James Okelley 3B/RHP

12/14/2019 - Florida Regional Offensive Skills and Pitching/Catching Combined Weekend (Ages 14-18) James is a hard working 2023 prospect that made several adjustments and was eager to learn throughout the weekend. At the plate, James starts in a tall stance, he loads his hands back into the drive position, and has smooth action in his swing. He showed significant improvement in rotating his back leg but he still has a long way to go. Attacking the inside part of the ball and keeping his head down longer will help improve his ability to keep his front side closed. On the bump, James separates on time, he has a clean arm action, and has a proper stride length. He needs to continue to find a balance point, ride his back leg toward the plate, and work down hill in his delivery. His 2 seam fastball tails and he has slight movement on his four seamer. He creates downward movement on his changeup, long tossing with his changeup will help him get more feel for the pitch. James will continue to improve with experience and we hope to see his progress in the future.

08/05/2019 - Baseball Factory Pro Select Training at Pirate City (Ages 12-14) James is a coachable IF prospect who worked hard on his skills during the Pro Select Training at Pirate City. In the field, James takes a good first step and shows efficient footwork. He gets into an athletic position and fields the ball out in front of his body. He makes a clean exchange and keeps his throws accurate to his target. James can improve defensively by long tossing to build up his arm strength. At the plate, this LHH sets up in an open stance and takes a square stride. He is controlled getting his hands activated and remains centered in his lower half. He rotates his core well and makes solid contact. Driving his lower half more can help James improve as a hitter. With four more years to develop, James has the time and potential to further progress his skills on the field.

05/12/2019 - Interactive Video Program - Tampa, FL James worked out at 3B and 2B during his last workout with The Factory. He showed improvements with the glove and raised velocity to 60 MPH. Defensively, James has playable hands and feet and he works from the ground up. He tries hard to create a good fielding angle, he flashes a solid backhand, and he throws with accuracy and direction to his target after a clean exchange. At the plate, James has a tall stance, good balance, and he keeps a still head. He gets good rotation through the ball and works it gap to gap. Continuing to work on the following can help skills improve.

Infield
1. Follow throws
2. Pre-pitch actions
3. Play lower
Offense
1. Swing path
2. Bat speed
3. Level swing

				

11/15/2018 - Baseball Factory Select Training & Competition at Pirate City (Ages 12-14) James continues to show improvements in his baseball abilities. Foot speed has improved as he ran his best 60 time to date. In the OF, defensive abilities have improved as he displays smooth actions. Feet are aggressive as he takes proper routes / angles in tracking down balls. He reads balls well off the bat and works to get behind balls but needs to play through with momentum to his target. Range will increase as he continues to improve foot quickness. Throws are accurate but needs to build more arm strength through a long toss program. At the plate, he shows a squared setup. Hands are quick and work through an aggressive swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. Power will continue to improve as he utilizes his lower half more efficiently. Mental makeup is a plus as he is very coachable and plays the game hard.

11/04/2018 - Interactive Video Program - Tampa, FL James worked out in the OF and at 3B during his last workout with The Factory. In the OF, James has active feet, he works behind the ball well, and he makes plays consistently. He keeps it in front of his body, his exchange is clean, and throws with accuracy to his target. At 3B, James has playable hands and feet, good range, and his arm is accurate across the diamond. Offensively, James has a square set-up, he loads well, and stands in with good balance. He makes contact, hits hard to the pull side, and uses some lower body. James can continue to get better with work on the following.

Outfield
1. Follow throws
2. Hands
3. Release
Infield
1. Pre-pitch
2. Fielding position
3. Footwork
Offense
1. Lower body
2. Rhythm
3. Barrel accuracy

				

11/12/2017 - Interactive Video Program - Davie, FL James is an OF who will graduate in 2023. Defensively in the OF, he hustles hard with good reads as he tracks down fly balls. He tries to work behind the fly ball and makes accurate throws to his target. With the stick, this LHH shows a square setup and tracks pitches well into the zone. He takes aggressive hacks through the zone and sprays pitches to all parts of the field. Overall abilities in his game will improve with work on the following.

Defense
1. Quick footwork
2. Develop soft hands
3. Clean exchange to throw
Offense
1. Develop a load
2. Lower 1/2 drive
3. Level out swing path