Game Report: Hendersonville @ Blackman

March 11, 2018
Tim Kay
PBR Tennessee Director of Scouting

On Friday, Hendersonville traveled to Blackman to play a 10-inning scrimmage. This began as a warm day and got cold after the sun set. With Hendersonville being the first team we have seen twice (you can read up on them previously here), we will be talking about just in game things for them and not discuss their mechanics (stances or windups) and selectively include additional video. Here is a look at some standouts (check out the Twitter feed for some video highlights):

Blackman Hitters

Andru Becker OF / LHP / Blackman, TN / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 25 / POS: 9

CF showed intriguing all-around skillset, while picking up a hit. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present strength, projectable. Offensively, hits w/ an open, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into proper stride and load. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft. All fields approach, lot of line drives. Projectable pull power. Zero swing and miss on 4 swings. Above average runner underway. Defensively, shows tools to profile as above average defender, developing routes and glove. Also pitched and was intriguing, pitching 79-81 w/ feel for a breaking ball from the left side.

Blaze Bell SS / 2B / Blackman, TN / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 58 / POS: 13

Middle infielder showed projectable tools. Medium, athletic frame w/ present lower half strength, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ an open, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into stride to open and load. Generates bat speed through the zone. Pull oriented approach w/ projectable power. Tools to hit. Defensively, shows tools to play SS w/ projectable arm strength, soft hands.

Zavien Lindsey 1B / RHP / Blackman, TN / 2018

Uncommitted physical 1B showed imposing frame, knack for contact. Tall, physical, defensive end type build w/ present strength, thick lower half. Close to mature. Offensively, hits w/ an open, slightly crouched stance w/ low hand location and hand rhythm into stride and load. All upper body in his swing, legs along for the ride. Opposite field approach on this day, lets the ball travel. Projects to hit for power w/ present strength as gets timing and begins to pull the baseball. Defensively, showed intriguing arm strength from 1B, want to see on the mound.

David Milam C / Blackman, TN / 2019

Left handed hitting C w/ intriguing profile. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present lower half strength, some projection. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into leg kick to slightly open w/ proper load. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft. Pull oriented approach. Projectable pull power, projects to hit for average. As a catcher, presents a solid target for his pitchers, can get too big w/ his glove rest. Feel for receiving w/ soft hands. Developing arm strength as a thrower, caught 2 base stealers on this day, 2.22-2.28 times.

Conner Murphy OF / RHP / Blackman, TN / 2020

OF showed patient approach w/ ability to work deep counts. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present strength, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ bat waggle into proper stride and load. Was lunging at the ball slightly on this day. Pull oriented approach. Defensively, showed projectable average arm strength in the OF.

Connor Williamson SS / 2B / Blackman, TN / 2018

Rankings StateRank: 147 / POS: 22

Uncommitted MIF stood out for his hands and actions at SS in I/O, picked up a hit in game. Medium, athletic frame w/ lean strength, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly closed, slightly crouched stance w/ very short hand rhythm into proper stride and load. All fields approach, lot of line drives. Wants to hit gaps. Flashes bat speed. Stands out defensively, made all the plays at SS in game, showed soft hands, good feet and projectable above average arm strength. Shows first step quickness w/ range up the middle.

Hendersonville Hitters

Brett Coker SS / C / Hendersonville, TN / 2018

Itawamba commit picked up a couple hits, including a double. Continues to show bat speed w/ feel for involving lower half. Projectable power. Shows good hands and balance w/ ability to find barrels even when fooled. Was not tested defensively.

Gabe Dalton OF / OF / Hendersonville , TN / 2018

Rankings StateRank: 149 / POS: 35

Uncommitted OF had another good day, picking up a base hit while throwing out a runner from RF. Projects to hit w/ average and power. Barrel feel. Defensively, covered ground in RF w/ arm strength to profile there.

Hayden Layne 3B / RHP / Hendersonville, TN / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 55 / POS: 5

3B picked up a hit on this day while showing projectable arm strength. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present lower half strength, some physical projection in the upper half. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into leg kick and load. Timing was better on this day, still working on keeping lower half involved every swing. Generates bat speed w/ projectable pull power. Defensively, shows soft hands at 3B w/ projectable arm strength.

Reid Nelson OF / 2B / Hendersonville, TN / 2018

Rankings StateRank: 118 / POS: 26

Uncommitted OF shows all-around tools package w/ bat coming along, picking up 2 extra base hits amongst his 3 hits on this day. Medium, athletic frame w/ lean strength, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into mini leg kick and deep hand load. Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft. Projectable pull power. Above average runner gets to top speed quickly, beginning to show ability to use the bunt for base hits. Defensively, profiles as a plus defensive outfielder w/ plus arm strength, above average bat reads.

Gaylen Rutledge OF / Hendersonville, TN / 2019

Designated hitter picked up 2 hits on this day, including a double. Tall, high-waisted frame w/ present strength, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ an open, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into shift of weight, leg kick and load. Flashes bat speed through the zone. Learning to get lower half consistently involved in swing, will unlock power potential. Zero swing and miss on 3 swings, shows some barrel feel.

Nate Vaughn C / Hendersonville, TN / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 80 / POS: 12

C picked up 2 hits on this day, including a double. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present strength, some physical projection. Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, very slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into leg kick and short hand load. Some stiffness through the zone. Knack for contact w/ projectable gap power. Defensively, handles a premium staff. Solid receiver w/ feel for pitch framing w/ soft hands. Can present an earlier target for his pitchers. Athletic w/ feel for blocking. Shows arm strength as a thrower.

Hendersonville Pitchers

Cameron Hansen RHP / 1B / Hendersonville, TN / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 380 / POS: 127

FB (85-86), CB (71-73), CH (80-81)

2019 righty had another strong outing, striking out 2 in 2 scoreless innings. Commanded the FB extremely well, showed feel for locating w/ intent to both corners. CB was tight, threw 9 of 9 for strikes. Straight CH was firm. Generated 3 swing and misses on 14 swings.

Caid Sanders C / RHP / Hendersonville , TN / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 44 / POS: 4

FB (78-81, T82, 83), CB (65-68), CH (76)

Projectable righty shows loose, quick arm. Medium, athletic frame w/ some present lower half strength, projectable. Pitches from a full wind-up w/ over the top release. Repeats. Straight FB. Big downer CB comes up out of hand, good pitch to steal a strike with. Shows ability to tighten it into a medium downer as a 2-strike pitch. Firm straight CH. Sprayed the zone on this day, projects to command. Generated 3 swing and misses on 10 swings.