When Campbell came to Chapel Hill for a mid-week showdown early in May, a handful of draft-eligible players made their mark. For the Camels, it was an offensive display from their shortstop and a strong relief appearance, while a pair of Carolina infielders made an impact on the defensive end.
3B Mac Horvath, North Carolina
It was an evening to forget at the plate for Horvath, but he was busy in the field– back at third base after a stretch of games in right field.
Horvath has excellent instincts and a quick first step at the hot corner, reading the ball well off the bat. He gets low on every pitch, staying balanced and swallowing up ground balls with soft, steady hands. He has a smooth transfer and gets the ball out quickly-- he nearly started a triple play in the seventh inning. With plus arm strength and what is typically very good accuracy, Horvath has the ability to throw on the run and from all different angles.
He made a mental error in the ninth inning – hesitating charging in on a bunt pop-up and double-clutching before throwing – but made up for it with a snag and a rocket home to prevent a run.
Horvath isn’t the fluid runner that teammate Vance Honeycutt is, but he has fantastic instincts on the bases – – and has been among the ACC’s stolen base leaders all season.
With a potent bat, strong baserunning prowess, and the ability to successfully handle multiple corner positions, Horvath has a chance at hearing his name called on Day 1.
2B Jackson Van De Brake, North Carolina
Van De Brake has arguably been Carolina’s most consistent hitter this season, but it was his glove that stood out against Campbell. He provided a pair of highlight-reel catches, including a full-extension grab ranging back into right field.
Van De Brake offers sound defensive actions with decisive instincts and solid range, although he can be a little stiff going up the middle. He’s shown some leaping ability and tracks the ball well in the air. His arm strength is solid-but-unspectacular, and while he is capable of handling either spot on the left side, second base is his most likely full-time home. Despite being homerless since April 2, Van De Brake is a bat-first prospect who should be drafted on Day 2 come July. The strong showing in the field against Campbell is a bonus.
SS Bryce Arnold, Campbell
Arnold was an exit velo machine against Carolina, with a hard-hit lineout to third base in the first inning before later collecting two extra-base hits– including his then-Big South-leading 15th home run.
Arnold has a smaller frame and average build, with solid strength and athleticism. His compact swing comes with a fairly big load and a small leg kick, and it lends itself to lots of fly balls.
The junior infielder boasts solid plate discipline and contact skills, and his power has shown up this year – specifically to the pull side – after he managed just 11 homers over his first two seasons. He has become a more patient hitter, providing himself with the opportunity to do more damage on pitches in the zone. Arnold took over as Campbell’s shortstop this year, and he’s shown solid range, good hands, and an ability to throw on the run. Still, his size and lack of elite speed may push him back over to second base, where he primarily played in his injury-shortened sophomore season.
RHP Ty Cummings, Campbell
Cummings was dominant against Carolina in relief, allowing just one ball to leave in infield over 2.2 hitless innings. He has a fairly large, projectable frame, with a lean build and very long levers. He boasts electric arm speed out of a near-sidearm slot, repeating his delivery well.
Cummings offers a two-pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball with good run and sink, and a slider that sits in the mid-80s and darts away from righties at its best. His command could use some work – he has a tendency to yank his fastball glove-side trying to land it backdoor to righties, and his slider backs up pretty often – but his control of the strike zone has improved throughout his time at Campbell, and he yields ground balls at nearly a 60 percent clip. Cummings is likely a full-time reliever at the next level given his limited repertoire and fringy command, and should be a Day 2 pick.