Top high schoolers arrived at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., on Tuesday morning to showcase their skills to MLB scouts.
Players from North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Virginia participated in the collaborative event between MLB/USA Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline and East Coast Pro. They performed drills throughout the day to test their athleticism, vision and fielding skills before playing a scrimmage. In addition to assessing the players' draft potential, the event also served as a tryout for the East Coast Pro Showcase, which is an invite-only series of games later in the summer.
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Various scouts attending the event said several amateur players stood out to them. Here's who they were impressed with:
Dylan Rogers, OF, Dorman High School (Roebuck, S.C.)
The high school senior from Spartanburg, S.C., had a strong outing at the plate. The 6-foot-2 outfielder displayed a natural, powerful swing that scouts noticed as he cracked pitches throughout batting practice. He also came up with an RBI single during the scrimmage. Rogers is committed to the University of Kentucky.
Raymond Torres, C/IF, Lake Norman High School (Mooresville, N.C.)
One of the top prospects in the region, Torres hit well through the day. He took strong cuts during batting practice and hit an opposite-field single off Chris Villaman, the highest-rated pitcher at the event. The senior catcher also has a strong arm behind the plate that adds to his potential. The Charlotte, N.C., native is a verbal commit to LSU.
Cody Benton, RHP/IF, West Columbus High School (Cerro Gordo, N.C.)
Benton was the first pitcher during the afternoon scrimmage, and he struck out all three batters he faced. The senior from Cerro Gordo, N.C, has a fastball that consistently touched 88 and 89 mph. Benton said Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is his favorite pitcher because of his aggressive mentality, and Benton showed his own off too. He's currently committed to East Carolina University.
Austin Pace, RHP/IF, Currituck County High School (Barco, N.C.)
Scouts in attendance said they like Pace's potential. The right-hander from Barco, N.C., is 6-foot-11 and 215 pounds with a clean delivery. Pace pitched well during the scrimmage, despite walking one batter. He will need to add some weight and improve his velocity, but the North Carolina State commit got some scouts' attention.
Jack Bulger, C/RHP, DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Md.)
Bulger was one of a handful of rising juniors at the PDP Premier, but he still managed to stand out. He hit a home run to left field during batting practice, one of the few players to do so, before singling during the scrimmage. Scouts love his hitting ability and big, athletic frame. Bulger is from Bowie, Md., but he already has committed to Vanderbilt University.
Davidjohn Herz, LHP/1B, Terry Sanford High School (Fayetteville, N.C.)
One scout in particular had high interest in Herz. The rising senior from Fayetteville, N.C., pitched well during the scrimmage with a fastball in the upper 80s. With an athletic frame, the scout said some added strength could help Herz have some impressive energy in his delivery. He is a verbal commit to the University of North Carolina.
The next PDP Premier events are Wednesday in Lowell, Mass., and Tampa, Fla.