As we start to look back on another incredible summer of National Tournaments and selection combines — both National and Underclass — in Houston, it’s time to start combing through data and seeing who popped not just based on the eye test, but the numbers. VP of Data and Player Analysis Jason Churchill spends hours breaking this all down just so I can steal the spotlight, swoop in with some video and words and get my byline on our website.
Alas, it’s a team effort here, so let’s take a look at the nine players who found themselves in the 95 MPH+ exit velocity club from our three-day National Combine, held this year both at San Jacinto College and the University of Houston.
Dami Munoz — 105.8 MPH MAX EV
It may be somewhat of a surprise that it was the Georgia Premier Academy infielder who led the way with a 105.8 miles per hour exit velo down in Houston, as he showed himself to a be strong two-way threat after a solid day one outing on the mound. A 7.3 runner of the 60 yard dash, Munoz graded out better as a pitcher during the event, touching 92 MPH on the bump, but has a strong future whichever path he chooses.
Jeremy Baez — 105.4 MPH
Baez had a busy week, starring with Manny Delcarmen’s BAA Hammerheads program that made a strong run during our tournament before earning an invite to the National Combine afterwards. Although his stay was short, he made a big impact, and scouts see “RHH power potential will always give him ceiling” with “potential to play first base and drive in runs at the college level.” An XL six-foot-four, 250-pound frame limits his profile defensively, but as the numbers show, the bat can take him a long way.
Brody Eisert (pictured) — 100.3 MPH
Eisert, is, as they say, how they’re supposed to look. A six-foot-two, 210-pound first baseman/outfielder/RHP out of Boerne, Texas, the Texas Angels standout has been with us for a while now and stood out both physically and with his performance at nearly every stop. The National Combine was no exception, earning him a trip to the Main Event in Minnesota with Team Navy.
Collin Thomas — 99.5 MPH
The Team Navy captain at the Main Event, there’s little left to be said about Thomas, who recently spoke with FSS Plus in advance to the September trip to Minnesota. The Auburn commit brings a strong work ethic on the field and exceptionally strong character off of it, and seeing him on any FSS leaderboard is hardly shocking.
Nick Davis — 99.0 MPH
Davis had a simply enormous week in July, helping lead Trombly Baseball to a National Championship with a simply incredible showing all tournament long, and then had enough left in the tank to deliver another big few days at the National Combine, making himself a no-brainer invite to the Main Event, where he’ll be on the Columbia Blue squad. Shortly thereafter, he earned a commitment to UC Santa Barbara.
Austin Rogers — 96.9 MPH
Plucked out of our Alabama Combine in May, the Fultonwood HS star put down a 6.87 60 time and proved himself to have plus athleticism at every turn down in Houston, even if it was a mostly quiet event for him. Our scouts saw through that — this should surprise no one — and the six-foot-two, 170-pound outfielder graded out very well throughout the week, earning future grades as high as 60’s and 70’s for defensive range and running, respectively.
Harrison Williams — 96.6 MPH
Williams arguably had the moment of the event at the National Combine, taking one of the more premium arms deep for the lone home run of the week at the University of Houston. An uncommitted — although likely not for long — switch-hitting catcher who can more than handle himself behind the plate who our scouts believe has “MLB Draft upside,” Williams will find himself on the Columbia Blue squad at the upcoming Main Event.
Joseph Rutledge II — 96.2 MPH
“Rut” has become an FSS staple ever since we first saw him at a Charlotte Combine last year. A South Carolina commit, it feels like there’s multiple highlights from every event he’s been to with us — a run that includes the Underclass Elite, Caribbean Classic and multiple others — and like Thomas, it’s no surprise that Rutledge, who we’ve seen as low as a 6.7 in the 60, finds himself on an FSS leaderboard.
Jack Dalton — 95.3 MPH
Dalton will be on Team Navy during the Main Event as an RHP/OF, which seems fitting given his two-way prowess. He pitched well for the Navy squad at San Jac, and had multiple hits throughout the event at the plate, including shipping a fastball over 95 miles per hour at the home of the Ravens.
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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.
