Data Dive: Preseason All-State West Pitchers
February 20, 2026
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Preseason All-State West: Invite-Only Talent Showcases in Maiden
On Sunday, February 8, 2026, Prep Baseball hosted the Preseason All-State West at Athlete’s Lab Performance Center in Maiden, NC. The invite-only event featured 50 of the top players in North Carolina, bringing together high-level talent from across the state for a complete evaluation ahead of the spring season.
The workout began with athletic testing, where players ran a laser-timed 30-yard dash and recorded jump and grip strength metrics. The testing component provided an early look at explosiveness, acceleration, and overall strength — key indicators as players continue to develop physically.
Inside Athlete’s Lab Performance Center, the spacious indoor facility allowed position players to move freely during defensive evaluations while also giving hitters the opportunity to see full ball flight during batting practice. The setup created a true pro-style environment, blending athletic testing, defensive actions, and offensive performance into one comprehensive workout.
With 50 premier players in attendance, the event has already generated significant buzz within the scouting community. As player information, statistics, and analytics are released in the coming weeks, that attention is expected to grow even more.
This blog series will break down statistical leaders and standout performances from the Preseason All-State West, highlighting top metrics across multiple categories and providing context behind the numbers.
To view the full roster and complete statistical breakdown from the event, click here:
https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/event/NC/preseason-all-state--west--invite-only
DATA DIVE -Pitchers
+ FASTBALL
MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
| 1 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 90.6 mph |
| 2 | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 90.4 mph |
| 3 | Lawson Copeland | NC | Myers Park | 2027 | RHP | 88.7 mph |
| 4 | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | 88.6 mph |
| 5 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 88.6 mph |
| 6 | John Ingle | NC | Cox Mill | 2026 | LHP | 88.1 mph |
| 7 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | 87.8 mph |
| 8 | Parker Simo | NC | Junius H Rose | 2027 | LHP | 86.7 mph |
| 9 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | 86.6 mph |
| 10 | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | 83.6 mph |
| 11 | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | 83.5 mph |
| 12 | Noah Brown | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2028 | LHP | 83.0 mph |
| 13 | Chase Yambor | NC | Draughn HS | 2027 | RHP | 81.9 mph |
| 14 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | 81.5 mph |
| 15 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | 81.3 mph |
Max Fastball Velocity: This metric calculates the speed of the pitch as it’s released from the pitcher’s hand.
HIGHEST AVG. SPIN RATE
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) | Spin Efficiency % (avg) |
| 1 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 2370 rpm | 77 % |
| 2 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | 2290 rpm | 71 % |
| 3 | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | 2245 rpm | 80 % |
| 4 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | 2229 rpm | 52 % |
| 5 | Noah Brown | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2028 | LHP | 2222 rpm | 80 % |
| 6 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 2208 rpm | 87 % |
| 7 | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 2183 rpm | 87 % |
| 8 | Parker Simo | NC | Junius H Rose | 2027 | LHP | 2147 rpm | 91 % |
| 9 | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | 2131 rpm | 95 % |
| 10 | Lawson Copeland | NC | Myers Park | 2027 | RHP | 2078 rpm | 93 % |
Spin Rate: This metric calculates the rate of spin on the baseball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Historical data shows that high-spin fastballs lessen the impact of gravity, allowing for more “rise” (or less fall) as the pitch carries through the zone. Low-spin fastballs typically indicate greater horizontal action, often making them tougher to square up but generally easier to make contact with, leading to more ground balls. High-spin fastballs show a correlation with swings and misses.
HIGHEST AVG. IVB
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | 19.2 in | 82.0-83.5 mph |
| 2 | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 18.4 in | 86.0-90.4 mph |
| 3 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | 18.2 in | 85.6-86.4 mph |
| 4 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | 17.8 in | 79.7-81.4 mph |
| 5 | Parker Simo | NC | Junius H Rose | 2027 | LHP | 17.2 in | 83.9-86.4 mph |
| 6 | Noah Brown | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2028 | LHP | 15.9 in | 81.1-83.0 mph |
| 7 | Chase Yambor | NC | Draughn HS | 2027 | RHP | 15.6 in | 80.2-81.7 mph |
| 8 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 15.3 in | 87.3-88.6 mph |
| 9 | Lawson Copeland | NC | Myers Park | 2027 | RHP | 15.3 in | 85.9-88.7 mph |
| 10 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 15.2 in | 88.5-90.3 mph |
Induced Vertical Break (IVB): Used in short form as “IVB,” this metric is most important on fastballs for creating rise and on curveballs for creating depth. It can also be useful when measuring sliders and cutters. Sliders tend to be closer to zero inches, while cutters are generally between 5 and 15 inches. Fastballs and curveballs with large IVB usually have higher spin efficiency. Sliders generally have very little (closer to zero) IVB and low spin efficiency. It’s important to consider pitch velocity and release height when evaluating IVB measurements.
HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT (AVG.)
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Liam Biggerstaff | NC | South Caldwell High | 2029 | SS | 16.7 | 76.0-77.1 mph |
| 2 | Luke Milling | SC | Mid-Carolina | 2027 | LHP | -16.2 | 79.2-80.4 mph |
| 3 | Parker Simo | NC | Junius H Rose | 2027 | LHP | -16.0 | 83.9-86.4 mph |
| 4 | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | -15.7 | 82.0-83.5 mph |
| 5 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 15.6 | 87.3-88.6 mph |
| 6 | Lawson Copeland | NC | Myers Park | 2027 | RHP | 15.5 | 85.9-88.7 mph |
| 7 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 15.3 | 88.5-90.3 mph |
| 8 | John Ingle | NC | Cox Mill | 2026 | LHP | -14.9 | 86.2-87.6 mph |
| 9 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | -14.5 | 79.7-81.4 mph |
| 10 | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | 12.6 | 87.0-88.6 mph |
Horizontal Break: Horizontal movement is measured in inches between where the pitch actually crosses the front of home plate side-to-side and where it would have crossed if it traveled in a perfectly straight line from release. A positive number means the break was to the right from the pitcher’s perspective, while a negative number means the break was to the left.
HIGHEST STRIKE ZONE RATE%
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % | Velo Range |
| 1 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | 100 % | 79.7-81.4 mph |
| 2 | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 71 % | 86.0-90.4 mph |
| 3 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | 66 % | 85.6-86.4 mph |
| 4 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 60 % | 87.3-88.6 mph |
| 5 | John Ingle | NC | Cox Mill | 2026 | LHP | 57 % | 86.2-87.6 mph |
| 6 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | 50 % | 80.2-81.2 mph |
| ^ | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | 50 % | 82.0-83.5 mph |
| ^ | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | 50 % | 85.8-87.1 mph |
| ^ | Noah Brown | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2028 | LHP | 50 % | 81.1-83.0 mph |
| 7 | Luke Milling | SC | Mid-Carolina | 2027 | LHP | 40 % | 79.2-80.4 mph |
| 8 | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | 33 % | 78.5-83.5 mph |
| 9 | Lawson Copeland | NC | Myers Park | 2027 | RHP | 28 % | 85.9-88.7 mph |
| 10 | Liam Biggerstaff | NC | South Caldwell High | 2029 | SS | 16 % | 76.0-77.1 mph |
| ^ | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | 16 % | 87.0-88.6 mph |
| ^ | Bradlee Trull | NC | Forest Hills | 2027 | 3B | 16 % | 76.3-78.7 mph |
For context, in 2023 MLB pitchers averaged an In-Zone% of around 49 percent in live game settings measured across all pitch types, according to Statcast.
CURVEBALL
HIGHEST AVG. SPIN RATE
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | 3070 rpm | 68.1-69.1 mph |
| 2 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 2790 rpm | - |
| 3 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | 2488 rpm | 67.8-70.9 mph |
| 4 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 2161 rpm | 71.1-73.2 mph |
| 5 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | 2100 rpm | 73.7-75.4 mph |
| 6 | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | 1990 rpm | 70.8-73.0 mph |
| 7 | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | 1915 rpm | 71.6-73.6 mph |
| 8 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | 1657 rpm | 68.1-69.4 mph |
HIGHEST AVG. IVB
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | -10.1 in | 68.1-69.1 mph |
| 2 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | -9.2 in | - |
| 3 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | -5.6 in | 73.7-75.4 mph |
| 4 | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | -4.3 in | 70.8-73.0 mph |
| 5 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | -4.2 in | 71.1-73.2 mph |
| 6 | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | 3.2 in | 71.6-73.6 mph |
| 7 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | -0.6 in | 67.8-70.9 mph |
| 8 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | -0.3 in | 68.1-69.4 mph |
HIGHEST AVG. HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | -21.6 | 68.1-69.1 mph |
| 2 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | -18.3 | - |
| 3 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | -13.1 | 67.8-70.9 mph |
| 4 | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | -9.6 | 70.8-73.0 mph |
| 5 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | -4.1 | 73.7-75.4 mph |
| 6 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | -4.0 | 71.1-73.2 mph |
| 7 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | 3.0 | 68.1-69.4 mph |
| 8 | Cayden McFalls | NC | Lincoln Charter School | 2028 | LHP | 0.8 | 71.6-73.6 mph |
SLIDER
HIGHEST AVG. SPIN RATE
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 2647 | 79.3-80.8 mph |
| 2 | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | 2562 | - |
| 3 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | 2477 | 75.0-76.9 mph |
| 4 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | 2460 | 68.0-69.6 mph |
| 5 | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 2450 | 81.6-83.5 mph |
| 6 | Parker Simo | NC | Junius H Rose | 2027 | LHP | 2384 | 75.3-76.3 mph |
| 7 | Noah Brown | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2028 | LHP | 2184 | 72.2-74.6 mph |
| 8 | Chase Yambor | NC | Draughn HS | 2027 | RHP | 2156 | 70.2-71.7 mph |
| 9 | Bradlee Trull | NC | Forest Hills | 2027 | 3B | 2144 | 66.3-67.2 mph |
| 10 | Liam Biggerstaff | NC | South Caldwell High | 2029 | SS | 2131 | 67.5-68.9 mph |
HIGHEST AVG. IVB
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Bradlee Trull | NC | Forest Hills | 2027 | 3B | -6.2 in | 66.3-67.2 mph |
| 2 | Parker Simo | NC | Junius H Rose | 2027 | LHP | 5.3 in | 75.3-76.3 mph |
| 3 | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | -5.0 in | - |
| 4 | Lawson Copeland | NC | Myers Park | 2027 | RHP | 4.4 in | 75.8-78.4 mph |
| 5 | Chase Yambor | NC | Draughn HS | 2027 | RHP | -3.2 in | 70.2-71.7 mph |
| 6 | Liam Biggerstaff | NC | South Caldwell High | 2029 | SS | -3.2 in | 67.5-68.9 mph |
| 7 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 1.9 in | 79.3-80.8 mph |
| 8 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | -1.7 in | 75.0-76.9 mph |
| 9 | Noah Brown | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2028 | LHP | 1.4 in | 72.2-74.6 mph |
| 10 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | -1.2 in | 68.0-69.6 mph |
HIGHEST AVG. HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Liam Biggerstaff | NC | South Caldwell High | 2029 | SS | -14.0 | 67.5-68.9 mph |
| 2 | Bradlee Trull | NC | Forest Hills | 2027 | 3B | -13.2 | 66.3-67.2 mph |
| 3 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | -12.8 | 68.0-69.6 mph |
| 4 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | -12.8 | 75.0-76.9 mph |
| 5 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | -12.6 | 79.3-80.8 mph |
| 6 | Parker Simo | NC | Junius H Rose | 2027 | LHP | 11.0 | 75.3-76.3 mph |
| 7 | Luke Milling | SC | Mid-Carolina | 2027 | LHP | 10.1 | 63.4-64.5 mph |
| 8 | Chase Yambor | NC | Draughn HS | 2027 | RHP | -6.5 | 70.2-71.7 mph |
| 9 | Noah Brown | NC | Lincoln Charter | 2028 | LHP | 6.1 | 72.2-74.6 mph |
| 10 | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | -4.6 | - |
CHANGEUP
HIGHEST AVG. HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | HM (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | John Ingle | NC | Cox Mill | 2026 | LHP | -21.2 | 78.4-78.8 mph |
| 2 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 19.8 | 79.4-79.7 mph |
| 3 | Liam Biggerstaff | NC | South Caldwell High | 2029 | SS | 18.4 | 62.2-64.3 mph |
| 4 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 17.0 | 76.2-78.6 mph |
| 5 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | 15.9 | 79.8-80.3 mph |
| 6 | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | 15.7 | 75.9-76.2 mph |
| 7 | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 15.2 | 80.9-83.0 mph |
| 8 | Caiden Rudisill | NC | South Point | 2026 | RHP | 14.8 | 77.1-78.6 mph |
| 9 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | -14.5 | 71.7-72.4 mph |
| 10 | Chase Yambor | NC | Draughn HS | 2027 | RHP | 13.8 | 73.8-76.0 mph |
HIGHEST AVG. IVB
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | IVB (avg) | Velo Range |
| 1 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | 16.6 in | - |
| 2 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | 14.9 in | 71.7-72.4 mph |
| 3 | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 14.5 in | 79.4-79.7 mph |
| 4 | Zack Wester | NC | Pisgah High | 2027 | RHP | 13.1 in | 70.8-75.2 mph |
| 5 | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | 11.7 in | 75.9-76.2 mph |
| 6 | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 11.3 in | 76.2-78.6 mph |
| 7 | Chase Yambor | NC | Draughn HS | 2027 | RHP | 11.0 in | 73.8-76.0 mph |
| 8 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | 9.8 in | 79.8-80.3 mph |
| 9 | Luke Milling | SC | Mid-Carolina | 2027 | LHP | 8.4 in | 64.7-67.3 mph |
| 10 | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 8.3 in | 80.9-83.0 mph |
HIGHEST STRIKE ZONE RATE%
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Zone % |
| 1 | Elijah Martin | NC | Green Hope | 2027 | 3B | 100 % |
| 2 | Luke Milling | SC | Mid-Carolina | 2027 | LHP | 80 % |
| 3 | Sam Rice | NC | Reagan | 2027 | LHP | 75 % |
| 4 | Liam Biggerstaff | NC | South Caldwell High | 2029 | SS | 66 % |
| ^ | Luke Williams | NC | South Caldwell High | 2026 | SS | 66 % |
| 5 | Kobe Windsor | NC | Newton-Conover High | 2027 | RHP | 50 % |
| ^ | Parker Williams | NC | North Lincoln | 2028 | RHP | 50 % |
| ^ | Colt Briggs | NC | Saint Stephens High | 2027 | RHP | 50 % |
| ^ | Lawson Copeland | NC | Myers Park | 2027 | RHP | 50 % |
| ^ | Joshua Beam | NC | East Lincoln | 2027 | RHP | 50 % |
+ Click here to view the event statistics in its entirety.