Jr Futures Games Watchlist: Five to Follow
February 27, 2020
For the first time this past year, Tennessee was a representative at the PBR Jr. Future Games fielding three clubs (2023-2025) throughout the weekend. The event allows PBR states to bring the top young talent from across the country for early evaluations by PBR staff as well as college coaches. Overall, there have been 20+ commitments from the 2019 Jr Future Games to date, including TN 2023 Ethan McElvain.
For many of these players, they play all over the field and are just in the early phases of their fine skill development. Therefore, these watchlists aren't intended as the end all be all in early prospect scouting, but provide insight on players with multiple tools and intriguing characteristics before they hit the high school circuit. As 2020 gets started, we had several middle school players make an appearance at our PBR preseason events, so sit back, relax, and enjoy reading up on some of the young players, you'll be quite familiar with in the next few years.
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Kole Gray RHP / 3B / Brentwood , TN / 2024| 60: 7.79 | INF Velo: 76 | Exit Velo: 83 | | FB: 78-80 | CB: 64-66 | CH: 70-72 | SL: 70-72 | Kole Gray put together a really impressive resume at Preseason All-State Games as a young two-way player. Puts together a nice profile w/ projectable frame and ability to switch hit. Advanced skill set on the mound throwing four pitches w/ good velocity. Smooth, controlled delivery w/ FB up to 80. Good feel for off speed, controlled the zone. An enticing 8th grade follow. |
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Ean McCord 3B / RHP / Goodpasture , TN / 2025| 60: 8.33 | INF Velo: 73 | Exit Velo: 79 | | FB: 74-76 | CB: 56-58 | CH: 63-65 | Ean McCord made his PBR debut last summer at Jr Future Trials earning an invite to the 2019 Jr Future Games at Lakepoint, and he was stellar in both appearances. As the only 2025 at the Preseason All-State Showcase in January, McCord showed he has continued to work and improve throughout the off-season. His FB is now sitting in the mid-70s, Top 76 and his exit velo is knocking on the door of 80. He’s a true competitor on the field and plays the game hard, enjoyed evaluating/coaching him this summer for PBR Team Tennessee. |
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Brodie Johnston SS / RHP / Boyd Buchanan, TN / 2024| 60: 7.92 | INF Velo: 81 | Exit Velo: 82 | | FB: 73-75 | CB: 67-69 | CH: 68-70 | Brodie Johnston was the only 80+/80+ middle school prospect during our 2020 preseason events. Similar profile to Kole Gray, 5-foot-10 projectable, switch hitter, who has some early arm strength. Good bat speed from both sides and mid-70s FB on the bump w/ plenty more in the tank. Moved well during the defensive segment, so a lot of upside in the skillset. |
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Brayden Denison RHP / OF / Rockvale , TN / 2024| 60: 7.49 | INF Velo: 70 | Exit Velo: 73 | | FB: 77-79 | CB: 62-64 | CH: 68-71 | Brayden Denison put together a very polished BP round w/ advanced approach, balanced swing, and ample bat speed. Lot of line drives now and more power to come as he fills out physically. Currently not an imposing frame, but quite wiry and twitchy. On the mound, a quick arm, sitting in the upper 70s, Top 79, spun some nice breaking balls throughout his pen. Good movement patterns and ran really well for his age group. |
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Alex Junghans SS / 2B / Lipscomb Academy, TN / 2024| 60: 7.81 | INF Velo: 70 | Exit Velo: 70 Alex Junghans and his metrics might not jump off the page, but the 5-foot-10, 120-pound middle infielder is just getting started. Junghans was a key member of the 2019 Jr Futures Games playing all over the infield and swinging the stick from both sides of the dish. He’s continuing to grow and fill out his long, lanky frame, but his defense has remained constant. At the plate, a bit more advanced from the left side, but developing more swing consistency like most at this age. High-energy, switch-hitting sparkplug up the middle. |