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By Doug Hall
Tennessee Director of Scouting

The PBR Tennessee Fall Top Prospect Games event took place at Lipscomb University on November 1 and afforded close to 60 players the opportunity to showcase their abilities in a combination showcase/game play event. Despite abnormally chilly conditions, some solid performances were turned in as some players established themselves as potential high-level prospects.

Below we take an in depth look at the group of middle infielders that participated on Team Carbon during the event. This is position player analysis only. Those players who also pitched at the event will have their pitching evaluation featured in a separate article.

Bryce Hodge, SS, R/R, Halls HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect is a big/strong body type. Flashed some projectable skills to go along with size. Starts from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, slight front hip jerk gives him an uphill swing path, hands stay back with a stiff front side, drives barrel through the zone with a strong back half, good balance, shows power potential, 82 mph tee exit velocity, ran 4.76 home to first, took solid round of batting practice barreling most balls hit, Was 0-for-3 in game play with two hard hit balls. Moves well with quick defensive instincts, shows accuracy from the high 3/4 arm slot and short action, 77 mph velocity across the diamond, soft hands, quick release, good lateral movement, fields ball athletically while playing through it. With current skill set and potential to improve, he is a prospect to follow.

Jared Ruan, 2B, R/R, Clinton HS, 2016
5-foot-9, 145-pound prospect is a smaller body type that showed he deserves a serious look at the next level. Hits from open stance with a long early stride, maintains level bat path that gives him a natural line drive approach, majority of swings in batting practice were quality offerings producing solid contact and driving the ball around the yard, 75 mph tee exit velocity, ran a 4.74 home to first time, went 2-for-4 in game play with two singles. Flashed solid defensive game, moves well in all directions with quick and fluid footwork, good hands, fields athletically and plays through ball, loose arm action from 3/4 arm slot, 76 mph arm velocity. Good projectability.

Bryce Lester, SS, L/R, Lebanon HS, 2016
5-foot-7, 145-pound left-handed hitter hits from a balanced foot position and weight back stance, uses hands to produce a slap/opposite field approach, fluid rhythm, level swing, stays behind ball, improved exit velocity to 71 mph (+6) from previous North Tennessee Prospect Showcase, ran 4.48 home to first time, went 0-for-4 in game play. Decisive defensive instincts, short 3/4 arm action, 70 mph infield velocity, soft hands when fielding to go along with a clean exchange, accurate throws to bag, moves well laterally, projects as a second baseman.

Ethan Tressler, RHP/2B, R/R, Davidson Academy, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance with some pre-pitch movement, smooth backside crouch load, tends to drop hands into zone, good lower half usage, level to slight uphill swing path, line drive approach, 76 mph tee exit velocity, will need to continue to improve extension thru contact, but has a good foundation to build on, posted a 4.74 home to first time. Uses long arm action from the 3/4 arm slot, shows accuracy, 72 mph across the field to the bag, clean exchange. Room to improve foot work and fielding position.