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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/24/2019

PG Summer Blowout Scout Notes

Jacob Martin      Brian Treadway      Matthew Arietta      Jacob Jordan      Colton Olinger     
Photo: John Giesler (Perfect Game)
John Giesler (2019, Marietta, Ga.) showcased his offensive and defensive abilities for 643 DP Cougars 18U Beasley. He has a projectable 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with current strength and athleticism in the build. The Georgia Tech commit played third base and shortstop the same amount of time during the tournament. He displayed a smooth glove while moving to and through the ball. His athleticism assists in his range moving up the middle and into the six-hole along with quick transfers from glove to hand. The arm and fielding ability are above-average at both positions. The righthanded hitter starts with a wide base, a slightly closed stance, and low hands. He employs a medium leg lift for timing, and he generates force from his lower half. The swing is smooth and fluid on a level plane. His current strength generates loud contact and he elevates the ball from upward extension in his back swing. He makes consistent contact on the barrel with an all-fields approach but advanced power to the pull side. The hitting abilities were on full display as he completed the cycle while collecting seven hits, a double, triple, a home run, and seven RBI during the tournament.

Noah Rymut (2019, Kennesaw, Ga.) displayed on-base abilities and above-average defensive skills. The Georgia Highlands commit has a medium 5-foot-8, 170-pound frame with current athleticism and a fair amount of strength. The righthanded hitter starts with an open and upright stance with a medium leg lift trigger. He has quick hands that typically lead through the zone, which generate opposite field and up-the-middle contact. His swing is on a level plane that creates line drives and ground balls with fairly decent force. Through two games, he went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and two walks. He picked up seven hits during the tournament with two doubles. Taking good jumps and displaying above-average speed, he also stole seven bases. The second baseman is a quick-twitch player as he showcased a smooth glove, quick transfers, advanced range, good footwork, and a solid arm. He projects as a second baseman moving forward but his athleticism and skillset could give him interesting defensive versatility.

Corey Dowdell (2020, Kingsland, Ga.) showcased his huge 6-foot-3, 290-pound frame at the plate for 5 Star 17U West. The righthanded hitter starts standing nearly straight up with an open stance and high hands. He takes a long stride forward while loading his hands but his leg lift is not very high. His hands were pretty quick and led through the zone. Mass combined with speed equals force and Dowdell generates a lot of force and loud contact. His swing is on a level plane as he hits line drives and ground balls to all fields. He has legitimate power potential if he gains additional extension and elevation. Despite this, he is not a raw hitter. He has a really good understanding of the strike zone and a plus ability to make contact. On the basepaths, he showed really good instincts as he took extra bases on pitches in the dirt and moved incredibly well for his size. He went 3-for-5 through two games. Playing third base and first base in two games, he displayed good hands and an above-average arm across the infield. He projects as a first baseman moving forward but held his own at the hot corner.

East Tennessee State commit Brandon Nikitaides (2019, Marietta, Ga.) showcased impressive command and smooth mechanics out of the bullpen for 643 DP Cougars 18U Beasley. In the windup, the lefthanded pitcher uses a high leg lift in synchronization with his hands. He uses his legs well and displays repeatable mechanics from an arm slot somewhere between over-the-top and high three-quarters. The command was pristine, he consistently hit the corners of the strike zone and generated a lot of swings and misses. His fastball has some natural cutting action and averages 84 mph while touching 86 mph on a few occasions. With a medium 6-foot, 180-pound frame, the southpaw could fill out more and add additional velocity to his heater. During the semifinal game, he picked up the save while pitching two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, no walks, and only one hit allowed.

-Jake Martin

Glenn Green (2021, Tyrone, Ga.) is a 6-foot-2, 184-pound righthanded pitcher. Taking the mound for East Cobb Prime 16u-Zilleox, Green turned in a good performance that kept his team in the game and gave them a chance to win. The righthander felt more comfortable when he was using his windup. His windup would consist of a few stop-and-go moments, where he would rock back and stop. Then he would bring his leg up quickly and then stop. After that, he would explode out of that position toward the plate. The Tyrone native would come to the plate with an over-the-top delivery. His fastball sat comfortably in the mid-80s, topping out at 89. He would toss in a curveball occasionally that had a 12-to-6 curve to it. His fastball was definitely his favorite pitch and one he liked to go to, but he did show an ability to use his curve in high leverage situations. The uncommitted pitcher did get himself into tough situations a few times, but he found a way to be able to make the pitches when it mattered the most.

Grant Anderson (2021, Canton, Ga.) started at catcher for East Cobb Braves 16u Navy. Behind the backstop, Anderson helped his team win the Summer Blowout championship with fantastic leadership and defense. Baserunners were given a tough task of stealing bases against Anderson and they more often than not failed at that task. The uncommitted catcher is quick out of the crouch and has a plus arm and is very accurate to the bag. He is also agile behind the plate, not allowing a ball in the dirt to get too far away from him, which stopped runners from advancing. The Canton native also displayed his high IQ for the game as he was tasked with calling the game for the pitchers. In both the semifinals and championship games, his pitchers only gave up two runs with him laying down the signs for them. Anderson knows his pitchers and they trust him to throw whatever pitch he calls. He also helped them with his pitch framing. Coupled with a good attitude during the game, his defensive prowess really shined in his team’s big win.

-Brian Treadway

Carter Bailey (2021, Snellville, Ga.) is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthanded pitcher and corner infielder from Brookwood High School in his hometown. An incoming junior in the fall, Bailey displayed tools all over the field on Saturday at East Cobb despite competing in a losing effort with Team Elite 16u National. Bailey has a large, strong frame that is close to physical maturity. On the mound, Bailey delivers from a high three-quarters slot with good arm action that is unrestricted through release. He uses an upbeat, balanced tempo to his delivery and showed athleticism really getting over his front side, and into a keen fielding position. Pitches downhill which adds deception and life to his offerings. Bailey repertoire consisted of a fastball (81-83 mph, topped at 85 mph), and a curveball (72-73 mph). Fastball had some two-seam sink arm-side with fade and his curveball had more of a slurvy shape to it currently yet both pitches produced a lot of swing and miss on his way to six punchouts over four and a third innings of work. Bailey did not factor into the decision yet did produce for himself at the plate as well going 1-for-2 with and single and a walk. Bailey appears comfortable at the plate and had a clean, short stroke through the hitting zone with current power to the gaps. He moves well out of the box and in the infield. Good athlete and ballplayer that can help a club in many ways.

Avery Collins (2021, Greeneville, Tenn.) is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound catcher from Greeneville High School in his hometown of Greeneville, Tenn. Collins has a strong, athletic build to his frame that he uses to his advantage in all aspects of the game. Collins was behind the plate this afternoon at East Cobb and produced all over the field helping his team in a rout. At the plate, Collins went 1-for-2 with a grand slam, and two runs scored, as he later reached on an error and scored. At the plate, he sets up with a slightly open stance and low hands. He uses a two-step approach to his load as he shifts his hands and weight back while pulling his front knee in towards his back leg, then stepping to square while still loaded on his backside. Collins displayed good hand-eye coordination and quick hands paired with a slightly uppercut bat path that produces a lot of hard contact. With a good display of leverage and bat speed, Collins’ home run was most likely the hardest hit ball at the complex on the day. He showed good feel for the barrel on the long ball, dropping the bat head and really extending through the offering shooting it out well over the fence in the pull-side gap for a no-doubter. Behind the plate, Collins works well with his staff and displayed quickness laterally while blocking pitches in the dirt. He is a sound receiver as well with the ability to make strong accurate throws to bases. Bat is clearly his carry tool to this point but does plenty behind the plate to attract interest in his current skillset. Very exciting prospect to monitor moving through this summer season. Very high upside talent.

Carson Curry (2020, Auburn, Ga.) is a 5-foot-9, 155-pound, wiry, athletic-framed, center fielder from North Gwinnett High School. The incoming senior in the fall uses a square stance at the plate with low hands near his pec. He displayed good vision and quickness with his hands in the box this afternoon at East Cobb going 2-for-2 with a double and a triple, racking up two RBI when all was said and done. Curry has a line-drive approach at the plate and appears to see the ball really well. He has good feel for the barrel and a short, line drive swing path that he used to shoot balls into the gaps. A very good athlete, Curry moves well out of the box and on the bases showing quick long strides and aggression. He is very light on his feet and makes things happen. Speed translates to center field as well, as he showed the ability to cover plenty of ground in the gaps to either direction. Carson pairs his speed with a good glove and makes all plays hit his way look routine. Fearless competitor, that plays the game hard in all facets. Exciting player to watch compete. Small sample so far in this summer season for Curry at PG events, yet he is currently raking with a batting average sitting presently at .400.

Joshua Dixon (2020, Powder Springs, Ga.) is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound corner outfielder from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Ga. An incoming senior in the fall, Dixon profiles very well to his current position in right field as he displayed solid reads on plays his way as well as a strong arm with carry from right. He has good anticipation and first-step quickness as well, getting himself in good positions to make plays for his team. At the plate, Dixon displayed good hand-eye coordination at East Cobb this afternoon going 2-for-4 with two RBI on the day. Currently, Dixon has power to the gaps and feel for the barrel. He appears comfortable in the box with a plan and good rhythm and timing. He showed today that he rarely gets cheated and made hard contact all over the field, especially when his team needed him the most with runners in scoring position. Dixon appears to be a natural born athlete and moves very well for his current frame. He got quick starts out of the box and moves well on the bases. Dixon has been on a tear with a .418 on-base-percentage, in the early going of the summer tournament season and it will be exciting to monitor his performance moving forward.

Cj Henley (2021, Greeneville, Tenn.) is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound, second basemen from Greeneville High School in his hometown. The incoming junior in the fall, performed extremely well in all areas this afternoon at East Cobb, helping Rawlings Southeast 16u National put up a ten spot in the first inning on their way to a four-inning run rule ending, 13-1 win. Henley got things going offensively for his club as they kept on the gas all game long. Henley was 2-for-2 on the day with a double and four steaks from the 2-hole displaying keen hitability and feel for the barrel. Current power is to the gaps, yet he has a clean, short, balanced approach at the plate and appears comfortable in the box. Very strong, consistent contact right now, and with some added strength might give some power boost through his high school career. Good athlete, Henley moves well on the bases as he stayed light on his feet with good instincts and feel. An alert, solid defender, Henley showcased soft hands and a good glove up the middle with range and on-line carry throws through the bag. Profiles well to a middle-infield position and worked well around the bag at second. Leadership is obvious with this young prospect, as he plays the game hard and his team follows suit. No shortage of hustle. Exciting to watch play the game. Putting up a very nice tournament season for himself as he is raking hitting a red-hot .500 in tournament play so far this year, paired with a .610 on-base percentage. Very high upside talent.

-Matt Arietta

Nicolas Sturm (2022, Flowery Branch, Ga.) continued a strong tournament performance Sunday afternoon. The 15-year-old went 3-3 with a double, two RBI, and a walk in the semifinal round of the PG 15U Summer Blowout. Sturm sets up in the righthanded batter’s box with an open stance and shoulder’s width base. He gets full extension down through the zone and drives the ball into the outfield. Physically, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame with a lean, athletic build projects well. Defensively, Sturm made all of his plays at third base and flashed a strong accurate arm. It was an all-around good weekend for a promising young talent.

Barrett Eldridge (2022, Marietta, Ga.) was impressive Sunday afternoon for 643 DP Jaguars 14U Coleman. The catcher went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. At the plate, the righthanded hitter flashed power to all fields, his double to right-center and a hard line drive down the third base line were examples of that. He squares the ball up well and has power potential. Behind the plate, the lanky 15-year-old has soft hands and presents a big target, he frames the ball well. He flashed a strong arm and projects well physically. With added muscle to his already 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, Eldridge could turn into a real power threat in the future.

Jake Beaver (2022, Gainesville, Ga.) had an all-around impressive performance on Sunday. He went 4-for-7 through the semifinal and championship games. The southpaw also pitched in the semifinals. At the plate, Beaver proved to be a true leadoff hitter, as he was a base hit machine all afternoon. He also showed speed on the base paths and in the outfield with impressive range. The center fielder gets good reads and has a quick first step, and the arm plays well in the outfield as well. At the plate, the 5-foot-10, 165-pounder showed line drive power to the outfield and quick hands down through the zone. He is a pure athlete and projects well in all facets.

-Jacob Jordan

Zavier Tsai (2023, Atlanta, Ga.) displayed great ability to barrel up baseballs in both of the Ninth Inning Royals first two pool play games at the 14U Summer Blowout. At the plate he starts with a balanced stance and low hand set. He showed a compact swing path with great barrel control while staying on the inside part of the baseball and spraying balls all over the field. He has some pull-side power with the ability to drive the ball in the left-center field gap when he gets into his legs and drives off his back side into a stiff front side. With his lean 5-foot-8, 120-pound frame he projects well to continue to add power as he continues to grow and develop.

Randolph Smith (2023, Atlanta, Ga.) got off to a hot start on the first day of the 14U Summer Blowout going 3-for-4 with three RBI in the first two pool play games for his ITP 14U Lightning Turner team. At the plate he starts with a balanced stance and high hand set. He does a good job of getting his weight transferred on his back side during his load where he creates good separation through his quiet stride. His swing path showed some loft in it with the ability to create good back spin on his ball flight. This back spin and the power he generates through his lower half in his swing allow him to split the gaps in the outfield for extra base hits. He projects well to add more power as he continues to grow and fill out his long lean 5-foot-9, 145-pound frame.

-Colt Olinger