The 4^th Annual Impact Invite High School Tournament took place this past Saturday, with many of the top prospects in North Carolina on hand at the USA Baseball Training Complex.  With Clemson and UNC opening up the ACC Season in Chapel Hill, there might not have been a more heavily scouted area than the Research Triangle Region this weekend. 

At least 12 Scouting Directors were seen in attendance for the heavily anticipated match-up between Rocky Mount HS and Wesleyan Christian Academy, both Preseason Top 100 Teams.  Rocky Mount OF Brian Goodwin and Wesleyan 3B/C Wil Myers are both seen as potential early round picks and led their prospective high school teams.

Impressions on Top Prospects:

Brian Goodwin, cf: Defensively, Brian looks like one of the top players in his class where he shows good instincts and enough range where he should not have to move positions.  His arm strength is his best tool and it rates out near the top of his class. 

The bat is the biggest question right now for Brian.  While he does show good bat speed at the plate, he has a ways to go offensively as he really only made solid contact in one bat on a line-out to centerfield.  He hits from a dead-start and with some slight adjustments to his approach, he should improve his consistency. 

Wil Myers, 3b/c: Wil made a lasting impression on scouts last summer when he hit two homeruns during the East Coast Pro Showcase.  While he didn’t have one of his better games on Saturday, his bat speed and power potential will not come in to question.  Both his hitting ability and power will grade out as at least average MLB tools, with his power likely grading out as an above average tools for scouts. 

The question right now is what position will Wil play.  Third base and catcher are the two positions that are most often mentioned, but he is a good enough athlete to also play in the outfield as well.

Richie Shaffer, 3b: Richie did not get a chance to see many good pitches on Saturday, but when he did he showed the bat speed and power potential that will keep scouts intrigued.  He has a big arm in the field and best projects at third base or in right field.  Depending on signability, Richie is a player that could likely work his way in to the 3^rd to 5^th Rounds of this year’s draft.

Tyler Joyner, lhp: In terms of pitching prospects, Tyler attracted the most attention from scouts mainly due to his overall pitchability and big curveball.  His curveball was the best off-speed offering of any pitcher at the event and should project to be at least an average MLB pitch.  Tyler’s arm works well and there is reason to think that he could add a little more velocity to his fastball, which sat in 86-89 range with good deception.  Tyler profiles as a potential fifth starter or long reliever at the next level.

Parker Thomas, rhp: The hardest thrower at the event, Parker consistently sat at 87-90 with his fastball, topping out at 92 in the first inning.  A tall and imposing prospect at 6’5”, 220 lbs., Parker was also considered a high-level football prospect before committing to North Carolina for baseball.  Parker could easily turn out to be the hardest throwing prep prospect in North Carolina this spring, but it will be the development of his off-speed pitching that will determine his draft status.

Alex Wood, lhp: At 6’4” and armed with a fastball in the 86-89 range, Alex has a rare combination that is sure to draw attention from scouts this spring.  Alex has a good feel for a change-up which is his primary off-speed pitch, but he will need to work on developing his breaking ball.  While Alex has the raw stuff to project well at the next level, he has a long wrapping arm action that will concern people.

Ryan Gupton, rhp: The sophomore threw a no-hitter in a 2-1 victory for D.H. Conley over Mt. Tabor.  Matched up against Parker Thomas, Gupton sat in the mid 80’s with his fastball and showed a fairly tight breaking ball in the low 70’s.  D.H Conley is also the alma mater of North Carolina RHP Alex White, who is considered a likely first-rounder in this year’s draft.