Adam Akin
Director of Scouting


The 2017 PBR Tennessee Middle Tennessee Preseason Preview took place on Monday, January 16 at Showtime Sports Academy in Franklin, Tennessee and included a position player workout, followed by pitcher bullpens.  Players were afforded the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of the PBR Tennessee staff, as well as a number of college coaches in attendance. The following is our evaluation of every outfielder that was in attendance.

 

Alec Lubas, OF/LHP, Ravenwood, 2018
60 Time: 7.13, Position Velocity:  OF-87, Exit Velocity: 93
6-foot-1, 190-pound, LHH is one of the top outfielders in the 2018 class, Future Games participant has continued to develop and improve his game in every single area.  Hits from a balanced and even stance with his hands loosely cocked just below his back armpit to start, uses a slightly abbreviated leg kick and stride with a subtle movement of his hands to get loaded, lower half gets a little closed with his stride but still fires well to clear his hips and create some separation, swing plane is flat through the zone with some lift at the end that could produce some real power.  Defensively, showed soft hands and fluid footwork in the outfield, played through the ball aggressively and with confidence, exchange was efficient and led to a shorter but quick arm action through a high ¾ slot.  

Robert Hassell III, OF/LHP, Independence, 2020
60 Time: 7.20, Position Velocity:  OF-83, Exit Velocity: 90
6-foot-2, 175-pound, LHH hits from a taller and even stance with his hands beginning in a cocked position, uses a leg kick and stride with a rhythmic waggle of his hands to get loaded, lower half creates separation with some explosiveness through the zone, bat path is very short and begins a little steep but is able to quickly get on plane and attack the ball, big time bat speed, gets through the ball well and showed the ability to produce big time power.  Defensively, showed soft hands and good footwork, played through the ball with confidence, exchange was efficient and led to a slightly shorter arm action through a high ¾ release point, throws are firm and accurate.  A national prospect in the 2020 class.

Elijah Pleasants, RHP/OF, Rossview, 2018
60 Time: 7.29, Position Velocity:  OF-90, Exit Velocity: 92
6-foot-4, 160-pound, RHH is a Future Games participant that has continued to elevate his game over the past 6 months or so.  Hits from a wider and athletic stance with even alignment and his hands tucked just behind his back ear, uses a very small leg kick and conventional stride with a smooth movement back of his hands to get loaded, lower half stays wide and strong while firing his hips through the zone to create separation, bat path gets on plane early and drives up through balls left up in the zone, whips the barrel through with gap-to-gap pop.  Defensively, showed soft hands and fluid footwork in the outfield, played through the ball aggressively and with confidence, exchange was clean and produced a long and loose arm action through an over-the-top slot, throws are firm with a ton of carry.

Gage Bradley, OF/RHP, Rossview, 2020
60 Time: 7.16, Position Velocity:  OF-85, Exit Velocity: 87
6-foot-1, 155-pound, RHH hits from a wide and athletic stance with even alignment and some higher initial hand positioning, uses a smooth but short stride and a subtle movement back with his hands to get loaded, lower half is able to generate some good separation while staying strong and balanced throughout his swing, bat path comes into the zone a little steep but is able to flatten out through contact and really drive through the ball with some strength, gap pop was impressive during BP.  Defensively, showed above-average hands and footwork in the outfield, made an effort to play through the ball, exchange was efficient but could be rushed, arm action is long and loose through a high ¾ slot and produced firm throws with carry. Big time 2-way prospect in the 2020 class. 

Jackson Walker, OF/RHP, Brentwood, 2018
60 Time: 7.32, Position Velocity:  OF-82, Exit Velocity: 83
6-foot-2, 156-pound, RHH hits from his same balanced stance, although slightly opened, uses some pre-pitch movement in his hands to stay loose, a smooth and very abbreviated leg kick and stride get him loaded, lower half has improved a ton from previous events and seems to fire much more effectively, bat path is slightly steep through the zone but is still able to get through the ball when squared up, could develop some gap power over the next year or so.  Defensively, showed good hands and footwork in the outfield, played through the ball confidently, long arm action comes through an over-the-top slot and produces firm throws with carry.

Marcus Watson, OF, Davidson, 2018
60 Time: 7.21, Position Velocity:  OF-80, Exit Velocity: 76
5-foot-8, 170-pound, RHH hits from a taller and open stance with his hands beginning just behind his back ear, uses an abbreviated leg kick and slightly longer stride with a raising of the barrel to get loaded, lower half explodes and helps create some real separation, bat path is a little steep into the zone but seems to flatten out and provide some lift at the end, bat speed and pop in BP were much stronger than his 76 exit velo would suggest. Defensively, showed decent footwork and above-average hands in the outfield, plays through the ball aggressively, short arm action comes through a high ¾ slot, throws could develop a little more carry.

Andru Becker, OF, Blackman, 2020
60 Time: 7.46, Position Velocity:  OF-80, Exit Velocity: 85
5-foot-10, 140-pound, LHH hits from a taller and slightly open stance with some higher initial hand positioning, uses a longer and closed stride with a rhythmic barrel tilt to get loaded, lower half gets through well but can seem to drag at times because of his closed alignment, bat path comes into the zone fairly steep but can flatten out and provide some real lift as he gets through the ball, good bat speed helps provide some gap-to-gap pop.  Defensively, showed soft hands and pretty good footwork in the outfield, played through the ball confidently, exchange used a couple of extra steps at times but would probably be more controlled in a game situation, arm action is a little longer through a high ¾ release point. Certainly a 2020 to follow closely.

Hunter Crosby, RHP/OF, Dickson County, 2018
60 Time: 7.56, Position Velocity:  OF-85, Exit Velocity: 85
6-foot-4, 170-pound, RHH hits from a wider and mostly even stance and begins with his hands relaxed near his back armpit, uses a smooth and conventional stride with a slight push back of his hands to get loaded, lower half fires and keeps him pretty well-balanced throughout the swing, bat path is generally pretty flat through the zone but can get steep on pitches down, stayed up the middle at his best, can come around the ball from time to time.  Defensively, showed decent hands and above-average footwork in the outfield, played through the ball aggressively, exchange was quick and a little rushed and led to a short but quick arm action through a high ¾ slot.

Cole Alsup, LHP/OF, Mount Juliet Christian Academy, 2018
60 Time: 7.31, Position Velocity:  OF-79, Exit Velocity: 79
6-foot-0, 145-pound, LHH hits from a balanced and slightly open stance with some higher initial hand positioning, uses a rhythmic movement down and back with his hands and a conventional stride to get loaded, lower half gets wide and provides a good base for him while created solid separation and clearing his hips, swing plane is mostly flat through the zone with some lift on pitches left up, stays behind the ball and can hit it anywhere.  Defensively, played through the ball well with good hands and above-average footwork, exchange is efficient and leads to a longer arm action through a high ¾ slot, longer throws will tail a little.

Cameron Allen, OF, Ravenwood, 2019
60 Time: 7.28, Position Velocity:  OF-76, Exit Velocity: 82
5-foot-9, 160-pound, LHH hits from a balanced and slightly open stance with relaxed hands, uses a shorter conventional stride with a push back of his hands to get loaded, lower half gets through and seems strong but can over-rotate at times, bat path is very consistent and flat through the zone, solid middle-oppo approach with the ability to hit it anywhere.  Defensively, showed above-average hands and footwork in the outfield, played through the ball, exchange used a glove pat and an extra step, arm action was shorter and came through a high ¾ slot.

Madison Murphy, OF/RHP, Montgomery Central, 2018
60 Time: 7.00, Position Velocity:  OF-80, Exit Velocity: 75
5-foot-8, 155-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and even stance with some fairly high initial hand positioning, uses a short stride with a slight barrel tilt and push back of his hands to get loaded, lower half struggles to create separation as his front hip doesn’t quite get cleared, swing plane is a little steep but seems mostly flat through contact, comes around the ball at times, low line drives and ground balls.  Defensively, showed soft hands and fluid footwork in the outfield, played through the ball aggressively and with confidence, exchange was clean and led to a shorter but quick arm action from an over-the-top release point.

Chayce Bishop, OF, Brentwood, 2020
60 Time: 6.79, Position Velocity:  OF-71, Exit Velocity: 81
5-foot-10, 160-pound, RHH hits from a balanced and even stance with only some very subtle hand movement before the pitch, uses a short stride and slight push back of his hands to get loaded, lower half gets through but pulls him a little forward and could create better separation, swing plane is generally flat through the zone, sometimes seems to guide the barrel through contact, consistently stayed up the middle with low line drives and ground balls.  Defensively, showed average hands and above-average footwork in the outfield that will develop with age and maturity, quick feet, arm action is short and through a high ¾ release point.  Athletic potential.

Colton Harrison, OF, East Robertson, 2020
60 Time: 7.75, Position Velocity:  OF-68, Exit Velocity: 77
6-foot-0, 142-pound, RHH hits from the same balanced and very slightly open stance we saw from him at the 2016 Underclass Games, uses a smooth and abbreviated leg kick and stride with a slight movement back with his hands to get loaded, lower half fires and gets his backside through very well, swing plane is steep through the zone but straight to contact, best when he stays up the middle.  Defensively, showed good hands and decent footwork in the outfield, consistently played through the ball, stayed more controlled through his exchange, arm action was long through an over-the-top slot.