In 2014, we held the first ever Baseball Factory All-America Pre-Season Rookie Tournament in Auburndale, FL. There were 42 players in attendance, 27 of which were 2017 graduates. Of those 27, two were in Mesa for the 2015 Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament — and they both earned honors among the 2017 class.

Local product Marcus Christy, a RHP/3B of Red Mountain HS in Mesa, earned honors again this year. He joins 3B Brandon Dorsey, of Calvert Hall HS in the Baltimore area, as the only players to matriculate from the 2014 Rookie event top 10.

Our scouts, along with the others in attendance, were treated to impressive displays from this group of players. While we cannot honor everyone that attended, we did want to highlight a few players that stood out from each graduating class.

Below is an alphabetical listing of Honorable Mentions from the class of 2017.

Brendan Bean

2017 1B/LHP Brendan Bean

1B/LHP – 6-0/205 – L/L – Wildwood HS – West Wildwood, NJ – Univ. of Pennsylvania commit

Showed smooth, fluid defensive actions at 1B. Sure handed to play the ball, was able to make throws naturally and with ease from different angles. Short left-handed stroke, quick to contact with bat speed through the zone. Showed rhythm to hit, made consistent hard contact in BP. An injury cut his weekend short prior to his scheduled mound outing.

Carson Chapman

2017 OF Carson Chapman

OF – 6’2″/185 – L/R – Hallsville HS – Longview, TX

A tall, athletic 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Chapman featured a left-handed line drive spray type stroke. He got the barrel through the zone with some looseness and ease, and generated some pull side raw power. He posted 7.02 in the 60 yard dash.

Marcus Christy

2017 RHP/3B Marcus Christy

RHP/3B – 6’1″/180 – R/R – Red Mountain HS – Mesa, AZ

Working from a low three-quarters slot, he commanded a 78-81 mph fastball to both sides of the plate, spun a low to mid 70s breaking ball and turned over a low 60s change. A capable two-way player, he has width and room to fill out as he physically matures.

Daniel Cole

2017 SS/RHP Daniel Cole

SS/RHP – 5’10″/180 – R/R – Harker Heights HS – Harker Heights, TX

One of three 2017 pitchers to touch at least 86 mph, he was aggressive through release with some arm speed. He threw his breaking ball as high as 71 mph, and mixed in some low 70s changeups. He generated some bat speed from strong hands and a full rotation of his core. Raw power was his highest rated tool, a rarity at his position – and more than enough to give him a shot as a two-way player.

Brandon Dudley

2017 OF Brandon Dudley

OF – 6’1″/200 – R/R – Mater Academy – Miami Gardens, FL

A somewhat mature looking 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Dudley made a full move through the zone with a high finish. That natural lift combined with quick hands and some present strength allowed for high raw power marks. He posted 7.09 in the 60 yard dash and proved to be a solid outfield defender in games.

Ben Fariss

2017 RHP/OF Ben Fariss

RHP/OF – 5’11″/170 – R/R – Valencia HS – Valencia, CA

Fariss featured perhaps the best breaking ball at the event among 2017 grads, and used it effectively through his outing. Of the 15 hitters he faced, he struck out 8 and allowed just three to reach base. He worked from a low three-quarters slot, and tended to cut his fastball at 83-85 mph. His build is lean and athletic with long legs and some width to his shoulders.

Devin Fontenot

2017 RHP Devin Fontenot

RHP – 6’1″/168 – R/R – The Woodlands HS – The Woodlands, TX

At 6-foot-1 and nearly 170 pounds, Fontenot has the look of a runner with a high waist and athletic angles. He posted 7.00 in the 60 yard dash, and channeled his athleticism to generate mid 80s fastball velocity. His fastball had arm side life and topped at 86, while his breaking ball had downward action with some tilt in the low 70s.

Nick Hamilton

2017 SS/OF Nick Hamilton

SS/OF – 6’0″/170 – R/R – Liberty HS – Peoria, AZ

Proof that 60 yard dash speed isn’t a prerequisite for range, Hamilton moved light on his feet and featured a quick first step. He effectively reached balls to both his left and right, and flashed the ability to carry throws across the infield to complete plays. He showed solid bat speed along with wiry strength to hit, and made confident aggressive passes in game at bats.

Everrett Harris

2017 SS/2B Everrett Harris

SS/2B – 5’11″/170 – R/R – Frisco HS – Frisco, TX

With rhythm to hit and a coordinated move, Harris has the look and feel of an advanced young hitter. He worked on a good path to contact and generated speed through the zone. Also a talented infield defender, he featured smooth and easy actions with good body control.

Gabe Holt

2017 SS Gabe Holt

SS – 5’10″/150 – L/R – Veterans HS – Bonaire, GA

One of just six sub-seven runners in the 2017 class, Holt posted 6.81 in the 60 yard dash and got down the line as good as 4.38. After a BP in which he made hard contact through the middle of the field, he collected four singles and walked once in seven trips to the plate. Defensively, he showed the body control and athleticism necessary to complete plays off balance and on the run.

Jared Howell

2017 C/RHP Jared Howell

C/RHP – 5’10″/180 – R/R – Sparkman HS – Madison, AL

At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Howell has strength and definition in his upper half. He applied that strength very well through contact, and featured arguably the best bat speed at the event among the 2017 class. As further evidence of ability to create speed, he posted a low pop time of 2.04 and ran 7.03 in the 60 yard dash.

Billy Kral

2017 RHP Billy Kral

RHP – 6’2″/195 – R/R – Holy Spirit HS – Margate City, NJ

Kral worked from a slot a tick lower than three-quarters, and featured a quality three pitch mix. His fastball had arm side life at 83-84 mph, his breaking ball was around the plate in the mid to upper 60s, and his change thrown with good arm speed in the mid 70s. Showing more control than command, he challenged hitters in the zone.

Trent McMullen

2017 1B Trent McMullen

1B – 6’1″/200 – R/R – Montessori International School Of The Plains – Omaha, NE

Has right-handed raw power with the makings of a quality hit tool. He hits from a narrow setup without much pre-pitch movement, move is simple and repeatable. Generates bat speed and has strength through contact. Solid defender at 1B with more arm than is required for the position.

Matt Oldham

2017 C Matt Oldham

C – 6’0″/175 – L/R – Pittsboro HS – Pittsboro, NC – Wake Forest Univ. commit

The only 2017 grad to post a pop time below 2.0, Oldham in fact didn’t post a single time above 2.0 in his workout. His low was 1.87, and he got it with a combination of arm strength, a direct transfer and clean footwork. He moved his hands very quickly to hit as well, generating very good bat speed through the zone – which he translated into hard contact in BP and game at bats.

Ben Pelletier

2017 OF Ben Pelletier

OF – 6’2/190 – R/R – Homeschool – Varennos, Quebec, Canada – Univ. of South Florida commit

Has a large frame with length at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds. Posted 7.16 in the 60 yard dash, and moved well to generate momentum through the play on the ball in the OF. Simple right handed stroke, generated bat speed and power with a coordinated move. Worked the barrel through the zone on a level path, and used the middle of the field well.

Andres Sanchez

2017 C Andres Sanchez

C – 6’0″/185 – R/R – Msgr. Edward Pace HS – North Miami, FL

A well-rounded young catcher without any glaring flaws. Throws were very accurate, right on the bag between 2.00 and 2.15. Hands were sure to receive, actions were athletic to block. Good right-handed stroke, showed some looseness and ability to whip barrel through the zone.

Ryan Smith

2017 SS/RHP Ryan Smith

SS/RHP – 6’0″/155 – R/R – Hazard HS – Hazard, KY

Capable two-way player with well-rounded ability, such that it’s difficult to determine what he does best. Does everything with ease and fluidity, and can generate speed and life where needed. Looked like he could cut it loose across the infield, and he generated low effort arm speed on the mound. Showed signs of command with his fastball, worked in the 80-82 range. His right-handed stroke was coordinated, and again he showed the ability to generate some bat speed through the zone without much effort.

Collin Storms

2017 RHP/OF Collin Storms

RHP/OF – 6’5″/180 – R/R – Lakeland Christian HS – Lewisville, TX

An interesting combination of present stuff and future potential. Fastball had arm side life with some sink in the 81-84 mph range, while both secondary offerings were thrown in the upper 70s. His breaking ball had depth up to 77 mph, an indication of potential for a future fastball jump. He stands at 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds with long levers, offering more potential for the future.

Augie Sylk

2017 LHP Augie Sylk

LHP – 6’2″/175 – L/L – Palisades Charter HS – Pacific Palisades, CA

Lean and long left-hander with a low effort delivery. Torso turn hides break of hands from hitters. His arm works fine from glove, and with good finish out front, was able to generate some angle on his stuff. Fastball was 81-85 mph with some arm side life, breaking ball had 2-8 shape in the low 70s.

John Windham

2017 3B/SS Jon Windham

3B/SS – 6’2″/175 – R/R – Klein Collins HS – Spring, TX

Lean frame with long levers and athletic angles. Well-rounded player without glaring flaws. Balanced, easy right-handed stroke. Holds the ground well and rotates through. Flat swing angle, solid bat speed. Showed body control defensively along with some ability to move laterally and an accurate arm.