in the state to attend. This year there are 3 Preseason All-State events with the East and West happening on February 3rd and 4th. The Preseason All-State Central is scheduled for February 10th. These three events will see over 250 of North Carolina's top players, as they are ready to post numbers and go through a workout in preparation for the spring season. Prep Baseball scouts were on hand to run the event verify stats, and evaluate the players involved.
The Preseason All-State has made Athlete's Lab in Maiden, NC its home for the West event for 3 years. Athlete's Lab is a tremendous facility that offers a spacious workout facility. Featuring an indoor space that allows plenty of room to run a 30, for catchers to make full throws, and to simulate an infield. Athlete's Lab also has an outdoor space where a full size infield is available and outfielders can stretch their arms to almost 300 feet. Pitchers threw off of indoor mounds. During BP, players were able to see the ball fly over 70 feet off the bat with the setup at Athlete's Lab.
The Preseason All-State West featured over 50 of North Carolina's top talent, with a heavy leaning to those players that attend school in the foothills and mountain area of the state. Below we take a data dive into the results of the workout.
CLICK HERE to see the full roster and statistical out put from the Preseason All-State West.
By The Numbers
+ 17 hitters recorded an exit velocity of 90mph or higher
+ 32 hitters had a BLAST bat speed of 65mph of higher
+ 10 players ran a 4.00 or faster 30yd
+ 19 players hit 18mph while being tested
+ 11 players had a vertical jump test at 28in or higher
+ 9 pitchers had a fastball at 84mph or higher
+ 1 pitchers had their fastball spin recorded higher than 2400rpm
+ 5 pitchers had their breaking ball spin at 2400rpm or higher
+ 4 catchers recorded a pop time of 2.10 or better
+ 3 outfielders had arm strength at 85mph or better
+ 2 infielders tested with arm strength across the infield at 84mph or higher
PRESEASON ALL-STATE WEST: QUICK HITTERS PITCHERS
2027 GRADS
Colt Briggs, RHP, St. Stephens HS
+Only a freshman but had one of the top arms at the event with a fastball up to 86.7mph. Shorter arm action with a late breaking slider spinning on average at 2206rpms. 6'2" 157lb frame that he can fill out and develop.
Garrett Gosnell, LHP, East Henderson HS
+5'8", 170lb lefty with a 3 pitch mix, fastball up to 75.9mph. Change-up has good arm side run and his Curveball spins well at around 2200rpms.
Luke Milling, LHP, Mid-Carolina HS
+Fastball, Change-up, Curveball arsenal; Fastball up to 78.8mph while the change-up has lots of movement averaging 17.7in. 6'0" 170lb. frame to grow into.
+Another good freshman arm up to 84.8mph with an effortless delivery. 6'4" 185lb body prototypical for a pitcher. Downward action slider and sinking change-up add to Wall's big potential.
2026 GRADS
Ryan Engle, LHP, Westchester Country Day
+Top arm of the event at 90.6mph, the 6'5" 195lb lefty has lots of upside. With improved command of his secondary pitches Engle will be a force on the mound. Curveball spins on avg at 2130rpms and his change-up has an avg movement of 16.7in.
+6'2" 178lb frame to go along with his 4 pitch mix. Fastball at 79.1 right now, curveball/slider combo both spinning around 2000rpms, and change-up to change the pace.
Cody Rogers, LHP, Porter Ridge HS
+Good arm from the left side up to 84.5mph and plenty of size at 6'0" 220lbs. Development of secondary pitches and command of the change-up will make Rodgers a tough lefty to hit.
Charlie Shaver, RHP, North Stanly HS
+Athletic build and loose arm action, fastball up to 87.1mph and hard sinker with lots of movement. Spins the slider well at 2237rmp avg, has cutter movement at the moment and his speed differential from change-up to fastball sits around 9mph.
Tristen Sumner, RHP, East Henderson HS
+Can really spin the breaking ball, slider avg spin 2420rpms and curveball avg spin 2232rpms. Fastball up to 82.7mph but can fill out his 6'1" 155lb frame for more velo.
+6'2" 145lb righty with room to grow, 79.6mph max on fastball but sits at 78. Fastball ball & Change-up both average over 20in of total movement.
2025 GRADS
Collin Chappel, RHP, Maiden HS
+Fastball at 82.2mph and can really spin the breaking ball. Curveball max spin was 2574rpms and averages 2482rpms. Great command of his change-up with a velo range of 75.7-77.0mph.
Caleb Cloninger, LHP, North Gaston HS
+6'0" 155lb lefty with good movement on all pitches. Fastball up to 80.4mph and an over the top curveball spinning at 2345rpms on average.
John Thomas Cook, RHP, Watauga HS
+Physical 6'2" 218lb RHP with a fastball up to 83.2mph and throws downhill with a spin rate average of 2486rpms. Change-up is his best secondary pitch with late movement and depth.
Micah Dalton, RHP, Hibriten HS
+Downhill thrower with angle, 85.1mph max on fastball averaging low 80's. 6'1" 205lb strong frame with smooth mechanics and a lower 3/4 arm slot.
Ty Davis, RHP, East Lincoln HS
+Second best fastball at the event reaching 89.4mph with clean compact mechanics. Change-up is best secondary pitch to go along with a slider and curveball. 6'0" 200lb strong frame that can handle his upper 80's fastball.
Landon King, LHP, South Point HS
+Athletic frame, 6'2" 190lbs, with a funky arm action making it tough on hitters. Fastball up to 85.8mph, Change-up with arm side run, and a Slider in the upper 70's with late movement.
Chad Matthews, RHP, North Lincoln HS
+5'10" 165lb compact righty with good feel for his Curveball. Fastball tops at 81.2mph and sits in the upper 70's. Pronates his change-up well causing arm side run and sink.
+Fastball sits in the mid 80's topping at 85.8mph, 6'3" 195lb frame with high pitchability. Commanded the zone with all pitches, curveball is best secondary pitch, breaking late and spinning at 2448rpms max.
CJ Wallace, RHP, TC Roberson HS
+6'4" 200lb pitchers body, 83.3mph max fastball with a long arm action thrown from a 3/4 slot. Change-up is best secondary pitch mimicking his fastball.
Jack Wuerdeman, LHP, North Lincoln HS
+5'9" 170lb frame, can really spin the curveball, avg spin rate of 2578rpms. Fastball up to 83. 9mph and mixes in a Slider and Change-up. Curveball is his best pitch.