LATEST PG SHOWCASE REPORT
2005 National Showcase
Preston Claiborne is a 2006 right handed pitcher/third baseman from Carrollton, TX with a good body that shows strength at 6-3, 195 lbs. We've seen Claiborne frequently over the past few years and go back and forth almost every time it seems on whether his future is brighter on the mound or at third base. He probably looked a bit better on the mound at the National. Claiborne has a clean, smooth delivery and uses his strong lower half well to create power to the plate. His fastball topped out at 89 mph with plus arm side running action at times. Claiborne threw two types of breaking balls, a hard 74 mph curveball that had very good depth and bite to it and a slower 66 mph curveball that was more a get me over type of change of pace to get an early strike on a hitter. Claiborne also threw a low 80's change up. As a pitcher, Claiborne looks like the type who could quickly add some velocity if he wasn't playing a position every day and be a workhorse starter type. As a player, Claiborne plays a solid third base with plenty of arm strength and good lateral movement. He hits out of a tall stance and has very strong hands with the bat. He shows raw pull power and very good bat speed, with more power to come in the future. Claiborne has signed to attend Tulane, which is one of the premier programs in the country at developing two-way players. Claiborne could be one of their next top level prospects.