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PG
Chapel Hill Top Prospects
1. C Chris Kirkland (South Doyle HS, Knoxville, TN): Kirkland had the
strongest arm at the event, both off the mound and in the field. The aspect
of his game that has really grown this summer, though, is his ability to
drive the ball deep into the alley's. Continued work on his hitting and
shifting ability behind the plate will place Kirkland among the elite
catchers in the country.
2. C-OF Nachion Moore (Greenbriar Christian Academy, Chesapeake, VA):
There is a chance that the multi-tooled Moore could stay behind the plate,
but his speed (6.78 on wet turf) and arm strength play better in
centerfield. After a mediocre batting practice, Moore really showed his bat
speed and offensive potential the last two days. His hustle and approach to
the game is exceptional.
3. RHP Matt Payne (Alexander Central HS, Hiddenite, NC): Payne's weapon is
a 70 mph downer curveball that he got on top of so well that it occasionally
backed up into a right handed hitter. The 6-2, 175 lb. Payne throws a
4-seam fastball 86-87 mph and a 2-seam sinker with good action at 83 mph and
should add velocity to both pitches as he fills out his projectable,
athletic body.
4. C Benji Johnson (Northwood HS, Pittsboro, NC): The third catcher among
the top four prospects, Johnson may have been the best pure hitter in Chapel
Hill. He showed both raw power and a sound approach that enabled him to
fight off tough pitches. Johnson has a quick release with average arm
strength and was consistently around 1.90 in his pop times.
5. RHP-OF Jordan Ellis (Radnor HS, Bryn Mawr, PA): The 6-2, 190 lb. Ellis
could end up either on the mound or in the field. It's too close a call
after watching him for only three days. A 6.87 runner, Ellis has a strong,
powerful swing that enabled him to hit the only home run of the Showcase.
In fact, Ellis was only a double short of hitting for the cycle during the
third game. On the mound, Ellis topped out at 88 mph, with a quality change
up and a knuckle curveball that had some late sharpness on occasion.
6. RHP Edward Anderson (Manatee HS, Bradenton, FL): Anderson is a big
strong young man at 6-5, 205 lb. and has a chance to get stronger. He has
an unusual set of pitches for a 17 year old. Anderson's fastball ranges
from 84-88 with very good tailing and sinking action and he was consistent
in keeping this pitch low in the strike zone. But Anderson's bread and
butter pitch is a 72-75 mph split finger that gets good late tumble to it.
While most pitchers who throw a split also throw a slider, Anderson has a 73
mph curveball that has fair to good spin. Aside from his solid three pitch
array, Anderson showed an advanced ability to mix and spot his pitches
effectively.
7. RHP Ben Hildreth (Brookville HS, Forest, VA): Hildreth sat alone atop
the velocity board, topping out at 89 mph, from one of the first pitches of
the Showcase until the late on the final day. Very projectable at 6-1, 160
with a loose, quick arm and a mid ¾'s release, Hildreth pitched between
86-89 mph with a low 70's curveball that showed some sharpness, especially
at high velocities.
8. LHP Blake Martin (Boaz HS, AL): Although Martin only threw 85-87 mph
from the left side, his deception and arm speed made him look like the fast
pitcher at the Showcase. Once the 6-3, 170 lb southpaw learns how to use
his lower half better in his delivery, we could see a big leap in his
velocity. Martin's best off speed pitch is a 78 mph change up that had good
deception. His curveball is 72 mph with a short, slider type break.
9. SS Matt Willard (Council Rock North HS, Newtown, PA): In a slim group
of middle infielders, Willard stood out with his average speed (6.88) and
slightly above average arm strength. In fact, Willard is the type of player
who shows a better arm in game competition than during workouts and
unleashed several strong throws from the whole. Willard is stronger than
his 5-11, 165 lb. frame indicates and can handle a wood bat with some pop.
10. OF Eric Chamness (East HS, West Chester, PA): Chamness had the fastest
60 time at Chapel Hill, a 6.67 on wet turf. He has a solid 6-1, 185 lb
frame to add strength to in the future. Chamness has good bat speed and a
pull approach at the plate. He played both outfield and first base but is
much better suited for the outfield because of his speed and athletic
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