Future Games Trials: Pitcher Analysis

The Future Games Trials took place on June 30th at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA. The event featured 65 underclassmen. Prospects participated in a pro-style workout and simulated game play.

We conclude our analysis of the event with reports on the 27 pitchers who were in attendance. This was an especially talented group of prospects. The top arm at the event belongs to C/RHP Gavin Black (North Oconee, 2022). Black has an explosive arm capable of pitching in the low 90s. On this day, he ran his fastball up to 88 and mixed in a swing and miss slider in the mid 70s. Black’s performance warranted him an invite to the 2020 PBR Future Games where he played with Team Select II. Following Black is the projectable 6-foot-4, 205-pound southpaw Jackson Hilton (St. Annes Pacelli, 2022). Hilton has a frame that one can dream on with plenty of room left to fill out. The big lefty topped out at 86, but there is much more in the tank, and threw a slurve-like breaker.

Army commit RHP Ben Stuart (North Oconee, 2022) is an arm who trended up the entire summer as he gained velo. He continued to do so at the Future Games Trials and committed to Army shortly after. Stuart has a long, lean frame that will add significant strength. The right-hander throws three pitches for strikes, sitting 85-87 and locating a 12/6 breaking ball consistently in the zone. Yet another arm trending up is RHP Brady Pendley (Dalton, 2022). Pendley has seen a velo jump from the low 80s, this past spring, to now touching 88.

Keep reading to view the rest of the top-10 arms at the event along with reports on all the pitchers in attendance, listed alphabetically.

Top Pitcher Prospects

Gavin Black, C/RHP, North Oconee, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher and right-handed pitcher, athletically built, lean muscle throughout, strong lower half, quick twitch muscle, live body, ran a 7.22 laser-timed 60. At the plate, open setup, smooth rhythm throughout, hands start back and deepen on load, knee knock stride good balance. Quick hands create whippy barrel speed, swing works uphill through the zone, does damage to the pull-side, 91 exit velocity off a tee, 96.76 top exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm works clean on the back-side with some length, very quick arm speed, ¾ to high ¾ slot, throws have carry, 82 out of the crouch. Good flexibility in his knees and hips, quick footwork and transfers, pop times ranged 1.97-2.10. Worked out on the infield and outfield as well, a good enough athlete where he can man 2B/3B or a corner outfield position at the next level. Threw 86 across the infield and 91 from the outfield. On the mound, arm action is clean and loose on the back-side, whippy arm speed, comes out of a high ¾ slot. Athletic delivery, long stride, momentum carries towards home, lands toe open, spins off quickly on follow through. Fastball sat 85-88, running action, overpowering at-times, feel for. Slider, 73-75, 2471 rpm, 11/5 shape, depth, flashed sharp action, potential swing and miss pitch.

Jackson Hilton, LHP, St. Annes Pacelli, 2022
6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed pitcher, large, projectable frame, long arms, developing strength, lots of room to fill out, more velo to come as he does so. On the mound, long arm action, low draw showing wide on the back-side, quick arm speed to a high ¾ slot, typically gets out front on time, at-times arm can lag behind the rest of the body. Stays tall on his back-side driving down the mound, works on-line carrying momentum towards home, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 82-85, touched 86, sink and run action. Curveball, 72-73, 11/5 shape, depth, slurve-like, potential swing and miss pitch. Changeup, 73-74, sinking action. Feel for three pitches, high upside arm.

Ben Stuart, RHP, North Oconee, 2022
Army commit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, lean, projectable frame, high waist, lots of room to fill out with strength, more velo in the tank as he adds physicality. On the mound, arm works short on the back-side with a shallow stab, quick arm action, gets out front on time consistently, comes out of an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, controlled, methodical actions, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 85-87, sinking action, good feel for, threw a high volume of strikes. Curveball, 72-74, 12/6 shape, depth, potential swing and miss pitch as it continues to progress. Changeup, 80-81, fade and sink. Feel for all three pitches, consistently in the zone with.

Brady Pendley, RHP/OF, Dalton, 2022
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher and right-handed hitting outfielder, athletically built, proportional build, lean muscle throughout, projectable, room to fill out, ran a 7.10 laser-timed 60. On the mound, arm works long and loose with a full arm swing on the back-side, quick arm speed, comes out of an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, high front side, shoulders work uphill, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 85-87, touched 88. Slider, 77-79, downer action, depth, potential swing and miss, 2500 max rpm. Changeup, 79-80, fade action. Offensively, open setup, smoothie rhythm in hands as they deepen on load, short stride, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, looks to elevate the ball with an uphill barrel path through the zone, 81 exit velocity off a tee, 86.67 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot, 86 from the outfield. Plays through the ball, soft glove, clean footwork and transfers.

Jake Beaver, OF/LHP, Flowery Branch, 2022
Georgia State commit. 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed two-way prospect, proportional build, lean strength, athletic frame, some quick twitch, ran a 6.74 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, high hands load back smoothly, short leg lift stride, great balance through finish. Line drive type hitter , drives the ball with quick hands and whippy barrel speed, short barrel path to zone, works level though, repeatable swing, consistent approach, 86 exit velocity off a tee, 91.82 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm plays clean and loose on the back-side to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed, throws showed some carry at 85 from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, quick footwork, clean on exchanges. On the mound, arm works long and clean to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, repeatable, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 83-85 with some run, good feel. Slider, 67-69, 2430 rpm, 11/5 shape, depth, swing and miss pitch, controlled the zone. Changeup, 72. Struck out 5 of 6 batters he faced in game play.

Brady Jones, MIF/RHP, Decatur, 2022
Georgia State commit. 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher, strong, sturdy frame with room for more, athletically built, ran a 6.97 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands start high and deepen on load, short stride, good balance through finish. Gap-to-gap type hitter with pull-side power, barrel works long to and through the zone, whippy barrel speed and quick hands, smooth actions, can drive balls with force, 95 exit velocity off a tee, 98.07 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, has a big arm from the left-side, 89 across the diamond, arm works clean and loose with advanced arm speed, accurate on throws. Plays through the ball athletically with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on transfers, good body control, moves well to both sides. On the mound, arm works short and clean to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Drop and drive delivery, works across the mound landing toe open, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 81-84, touched 86. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 63-65.

Ford Hallock, OF/RHP, Greater Atlanta Christian, 2022
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic frame, some quick twitch muscle, ran a 7.13 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, high hands drop and load back smoothly, toe-tap stride, great balance through finish. Easy effort, repeatable, line drive swing, athletic hands maintain a level barrel path through the zone, showed the ability to use the entire field, 87 exit velocity off a tee, 92.49 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, in the outfield, long, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot, throws are true and accurate with carry at 91. On the infield, shortens up arm action, uses multiple slots effectively, throws carry at 86. Plays through the ball athletically with quick, clean actions, good range and body control. On the mound, arm works long and loose to an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, at-times lands toe-open, finishes walking down the mound. Fastball sat 82-84, touched 85. Curveball, 68-70, 11/5 shape, depth. Changeup, 77-78, fade.

Hunter Sanders, RHP, North Paulding, 2022
5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, strong, sturdy frame, room for firming up and adding more strength, had one of the top outings on the day racking up four strikeouts with a swing and miss slider. On the mound, arm works short and clean, quick arm speed, to a ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, sits on his back-side as he drives down the mound, works on-line, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 81-82, touched 83, controlled zone with. Slider, 73-75, depth, 11/5 shape, swing and miss pitch, commanded the zone.

John Long, OF/LHP, Glynn Academy, 2022
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and left-handed pitcher, highly athletic, lean, quick twitch muscle throughout frame, ran a 6.63 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup with weight preloaded on back-side, hands start back and deepen with a short load, short leg lift stride, finishes on back-side. Gap-to-gap type swing, repeatable, good feel for the barrel, drives the ball, quick hands generate whippy barrel speed through the zone, 88 exit velocity off a tee, 91.02 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short, loose arm action, quick arm speed, kept throws on target and with carry, 89 from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, fields out front with two hands, quick footwork and exchanges. Profiles as a center fielder at the next level. On the mound, arm works short and loose to a ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 81-83, run action. Curveball, 67-68, 11/5 shape, depth.

Reid Akins, C/RHP, Evans, 2022
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher and right-handed pitcher, strong build, wide shoulders, ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, barrel wraps on load, short stride, good balance. Barrel path is uphill through the zone, takes a middle/pull approach, quick hands and barrel speed, 87 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short and quick to a high ¾ slot, some carry on throws, 78 out of the crouch. Flexible lower half, quick on transfers, clean footwork, moves well behind the plate, pop times ranged 1.93-2.08. Also worked out on the infield, has a longer arm swing on the back-side, loose, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, 84 across the infield. Showed good range with quick feet, competent hands, good back hand, clean on the transfers. On the mound, arm works clean on the back-side with a full arm swing, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works across the mound towards first base, lands closed, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 80-82, feel for, controlled zone with. Curveball, 69-72, shape varied between 12/6 and 11/5, depth. Changeup, 77-78, sinking action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Mark Abell, MIF/RHP, Greenbrier, 2023
5-foot-6, 145-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect, lean, proportional build, ran a 7.67 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth hand load, short heel lift stride, good balance through finish. Line drive type hitter, peppered the gaps during BP, barrel works short to the zone, somewhat uphill through the zone, smooth swing with some whip in the barrel, posted a 78 exit velocity off a tee, 85.90 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm works with some length on the back-side to a low ¾ slot, 77 across the infield. Plays through the ball, quick transfers, clean footwork, good feel for glove hand, maintains body control on the run. On the mound, clean arm action to a low ¾ slot, repeatable. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes upright. Fastball sat 77-78, some run. Curveball, 63-64, 11/5 shape, gradual. Changeup, 68-71, sink.

John Anagnostis, 3B/RHP, Campbell, 2022
6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher, strong build, ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands load back into an arm bar, reverse toe-tap stride, short finish on back-side. Swing works long to the zone, short through, looks to elevate the ball with an uphill path through the zone, gap-to-gap type hitter, some lift in swing, creates hard contact, 91 exit velocity off a tee, 95.50 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short arm action to a high ¾ slot, 75 across the infield. Also was 79 from the outfield, had a longer arm action, full swing on back-side. Fields position competently, clean on transfer and with footwork. On the mound, arm works long with a full arm swing to a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands open, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 73-76, touched 77. Curveball, 58-59, gradual, 12/6. Slider, 69-72, cut.

Jacob Black, C/RHP, Archer, 2022
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed two-way prospect, lanky, lean frame, lots of room to fill out with strength. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load back, short stride, good balance, finishes short with follow through. Line drive hitter, used middle/pull, fast hands help generate hard contact, flashed ability to drive the ball, 75 exit velocity off a tee, 88 top exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm works longer than tradition for a catcher, over-the-top slot, throws are true, 68 out of the ctouch. Flexible lower half, long on transfers, clean footwork. On the mound, arms clean on the back side with a controlled full arm swing to a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe open, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 72-74, touched 75. Curveball, 53-55, gradual break. Changeup, 60-62, sinking action.

Bailey Carroll, 1B/LHP, Lenoir City (TN), 2023
5-foot-6, 173-pound left-handed two-way prospect, proportional build, carries some strength, more to come as he continues to mature, ran an 8.03 laser-timed 60. Offensively, narrow, open setup, hands load back smoothly, long toe-tap stride, carries momentum through contact towards the mound. Swing works short and level through the zone, drops his hands, mostly line drive type hitter, elevated some balls, 72 exit velocity off a tee, 82.67 max exit velocity during BP. On the mound, short arm action to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 62-66, touched 68. Curveball, 54-56, gradual break.

Bradley Chatham, RHP, Prince Avenue Christian, 2022
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame, proportional build. On the mound, long, clean arm action, some whip in the arm, comes out of a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes upright. Fastball, sat 73-76, sinking action, worked low in the zone. Curveball, 66-68, 11/5 shape, depth. Changeup, 66-67, sinking action, effective low in the zone.

Ethan Chuck, RHP/OF, North Gwinnett, 2022
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, physical build with more strength on the way, ran a 7.66 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands start high and then drop as he loads weight back and crouches in his stance, low, sweeping leg kick, finishes hard on front side. Takes a power approach at the plate, looks to elevate and do damage with each swing, 84 exit velocity off a tee, 91.73 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long arm action to a low ¾ slot, 85 from the outfield, flashed carry. Profiles as a corner infielder, clean footwork and clean on exchanges. On the mound, arm plays long to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed, finishes upright. Fastball sat 79-82, touched 83. Curveball, 75-76. Chnageup, 69-70.

Walker Flowers, MIF/RHP, Sherwood Christian, 2023
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher, broad shoulders, lean frame, lots of room to fill out, ran a 7.87 laser-timed 60. Offensively, wide, open setup, high hands drop on load, leg kick timing trigger, good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, steep uphill barrel path, elevates the ball with backspin, 75 exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ slot, 70 across the infield. Fields the ball out front, waits back on grounders, good range to both sides, clean transfers. On the mound, arm plays long and clean on the back-side, high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands open, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 66-69, touched 70. Curveball, 59-61, gradual break.

Haden Gupton, 3B/RHP, Alpharetta, 2022
5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, proportional, thick build, ran a 7.51 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, high hands laid back smoothly, leg kick timing trigger, finishes on back-side. Mostly line drive type hitter, uses middle/pull, at-times can get uphill with swing path and elevate the ball, 82 exit velocity off a tee, 89.32 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short, loose arm to a low ¾ slot, 76 across the infield. Plays through the ball with clean footwork, solid glove hand, feel for the back hand, clean on transfer, good body control when on the move. On the mound, arm works short with a quick draw to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 71-74, touched 75. Curveball, 64-65, gradual break.

Joshua Horton, OF/RHP, Osborne, 2023
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, long, athletic build, projectable frame, much more strength on the way as he continues to mature, ran a 6.86 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, high hands lad smoothly onto back side, reverse toe-tap stride, good balance. Takes a power approach at the plate, violent swing especially to the pull-side as the ball can jump off the bat, whippy barrel, uphill path through the zone, uses long arms to create leverage, 88 exit velocity off a tee, 90.99 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long, clean arm action to a ¾ slot, 76 from the outfield. Ranges in the outfield with long strides, fields out front with a competent glove hand, plays through the ball, clean on exchanges. On the mound, arm works long to a ¾ slot, repeatable. Fastball sat 67-71. Curveball, 57-58, 11/5 shape, gradual.

Anthony Martin, LHP/OF, LaSalle Academy (RI), 2024
5-foot-7, 155-pound left-handed pitcher and right-handed hitting outfielder, young frame that still has a lot of growth and development left to do, ran a 7.68 laser-timed 60. On the mound, arm works long with a stab on the back-side to an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 68-69, touched 70. Curveball, 59-64, 11/5 shape, gradual. Changeup, 60-61. Offensively, balanced setup, short drop of hands on load, short stride, finishes on back-side. Line drive type hitter, barrel path works short to the zone, mostly level through, at-times can get uphill and elevate the ball, 80 exit velocity off a tee, 83.49 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long arm action to an over-the-top slot, 70 from the outfield. Attacks the ball in the outfield with fluid footwork and clean exchanges.

Matthew McCaffrey, OF/LHP, Blessed Trinity, 2022
5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed two-way prospect, athletically built with lean muscle throughout frame, ran a 6.71 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, low hands start preloaded back, short stride, good balance. Line drive type hitter, loose hands, barrel works level through the zone, uses middle/pull side of the field, at-times can elevate and drive the ball with some force to the pull-side, 84 exit velocity off a tee, 90.92 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short, quick arm action to a ¾ slot, 81 from the outfield. Plays through the ball, quick, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, gets rid of the ball quickly. On the mound, arm plays short with some looseness to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works across the mound, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 72-74, touched 75. Curveball, 61-63, 11/5 shape. Changeup, 67-68, fade action.

Eli McElwaney, 3B/RHP, Buford, 2023
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, physical build with developing strength throughout frame, ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands start low and load back smoothly, short stride, good balance as he carries momentum through contact. Line drive type hitter, has the ability to use the field effectively, barrel works level through the zone, lets the ball travel, 83 exit velocity off a tee, 91.95 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, long arm action, controlled draw on the back-side, some whip to a ¾ slot, 79 across the infield. Plays through the ball with soft hands and a fluid footwork, clean on transfers. On the mound, arm works and clean on the back-side, hides ball well, comes out of a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-lne, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 74-77. Curveball, 68-69, 11/5 shape.

Joshua Nadeau, 3B/RHP, Maryville (TN), 2023
6-foot, 205-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, physical build, ran an 8.09 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup with a bend in his knees, short load back, shallow leg kick timing trigger, lands long in a wide position at contact. Line drive type hitter, barrel works level through the zone, uses mostly the pull-side, at-times lined balls back up the middle, 78 exit velocity off a tee, 90.20 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short arm action to a ¾ slot, 67 across the infield. Breaks down in front of the ball, feel for glove and back hand. On the mound, arm plays short to a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square. Finishes upright and square to home. Fastball sat 68-69, touched 70. Curveball, 59-60.

Aidan Shinault, 3B/RHP, Archer, 2022
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, lean, athletic frame, ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back as barrel becomes vertical, reverse toe-tap stride, finishes on back-side. Barrel works level through the zone creating line drive contact, mainly uses the middle of the field, 80 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action with some stab on the back-side, quick arm speed to a low ¾ slot, 81 across the infield. Plays through the ball, good range, fluid footwork and clean on transfers. On the mound, long arm action to a ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works across the mound, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 75-76. Curveball, 66-67. Changeup, 69-70.

Luke Starling, MIF/RHP, Hebron Christian, 2022
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, lean, athletic build, wiry strength, some quick twitch in hands, ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands deepen with a pronounced drop on load, heel lift stride, good balance through finish. Pull-side hitter, produces mostly line drive contact, at-times was able to elevate and drive the ball, swing works uphill through the zone, some whip in barrel, 89 exit velocity off a tee and during BP. Defensively, short, loose arm action, quick arm speed, utilizes a low ¾ slot, accurate across the diamond at 81. Plays through the ball athletically, quick first step, good range to both sides, fields out front and funnels into midsection, quick on transfers, feel for glove. On the mound, short, quick arm to a low ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, short stride, lands toe closed, finishes upright. Fastball sat 73-76, touched 77, run action. Curveball, 62-63, 11/5 shape, gradual. Changeup, 66-67.

Grayson Vincil, C/RHP, Lenoir City (TN), 2023
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher and pitcher, proportional build, developing strength throughout frame, ran a 7.88 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, hands preloaded back drop on load, leg kick timing trigger, one handed finish on back side. Mostly level barrel path through zone, line drive type hitter, did flash the ability to drive the ball pull-side, 82 exit velocity off a tee, 85.05 top exit velocity during BP. Defensively, short arm to a ¾ slot, 70 out of the crouch. Flexibles knees, clean transfer and footwork, moves well, good blocker. On the mound, short arm action to a mostly high ¾ slot, at-times will drop lower. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes on-line. Fastball sat 69-72, touched 73. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-61.

Julian Wright, OF/RHP, Woodland, 2023
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, athletically built, proportional frame, ran a 7.08 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands start high and load into an arm bar, short leg lift stride. Mostly level barrel path through the zone, creates a line drive contact, at-times will get under the ball and elevate, flashed quick hand speed and a whippy barrel, 82 exit velocity off a tee, 91.74 max exit velocity during BP. Defensively, arm works short to a high ¾ slot, quick arm speed, 76 from the outfield. Fields deep and to the glove side, short, choppy footwork, clean on exchanges, stays behind fly balls, playing through them. On the mound, arm works clean with a full arm swing on the back side, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, short stride, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 74-76, touched 78. Curveball, 64-65, 11/5 shape, gradual.

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