Player Spotlight 

Braxton Waller: 3B/RHP, (2022) Fort Smith Southside, AR. 6-foot-3, 150-pound projectable frame. Fluid in the box, Waller had an exit velocity of 86 mph. Starts in a balanced stance with a quick compact load, then uses a short stride. Has above average bat speed, short flat swing plane and good extension on his finish. Created loud contact and found multiple barrels. Line drive approach. Athletic in the infield, displayed a velocity of 84 mph; shows a quick fluid exchange, sure soft hands, and smooth consistent feet. Fields the ball out front, movements laterally were athletic. Consistent accuracy to the bases, used a high ¾ slot with a long arm action. Projectable on the mound, showed quick arm speed with a ¾ arm angle and a long arm action. Up-tempo type pitcher and uses some effort. During his delivery balance point is tall with in line shoulders. Lands square with an athletic finish. Sat with his fastball at 79-82 mph; throws a straight fastball with deceiving action and consistent command. His 11/5 curveball (69-72) had gradual action and around the zone control. He showed fading action and arm side command on his straight changeup (71-72). 

Scout Evaluation 

Braxton Waller, Fort Smith Southside, 2022, AR

Position: 3B/RHP

Body: 6-foot-3, 150-pound projectable frame.

Hit: (RHH) Begins in a balanced stance with a quick compact load, then uses a short stride. Above average bat speed. Good extension on his finish, short flat swing. Line drive approach. 

Power: 86 mph exit velocity. 

Defense:  (IF) Sure soft hands, smooth consistent footwork, quick fluid exchange. Athletic.  Laterally, movements were athletic and fielded the ball out front. 

Arm: 84 mph infield velocity. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, consistent accuracy. 

Pitching: Projectable. Up-tempo delivery, some effort. ¾ arm angle, quick arm speed, long arm action. Athletic balance point, in line shoulders, lands square, an athletic finish.

FB: T82. 79-82 mph. Consistent accuracy, deceiving action, straight movement. 

CB: 69-72 mph. Around the zone command, gradual action, 11/5 shape. 

CH: 71-72 mph. Arm side command, fading action, straight movement. 

6-Foot-3, 150-Pound frame, projectable build with room for strength, ran a 7.30, Offensively;pre set back, limited load, barrel flat at footstrike, lean back to clear hands, stable in ground backside over rotates past contact, short stroke, flat finish, gap to gap approach,  84 mph exit velo, Defensively; active feet, bend to field, two hand field, fingers up to field, funnel to midline, long arm swing, arm side run to first, above average carry, 82 mph arm strength. 

Pitching: high 3/4 slot, quick arm speed, long arm action, loose arm swing, some effort to delivery, drop and drive delivery, some rhythm, quick out of glove break, small pause at top of lift, head lean to release, closed toe land, fastball 78-81 mph, arm side run with late action, slider 68-72 mph, 11-5 shape, downer action, early action, gradual break fastball line and arm speed, change up 72-74 mph, fastball arm speed, depth at plate, arm side run in the zone.

6-Foot-2, 135-Pound frame, length to levers with room for added strength, ran a 7.63, Offensively;  even set, miniature lift to stride, slightly closed land, barrel flat at foot strike, backside works underneath body, loses stability in front foot at times, short stroke, short finish, middle of the field approach, even set, miniature lift to stride, slightly closed land, barrel flat at foot strike, backside works underneath body, loses stability in front foot at times, short stroke, short finish, middle of the field approach, 81 mph exit velo, Defensively; field off right side, bend to field, fingers up to field, funnel to midline, long stroke, above average carry, 79 mph arm strength.

Pitching: high ¾ slot, quick arm, long arm action, good balance point, some effort to delivery, choppy rhythm, direction in line, head lean to clear arm, flash glove arm, clear out lead arm, spin off front foot at release, fastball 76-78 mph, straight, down in zone, curveball 64-68 mph, 10-4 shape, early action, gradual break, fb line, misses down, change up 66-70 mph, near fastball arm speed, fade to arm side, early clear out, arm side run.

6-Foot-1, 135-Pound frame, ran a 7.49, Offensively; even set, simple load, simple stride, lands even, raise off backside through contact, short stroke, short finish, middle of field approach, line drive swing, 79 mph exit velo, Defensively; active feet, late left foot, late glove presentation, fingers up to field, deep field, low slot, arm side run, minimal carry, 75 mph arm strength.

Pitching; ¾ slot, average arm speed, long arm action, good balance point, some effort to delivery, choppy rhythm, fastball 74-77, arm side run, curveball 65-67 mph, 11-5 shape, fastball arm speed with some depth, slider 65-68 mph, cutter type action, stays same plane, change up 65-68 mph fastball arm speed, arm side run, stays arm side.

Natural State Games:

6-foot-1, 135-Pound frame, long levered with room to fill out, ran a 7.72 60, Offensively; even stance, simple load, simple stride, barrel flat at foot strike, back foot works past contact, slight uphill behind body, short finish, hands work to hip after contact, 78 mph exit velo. Defensively; fields deep, late left foot to field, clean funnel, lower slot with arm side run, 75 mph arm strength.

Pitching: high ¾ slot with average arm speed, longer arm action in the back, strong balance point with a quick glove arm to release, closed toe land on stride, fastball 72-75, arm side run when down, fastball is flat, strike thrower, slider is 66-68, short break, stays on same plane, change up has fastball arm speed at 62-63, has straight action, stays arm side.