07/14/2024 - Baseball Factory Texas All Star Experience (Ages 14-18)
Blade is a 2026 1B/LHP from Hickman, NE who improved his skills during the BF All-Star Experience. At 1B he starts on the balls of his feet and closes distance on batted balls. Shows good timing in field with a low funnel. Throws from an over-the-top arm slot with an arm velocity up to 82mph. On the mound he has a short arm stroke with some deception to delivery. Works with good tempo and is composed on the mound. He attacks hitters with a FB that topped out at 72mph, a 12/6 breaking ball, and a slider from the same window. In 2 innings of work, he struck out a batter and allowed 1 earned run. He starts with an athletic and square stance with high handset. He hits into a firm front side and rotates the lower half well. Shows ability to control the barrel. In live game action he reached base 5 times with 3 doubles, and 2 singles. Blade is a team player who worked hard all week in Dallas. We look forward to seeing him at another event in the near future.
06/21/2024 - College World Series Experience - Session 2
Blade is a solid framed 6 ft 175 1B/LHP in the 2026 class. During the Omaha experience, scout felt his made great strides and improved. Defensively, he stays low and works under the baseball. Provides a solid target for his defenders and has bag awareness. On the mound, he stays tall and stays in line with his stride. Keeps his eyes to the target from a relaxed knee lift. Worked two innings of work and generated some soft contact. FB sat 68-9 with arm side sink and tail. Breaking pitch shaped 1-7 in the 59-62 range. At the plate, he shows a level path and line drive production in batting practice. He worked hard on his swing and made adjustments. Working to use his lower half more will provide further carry on his ball flight. Overall, when Blade adds more strength, he can really take off as a two-way player
02/19/2024 - National Showcase - Omaha, NE
Blade is a LHP/1B who will graduate in 2026. Shows good prep step and works around baseball. Good actions at first base and has a clean exchange. Creates momentum to his target and made consistent throws to all bases. At the plate he starts in a crouched and open stance. Takes an aggressive swing and has a middle of the field approach. During his round of BP, he hit balls to all fields with a bat exit velocity up to 79mph. On the mound he gets to a good balance point and has some deception to his delivery. He has a controlled landing and lands square to his target. He challenges hitters with a FB that sits 69-72mph with movement, a 1/7 shaped breaking that flashes good depth, and a developing changeup. Blade should improve in all areas of his game with continued growth and development.
10/18/2023 - Arizona Easton Fall Classic
Blade continues to show improvements in his baseball abilities on the diamond at the Arizona Easton Fall Classic. Foot speed has improved as he ran his best 60 time to date. At 1B, he shows active footwork and presents his glove out front to field. Feet are active as he displays proper footwork around the bag and he is a quality receiver. Range will increase as he improves foot quickness. At the plate, he shows a crouched setup. He is smooth getting into his load and comes through the zone well with his lower half. He takes a direct swing to the ball which leads to hard contact. On the mound, arm strength has improved as he threw his top velocity to date at 72 mph. Fastball showed a range of 69-72 mph. Breaking ball displays 2/8 shape with gradual break. Stock on the mound will continue to increase as he builds more arm strength through a long toss program. Mental makeup is a plus as he has a great personality, is very coachable and works hard to be the best player he can be.
07/28/2023 - Baseball Factory National World Series at JRTC (HS)
Blade continues to shine with his baseball abilities on the diamond. At 1B, he shows smooth / fluid actions. Feet are active and displays proper footwork around the bag and he is a quality receiver. Hands are clean is clean but needs to present earlier and more out front. Range will increase as he improves foot quickness. At the plate, he shows a squared setup. Hands are quick and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. Power will increase as he utilizes his lower half more efficiently. On the mound, fastball showed a range of 68-70 mph with arm side run. Breaking ball displays 2/8 shape with gradual break. He maintains arm speed on his changeup with sinking action. Control is solid as he attacks hitters and throws strikes with all his pitches. Stock on the mound will continue to rise as he builds more arm strength through a long toss program. Mental makeup is a plus as he is a great teammate and is very coachable on the field.
07/18/2023 - National Showcase - Sioux Falls, SD
Blade showed at 1B for the first time at the event and continues to show improvements in his baseball abilities. At 1B, defensive abilities are outstanding as he displays clean / smooth actions. Feet are active as he displays proper footwork and is a quality receiver. Glove action is clean and presents out front. Range will increase as he improves foot quickness. Throws are accurate but will benefit by building more arm strength through a long toss program. At the plate, hitting / power potential has improved through a tall setup. Hands are quick and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. Power will increase as he utilizes his lower half more efficiently.
07/09/2023 - Baseball Factory Seattle All Star Experience (Ages 14-18)
Blade continues to shine in his baseball abilities on the diamond. In the OF, feet are active as he takes proper routes / angles in tracking down balls. He needs to work to get behind ball more and 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 a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. Lower half works well through the swing with an aggressive hip turn.
12/27/2022 - Baseball Factory Recruiting Classic
Blade continues to show as a prospect on the diamond with his baseball abilities at the Recruiting Classic. In the OF, defensive abilities are solid as he displays smooth fluid actions. He takes proper routes / angles in tracking down balls. He works to get behind balls plays through with momentum to his target. Range will increase as he improves foot quickness. Throws are accurate with carry (82 mph velocity) to his target. At the plate, he shows an open setup. Hands are quick and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields, through a line drive approach. Lower half works well through the swing with an aggressive hip turn. On the mound, fastball shows a range of 65-67 mph. Breaking ball displays 2/8 shape with gradual break. He maintains are speed on his changeup with slight sink. Stock on the mound will continue to rise as he builds more arm strength through a long toss program. Mental makeup is a plus as he is very coachable and works hard to be the best player he can be.
11/06/2022 - All-In Membership - Omaha, NE
Blade is a young and talented LHP/OF in the 2026 class. In the field, he has active feet and plays with aggressiveness. He squares his body to the baseball and his exchanges are clean. Has loose ¾ arm action and is consistent with his accuracy. Working to throw the top of the baseball will provide more depth on his throws. On the mound, he works with great tempo and gets down the mound. His FB topped at 68 and his CB sat 62-63. His CH sat 65-67 with sinking actions. At the plate, he uses the middle of the field well. He has a short stride and gets his backside through. Overall, Blade shows potential and has the starting points for a very promising career.