Underclass Trials Analysis: Two-Way Prospects

December 20, 2019
Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

On Nov. 9, the PBR Georgia scouting staff hosted its final underclass event of 2019, the Underclass Trials, featuring nearly 80 prospects from the 2022 and 2023 classes, as well as a handful of seventh- and eighth-graders sprinkled in, at LakePoint Sports.

Last month, we shared our rapid analysis for this event inside our Quick Hits post, and took a statistical look at the day's top performers inside our Stats Story. We began our position-by-position analysis, beginning with the day's primary catchers, followed by primary outfielders, infielders, and pitchers. Today, we breakdown the 22 two-way prospects that attended the event, listed alphabetically.

John Anagnostis 3B / OF / Campbell, GA / 2022

6-foot-1, 210-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher, thick frame, strong lower half. Offensively, open setup, hands load back with a big drop, short stride, average balance throughout. Swing path is short to the ball, mostly level, displayed a power approach, looking elevate and hammer the ball to any field, 89 exit velocity off a tee. On the infield, arm action is short and predominantly over-the-top, 67 across the infield. Fields the ball out front, keeps away from body on clean exchanges. Ran a 7.86 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short, clean arm swing on the back-side to a high ¾ slot, will drop down to side arm at-times. Drop and drive delivery, works linear down the mound, landing square, finishes in a good fielding position. Fastball sat 70-71, touched 72, offered up two looks, one from a high ¾ slot and a running fastball from a side arm slot. Changeup, sinking action, 59-61. Cut-fastball, mostly straight, flashed short cut, 70 mph.

Coy Argo SS / RHP / Athens Christian, GA / 2024

5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher, a young prospect that has many years of development still ahead, physical frame for age. Ran a 7.47 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm plays long from multiple slots, kept throws around the bag, 69 across the infield. Hands work well out front, keeps body square funneling up into midsection, fluid footwork. Offensively, closed setup, short stride, abrupt hand load back into a bar. Barrel path was between level and uphill, generating line drive contact, late rhythm, 81 exit velocity. On the mound, arm action is long and clean on the back-side, comes out of an over-the-top slot, repets well. Drop and drive delivery, sit ons lower half riding down the mound, lands open, finishes walking off the mound. Fastball sat 71-73, touched 74. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break most of the time, can slow the arm, 61-64. Changeup, sink and fade action, showed feel for the pitch, 66-69.

Ryan Bell 1B / 3B / Hardin Valley Academy , TN / 2022

5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder and right-handed pitcher, strength in frame. Offensively, open setup, hand load back with a barrel wrap, short stride, good balance throughout. Barrel works uphill through the zone, drives the ball gap-to-gap, 81 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 79 across the infield. Fields the corner well, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, competent hands. Ran a 7.78 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long arm action, ¾ slot. Repeats well. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, weak back-side on finish. Fastball sat 74-76, topped out at 78, running action. Changeup, good feel for, 70-72, fade action. Curveball, 11/5 shape, kept around the zone, 67-69.

Aedan Cates RHP / 1B / Trinity Christian, GA / 2022

6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed two-way prospect, large frame with strength throughout to work with. On the mound, arm plays cleanly, full arm swing to a high ¾ slot, above average hand speed. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over towards first base. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed run, located for strikes low in the zone, 78-80, touched 81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, 60-64. Changeup, sinking action, feel for, 70-71. Offensively, open setup, short had load back, low leg kick timing trigger, remains balanced. Profiles as a power hitter, short, uphill barrel path through the zone, generated top spin on most hits, 82 exit velocity. Defensively, short arm action from a ¾ slot, kept throws around the bag, 74 across the infield.. A corner defender, showed average range, clean footwork and exchanges. Ran an 8.27 60 yard dash.

Peyton Gentry OF / C / East Paulding, GA / 2022

6-foot, 150-pound right-handed utility player, lanky frame, plenty of room to strength to all areas of frame. Defensively, worked out in the outfield as well as behind the plate. In the outfield, arm plays with some looseness from a high ¾ slot, accurate on throws, 81 from the outfield. Profiles as a corner outfielder, covers ground well for size, fluid actions. Behind the plate, arm works longer than traditionally from behind the plate, full arm swing, ¾ slot, 74 from the crouch. Creates a large box target, stands straight up on throws, long on exchanges, 2.38-2.51 pop times. Ran a 7.38 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands separate to a near bar on load, short stride. Barrel works mostly level through the zone, generates line drive contact, at-times elevates the ball, 86 exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, long arm action, full arm swing on the back-side, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works mostly on-line, can get off line towards third base, lands square, finishes with a heavy cross over towards first. Fastball, mostly straight, 77-78, touched 79. Curveball, 12/6 shape, short downer action, 67-70. Slider, 66-68, different shape than curveball, short sweeping action. Changeup, 70-71, sink action.

Matthew Henslee RHP / OF / Cedartown, GA / 2023

6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder, long frame with room for additional growth and strength. On the mound, arm works short to a ¾ slot, some effort in drop and drive delivery. Keeps momentum on-line, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 75-77, touching 78, mostly straight. Knuckle ball, regularly produced downward tumble, 65-68. Offensively, balanced setup, hands drop and load back into a bar, short stride. Barrel path varied between steep and level, produced mostly line drive contact, 71 exit velocity. Ran a 7.87 laser-timed 60. Defensively from the outfield, arm action is short to a ¾ slot, 73 mph. Fields position with two hands, heavy with footwork, long, clean exchanges.

Jackson Hiatt 1B / 3B / Pensacola Catholic, FL / 2022

6-foot-4, 205-pound right-handed corner infielder and right-handed pitcher, extra-large projectable frame, lanky with strength, good bloodlines, father, Phil Hiatt, played in the majors. Offensively, takes a wide, balanced setup, long kick timing trigger, smooth hand load back, lower half half has explosive tendencies, good balance. Profiles as power hitter with pull-side approach, can really turn on the ball, elevates the ball with force, quick hands to contact, barrel is long through the zone, gaining extension, consistently found the barrel, has a swagger about him, 88 exit velocity. With continued reps and additional strength will be a serious long ball threat. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate on throws, 80 across the infield. A corner infielder, good feel for glove, clean actions. On the mound, full arm swing, clean on the back-side, high ¾ slot. Stays tall on his back-side, works on-line landing toe-closed, drags back-side through to a square finish. Fastball sat 76-78, touched 80, gets on top of with east effort. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 61-63. Changeup, sinking action, 68-70.

Phillip Hodges OF / RHP / CrossCreek, GA / 2022

5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, lean, lanky frame. On the mound, arm works clean on the back-side to a ¾ slot, accelerates quickly out front, more velocity in the tank given how quickly his hand is able to whip through release. Tall and fall delivery, long stride down the mound, lands closed, finishes crossing over with recoil. Fastball sat 75-77, touched 78, mostly straight, some run at-times. Curveball, 12/6 shape, big looper with gradual break, 60-64. Cutter, 67-69, short lateral movement. Offensively, tall, open setup, long toe-tap stride, hands start near midsection and load back smoothly. Gap-to-gap type hitter, struggled with timing, when on-time drove the ball with some force, 77 exit velocity. Defensively, aggressive arm, long and quick to a ¾ slot, 78 from the outfield. Attacks the baseball, utilizes a crow hop, fluid actions. Ran a 7.63 laser-timed 60.

Matthew Hoskins OF / RHP / Peachtree Ridge , GA / 2022

6-foot-1, 187-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher, broad shoulders, strength throughout frame, powerful lower half, projectable build. On the mound, arm works long and loose with above average arm speed to a ¾ arm slot, repeats. Tall and fall delivery, shoulds remains level throughout, works on-line, lands open, finishes upright with some crossing over. Fastball came out easy, sat 81-83, touched 84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 68-69. Changeup, mostly straight, 74-75. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, hands load back with a short barrel wrap, balanced throughout. Barrel path is short and steep to the ball, hits down on the ball, creates some back spin, 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, fields position well, competent hands, clean footwork. Arm works long to a ¾ slot, above average strength for age, 84 from the outfield. Ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60.

Cody King RHP / 3B / Coosa, GA / 2022

6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, high-waisted, lean frame, wiry strength. On the mound, short, quick arm action, comes out of a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, strides towards the third base line, lands open, falls off towards first base, finishes crossing over. Fastball, sinking action, 78-81, touched 82. Curveball, 11/5 shape, good feel for pitch, depth, 65-68. Changeup, heavy sink, drops off the table, feel for, 64-66. Offensively, tall, open setup, long toe-tap stride to a balanced position, hands start back, short load, good balance. East effort in swing, gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel works level through the zone, fluid rhythm, 81 exit velocity. Ran a 7.30 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm works short from a low ¾ slot, some looseness, 79 across the infield. Fields position athletically, competent hands, clean footwork and on exchanges.

Gaige King SS / RHP / South Paulding, GA / 2022

6-foot, 130-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher, lean frame, high-waisted. Offensively, open setup, deep hand load back, short stride, good balance through contact. Barrel path is mostly level, can “scoop” the ball at-times, quick wrists through the zone, line drive type hitter, has a tendency to pull head, 68 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a ¾ slot, 75 across the infield. Fields position with confidence, keeps glove out front while fielding, funnels in, makes fluid exchanges. Ran a 7.25 laser-timed 60. On the mound, arm action is continuous and clean on the back-side to a ¾ slot. Stays tall on his back-side throughout delivery, works on-line, lands square. Fastball sat 73-75, touched 76 with sink, feel for pitch. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 68-71. Changeup, fade action, 69-71.

Chase LaValley 1B / RHP / Campbell , GA / 2022

6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher, large frame, thick lower half. Offensively, balanced setup, reverse toe-tap stride, has an extended hand load back as his hands start on the front half of his frame, average balance. Barrel path is level through the zone, generates line drive contact middle/pull, early on his timing, 76 exit velocity off a tee. Ran an 8.28 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action to a high ¾ slot, 68 across the infield. Uses large frame to keep ball in front, heavy footwork around the bag. On the mound, long arm action, full arm swing on the back-side, high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, sits on his back-side, strides open towards first base, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 71-72, touched 73, mostly straight. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 59-61. Changeup, sinking action, 62-63.

Andon Lewis 1B / RHP / Calhoun, GA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 65 / POS: 4

6-foot-2, 195-pounds right-handed hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher, projectable frame, broad shoulders, emerging strength throughout, will only continue to add to frame. Offensively, tall, slightly open setup, short stride coupled with a short hand load back, good balance throughout. Takes aggressive cuts at the plate, hunts middle/in, looks to turn on the ball and drive it with force, fluid rhythm, profiles a power hitter with pull-side tendency, 93 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action, throws with effort from a high ¾ slot, 82 across the infield. Has feel around the bag at first, soft hands, uses his back-hand with confidence, fluid actions. Ran a 7.25 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long arm action, reaches on the back-side, continuous movement to a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, stays high on his back-side utilizing his height well, short stride down the mound, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 80-82, mostly straight. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break on majority, was able to snap a few off that showed signs of sharp break. Forkball, 70-72, erratic movement, depending on the pitch it featured run, sink or fade.

JoJo Martin OF / RHP / Jefferson, GA / 2023

6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher, lanky frame, ample room for continued physical development. Offensively, balanced setup, loads weight onto back half coupled with a short hand load back, short leg lift stride, balanced through contact. Level barrel path through the zone, generates line drive contact, 75 exit velocity. Defensively, short arm action to a ¾ slot, 73 from the outfield. Capable fielder in the outfielder, short choppy steps on approach. Ran a 7.86 laser-timed 60. On the mound, continuous arm action on the back-side, ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands toe closed, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 73-75, flashed run. Changeup, sinking action, 64-65. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 62-65.

McDonald McCommons C / RHP / Lake Oconee, GA / 2022

6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting utility-player, strong build that will only continue to add strength as he continues to physically mature, a high level defender. Defensively, worked out at catcher, on the infield and in the outfield. Has plenty of arm strength to handle any of the three positions as his arm works short and loose from catcher and infield, lengthens things out from the outfield with a full arm swing, 85 from the outfield, 84 across the infield, 84 from the crouch, profiles as a corner infielder/outfielder in the field. Behind the plate, is a strong blocker, reaches for the ball and gets around at-times when receiving, makes up for it with advanced arm strength, clean on exchanges, 2.11-2.25 pop times. In the field, attacks the ball with confidence, soft glove hand, clean and fluid actions. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, loads hands to a near arm bar, good balance. Barrel path is level through the zone creating line drive contact, flashed the ability to drive the ball, 82 exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, short, quick arm action, high ¾ slot, whippy hand speed. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe-closed, finishes square to home. Fastball, running action, 82-84, touched 85. Cut-fastball, gets on top of creating downer action, 76-78. Curveball, aggressive with, 12/6 shape, 74-75. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 73-74.

Ryder Moye LHP / OF / Sequoyah, GA / 2022

5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and left-handed pitcher, lean frame with room for added mass. On the mound, utilizes two arm slots, sidearm and ¾ slot, long and loose action showing on the back-side with some wrist wrap.Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home. Is able to manipulate all pitches due to arm slots, fastball from the side features heavy run, from ¾ slot is able to get run and sink, sat 76-78, touched 80. Curveball, 2/8 shape, 61-62. Slider, sweeping action, swing and miss type pitch, 63-65. Changeup, sinking action, 66-68. Offensively, tall, open setup, long stride, barrel wrap on load. Barrel works uphill through the zone, loose wrists/hands through contact, creates line drive contact back up the middle and to the opposite field, 74 exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, slot varied between ¾ and low ¾, 79 from the outfield. Competent fielder, solid approach to the ball, clean on exchanges. Ran an 8.06 laser-timed 60.

Kade Nicholson RHP / 1B / Habersham Central, GA / 2024

5-foot-8, 175-pound right-handed hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher, thick build. Offensively, tall, open setup, long toe-tap stride, hits off back-side. Barrel path is uphill through the zone, creates line drive contact back up the middle, 72 exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action with a full arm swing on the back-side, high ¾ slot, 69 across the infield. Fields ball out front keeps body square, heavy feet. Ran a 9.05 laser-timed 60. On the mound, arm works long to a high ¾ slot, some effort in delivery. Tall and fall, works on-line with a hip lead, lands square, finishes with recoil. Fastball sat 67-68, touched 69, mostly straight. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 56-58. Changeup, fade action, 63-65.

Carson Pack SS / RHP / Oakland, TN / 2025

5-foot-3, 110-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher, very young prospect with much growth still ahead of him. Offensively, balanced setup, loads back, short toe-tap stride, balanced throughout. Handles bat well for age, low effort in swing, level through the zone, line drive type hitter, fluid rhythm, 55 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, loose arm action up the middle, uses multiple slots, 61 across the infield. Solid fundamentals and instincts at short, advanced feel for age, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Ran a 9.50 laser-timed 60. On the mound, clean, continuous arm action to a high ¾ slot, repeats. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball sat 61-62, touched 62 with run. Curveball, maintained arm speed, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 52-54, feel for. Changeup, fade action, 55-57.

Elijah Reece 1B / RHP / North Hall, GA / 2022

6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed two-way prospect, broad shoulders, room for additional strength. Offensively, open setup, toe-tap stride, hands load back, good balance. Feel for the barrel, strong hands/wrists through contact, uphill path through the zone, lets the barrel go, driving the ball with some force, 81 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works with some length to a ¾ slot, 83 across the infield. Fields position cleanly and with some fluid actions, solid glove-hand, feel around the first base. Ran an 8.39 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long, wing arm action, shows low on the back-side, accelerates quickly to a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, rides lower half down the mound, long stride, works on-line, lands square, finishes with a big leg sweep, crossing over. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 75-77, touched 78. Curveball, 11/5 shape, feel for, 65-67. Changeup, fade action, 73-75.

Duncan Santos LHP / 1B / Campbell, GA / 2022

5-foot-11, 152-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect, lean frame, wide lower half that will fill out with time. On the mound, arm works long, reaches low on the back-side, accelerates to a ¾ to low ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands flat and square to home, finishes upright with recoil. Fastball, some run action, sat 73-74, touched 75. Curveball, manipulates curveball, 1/7 shape to sweeping action, 67-68. Knuckleball, tumble action, 63-64. Defensively, short arm action to a ¾ slot, 73 across the infield. Covers ground at first, fields with one hand, good hand-eye and feel for glove. Offensively, balanced setup, starts with weight displaced on back-side, hands load back, leg lift stride. Level barrel path through the zone, line drive contact, 72 exit velocity. Ran a 7.68 laser-timed 60.

Grayson Smith C / RHP / McCallie, TN / 2023

6-foot-1, 163-pound right-handed hitting catcher and right-handed pitcher, broad shoulders on top of a long frame, projectable build. On the mound, clean, continuous arm action, accelerates to a ¾ slot, strong arm. Drop and drive delivery, leads with hip down the mound, strides open, finishes square to home. Fastball, creates angles, sat 81-83. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 60-63. Changeup, sinking action, feel for, 68-71. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, high hands load back, good balance. Uphill barrel path, lets the ball travel, line drive contact middle/opposite field, 81 exit velocity. Defensively, worked out on the infield and at catcher, arm works short, slot predominantly high ¾, showed the ability to use multiple slots on the infield, 72 across the infield, 68 from the crouch. Fields position with confidence, good glove hand on the infield, quick and clean on exchanges behind the dish, pop times ranged 2.11-2.22.

Jonathan Vigoa C / RHP / Rome, GA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 35 / POS: 5 OverallRank: 308 / POS: 38

5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting utility-player, strong build, a dynamic athlete, displays smooth actions in everything he does. Ran a 7.09 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, strides to a slightly open position with a wide base, hands load back, some barrel wrap, good balance. An advanced hitter, swings with controlled aggression, uses the entire field, drives the ball with considerable force, fluid rhythm, 85 exit velocity off a tee, has a swagger about him in the box. Defensively, worked out at catcher and on the infield, fluid at both positions. Arm works short and quick to a high ¾ slot on the infield, 81 across the infield, traditional catcher’s arm action behind the plate, short and over-the-top, 75 from the crouch. Confident in everything he does, attacks the baseball, fluid footwork, times things up with a pre-pitch hop on the infield, quick and clean on exchange, gets to release quickly. Behind the plate, stays low through the reception, gains ground, gets rid of it quick and clean, pop times ranged 1.97-2.06. On the mound, pitches with a chip on his shoulder, arm action is clean with a short arm swing on the back-side to a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, gets low into his lower half, works on-line, lands square, finishes with a crossover. Has a closers mentality when he pitches, aggressive with his arsenal. Fastball, running action, sat 83-85. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sharp break at-times, feel for, 70-72. Slider, short cut action, enough to induce weak contact, 74-77.

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