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Murfreesboro Summer ID: Quick Hits

July 12, 2024
Hunter Martin
TN Scouting Director

Murfreesboro, TN - The Prep Baseball Tennessee Murfreesboro Summer ID was held on Wednesday, July 9th at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, TN. Players went through an extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman, ran the 60-yard dash using Swift Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to get numbers and metrics on TrackMan during a bullpen setting. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing at the event.

Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look at some of the standouts from the event. Below you will find scout notes and video on some of the top performers from the event.

Click HERE to view all position stats from the event.

 

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QUICK HITS

Ryan Russell (‘26, Siegel) Russel, a rising junior for Siegel, had a breakout performance at Riverdale during the Murfreesboro Summer ID, in which he showed off 2-way potential.  Russell got the day started off with a bang by posting event leads in both infield and outfield velocity at 89 and 88 mph respectively. At the plate Russell also had one of the better rounds of the day, depositing several over the left field fence. Russell showcases a simple and repeatable swing which produces low to mid-70s bat speed and lived in the 90s in terms of exit velo. He would also shine on the mound with a very quick arm, working into the mid 80s with his fastball. Expect more velocity out of Russell when his arm is fresh, as he threw after a full defensive workout and BP. He flashed a legit curveball which was very sharp(-13.6 VB;-11.2 HM). Having already had significant experience this season for the Stars, the Siegel product will look to continue and impress as he works downhill in his highschool career


Mason McWhirter (‘28, Clarkrange HS) We got an exciting first look at the incoming freshmen for Clarkrange in Mason McWirther. He offers a very intriguing frame at 6’0 and 155 lbs with heaps of projectability to him.  At the plate he showed very loud actions making the field look small at times (had a bit of a tailwind), and stayed through the zone very well with gap to gap approach with the ability to jump a ball pull-side. The incoming freshmen has a quick bat presently that can turn into a plus tool in the coming years, which he uses to show a 88 max exit velo.  McWirther has a short and compact arm action with whippy over the top actions that will develop very quickly in the coming years, presently he was up to 81 off of the bump with some whip to it in a very over the top arm action. A great athlete overall who is definitely one to keep an eye on, high ceiling physically it will be fun to watch him develop. 


Grant Kruger (‘27, Green Hill) A rising sophomore at Green Hill, Grant Kruger had a very busy and productive day at Riverdale as he was the only catcher in attendance. Despite this Kruger never seemed to slow down, got started early with a 7.06 60 yard dash showing off his already really good athleticism. He would keep things going pulling double duty during the defensive workouts showing off a very good arm that was 83 from the infield and 77 from behind the plate. He was right on the money during throwdowns, with good footwork that will get quicker with time, popping a 2 flat poptime. AT the plate Kruger showed the ability to go gap to gap with a powerful compact swing that will hold more power very well as he grows. The incoming sophomore had himself a very good day with a great foundation of skill as he progressed further into HS.

Ashton Blesie (‘25, Nolensville) Our staff got a very interesting look at the uncommitted rising senior from Nolensville who is coming off of a state runner up bid. Ashton Blesie is a right handed arm for the Knights who could not throw a ball straight if his life depended on it, said in a great way of course. The rising senior works with a 3 pitch mix and each one has great movement to it, starting with his fastball. The heater works in the mid to high 80s with HEAVY arm side run to it (12.3 in average vertical break, 16.3 in average horizontal break.) Offspeed wise he features a very solid offering in his SL, and a borderline elite offering in his Changeup. Blesie spins his slider very well in the 24/2500 rpm range with a solid movement that will miss some bats. His changeup however is one of the more intriguing pitches that we've seen this summer so far. He carries great armside through the pitch with great tunneling off of the fastball, metric wise it stands out with 16.5 inches of average horizontal movement, which would creep into the 20s at times. It would carry an average of 8.3 inches of average VB, but would occasionally creep closer to the illusive negative vert CH. Still uncommitted, Blesie looks to continue his great summer so far and be full steam ahead heading into his final year of highschool. 

AJ Dungan (‘28, Mount Juliet) We got an extremely exciting first look at an incoming freshman out of Mount Juliet in AJ Dungan. He would end the day with a bang being the last bullpen of the day. Dungan has a frame that coaches and scouts alike will drool over at 6 foot 3 and 160 pounds presently, he brings heaps of projectability. His arm works very clean in a shorter arm action behind him into a ¾ arm slot. He would run his fastball up into the mid 80, topping at 84 (has been higher) with 17 inches of average vertical break and 13 inches of average horizontal. Dungans fastball plays much harder than it appears on the radar gun with good ride to it thanks to his 4 '9 release height. He brings two developing offspeed pitches in a slider and a changeup that came in at 67-70 and 72-73 respectively. There's a lot to like about the RHP who has yet to step foot on the field at Mt. Juliet, it would not surprise me to see him creeping into the 9’s in the near future.