I-10 Border Battle: Outfield Analysis

BEAUMONT, TX - On Saturday, January 13 The Prep Baseball Report hosted The I-10 Border Battle at Lamar University. The event featured some of the top players from PBR Louisiana and PBR Texas’ coverage area. Here is the outfield analysis from that event.

OUTFIELDERS

Ommar Jackson, SS/2B, Mansfield HS, 2019
Jackson has a fast-twitch frame at 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. The switch hitter started the day by posting an event best 6.70 60-yard dash time. From the right side, Jackson starts from a balanced, neutral stance before striding forward, creating separation as he walks away from his hands. Barrel stays in the zone a long time and he finishes the barrel with strength in his top hand with an exit velocity of 89 mph. From the left side, he starts from a taller stance, with tilted shoulders. Loads back before lifting his front foot and gliding forward, lands balanced. More of an opposite field approach from the left side, quick hands with line drive power and an uphill path. During the game, he squared up a deep fly ball to centerfield. In the outfield, Jackson plays through the ball with rhythm, throws from a long, loose arm stroke at 88 mph. Accurate throws with low effort and easy arm swing. On the infield, Jackson has quick footwork and has good range to both sides. Soft hands, quick exchange, quick release, accurate arm with good carry at 80 mph across the diamond.

Tommy Ivey, OF/3B, Kingwood Park HS, 2019  
Ivey could be the biggest sleeper of the ‘19 class because of his natural energy and quick twitch frame at 6-foot-2, 171-pounds. The right-handed hitter does not get cheated and even though he has an aggressive hack, he makes consistent, hard contact, has a really good sense of timing, and is on the barrel a lot. Generates good leverage with a natural hitch in his hands, loose hack, and strong weight transfer. Every time we see this guy he barrels up the baseball and puts together quality at-bats. Middle of the field approach and flashes gap power with more to come in the future. Exit velocity has made a jump since the fall at 89 mph off the tee. During the game, he singled to right field, and made an unbelievable play in centerfield, running down a would be triple with his back to the infield, making a basket-over the shoulder catch before running into the wall. In the outfield, Ivey throws from an over the top slot with a loose arm stroke at 82, further solidifying his all-around athleticism.

Edison Ramos, OF, Colleyville Heritage HS, 2020
Ramos has an athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. The left-handed hitter has a smooth, easy swing with natural lift, loose hands, and leverage with an exit velocity of 84 mph. Starting from a tall stance, he loads back easy as he pinches his knees together before striding forward, then walks away from his hands, landing balanced. Simple weight transfer as he stays down in his legs with a slight lean-back, and a high-loose finish of the barrel. In the outfield, Ramos plays through the ball with rhythm, soft hands, and throws from a long arm swing with accuracy, carry, and a top velocity of 82 mph.

Ben Leisure, OF, Huffman Hargrave HS, 2019  
Leisure has a strong, long-limbed, projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Started the day by posting a solid 60 time of 7.1-seconds. The right-handed hitter swung the bat really well during batting practice. Smooth load back using a leg kick to get started, lands balanced, loose-relaxed hands, fluid hack. Barrel gets on plane early, then works uphill, staying in the zone a long time, driving the ball with strength and leverage to the pull side. Exit velocity of 85 mph off the tee, but there is more power to come as Leisure has natural strength with long levers. During the game he squared up a sharp ground ball to shortstop. In the outfield, Leisure threw 84 mph to the plate from a high slot with a short arm stroke.

Fabian Bernal, SS/OF, John Paul Stevens HS, 2019  
Bernal has a lean, athletic, projectable frame at 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Coming off having the flu a week earlier, the left-handed hitter was on the barrel during batting practice with a line drive approach, loose-quick hands and a simple, repeatable swing with leverage and an exit velocity of 80 mph. Although not done maturing physically, Bernal makes hard contact and has a feel for hitting spin. In the outfield, he plays through the ball with quick feet and a clean exchange. Loose, quick arm swing works well from back to front with a max velocity of 77 mph. On the infield, Bernal has quick footwork that should serve him well as he continues to develop physically. Soft hands play well out front. Funnels the ball back to his midline before making accurate throws from a loose arm swing that works well from back to front with a max velocity of 71 mph.

Mitchell Andrews, OF/2B, Cy-Fair HS, 2020
Andrews has an athletic, high-waisted frame at 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Andrews has projectable athleticism and fluid actions in both the outfield and infield. Throws with carry from the outfield at 82 mph, and threw 75 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.26 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter has a tall, slightly open set-up, smooth load, a good weight transfer in his lower half. Andrews uses the middle of the field during batting practice, with a line drive path, quick hands, and flashes power to the pull side. His exit velocity was 84 mph, and he ran a 7.26 60-yard dash. With his projectable frame and all-around athleticism, look for big things from this two-way player in the future. High academic student.

Cameron Tobola, OF/2B, Klein Oak HS, 2019  
Tobola has a quick twitch frame at 5-foot-5, 143 pounds. The right-handed hitter starts with his hands set into a low position with an open stance. Relaxed load has he lifts his hands then strides forward, landing square. Short path, quick hands, inside out swing, line drive power with an exit velocity of 83 mph. Hit the ball best to the pull side. In the outfield, he moves with smooth footwork and rhythm as he plays through the ball. Clean exchange, medium arm stroke from an over the top slot with accurate throws at 76 mph. Ran a 7.21 60-yard dash.

John Sanchez, OF/C, Yoakum HS, 2020  
5-foot-10, 163-pound frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide stance, then loads back before taking a short stride. Flat path, inside-out approach, line drive power with an exit velocity of 79 mph. In the outfield, Sanchez throws from a short arm slot at 78 mph on an uphill plane. Ran a 7.1 60-yard dash.