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 White during the event. This is position player analysis only. Those players who also pitched at the event will have their pitching analysis featured in a separate article.

Cade Coffman, SS, R/R, Dyersburg HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect has an athletic frame and shows athletic actions. Uses high- ¾ arm slot with short arm action to deliver accurate throws across the field to the bag, can use multiple arm angles, 67 mph arm velocity arm strength will need to improve, clean exchange, above average hands. Hits from a slightly open stance, slight leg kick, good rhythm, level swing path, good extension, flashes bat speed, 82 mph bat exit velocity, shows line drive ability with some power potential, ran 4.57 home to first time, solid batting practice round, 1-for-4 in game play with a sharply hit single. Interesting prospect to follow from 2016 class.

Noah Sims, SS, R/R, Sycamore HS, 2016
6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect has a big, physical frame with room to mature and add muscle weight. Uses ¾- to high- ¾ arm slot, with shorter arm action, accurate throws to the bag with carry, 82 mph arm velocity, quick instincts in the field, good lateral movement, quick clean exchange. Starts from a slightly open hitting stance, explosive lower half, good balance, generates natural lift, 78 mph bat exit velocity, shows middle of the line-up power potential, ran 4.63 home to first time, was 0-for-4 in game play. WIll likely make the switch to third base at the collegiate level. Size, power combo player who could make some waves.

Max Murray, 2B, L/R, Memphis University School, 2016
5-foot-8, 163-pound prospect with a smaller frame, shows good baseball instincts, ¾ arm slot, long arm action, 75 mph arm velocity, accurate throws to the bag, clean exchange. Left-handed hitter has a slightly open hitting stance, slight leg kick, short stride, good rhythm, short, level bat path, line drive ability, quick bat through the hitting zone, 82 mph bat velocity, ran 4.48 home to first, went 2-for-4 in game play with 2 sharply hit singles. Plays bigger than his 5-foot-8 frame.

Chris Rodriguez, 2B, R/R, Blackman HS, 2016
5-foot-9, 167-pound prospect who was able to show projectable skills despite still feeling the effects of a lower leg injury suffered earlier in the fall season. Though obviously not at 100% Rodriguez was able to turn in a solid showing. Using a high- ¾ arm slot with longer arm action,the second baseman produces accurate throws to the bag, soft hands, fluid footwork and clean exchange. Spread hitting stance, smooth load, short stride, level swing path, 79 mph bat exit velocity, line drive approach, solid round of batting practice, went 0-for-3 in game play. One to watch for when fully healthy.

Cade Evans, SS, R/R, Boyd Buchanan HS, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound athlete has a lanky build with lots of room to add to his frame. High-¾ arm slot, long arm action, 74 mph arm velocity, good lateral movement, quick instincts, quick feet. Balanced spread hitting setup, smooth load, toe tap stride, good lower half usage, level, line drive approach, 70 mph bat exit velocity, 4.69 home to first time, went 2-for-4 in game play with two singles to right field. Arm velocity and bat velocity should see an increase with strength gains.

Kevin McCarthy, 2B, L/R, Farragut HS, 2017
5-foot-7, 135-pound class of 2017 product has short arm action, ¾ slot, 70 mph arm velocity, soft hands, clean exchange, The left-handed hitter has a balanced hitting stance with some hand drop, short stride, shows line drive ability, 70 mph bat exit velocity, went 1-for-4 in game play with a single. Smaller body type that must continue to get stronger.