All-State Games: Quick Hits
October 30, 2017
On Saturday, October 28, some of the top talent in Texas met in Tomball to compete in the PBR Texas All-State Games. The event will featured players from all four high school classes, including 2018 & 2019 grads, along with a select few 2020 & 2021 grads. Here are some quick hits and thoughts from the event.
+ 2019 3B/RHP Chandler Freeman (Liberty Hill HS) had a great all-around day, he put on a power display in batting practice (93 mph exit) showing easy rhythm, and strong pull side pop. Then he threw 91 mph across the infield, and for good measure he hopped on the mound and pitched at 87-90 mph with a plus slider at 75-77 mph.
+ 2019 RHP/OF Ryan Bogusz (Lonestar HS) continues to pitch at a high level with plus command and feel for two pitches. His fastball has arm side run and heavy sink at 83-85 mph, while his slider was 73-74 mph with sharp 11/5 break. With his 6-foot-2 frame and athleticism, we have seen Bogusz get up to 87 this fall, and anticipate his velocity will continue to climb in the future.
+ 2019 RHP Hambleton Oliver (Calallen HS) hit three balls on the nose during the game, and had a solid outing on the mound. Oliver doubled down the left field line, had a sharp single to left, and crushed a line drive right at the shortstop. On the mound, the right-hander worked from a high-¾ slot with a short arm stroke. His fastball was 84-86 mph, and he threw his curveball for a strike whenever he wanted at 72-73 mph with 11/5 shape, tight spin and good depth. He flashed a sharp slider at 77 mph.
+ 2020 C Luke Banister (Hutto HS) is an athletic, strong sophomore at 5-foot-10, 190-pounds with a high ceiling. His best pop times ranged from 2.0-2.1, he has a strong arm with good carry (76 mph), clean exchange and release with solid arm action. Banister has a fluid swing with projectable power and a loose finish. He also ran a 7.07 60-yard dash. With his athleticism, strength and feel for the game, Banister will be a coveted sign in the ‘20 class.
+ 2019 C Jimmy Crooks (Trinity HS) has an ultra quick exchange and handles the ball well behind the plate with soft hands. Crooks is an accurate thrower and posted his best pop time of 1.97 twice, with his others ranging from 2.0-2.09, with a top velocity from the crouch of 80 mph. The left-handed hitter was on the barrel in practice with quick rhythm, strength in his hands and some pull side power.
+ A number of hitters stood out during batting practice, including Weatherford JC recruit, 2018 3B Cole Johnson (Southlake Carroll HS), who launched multiple home runs to the parking lot in left field. He also ran a 6.93 and threw 85 across the infield. 2019 1B Anderson Acinger (Plano Senior HS) can flat out hit and posted an exit velocity of 90 mph. The junior has an aggressive approach with strength at contact and good barrel awareness. 2021 1B Jordan Viars (Reedy HS) has a an advanced frame at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. The freshman had an exit velocity of 91 mph and shows natural lift and pull side power. Remember the name of 2019 OF Tommy Ivey (Kingwood Park HS). Ivey is a confident player with good presence on the field. The right-handed hitter is not yet filled out his 6-foot-1, 164-pound frame, but he ran a 6.97 60, put together quality at-bats with a fluid hack and was on time. 2020 Tyler Douglas (John Cooper HS) is an athletic left-handed hitting outfielder that does everything aggressive on the field. He has a quick arm in the outfield, his swing works well he gets his hack off with strong hands and early, fluid rhythm.
+ Several unsigned seniors had quality outings. 2018 RHP Blake Helton (Lake Travis HS) has a projectable pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-5, 180-pounds. He works from a high slot with a short, loose, quick arm stroke and plus command of three pitches. His fastball has good tilt at 85 mph. Throws a 12/6 curveball with sharp depth at 69-71 mph. Can throw his changeup in fastball counts with good arm speed at 74-75 mph. 2018 RHP Jace Hutchins (College Station HS) sat 83-84 with heavy fastball sink at the bottom of the zone, and he has a plus changeup that he throws with fastball arm speed and depth at 73-76 mph. RHP/SS Gavin LaBruyere (Montgomery HS) stands 6-foot-3, 175-pounds, and pitched at 84-85 with good tempo, rhythm and feel, topping out once at 87 mph. His curveball had depth at 71-72 with 11/5 shape.
+ 2020 C/RHP Beckett Vine (St. John’s HS) has a quick arm on the mound and his fastball jumps out of his hand, topping out on saturday at 85 mph. He mixed in a sharp curveball with good depth and 11/5 shape at 74 mph. Vine also threw 78 mph from the crouch, registered an exit velocity of 90 mph and crushed a double to right field.
+ Several committed junior shortstops will be fun to keep up with over the next year and half. 2019 SS Couper Cornblum (Midway HS), a Wichita State recruit, has super-smooth, quick footwork and rhythm through ball with clean actions. Cornblum ran a 6.75 60-yard dash and had an impressive round of batting practice with easy rhythm and strong contact with natural lift. His thre. Another Shocker recruit, 2019 Austin Roccaforte (Tomball Memorial HS) is an ultra quick-twitch player at 5-foot-7, 135-pounds. He ran a 6.74 60 and took an impressive round of batting practice. Oklahoma State recruit 2019 Braley Hollins (Plano Senior HS) has a lean-strong, athletic frame at 6-foot, 160-pounds. He can play on the run, moves with ease, has quick arm and ran a 6.88 60-yard dash.