EVENT DATE: 8/14/2005

LOCATION: Jack Coombs Field, Duke University

The players all deserve a lot of credit for their effort during this event. It was a tremendously humid and hot day, and we started in the heat of the day – at 1:00 pm.

Our Scouting department has strong ties to the Raleigh / Durham area. Dan Mooney (Assistant Director of Scouting), Jake Weber (Scout / Assistant Director of Instruction) and Andy Ferguson (Director of Scouting) all played at NC State University – and Andy grew up and went to High School in Durham.

When you spend most of your time traveling the country, it is always nice to have any kind of “home game”…

Top 5 Prospects

The Top 5 Prospects were selected by Andy Ferguson (Director of Scouting) and Dan Mooney (Assistant Director of Scouting) based on their performance at the event. The ranking is based on their status as college prospects, and is relative to the entire group of players we saw on the day – we now consider underclassmen in our selection process.

IMPORTANT – We list players at the position(s) where we feel they are prospects. This may result in a player being listed at a position they did not play for us, or having a position they did play for us go unlisted. As usual, all references to “average” are based on high school standards.

1. Dustin Williamson, LHP, 2006 – Whiteville, NC (Waccamaw Academy), 6-0, 170, L/L. A lean left hander with square shoulders – can project size and strength onto his frame. Showed a loose, quick arm and got good extension out front. His fastball topped at 84 mph, while he ranged from 76-80 mph mostly – threw harder from the stretch, an indicator of his arm strength. Featured a well above average breaking ball, a downer with plus spin and depth. Also showed feel for his change-up, which had good sink action. In the zone with all of his pitches, look for his fastball to make a jump – combination of body, arm speed and athletic ability allow the “arrow” to point up for him.

2. Alex Loftin, SS, 2006 – Denver, NC (North Lincoln HS), 6-0, 150, R/R. A near well above average defender at SS, he beat the ball to the spot with his feet and showed very good hands to make plays. Double plays featured his quickness and his arm strength. Actions were lively, both with his feet and his hands. Good wrists and hands highlighted his stroke at the plate, did a good job of getting the barrel to the ball during his round of batting practice. Has a loose, athletic build with the look of a middle infielder. Ran 7.25 in the 60 yard dash.

3. Bradley Byrd, RHP, 2006 – Benson, NC (South Johnston HS), 6-1, 180, R/R. Has a long upper body and good overall length in his body, also showed strength. Featured a near well above average breaking ball, had great downward action with tight spin and good break to the bottom of the zone. Fastball topped at 82 mph today, but ability to spin such a good breaking ball indicates looseness and hand speed that lets us project velocity on his fastball – can see him easily in the 84-86 mph range. Arm was live and quick out front, good whip action – a powerful stroke, his biggest asset. Delivery, stuff and overall actions resembled Wade Miller of the Boston Red Sox.

4. Daniel Wagner, 2B/3B/LF, 2006 – Kannapolis, NC (South Rowan HS), 6-0, 170, L/R. Wagner has an athletic build with long arms and good strength. A solid runner (7.19 60 yard dash) with arm strength (82 mph), has potential to play several positions. His left handed bat is his biggest asset. Bat speed and hard contact stood out during his round of batting practice. Had good rhythm to hit and got good extension through the hitting zone. A strong average defender at 2B, showed good actions and enough athletic ability to give him a chance there. Bat looks to have enough value to consider him also at 3B or LF (which is why he is listed as such).

5. Grant Richards, C, 2007 – Morrisville, NC (Cardinal Gibbons), 6-0, 155, R/R. We first saw Richards last August, and he has made great strides since then. Every tool has improved, mostly due to a change in his body and his overall athleticism. Showed a loose arm and lively feet to throw, release times were 2.03-2.18 and his throws tracked on line well. Arm was strong average, hit 80 mph. Also a solid receiver and blocker. Barrel accuracy stood out at the plate. He sprayed the ball to all fields, got the barrel to the zone well and stayed through it even better – let the ball travel and hit it hard. Possible gap power, more of a line drive hitter now. Next piece of the puzzle is strength, which he is already working on.

Top Prospects ARCHIVE

See below for more information about the B.A.T.S. Program. Also, be sure to click on the link for our complete 2005 schedule.

B.A.T.S VIDEO SCOUTING SESSIONS
– includes edited video and scouting report on personal web page
– also an opportunity to tryout for National Tournament Teams
– call 800-641-4487 to register

Baseball Factory 2005 Schedule