Even with our youngest group, it’s never too early to start looking at data for indicators on progression paths.
As such, let’s start our first installment of Data Darlings pieces from our Signature September both from our Underclass Weekend at Mississippi State as well as our Main Event at Target Field, the latter of which you’ll see info from a bit down the road.
LONGEST DISTANCE — Matteo Harrison-Van Boort, 308 feet
The Canadian-born Harrison Van-Boort comes to us from the Mississauga Tigers HPP program up north, and he was making his second consecutive appearance in the Fresh 50 after last year’s invite to Hartford. A five-foot-nine, 190-pound catcher, he delivered the furthest hit ball of the three-day event, barreling up a ball to his pull side gap as seen below that ends up going all the way to the wall.
Six other players crossed the 275-foot threshold in game play — this notably does not include BP data — including Jake McFarlane, Nolan Landry, Rylan Pokluda, Nigel Peskun, Jerrian Petry and event MVP Matteo Boccinfuso.
HIGHEST AVERAGE EXIT VELOCITY — Rylan Pokluda, 87.9 MPH
A 2030 grad out of Texas, it was Pokluda who produced the highest average exit velo of the event on three batted balls, albeit with little to show for it in the box score. Pokluda, who also pitched at the event, has attended the last two Underclass Combines in Houston, earning his way to a signature event this year at Dudy Noble Field.
Four others crossed the 75-MPH average threshold; Jackson Batstra, Petry, Harrison Van-Boort and Brodie Cortez.
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Since 2003, he has six World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast and motorsports fan, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
- Data Darlings: 2026 Fresh 50, Hitters - September 29, 2026
- 2026 Main Event Award Winners: C.J. Wall, Co-Best Hitter - September 28, 2026
- 2026 Underclass Elite Award Winners: David Bankston, Best Hitter - September 25, 2026
