June begins the summer circuit for recruiting and player evaluation.  One event that has become a "must" for players, coaches, and scouts in the Carolinas is the NC/SC Border Battle.  This year's event took returned to UNC Charlotte's Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium for two days of action, featuring 130 of the best players in NC and SC.  They did not disappoint. 

On Tuesday June 11th, the position players went through their offensive and defensive evaluations.  North Carolina worked out first taking multiple rounds of BP, followed by their defensive evaluations and athletic testing.  As North Carolina finished, South Carolina started with their athletic testing, defensive evals, and finally their offensive evaluation.  Coaches and scouts were able to see multiple rounds of BP from each player plus see them move around at their primary defensive position, getting a feel for their athleticism and feel for the game.

Wednesday June 12th was game day.  Each player was scheduled to play in one 9 inning game with pitchers throwing live to hitters.  In total, NC and SC squared off in 4 exciting games and the roster of the top players in the two states put on a show.

Below we begin the process of unpacking everything we saw at the high level event.  From stats to player notes, to a deep dive into some analytics, we will work to uncover everything these players did and all the numbers they put up at the two day event.  To see the full roster and full statistical package, CLICK HERE.

By the Numbers:

• 5 Players ran under 6.74 on the laser timing system

• 22 Players ran 7.00 or under

• 39 Players tested their vertical jump at 30in or above

• 20 Players saw at least one of their splits come in at 20mph or higher

• 17 Infielders saw their arm strength at 85mph or higher across the diamond

• 6 Outfielders tested with arm strength at 90mph or higher

• 13 Catchers posted a pop timed of 2.00 or under in the workout

• 5 hitters saw an exit velocity of 100mph or higher

• 78 hitters peaked their exit velocity at 90mph or better

• 6 hitters carried an average exit velocity of better than 90mph over two rounds of 8 swings

• 14 hitters posted a BLAST bat speed of 70mph or higher

• 189.7psi was the top grip strength posted at the event

• 89.3mph was the top fastball velocity

• 10 arms were above 87mph on the day

• 3 arms saw their fastball spin rate above 2400rpm

• 2975rpm was the top breaking ball spin rate captured on the day

• 1 committed player took part in the event

Quick Hitters SC Pitchers - NC/SC Border Battle

2025 Class

Dawson Siffri, RHP, JL Mann HS

6'6"-206lb frame on the RHP who runs his fastball up to 89mph sitting 86-88mph mixing in a 75-77mph sweeping slider producing swing and misses on hitters.  Change was 77-79 mph with good downward action to it.  Very projectable frame with tons to dream on with this young man.

Caden Fragola, RHP, Oceanside Collegiate

6'3"-85lb frame on the RHP who runs his fastball up to 87mph sitting 83-87mph with sink and run mixing in a hard 77-79 mph slider that kept hitters off balance.  Change up sat 76-79 mph with good action and arm speed to it.  Did a great job pitching and collectiong outs.

Ayden Clay, RHP, Pendleton HS

5'10"-156lb frame on the OF/RHP who runs his fastball up to 86 mph sitting 81-85 mph mixing in a hard 68-70 mph downer curveball producing swing and misses on hitters, and doing a good job of throwing it for strikes.  Did a good job of attacking and coming after hitters while also mixing in a SL as well at 71-75 mph. 

Luke Godwin, RHP, Greenwood HS

5'11"-191lb frame on the SS/RHP who runs his fastball up to 86 mph sitting 82-85 mph mixing in a 67-73 mph slider to keep hitters of balance.  Mixed in a change up at 72 mph as well.

Brayden Robinson, RHP, South Florence HS

5'10"-157lb frame on the 3B/RHP who runs his fastball up to 86 mph sitting 81-85 mph with a quick athletic arm mixing in a 67-70 mph downer curveball to hitters and a change up at 71-72 mph. 

Cole Smith, RHP, Northwestern HS

5'11"-153lb frame on the SS/RHP who runs his fastball up to 85 mph sitting 80-85 mph mixing in a 71-78 mph slider that he can throw to hitters in any count anf from strikes.  Also was able to mix in a change up at 67-71 mph with some run to it. 

Diego Patrick, LHP, Waccawmaw HS

6'4"-191lb frame on the LHP who runs his fastball up to 84 mph sitting 80-83 mph with a short decepetive arm action mixing in a 67-72 mph slider producing swing and misses on hitters.  Change sat 74-75 mph with good action to it keeping hitters off balance.  Good left hander that mixed pitches and attacked hitters.

Julian Baldwin, RHP, Daniel HS

5'10"-183lb frame on the atghletic OF/RHP who runs his fastball up to 81 mph sitting 78-80 mph mixing in a 66-69 mph downer curveball and a change up at 70-72 mph. 

Preston DeNapoli, RHP, Lucy Beckham

6'2"-237lb frame on the RHP/1B who runs his fastball up to 81 mph sitting 79-81 mph mixing in a 65-70 mph slider and a change up that sat 66-74 mph.  Big frame that attacked hitters.

Beau Barbre, LHP, Fountain INN HS

5'10"-156lb frame on the LHP who runs his fastball up to 70 mph sitting 66-70 mph mixing in a slider at 59-61 mph and a change up at 63-65 mph.

2026 Class

John Collins, RHP, Blythewood HS

6'3"-181lb frame on the RHP/SS who runs his fastball up to 87 mph sitting 83-86 mph mixing in a 71-72 mph downer curveball producing swing and misses on hitters.  Change up sat 77-79 mph with good action down in the zone.  Very projectable frame and arm action from this athletic right hander. 

Aiden Smith, RHP, Clover HS

5'10"-161lb frame on the RHP who runs his fastball up to 87 mph sitting 84-87 mph mixing in a 73-76 mph sharp slider and a bigger breaking curveball at 67-70 mph.  Also was able to mix in a change up a 67-70 mph.  Short quick athletic arm that attacked hitters with 4 pitches for strikes.

Jeremy Powell, LHP, White Knoll HS

5'9"-181b frame on the LHP who runs his fastball up to 86mph sitting 82-85 mph mixing in a curveball at 66-70 mph with depth and a slide at 70-72 mph with more sweep to it.  Change up showed good action down in the zone at 69-71 mph.  Strong athletic bulldog on the mound.

Logan McGarity, RHP, Dorman HS

5'10"-183lb frame on the RHP who runs his fastball up to 85 mph sitting 81-84 mph mixing in a hard 71-73 mph downer curveball producing swing and misses on hitters.  Also mixed in a change up to keep hitters off balance at 75-76 mph. 

Anthony Marano, RHP, Clover HS

5'11"-185lb frame on the OF/RHP who runs his fastball up to 84 mph sitting 82-84 mph mixing in a slider 71-74 mph with good action to it.  2 pitch guy that showed good athleticsim and attacked hitters.

Kyle Kirkland, RHP, Clover HS

6'0"-165lb frame on the RHP/3B who runs his fastball up to 82 mph sitting 78-81 mph mixing in a breaking at 55-61 mph and his change up at 63-66 mph and showing good action to it down in the zone.

Levi Srock, RHP, Lucy Beckham HS

6'3"-166lb long lean projectable frame on the RHP who runs his fastball up to 82 mph sitting 80-82 mph mixing in a slider 68-71 mph that he could throw from strikes and also mixing in a change up at 74-79 mph with sinking action down in the zone.

Anderson Hayes, LHP, Fountain Inn HS

6'0"-160lb frame on the LHP/OF who runs his fastball up to 80 mph sitting 78-80 mph mixing in a curveball at 68-70 mph and also a change at 72-74 mph.  Did a good job of attacking hitting and mixing pitches.

2027 Class 

Bradyen Brogdon, LHP, Rock Hill HS

5'11"-145lb frame on the LHP/OF who runs his fastball up to 81 mph sitting 76-79 mph from a good L3/4 arm slot and mixing in a slider with good break to it at 68-71 mph.  Also mixed in a change up at 78-79 mph.  Good athletic left hander with good arm speed.