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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 outfielders that participated on Team Carbon during the event.

Baylor Steelman, OF/LHP, R/L, LaVergne HS, 2016
5-foot-7, 132-pound prospect posted a 4.51 home to 1st time and 73 mph exit velocity. Small build with some explosiveness, showed solid defensive skills, takes precise routes to ball, plays through well, high-3/4 arm slot with medium action, quick arm, 85 mph velocity from the outfield, plays thru ball.  Slightly open hitting stance, good hand usage, slight collapse on backside causes an uphill path to the ball, line drive approach, shows ability to go to the opposite field. Speed was on display in game play where he went 1-for-4 beating out an infield single. Frame should continue to fill out and Steelman will get stronger. Has potential to be a center field prospect at the collegiate level.

Devin Symlar, OF/RHP, R/L, Columbia Central HS, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound prospect posted a 4.51 home to 1st time and 73 mph exit velocity off the tee. Compact, athletic frame, tendency to field ground balls deep but plays thru, long, high-3/4 throwing action with some line carry to the bag, 78 mph position velocity with accuracy, clean exchange, quick instincts.  Balanced, slight crouch stance at the plate, tendency to raise up out of crouch, short stride, good extension, line drive approach, sprayed ball during batting practice and was 1-for-4 in game play with a sharp single to RF. 

Evan Porter, OF/RHP, R/R, Maryville HS, 2017
6-foot, 195-pound prospect posted a 4.83 home to first time and 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Strong body, short, high-3/4 arm action, plays thru ball, good arm velocity (84 mph), accurate throws with line carry to the bag, somewhat choppy outfield instincts at present.  Open hitting stance, good balance, level swing path, gap to gap approach that could develop into power production in the future. Has some upside that should improve as he continues to mature. Solid round of batting practice with several balls hit squarely. Was 0-for-4 in game play.

James Matthews, OF, S/R, Roane Co HS, 2016
5-foot-9, 140 pound prospect posted a 6.96 60-yard dash at the East TN College Prospect Showcase in September and 77 mph tee exit velocity. At the 2016/17 Fall Top Prospect Invite Only event he posted a 4.46 Home to first time and improved tee exit velocity of 79 mph. Matthews uses medium arm action, over the top arm slot, position velocity increased to 82 mph, accurate with on line carry, played thru ball better than at last event attended, still continues to develop.  Switch hitter with a balanced set up, gap to gap approach from the right side, line drive/slap approach from the left side. Made impressive diving catch in left center field gap in game play and went 1-for-4 at the plate with an infield single. 

Chandler Chambers, OF, R/R, Farragut HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect posted a 4.47 home to first time and 72 mph tee exit velocity. Long and rangy, with long over the top throwing action with line carry to the bag, 82 mph position velocity, tendency to play the ball deep.  Slightly open hitting stance, short stride, hand drop and arm bar that should improve with strength gains, uphill bat path, line drive approach. Was 0-for-4 in game play.

Avery Conkin, LHP/OF, L/L, Science Hill HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect posted a 4.51 home to first time and 74 mph exit velocity off the. Big, strong frame, uses long, high-3/4 throwing action that has line carry to the bag with accuracy, 80 mph velocity from the outfield.  Spread, crouch stance at the plate, toe tap starts rhythm, high hand start, uphill path to ball with a good finish, flashed power potential during batting practice. Turned in a solid 2-for-4 performance in game play with a single, double, and RBI.