The third week of college baseball was an exciting one. Multiple different tournaments were in full gear around the country and several non-conference rivals squared off in classic contests as well.
Per usual, we’re back with our weekly ‘MLB Draft: Gassed Up’ series, where our staff will analyze a handful of players that popped across the week. You’ll find those names and a quick description of their performances, below.
HITTERS
CADE DOUGHTY, LSU
The Tigers’ offensive attack has been lethal all season and, as they are steadily preparing for SEC play, coach Jay Johnson’s lineup may be the most potent force in all of college baseball. They’re anchored by a steady group of stars entrenched directly into the middle of their batting order, with sophomore slugger Cade Doughty being a key cog to what makes this wheel turn.
Doughty’s slashing .388/.448/.796 on the year and his offensive hot streak continued this weekend as LSU participated in the annual Shriners College Classic. In three games against Oklahoma, Texas, and Baylor, Doughty went 7-for-18 with four doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI in total. His most notable game came in the series opener against Oklahoma, where Doughty finished the game with three hits - two doubles and a key home run in the contest. He’s amongst the hottest right-handed hitters in the nation right now.
DOMINIC KEEGAN, VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt started their season off by dropping two of three games to a tough Oklahoma State squad, but since then head coach Tim Corbin’s squad has not lost a game. They’ve rattled off nine straight wins, including a recent four game sweep of Hawaii, and senior slugger Dominic Keegan has been a major contributor for the Commodores on offense during this stretch.
Keegan had perhaps the hottest stretch of his college career this past weekend against Hawaii, terrorizing the Rainbow Warriors’ pitching staff on a game-to-game basis. He finished the weekend with nine hits in 14 at-bats while not striking out once. He drove in three runs, scored three runs, and homered as well. Nestled right into the middle of their order, Keegan will be looked at as a key run producer for Vanderbilt as they prepare for SEC play.
JORDAN BECK, TENNESSEE
Though he didn’t have the most productive weekend on paper, few prospects enhanced their draft status this weekend like Tennessee outfielder Jordan Beck in the Shriners College Classic. Beck, who hits right in the middle of the Volunteers’ lineup, is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior from Georgia that was selected in the 14th round by the Boston Red Sox out of high school. He uses that size to generate plenty of juice off the barrel, as evidenced by the consistent loud contact he made against quality opponents throughout the weekend. Whether it was a hit or an out, Beck made his presence known against the Texas, Baylor, and Oklahoma pitching staffs this weekend, respectively. He did hit a home run in the series finale against the Sooners, but Beck roped multiple balls that likely would have left the yard had the Volunteers not been playing at an MLB park. Don’t let the box score fool you - Beck was certainly one of college baseball’s names-to-know from week three.
PITCHERS
CONNOR STAINE, CENTRAL FLORIDA
One of the weekend’s most dominant outings, with their opponent’s quality factored in, came from Central Florida sophomore Connor Staine. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound New Jersey native native turned in a strong outing against Siena in his first start this year, punching out eight batters without allowing an earned run in 4.2 innings back in February.
This Saturday, Staine toed the rubber against Ole Miss at home - no small task for the Central Florida ace. Still, Staine stepped up to the table and held his own, striking out 10 batters across a clean seven innings and limiting the Rebels’ offense to just two hits and one walk. His fastball, which has been lauded for its impressive vertical traits early on in the year, sat at 93-95 mph, touching 98 mph. He also ripped off several tight, late-breaking swing-and-miss sliders that tunnel well off an upper-quadrant fastball. On the season, Staine has punched out 20 batters in 15.2 innings, though he has struggled a bit with walks, issuing eight free passes.
JUSTIN CAMPBELL, OKLAHOMA STATE
Even though Oklahoma State took the loss to Gonzaga on Saturday, Justin Campbell turned in a brilliant start for the Cowboys. The 6-foot-7, 219-pound sophomore standout struggled in his first start of the season as Vanderbilt chased him prior to the fifth inning, allowing three earned runs and walking three. His second start was a strong one, punching out nine batters over six innings against Wright State - and he didn’t walk anyone, either.
This weekend’s outing was by far Campbell’s best. Oklahoma State rode their ace for 106 pitches and he made the most of it, striking out 10 batters and only allowing one run in 7.1 innings. He made two mistakes all game - a solo shot and a walk. His fastball played in the 90-94 mph range, touching 95 mph. Campbell will look to build off this performance when Oklahoma State travels to BYU this upcoming weekend.
BRYCE HUBBART, FLORIDA STATE
Early on this year, Florida State southpaw Bryce Hubbart has been one of college baseball’s most dominant arms. He started his season off hot with a five-inning, 13-strikeout gem against James Madison and followed it up by striking out nine across six scoreless in a win over Samford a week later.
Hubbart and the Seminoles hosted California this weekend and, even though he gave up his first runs of the season, the draft eligible left-hander dominated yet again. Hubbart went 7 ⅔ innings, punching out 12 batters and walking just one. He did allow five hits and gave up a home run, but it was still an impressive performance by an arm that’s steadily ascending up draft boards in a weak college pitching class. Hubbart’s deceptiveness on the mound and his analytically friendly fastball help cover up a below-average velocity band. If he keeps pitching like this, Hubbart will make himself some money on draft day.