Austin Overn, Ben Williamson, Jay Driver, and more
Live Looks: Kentucky @ Tennessee 05/12
Live Looks #6: May and SEC Tournament Play Notes
As the spring turned to summer, top prospects stopped by to wrap up their regular and/or postseasons. From Chase Dollander to Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews to Kyle Teel, and some million dollar arms in Hoover, I went on the road to fill out the rest of my notebook and put a stamp on my 2023 coverage. Enjoy!
Double-A Live Look: Roughriders @ Travelers
ACC Tournament Live Looks: Pool A
The ACC Tournament has come and gone, and while we are in the midst of the always fun regional play in the NCAA Tournament, it’s time for Tyler and Harris to share their thoughts on an eventful week in Durham.
The rain did hamper the final two days of the tournament for us, so all of these blurbs will be from games during pool play. We’ll start with Pool A, which featured Wake Forest, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh. Wake Forest will dominate this piece, mainly because they’re the most talented team in the ACC, but Notre Dame and Pittsburgh will get some recognition, especially in the honorable mentions. Pools B, C, and D will follow in the coming days.
RHP Rhett Lowder, wake forest (No. 12 on Top 400, 164 DIGS+)
Line: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (105 Pitches)
The two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year continues to prove again and again why he’s a first-rounder in this cycle.
The start got off to a bit of a rough beginning, as Lowder allowed three doubles in the first two innings of his outing. He hung a change-up to Sky Duff in the first, which was followed by Noah Martinez jumping on an inside fastball. The third double would come off a middle-middle fastball to Justin Acal, but after that, Lowder would not allow another baserunner past second base. He did open the fourth with two walks and hit a batter in the sixth, but outside of those mistakes, Lowder mowed down the Pitt lineup.
He’s very much still the same arm that he’s been all year, even with a ton of innings on the arm. He topped out at 96 MPH in the first inning and would hold 92-95 MPH throughout the whole outing, still touching 94 MPH in the seventh. He had two fastball variants, a four-seam and a two-seam, though he primarily used the two-seam to generate groundballs. The slider is much improved from 2022, now sitting comfortably in the mid-80s with impressive spin and consistent two-plane break, becoming his primary strikeout pitch. The change-up still has the patented abrupt fade in the mid-to-upper 80s, comfortably pitching inside to righties with it. At this point, it’s not otherworldly to say that he has two plus off-speed pitches. In all likelihood, Lowder has cemented himself as the second-best collegiate arm in this class, only behind LSU’s Paul Skenes. He’ll be a hot commodity in the back half of the top ten.
1b nick kurtz, wake forest (No. 9 on 2024 Top 100, 173 bags+)
Line: 3-7, 2 HR, 3 BB, 0 K
We’ve talked about Kurtz in the past and how potent of a bat he is, and guess what, that’s not changed one bit in 2023.
The mountain of a human being that he is, Kurtz possesses some of the best juice in the entire country. He showed that off with two absolute rockets against Notre Dame, one a 117 MPH line drive to his pull-side and another that hit the berm in right-center field later on in the game. It comes very easy for Kurtz, with excellent bat speed from the left side, as well as an ability to hit for average, too. Not to forget, Kurtz has a very good approach at the plate and racks up walks aplenty. He’s relatively patient but knows when to attack. It’s pretty darn fun to watch and we still have another year to go.
While he is limited to first base, that doesn’t mean his defense is something to be ignored. It’s pretty similar to Evan White back in 2017, who was highly regarded for his defense. Kurtz has the athleticism to move well at the position and almost everyone that I’ve spoken to has said it’s some of the best first base defense they’ve ever seen. Fairly high praise, if you ask me. He backs that talk up in-game, saving errant pickoff throws and snagging everything thrown his way. He’s got a .997 fielding percentage for a reason.
What you’re looking at here is likely the best first base prospect since Andrew Vaughn, and honestly, he might be better than what Vaughn was. Of course, time will be the ultimate test as the bat must perform at that position, but given Kurtz’s entire profile, you’d be hard-pressed to bet against him excelling in the minor leagues.
3b brock Wilken, wake forest (No. 26 on top 400, 176 bags+)
Line: 4-7, 2 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
Wilken reached base 10 times through three ACC Tournament games – including two homers to add to his ACC-leading mark – but more notably, he avoided striking out throughout the week.
The six-foot-four right-hander stands with his shoulders slightly slouched and his legs straight to start, bending his knees as he gets into his load and finishing with a fairly simple uppercut swing. Wilken has spent so much of the season being overly passive, putting himself in unfavorable situations. While there isn’t a quick fix, it was encouraging to see him jump on first and second pitches on Thursday against Pitt– both of which went for extra bases. If he can jump on good pitches early while still maintaining his extremely low chase rate, he’ll be really dangerous at any level given his staggering exit velocities and ability to leave the yard at any moment.
Defensively, Wilken will never be an asset at the hot corner. The effort is typically there and he has decent hands and a strong arm, but his range is subpar and could warrant a move across the diamond. He is far from a plus runner, but he does run hard and displays the ability to take the occasional extra base. In a class that is fairly deep with college bats, Wilken stands out in the second tier and should wind up being a first rounder.
of tommy hawke, wake forest (No. 243 on top 400, 149 bags+)
Line: 4-9, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K
Hawke might be on the smaller side of the spectrum for a ballplayer, but he makes up for it with his play on the diamond.
He’s a sparkplug in that Wake Forest lineup, manning the top of the order with patience and solid contact rates. It’s more of a slasher mentality at the dish, spraying the ball to all fields. There’s a bit of power in his profile, but it’s nothing more than below average at best, and that’s okay. He’s never going to be a power hitter and that’s something people can live with. He can be a threat on the basepaths with quality speed, which also allows him to have solid range in center field with some impressive defense, as well. In all likelihood, Hawke can man center field until a better defender up the ranks forces him off the position, where he’d likely profile best in left field.
He’s a polarizing prospect and one that should hear his name called relatively early next month. He fits perfectly in the middle part of Day 2 at this point, and maybe there’s a chance he can go in the top five rounds when all is said and done. He is also a draft-eligible sophomore, so that’s something to consider in his profile, but nonetheless, Hawke is a gamer and has the quality tools to succeed.
of pierce bennett, wake forest (no. 361 on top 400, 127 bags+)
Line: 4-9, 1 BB, 0 K
Often the forgotten man in Wake Forest’s potent lineup, Bennett was a reliable contributor to the Demon Deacons’ pool play success– as he has been all season. The six-foot-one right-hander has a slightly open stance, employing a significant leg kick and a pretty big stride toward the pitcher. His swing is compact and geared for a gap-to-gap approach.
Bennett makes a ton of contact – he’s especially adept against offspeed – and though he sometimes gets out ahead of breaking balls, he does a good job of staying balanced and fouling them off. He doesn’t do as much damage as expected, with middling exit velocities and average over-the-fence power. Additionally, he rarely ever walks and adds little value on the bases.
Bennett moved to the outfield after spending most of his redshirt sophomore season at second base but has not stood out as a great defender in right. He is not the most fluid runner, and his routes are subpar. Plus, his fringy arm strength means second base and left field are his best options. His upside is limited due to his age, quiet toolset, and profile as a utility guy, but Bennett’s bat may be enticing enough for a late Day 2 draft selection.
RHP Seth Keener, wake forest (no. 104 on top 400, 139 digs+)
Line: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (85 Pitches)
Flip-flopping between the rotation and the bullpen this season, Keener made a name for himself as part of Wake Forest’s dominant pitching staff. He drew the start against Notre Dame in the final game of pool play after spending most of the season in the bullpen.
At six-foot-two, Keener has just an average build and unexceptional athleticism, but he explodes off the mound with a powerful delivery, making hitters’ lives difficult with good extension out of a low-three quarters arm slot. Keener has an appealing three-pitch mix, headlined by two offspeeds. His best offering is a low-80s slider with plenty of spin and good two-plane movement that generates a ton of chases. He also flashes a plus changeup, which sits in the upper-80s and disappears away from lefties. His fastball comes with solid mid-90s velocity, but it’s fairly flat and isn’t much of an out pitch. With solid command of all three offerings and significantly improved control of the zone, Keener is an intriguing draft day option for some teams willing to give him a chance as a starter.
1B noah Martinez, pitt (130 bags+)
Line: 2-7, 1 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
There’s admittedly not a ton of draft talent on Pittsburgh’s roster, but if there’s anyone to keep an eye on as a senior sign or an undrafted free agent, it’s Martinez.
A Central Connecticut State transfer, he’s a big bopper that profiles best as a first base at the next level, if he’s given the chance. He doesn’t chase a ton, though there’s a clear issue with off-speed pitches in his profile. With that said, he loves the fastball and will do damage when it’s left in the zone. Most of his power will play to his pull side, though there’s some love to the opposite field gap, too. At first base, he only made one error all year and had a .998 fielding percentage, so there’s enough there defensively. While he’s well on the older side, as he turns 24 in August, he can help a team save money if they’re aggressive early in the draft, profiling as a senior sign on Day 3.
Honorable Mentions: Zack Prajzner, Notre Dame; Justin Johnson, Wake Forest; Bennett Lee, Wake Forest; Dylan Simmons, Pitt; Sky Duff, Pitt
Live Looks: Inland Empire 66ers @ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5/30
Deep Drives: Charlotte Bats and MTSU Arms
Deep Drives is back after a well-deserved break!
We’re playing a little bit of catch-up after a quick turnaround to the ACC Tournament, but I managed to take a quick trip down to Charlotte to get a look at some mid-major draft talent. Charlotte has an intriguing pair of bats, as well as a Friday night arm that is a lock to be a Day 2 selection in July, while Middle Tennessee State has a duo on the mound that could both go in the top five rounds. We’ll keep this one shorter than most, mainly because we’ve got plenty of ACC Tournament content on the way!
RHP Wyatt Hudepohl, Charlotte
Line: 7 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K (100 Pitches)
A former Kentucky bullpen piece, Hudepohl sought an extended role in the transfer portal, landing in a place that’s been known for pitching development the past few years under coach Robert Woodard. Well, I’d say it’s been a beneficial relationship for both sides thus far, as Hudepohl has cemented himself as one of the best mid-major arms in this class.
What stood out pretty quickly was the level of pitchability that Hudepohl possesses. He came out of the gate very strong with two perfect innings, pitching backwards off his curveball and change-up constantly. However, once the rain began to fall harder, his command began to slip away in the third inning and he wound up giving up a home run on a hanging curve. After that? He wouldn’t allow another hit until the seventh inning. The fastball does have some carrying life, though the velocity isn’t quite there, routinely sitting in the 90-93 MPH range throughout the start. While there isn’t much separation velocity-wise to the change-up, there’s deception in Hudepohl’s delivery that makes it tough for hitters to pick up. It’s pretty firm in the high-80s, but he’s able to keep the pitch down in the zone. The curveball is his best pitch, throwing it hard in the low-to-mid 80s with serious intent and downward bite, racking up plenty of empty swings throughout Middle Tennessee’s order.
If I had to be a guessing man, Hudepohl’s future is likely in relief, which would allow his stuff to excel, though there are enough starting traits here to trot him out in a rotation at the next level. He’s able to hold his velocity rather well, though the frame suggests that there is not much projection remaining as he’s already quite bulky. That said, there are not too many warts in his delivery, as there’s not a ton of effort on the bump with an over-the-top slot. He’ll find himself a home somewhere on Day 2 and whichever team takes him will get a solid mold of clay to work with.
OF Cam Fisher, Charlotte
Line: 3-7, 1 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think there’s a hotter bat in the country than Cam Fisher, a former Ole Miss product that’s become a mainstay in Charlotte’s outfield.
The first thing that stands out to you when seeing Fisher is his physicality. He’s listed at 6’2”, 210 pounds, and has plenty of muscle in that frame. His stance is rather upright, similar to what Brock Wilken employs, which does make me wonder how well he’ll handle better off-speed pitches at the next level. But if there’s one thing you can’t underestimate in his profile, it’s his plus power. There’s a ton of bat speed and he generates a ton of power from the ground thanks to his bulky lower half, and he showed just that in the nightcap on Thursday. He got a fastball middle-middle and proceeded to unleash violence on the baseball, hammering it over the scoreboard in RCF and hitting the farthest ball that ballpark has seen. It would land 478 feet away and left the bat at 112 MPH, and it also gave Charlotte the lead for good. It’s a sweet swing, see it for yourself:
He’s turned in a solid defensive year in the outfield, as well. He’s not the greatest runner and his route-running could use some work, but he projects to be in left field, maybe right field if there are stark improvements. This is a profile that can ultimately crack the top 100 when all is said and done, though. It’s an offensive threat with serious power, as well as a seriously good eye, though the aforementioned contact issues are prevalent. He’s a big reason why Charlotte won the conference tournament and as a result, he’ll get to play the Tennessee Volunteers in Clemson, a team that Fisher grew up with in Knoxville.
OF Jake Cunningham, Charlotte
Line: 1-6, 3 BB, 4 K
A three-year star at Charlotte, Cunningham excelled in a breakout 2022 campaign. While his 2023 numbers aren’t as great as they were last year, there’s a ton to like about his profile.
For starters, he’s one of the youngest college prospects in this class, as he won’t turn 21 until a week before the draft. He’s a tall, lanky athlete with room to add muscle to his frame at 6’4”, 205 pounds, though he moves rather well for a guy his size. At the plate, he did struggle in the two games I managed to see, only tallying one hit before hitting a home run in the final game of the series. He’s got a solid eye, but it felt as if he was being passive at times, allowing Middle Tennessee pitchers to attack deeper into counts. He also does have some trouble with breaking balls, though I do think a team can work out that kink. While his speed hasn’t shown on the basepaths like last year, he’s still an excellent runner, consistently having plus or better run times out of the box. His speed will allow him to stay in center field long term, where he’s got solid range and defense already. The power potential is intriguing, given the projectability of his frame and the already present juice, which plays mostly to his pull side, but he has shown an ability to go the other way with his power.
If anything, Cunningham feels like a guy who can go in the top 150 picks in July. The mix of projection, offensive potential, and center field defense will give teams solid clay to work with as he continues to develop. If a team believes they can shore up the discipline and improve contact, he may move through the minors relatively quickly.
RHP Eriq swan, Middle Tennessee State
Line: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 4 K (83 Pitches)
It’s pretty tough to come across an effortless delivery, but when you’re able to throw triple digits without breaking a sweat, scouts take notice. Eriq Swan is that prospect.
I overheard a scout during his start say, “That’s a 7 body with a 7 fastball.” I could not have said it better myself. Swan is built like a string bean, showcasing classic projection and easy motions on the bump. If there’s any sort of complaint to be made about his delivery, it’s mainly because he doesn’t utilize his lower half much, but even then, it’s loud stuff coming out of his hand. The fastball got up to 101 MPH, consistently sitting in the 97-100 MPH range throughout his start with plenty of life, though command and strike-throwing are a concern. His slider is his best secondary, showcasing sharp bite and sweep in the 82-85 MPH range that he can backfoot to lefties when he’s on. There’s a change-up in the low-90s that’s relatively firm, but he sells it well with solid arm speed. He did lose feel of the pitch at times, however. He’d end up walking six total batters, including three in a lengthy first inning. It feels like his arm plays catch up with his shoulder during his arm swing, which creates his inconsistent command.
If there’s a team who believes that they can fix the inconsistencies in his delivery and command, Swan projects as a fast-moving reliever with the capability to close in some capacity down the line. It’s a mix of loud stuff and projectability that scouts love, and I do believe Swan fits somewhere in the top five rounds in July. It’s a work in progress, but the right organizational fit will do wonders for him.
RHP Jaden Hamm, Middle Tennessee State
Line: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (86 Pitches)
Yes, that final line is not great. That’ll be the first thing that catches your eye in this segment. However, despite the lackluster start, Hamm is a very solid pitcher from a draft standpoint and there are some intriguing qualities to build on for scouts.
The delivery is unique and unorthodox, as he holds a big hip hinge down the mound and has solid arm speed from an over-the-top slot with some deception. He started off rather well, working around a single in the first with a couple of strikeouts, though as the outing went on, his command and stuff began to back up and Charlotte took advantage as a result. The fastball got up to 95 MPH early, routinely sitting 91-94 MPH with carrying life at the top of the zone and some cut. His signature pitch is his curveball, a potential hammer of a breaking ball in the high-70s/low-80s featuring a ton of depth. It’s similar to what Justin Campbell had with Oklahoma State in terms of a FB/CB combination with close to 35 inches of vertical separation, which is rather insane. He rounded out his arsenal with a decent change-up, though he did not have the greatest feel for the pitch during his outing.
Much like Swan, there’s stuff to iron out here, but I’d imagine someone like the Dodgers or Rays would love to have him in their development program. He’ll stick as a starter presently, though should the change-up not progress moving forward, I can see a pretty explosive FB/CB pairing playing very well in the bullpen. He should be someone who gives in either rounds four or five.
Live Looks: Tacoma Rainiers at Albuquerque Isotopes, 5/20 Doubleheader
Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate stopped in the land of enchantment to squeeze in some baseball, when rain permitted. The plus side of that is I got to catch a doubleheader after May 19th’s game was postponed. While most of the Mariners’ top prospect talent is in Double-A Arkansas, a pair of tooled up outfielders head the Rainiers’ lineup in Cade Marlowe & Zach DeLoach.
On the Isotopes side, they’ve got a couple bats worthy of attention in Nolan Jones & Aaron Schunk and a bullpen featuring several high-octane arms, of which Riley Pint and Tommy Doyle were on display.
Cade Marlowe, CF/RF | 1-7, 2 K
Game 1 was one of those that passed Marlowe by at the dish. Dinelson Lamet and Phillips Valdez attacked the zone, got ahead early, and then didn’t leave the door open for Marlowe to attack in all three of his PAs. He sandwiched a weak groundout with two strikeouts—both swinging with one on a Lamet slider in and the other a Valdez sinker that ran away from Marlowe. Overall, Marlow logged three whiffs on 11 pitches seen.
Cade Marlowe lines out (96.3 mph EV)
Defensively, Marlowe made a pretty routine but rangy play on a 1st inning flyball to retire Yonathan Daza but was unable to make a tougher play on a would-be Nolan Jones triple in the 4th. The speed and range is quality, and Marlowe will undoubtedly be able to man center field at the next level but the expectation should be that he’s a fringe-average center field and potentially above-average to plus corner outfielder.
Game 2 saw a more involved Marlowe. He put four balls in play with three of them registering over 94 MPH off the bat. Ironically, his one hit came in much softer than that. Marlowe also only whiffed once in game 2, however he showed a reluctance to secondary pitches after struggling to read them and get quality swings off in game 1.
Speaking of Marlowe’s lone hit on the day, it came on an infield single where he bursted for a roughly 4.15 time up the line, an easily plus time. Physically, Marlowe’s size is impressive. His frame isn’t overly large but it is about maximized, meaning he’ll likely hold his speed into his late-20s. The complete picture is an intriguing blend of power, speed, and subsequent defensive upside. There should be legitimate skepticism on how much he’ll hit, though because, he doesn’t seem very comfortable handling breaking balls.
Zach DeLoach, RF/CF | 3-7, 2B, 3 k
DeLoach turned in a productive pair of games, getting on base in both, including a double in game 2, though the three strikeouts are a blemish on the record. The key highlight of the doubleheader for DeLoach was an excellent ranging catch in center field in game 2 on a fading line drive that looked like a hit off the bat.
With the stick, DeLoach impacted the ball multiple times with two of his hits coming off the bat at over 96 MPH and a lineout at 100 MPH. Ironically, like Marlowe’s lone hit, DeLoach’s double was hit pretty softly. The consistency in creating hard contact is promising. DeLoach also shows he can use his lower half well, getting deep into his legs and efficiently transferring weight throughout his swing. Not only should this help keep his swing operation in sync, but it allows him to generate quality contact and leverage.
Zach DeLoach pulls a double off former Orioles & Nationals starter Josh Rogers
DeLoach was a bit swing happy, trying at 15 of the 30 pitches he saw, and there is a fair amount of movement in his upper body load that may create some whiff issues. DeLoach was completely out of his timing when he saw breaking balls and managed for all four of his whiffs to come against sliders, despite only seeing six of them. This almost sounds like a rehash of the Marlowe report; DeLoach brings surefire power and speed with decent center field ability, but the handling of breaking balls may hamper him significantly as he looks to make the jump to the big leagues.
Nolan Jones, 1B | 1-2, 3B, BB
Jones only played the first game but made a clear impact. In his first PA, Jones drew a 5-pitch walk, flashing the plate discipline that has always boosted Jones’s prospect stock. Jones maintained a particularly tight zone all game, taking all but two of the 13 pitches he saw, lacing a triple in the 4th and lining out at 96.1 the inning before. On his triple, Jones ended up at 3rd in right about 12 seconds, including a slow start out of the box where he may have thought he was flying out and a put-on-the-brakes trot into third when it was clear he was standing up. His strides are long, and he’s a quality athlete. As of now, it’s comfortable average speed, and I’d be inclined to say it’s above-average.
For a player with long levers, the 6’4” Jones has a very controlled and simple swing. He has a very subtle knee bend in his stance with his hands chin height which allows them to remain quiet with a direct path to drive through his swing. There will always be some swing and miss because of Jones’ size, the might with which he swings, and the fact that his bat-to-ball skills are not exactly a strength of his game, but most of his strikeouts come from working counts deep. He figures to run a roughly average strikeout rate in the big leagues to match the prodigious power.
Jones looks extremely comfortable at the plate, perhaps as comfortable and confident as ever. He has dominated the Pacific Coast League, leading the league in OPS, and frankly, I’m not sure why I was able to see him over the weekend as he should be starting everyday in the Rockies lineup. Jones has primarily played right field and third base, with plenty of innings at first base and some in left field.
Aaron Schunk, 3B | 2-6, 2 2B, K
Schunk has re-emerged after a somewhat difficult return to Minor League Baseball following 2020’s absence. While the Pacific Coast League is a helper of hitters, Schunk has always possessed legitimate power and enough pure hitting ability to flash it.
Schunk was hyper-aggressive in both games, not taking any chances by waiting at the dish. He was rewarded with two doubles in game 1 at 106.5 and 108.1 MPH off the bat, respectively. The approach and lack of plus bat-to-ball skills may lead to extended slumps, but if Schunk continues to consistently mix in extra-base hits, he’ll get by as a lightning rod utility player.
At third, Schunk’s internal clock and arm strength are great assets, especially his arm which used to have him close out games in the SEC. Schunk’s nimble feet will also allow him to be a force defensively, whether at third base or second base, where he has logged extended time in recent years.
With Brendan Rodgers sidelined this year, Schunk’s resurgence gives him a chance at cracking the Rockies’ MLB roster and pick up some playing time at second base.
Riley Pint, RP | 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 14 pitches (5 strikes)
As long as Pint plays, he’s worth giving attention to. The former 4th overall pick has tremendous arm talent and typically brings the best stuff in any game he enters.
Unfortunately, Pint’s body doesn’t seem linked up throughout his delivery. His plant foot lands pretty wide, opening up his hips just as his arm swing begins, leaving his arm to do an awful lot of the work, disfavoring any sort of precision.
Riley Pint pitches to Zach DeLoach who slaps a single
It’s still easy mid-90s velocity, touching up to 98 MPH with an upper-80s slider but, when his offerings are mostly in non-competitive places, their effectiveness is diminished. Pint got to crack the big league roster for a quick MLB debut, but the current mechanical flaws cast serious doubt on a future MLB role.
Tommy Doyle, RP | 1.0 IP, 12 pitches (7 strikes)
Back in 2020, Doyle made his MLB debut for the Rockies. Since then, he’s pitched just 20 innings, including his work Saturday. Not a lot of detail is required here other than noting Doyle is back on the map. He appears fully healthy and back to mixing his mid-90s fastball and high-80s slider. The arm action is extremely deceptive and the location of his pitches was effective.
Watch out for Doyle to catch back on with the big league club, at some point.
LIVE LOOKS: CAMPBELL AT NORTH CAROLINA, 5/2
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.
Live Looks: MA Pitching Roundup
With the regular season of regular season baseball wrapping up in the area, I was able to see Harvard’s big two arms at the front of their rotation as well as a promising young arm that helped earn Northeastern earn their 40th win of the season. Also featured are two big-name prep arms from the CNEPSBL semifinals.
Live Looks 5: Fresh Faces in Some New Places
Socal Stars No. 5: Boras Classic South-Hitters
*This article was written by Grant Carver and Cameron Emamian
Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B Huntington Beach, 2023
This name should be no surprise to anyone who has followed along with the 2023 MLB draft. Ralphy Velazquez is widely considered the top prep guy in California for the 2023 class, especially in a year where it has been a bit underwhelming for guys with high expectations. He delivered repeatedly during the week, including a light tower shot to right field. He also blasted a double off the wall dead center field in the Championship game against Notre Dame, along with lots of other hits he collected during the week. The power is legit, and it shows in games, especially to center and his pull side but he has the ability to go the other way as well. He knows the strike zone very well and doesn’t try to do more than he knows he can, which makes him very difficult to pitch to. Defensively as a catcher, he has good hands for receiving and a strong and accurate throwing arm, which is what you need to see from a catcher, but the mobility and athletic lateral movements are lacking a bit, as the body is very mature already and it might push him to first base long term. Either way, this is a bat that has teams and scouts dreaming on, and he can anchor an offense, don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the top 25 picks.
Trent Caraway, SS/3B JSerra, 2023
There have, for the most part, been two 2023 guys performing this season, Ralphy, and Caraway. Caraway would be really big for a SS, it seems highly likely he ends up as 3B but he projects solidly as a corner guy. He moves surprisingly well for his frame but it seems likely he’ll add even more weight as he matures which is where the corner position really comes in. I’m not sure too many teams will worry about him as a 3B over SS when he hits the way he does. He has the ability to hammer baseballs but there are still some concerns here. He was exposed a few times to better fastballs for having a longer swing, which can sometimes come from big power bats. There is also a good amount of swing and miss but when he connects, it is hard contact and he has delivered more than almost any other bat so far.
Casey Borba, 1B/3B Orange Lutheran, 2023
It’s hard not to be intrigued by a guy with the hit tool that Casey Borba has and he displayed that in the game I saw this week where he doubled and went deep for a home run. Borba has a really interesting swing that features a big leg kick and lots of bat movement. Within that swing is impressive bat control, and his approach impressed too. He was recognizing pitches and digging into counts extremely well, which pairs nicely with his ability to get the barrel to the zone and hammer the ball. He played third base in this one and was not tested very much on the dirt, but he is very much a corner profile. That kind of profile can get overlooked at this level for valid reasons, but Borba is very advanced at the plate and the production is hard to deny.
Ben Reiland, OF Orange Lutheran, 2024
The only non-2023 to crack this list and for good reason. Sitting in the middle of a lineup that features Casey Borba and 2024 top talent Derek Curiel, Reiland still finds ways to stick out. While he’s a fairly wiry and undersized frame, he might have one of the better hit tools in the 2024 class. He features great bat control and quick hands that hit hard-line drives all around the diamond. He’s currently a corner outfielder and he doesn’t exactly profile there, he’s played some middle infield as well, where he could make sense as a 2nd baseman but more likely than not he’ll end up on campus in the Fall of 2024 at Oklahoma State, and he’ll be a great watch in his college career.
Eric Bitonti, SS Aquinas, 2023
Bitonti just stands out of the crowd right away due to his combination of age and size alone. He is a legit 6’5 and is filled out on top of that, and the power was there because of it. In one of his plate appearances, Bitonti crushed a grand slam and showed off his plus raw power. It is hard contact when he connects thanks to his excellent bat speed, the question has been about the bat-to-ball skills. Still, in the game I saw him he was making contact with the ball, and that included the grand slam. In the dirt, Bitonti played a solid shortstop but he is probably a third baseman in the future. His lateral movement was a little slower than the ideal shortstop, which is not surprising given his size, and he did have a couple of mistakes with the leather. However, his hands were sound and his arm strength was impressive, making me believe in his ability to play the hot corner. Bitonti’s combination size, power, and bat speed were on full display during this one and all of those tools make him a real name to watch going forward.
Grant Gray, OF/SS Norco, 2023
Grant Gray has had a bunch of helium as a potential day one guy in this year's draft recently and it was pretty easy to see why. The tools he had were something scouts dream of. Gray is a plus-plus runner with a bunch of athleticism and is fluid in everything he does. He was moving super well at short and should be able to stay there as he gets more experience. The glove was a little raw and his arm accuracy was a problem, but the ball jumps out of his hand due to the arm strength he has. He has all the tools to be an above-average shortstop in the future. At the plate, the production was not really there in this one. He flashed his speed with an infield single, but that was about it. Still, the bat speed was there and the hit tool should improve with some swing refinements. His approach was average and needs time to improve as well. Gray is an extremely raw player for sure, but he is the type of two-sport athlete with all the tools and time he needs to really put it all together.
LIVE LOOKS: BOSTON COLLEGE AT NORTH CAROLINA, 4/21
Boston College came to Chapel Hill and edged out the Tar Heels in an extra-innings slugfest. This series featured a handful of intriguing draft prospects — including Boston College’s Travis Honeyman — all of whom were on display in Friday’s opener.
OF Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina (No. 1 on 2024 Top 100, 166 BaGS+)
Honeycutt left six runners on base Friday night against Boston College, but he had several hard-hit outs, and his only hit was a big one– he sent a Henry Leake fastball onto the roof in left field to give the Heels an early lead. It was his first homer since April 2, and his slugging percentage is down nearly 200 points from last season, but he is reaching base at a higher clip– he’s been walked more than any other player in the ACC.
Honeycutt has the size, athleticism, and five-tool skillset to become a superstar. There is some pre-swing movement, but he quiets everything down as his hands fly through the zone with excellent bat speed and barrel control. He is incredibly patient at the plate, and although he has swung through his share of fastballs this season, he has good pitch recognition and makes more than enough contact. His swing is geared for extra bases, and he has the strength and raw power to rack up homers to all fields.
Honeycutt hasn’t run as much this season, but he still possesses double-plus speed that makes him an asset on the bases and in center field. He’s an excellent defender who seemingly cannot find an inch of Bryson Park he can’t cover. Though far from a sure thing, Honeycutt remains firmly in the 1.1 conversation for next summer.
OF Mac Horvath, North Carolina (No. 24 on Top 400, 185 BaGS+)
Horvath is quietly on another tear for the Tar Heels, with 12 hits in a seven-game span through Friday’s contest against Boston College.
He has a maxed-out medium frame, with a strong build and an efficient, compact swing that lend themselves to quality contact to all parts of the field. With a simple approach – he employs a small leg kick and keeps his hands very quiet – he is able to recognize pitches and draw plenty of walks.
Horvath has turned his raw power into plenty of homers and extra-base hits, and he has managed a conference-high seventeen stolen bases despite just solid-average speed as a result of excellent instincts. Originally a third baseman, he has shown some promise in right field, with good range and a strong arm. However, his throwing accuracy from the outfield needs work– he sailed a ball way up the first base line following a single in the third inning.
Regardless of where a team envisions him playing defensively, Horvath is likely a third-rounder, with a chance to sneak into the back end of Day 1.
2B Jackson Van De Brake, North Carolina (No. 253 on Top 400, 159 BaGS+)
Van De Brake came through time and again for the Heels in Friday’s loss to Boston College, driving in runs on three separate occasions. He only has one homer since March 10, but his fifth three-hit game of the season helped keep his OPS well above 1.000.
The JUCO transfer has a medium frame with a lean build, wiry strength, and fluid athleticism. He maintains a balanced approach throughout his swing, with quick hands and excellent barrel control.
Van De Brake is a high-contact gap hitter who uses the entire field, but there is definitely the potential for above-average over-the-fence power. He doesn’t run much, but he does possess good speed that allows him to take extra bases and cover ground in the infield. He’s sure-handed with solid-average arm strength and should be able to handle multiple positions.
With a very strong first season in Division 1, Van De Brake has put himself firmly in the Day 2 category as a likely utility infielder.
OF Travis Honeyman, Boston College (No. 24 on Top 400, 140 BaGS+)
Honeyman showcased a bit of everything in the series opener against Carolina, making an impact on both sides of the ball– he reached base four times for just the second time this season.
Honeyman has a fairly large frame and a lean build, with plenty of room for added strength. He isn’t the most physical player, but he has tremendous athleticism. He starts off crouched in an open stance with a wide base, utilizing a big leg kick before exploding toward the pitcher with quick hands and a smooth, uppercut swing.
The six-foot-two junior may not have a carrying tool, but he doesn’t have any major holes in his game, either. He’s production-over-tools, with impressive numbers both at BC and in each of his two summer league seasons. A fairly aggressive hitter, he doesn’t walk a ton but also limits strikeouts really well with quality pitch recognition and above-average contact skills. The power is more raw than in-game at the moment, but that should change as he bulks up in pro ball.
With above-average speed and excellent instincts, he is a consistent threat on the basepaths, and while he may not be an elite defender, he is capable of covering lots of ground – he made a full-extension diving catch in foul territory on a fly ball off the bat of Mac Horvath. He has played all three outfield positions since arriving at Boston College, but is likely a corner outfielder at the next level– he was in right on Friday but wasn’t presented with an opportunity to show off his arm strength.
Honeyman has done more than enough over the last two years to solidify himself as a Day 1 selection, and there’s a real chance he hears his name called in the first round.
1B Joe Vetrano, Boston College (No. 134 on Top 400, 143 BaGS+)
Vetrano’s only time on base on Friday against the Tar Heels was an intentional walk in the 10th inning. Despite the fact that he went 0-for-5 on the night, that one moment illustrated how dangerous he can be with the bat at any given moment.
Vetrano is a physical player with a maxed-out, extra-large frame and a strong build. He starts in a wide stance, stepping towards the pitcher before unloading his aggressive, uppercut swing that is geared for power and leads to plenty of swing-and-miss. The former two-way player is a very streaky hitter whose home runs come in bunches, and while he has improved upon his plate discipline since last season, he still chases out of the zone far too often. When he makes contact, it’s loud– he has effortless power to all parts of the park.
Vetrano is a decent athlete for his size, and he moves well around the first base bag, with good enough hands to stave off becoming a full-time DH. There is enough to like to make Vetrano a late Day 2 pick, but he doesn’t make enough contact to maximize his offensive upside.
Live Looks: A Weekend in Boston
Live Looks: Single-A Clearwater Threshers @ Tampa Tarpons
Deep Drives: South Carolina Road Trip
1B/LHP Jac Caglianone, FloridA
Hitting: 3-11, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 BB, 5 K
Pitching: 3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 4 K
Jac Caglianone has taken over the college baseball landscape this season, becoming an amateur Shohei Ohtani clone. The two-way prowess has been rather impressive to watch, though there are some things I wanted to hone in on with him over the weekend. Could these be hot takes? I don’t know, but here’s my honest opinion on Caglianone: he’s electric, but there’s work to be done.
As a bat, you’re looking at some of the biggest raw power in the country. The bat and hand speed that Caglianone possesses is otherworldly and presently, he leads the country in home runs with twenty-three. His latest home run wasn’t a cheap one, murdering an 81 MPH breaking ball on the outer halfway over the right field fence, coming very close to leaving the stadium. Leaving the bat at 108 MPH, it would ultimately land 412 feet away. He’d add on a single and a double, and while it’s legitimate double plus power, I do have some reservations about the hit tool. He can get rather aggressive at the plate and shows trouble with off-speed. Will Sanders welcomed Caglianone to Columbia with three sliders, all of which Caglianone whiffed on. He’s in no rush to walk either, as he only has nine on the year. Defensively, he’s limited to first base and while he could see some time in the outfield to test his versatility, there’s gonna be pressure on the bat to perform.
On the mound, it can get rather rough to watch. He labored through a lengthy first inning, allowing a home run to Braylen Wimmer and walking two more batters before the inning ended. He’d ultimately walk six batters in the span of three innings. It’s a reliever-ish look for him, as he can struggle to repeat his mechanics and his fastball command is rather pedestrian at best. He did hold consistent 93-96 MPH velocity, as well as a solid low-mid 80's slider with tight spin and a quality change-up with great separation and diving action, but the strike-throwing, or lack thereof, is slightly concerning.
He’s going to be a polarizing prospect in next year's cycle, not because of the two-way ability, but because of the rawness he has and whether or not he can find the polish that Vance Honeycutt and others have. If he manages to do that and performs admirably in the SEC in 2024, you’re likely looking at the 1.1 pick. If not, you might be looking at someone who’s defensively limited and aggressive at the plate, as well as a potential reliever down the line. Would you take that over a legitimate center fielder with a revamped approach in Honeycutt? That’s the real question and we can dive into that further later on. For now, though, we can sit back and enjoy the season he’s having and hope the polish comes around.
RHP Hurston Waldrep, Florida
Final Line: 6 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
Hurston Waldrep’s stuff is rather loud. The former Southern Mississippi arm has always had a robust arsenal, though the results just have not been there this year. Maybe I’m overthinking it because it’s the SEC, but he’s really struggled to open ballgames and last Friday was no different.
Over the first two innings, Waldrep would primarily lead off at-bats with the fastball. The result? Five earned runs, including a three-run home run to Ethan Petry on a hanging 88 MPH splitter in the second inning. After that? Waldrep would retire the next ten batters straight before a leadoff walk in the sixth inning, primarily pitching backwards with his off-speed arsenal. The fastball features cutting action with some ride in the mid-90’s, touching 97 MPH early, though the command was scattered at times and it felt very hittable. The curveball was utilized often to steal strikes early in counts, sitting in the low-80’s consistently with big downer shape and he’d primarily pitch off his high-80’s slider that featured sweep and high spin. His splitter, which is one of the best pitches in this year’s class, lacked some feel and he didn’t utilize it much, though when snapped off properly, it featured very low spin and dropped off a cliff.
The main question with Waldrep is whether or not scouts see him as a starter long-term. He’s highly athletic with an over-the-top arm slot, but the delivery has a good amount of effort and the command, particularly with the fastball, draws some concern. He’ll need to utilize a more consistent fastball shape, too, as the pitch is subject to being lit up when down in the zone and he showed some struggles elevating the pitch early in his outing. He’s still a projected first-round pick, though he’s going to be a bit of a project for a big-league team.
RHP Brandon Sproat, Florida
Final Line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Brandon Sproat is a bit of an interesting case to dive into. He was selected in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, but opted not to sign and returned to campus to be Florida’s new Friday starter. He’s shown glimpses of brilliance on the mound this year, including a complete game shutout against Alabama last month, though while he has seen an uptick in velocity across the board with his stuff, I wonder if he’ll ultimately end up in the bullpen.
His start on Thursday was a mixed bag of sorts. He primarily lived off a lively fastball/change-up combo, sprinkling in a slider at the start before resorting to a curveball in the third and fourth innings. The fastball touched 100 MPH on the first pitch and he primarily lived in the 94-98 MPH range throughout the night, but the pitch’s shape and inconsistent command hamper it. It’s more of a running two-seamer than a riding four-seamer and won’t miss a ton of bats, plus the lack of strikes with the pitch is concerning. His best off-speed is the aforementioned change-up, which features great separation and he’s confident enough to throw it in any count. It lives in the 88-91 MPH range and dives hard to the dirt, garnering plenty of empty swings. The slider is more of a gyro pitch, showcasing decent depth with a little horizontal movement in the high-80’s, though at times, he did hang the pitch, which led to a home run in the first inning by Ethan Petry (he’s really good at this baseball thing, by the way). The curveball was primarily used to steal strikes to open at-bats later on in the low-80’s with solid depth and some sweep.
There’s athleticism in the delivery, which features a very long arm swing into a three-quarters arm slot, though there’s some effort in the operation. That, mixed with inconsistent command, does hint at a potential relief role down the line. However, he’s likely going to start off as a starter in the minor leagues until he’s forced into a bullpen role. It’ll be interesting to see if he manages to go higher than his 2022 selection and sneak his way into Day 1 conversations.
OF Wyatt Langford, Florida
Final Line: 2-11, 2 BB, 3 K
Langford has long been one of my favorite players in this class. While his CNT trials didn’t result in a ton of hits, he impressed me enough in that week to solidify himself in my personal top five, so it was paramount to see him again this spring. While it wasn’t the weekend he wanted, he still showed off why he has legitimate five-tool potential.
His BP was rather fun to sit down and watch, spraying line drives across the field. There’s legitimate bat speed in his swing and his power plays to all fields, even though he hasn’t replicated his 2022 power performance. He’s showing off more patience at the plate, as well. On the year, he’s garnered 37 walks and just 21 strikeouts, though there is an issue of being too selective and letting opposing arms get to their weapons deeper into counts. He’s a physical freak, as well. It’s a muscular build at 6’1, 220 pounds, but don’t let the size fool you, this is a player that can absolutely fly. He’s recorded plus run times in the past and books it down the line on ground balls, and if it weren’t for a fringe-average arm in the outfield, he’d likely be manning center field over Michael Robertson thanks to his speed. The arm will need to improve at the next level.
He did miss a little over two weeks from a pretty brutal lower-half injury, though he returned much earlier than expected and is still performing at a phenomenal clip. This is a profile that will find itself inside the top five, there’s very little doubt about that. Logistics will figure itself out as we get closer to draft day, but the upside is immense and he could be on a fast track to the majors if all goes well.
LHP Matthew Becker, South Carolina
Final Line: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
We’ve written about Will Sanders and Jack Mahoney plenty this month, so why not talk about South Carolina’s new Sunday starter, Matthew Becker. The southpaw is destined to be one of the top lefties in next year’s class.
Becker made a loud impression as a freshman, throwing six innings of one-hit ball against the top team in the country, the Texas Longhorns, striking out eleven in the process. While Sunday was not a replication of that Texas start, Becker only allowed two hits across five innings of work, striking out six and walking just one. The lone blemishes in his outing were two opposite field jacks to Cade Kurland, both of which coming off fastballs. Becker throws two different heaters, a sinker in the lower half of the zone and a four-seam with significant carry up in the zone. He’s added a bit more velocity, sitting more in the 90-92 MPH range with the four-seam and 89-91 MPH with the sinker. He has two excellent breaking balls with distinct shapes, a high-70’s curveball and a low-80’s slider, both of which have high spin numbers and big break. He began utilizing a low-80’s change-up with fade later on in the outing, primarily against righties.
Command was the biggest issue with Becker as a freshman and he’s improved a bit as a sophomore, but his fastball command can be fringy at times. He’ll need to add more velocity and improve the command a bit more to solidify himself as a potential Day 1 arm in next year’s draft, but the mold is definitely there and he’s in a great place to work on it with pitching coach Justin Parker. He and Eli Jerzembeck have the potential to be a very nasty 1-2 punch in the SEC in 2024.
RHP Teddy Sharkey, Coastal Carolina
Final Line: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K
The combination of loud stuff and personality is something that doesn’t show up all that often in college baseball. Enter Teddy Sharkey, Coastal Carolina’s psycho closer.
Sharkey has a stockier build on the mound with some physicality present, coming in at 5’11, 200 pounds. It’s a high effort delivery with a higher arm slot, but man, the stuff is loud. The fastball has plenty of carry and got up to 97 MPH, sitting 93-96 MPH later on in his outing with command that began to waver a bit. He has two distinct breaking balls that are both potential plus pitches. The slider sits in the 85-88 MPH range with sharp two-plane break that, when commanded away from righties, can be lethal. The curveball has the potential to be a legitimate hammer, a low-80’s offering with significant depth and some sweep. He looked the part of a high-leverage reliever in his first inning, snaking his way out of a bases-loaded jam with two strikeouts. However, after getting two quick outs in his second inning, it became clear that he was tired and he had a meltdown with two outs, though his defense did not help him much. All five runs he allowed were unearned as a result.
While Coastal Carolina has stretched him out in recent outings, Sharkey is suited more for shorter outings and he projects as a potential high-leverage reliever at the next level. There are some things that will need to be shored up in the minor leagues, mainly his command, but this is an arm that could fly to the majors if everything comes together. He’s expected to be one of the first true relievers off the board in July.
OF Matthew Etzel, Southern Mississippi
Final Line: 3-5, 1 HR, 2 R
Etzel was a highly touted JUCO bat coming into the year and while Southern Mississippi has had its fair share of trouble, Etzel has been a big bright spot out of the leadoff spot.
Everything works easily for Etzel at the plate. He has solid plate discipline and it’s more of a line-drive approach at the plate. He does have decent power, but did not get his first home run of the season until his first at-bat on Sunday. The swing is more suited for spraying line drives across the field, but he has a knack for putting plenty of backspin on balls in play. He does have a bit of trouble with fastballs up in the zone, though that wasn’t very apparent in this series. He’d tally seven hits total in the three-game set, including back-to-back three-hit performances. He’s likely a lock to stay in at the eight moving forward, too. He glides on the basepaths and in center field, though his route running can waver from time to time. The arm may put him in a left field position should he move to a corner position, but ultimately, his speed should be the difference maker there.
He’s a bit of a weird one to rank on our board, but there’s a chance that Etzel could play his way into the top 100 picks. He’ll need to add more power to his profile, but he’s a potential center fielder with great speed and a knack for hitting. He’d fit anywhere at the beginning of Day 2 in July.
Honorable Mentions: INF Cade Kurland, Florida; OF Ethan Petry, South Carolina; INF Cole Messina, South Carolina; RHP Will Sanders, South Carolina; LHP Cade Fisher, Florida
Live Looks: Rice @ Middle TN State
Socal Stars No. 4: Boras Classic South - Pitchers
*This article was written by Grant Carver and Cameron Emamian
Ethan Schiefelbein, LHP Orange Lutheran, 2024
The way Schiefelbein was throwing the ball when I saw him was extremely entertaining. He was aggressive while attacking the zone with his quick arm action and had twelve strikeouts thanks to his overpowering fastball and curveball combination. The fastball usually sits in the upper 80s-lower 90s and it was looking really firm in this one. The curveball was a sharp breaker that featured some impressive command, which was probably the most impressive part of the pitch. The command on those two pitches was plus in this one. He mixed in a changeup for a velocity shakeup, but it fell a little flat and needs some more refining. Schiefelbein has some projection on him too as he gets older and is listed as 6’1 right now. His two-pitch mix and the command with them specifically were super impressive, and he could be a big name for UCLA if he gets there after next year.
Matthew Champion, RHP JSerra, 2024
Almost as if his name was earned, he’s an absolute competitor on the mound. Champion moves extremely well on and off the mound as he’s very athletic and can field his position. He’s a slender frame but will likely continue to grow, but he flashed three pitches to like. The fastball has a chance to be average, he commands it well and it sets up his other pitches well, but he’ll need to add more velocity and consistency to it for it to play. He also throws a curveball that shows good depth and deception, getting good amounts of chase and swing and miss, and it is definitely his best pitch. His last pitch is a changeup, which he shows feel for and it has flashes of an above-average pitch, although he struggles with its consistency in the zone, it has good arm side fade and plays off the fastball well. At times he can rush his mechanics and lose command and he carries his emotions with him on the mound but he’s a very intriguing arm going into the 2024 draft.
Justin Lee, RHP Notre Dame, 2023
His name has been all over the draft talks, especially given the lack of California prep arms that could be drafted this year. It’s been a tumultuous spring in terms of stuff for Lee, with his velocity being all over the place but there is one thing that remains true, its pitchability and command. During his outing at the Boras, he was unable to find the breaking ball in the first and he was able to avoid trouble thanks to fastball command, where he sat 88-90 MPH, touching 91 MPH. As the start went on he flashed a slider that had a lot of depth, and was borderline looked like a curve at times but it was highly effective as he pounded fastballs at the knees. He threw the splitter less than he usually does but it still wasn’t hit by anyone, an increased usage of that pitch could be really effective for him.
Zach Strickland, RHP Maranatha, 2025
This one is interesting because Prospects Live first got a brief glimpse of the righty at Area Code Select West in a one inning sample size, but he had a whole different outing on display at the Boras. He went seven innings in a game that went into extras, and despite not having his best stuff he fought for over 105 pitches to battle, showing a three pitch mix of fastball, curveball, and a changeup. His fastball was 88-90 MPH and by the end of the game was more 85-88 MPH but for a sophomore in high school to maintain velocity that well alone was impressive. The command can be spotty at times but at his best, he’s keeping hitters off balance and works north and south frequently with the fastball and curve. The changeup needs work but an arm to keep an eye on for the future for sure.
JJ Hollis, RHP JSerra, 2023
A 6’4 righty committed to UCSB, this is a college arm who could really break out and dominate. The velocity doesn’t jump off the page for someone his size, but he threw an incredible complete-game shutout and didn’t appear to break a sweat at any point throughout. It was mostly a two-pitch mix for much of the outing, throwing from a low three-quarters arm slot, it was a sinker that ran hard into righties and took their knuckles right off their hands, and a breaking ball, which genuinely could have been a curve or a slider thanks to his arm slot being so unique, but either way it didn’t matter, he threw it with solid velocity out of the same slot and it tunneled well. He split the plate in half and ate hitters alive with it, he mostly showed a ground ball mix but he did get enough swings and misses to be intriguing. He threw a handful of changeups that showed some potential and also played off the fastball thanks to the arm slot. Command carries his profile but will be an interesting guy to watch in the future.
*The video says ‘25 Josh Hollis but it is actually JJ Hollis ‘23
Collin Clarke, RHP Santa Margarita Catholic, 2023
Clarke was a really sound and effective right-hander on the mound in the start I caught. He overcame some early control issues and went the distance, racking up eight strikeouts while doing it. He is listed at 6’2 with some room to add weight, which should give the velocity a few ticks of improvement as he gets older. The mechanics were on point and consistent, and once he got in a groove after a couple of innings he kept going. His fastball does have good run on it with some late life. His best secondary pitch is probably his slider, which almost looked like a sharp cutter during this one. He threw in a changeup that was fringe as well. The stuff overall needs improvement and did not look super flashy to me, but the results were there and the process on the mound was impressive for Clarke.
LIVE LOOKS: MIAMI AT NORTH CAROLINA, 4/14
Miami is one of the more talented teams in the ACC this season, with a handful of players who could be drafted within the first 10 rounds in July. With Alejandro Rosario on the bump, four of those players were on display Friday night against North Carolina.
RHP Alejandro Rosario, Miami (No. 188 on Top 400, 112 BaGS+)
North Carolina got to Rosario the second time through the order, bumping up his pitch count and knocking the junior right-hander out of the game in the fifth.
Rosario has a medium frame with a slight build and good athleticism. His delivery is simple and repeatable, and he has excellent arm speed throwing out of a low-three-quarters slot, although he doesn’t offer much deception.
His two-seam fastball sits 95-97 and topped out at 98 on Friday, but it doesn’t generate nearly enough whiffs– all four of his strikeouts against North Carolina were looking. His slider and changeup each sit in the mid-80s and show flashes of plus potential. The slider has sharp, two-plane bite at best, but its shape is inconsistent, while the changeup has good fading action but too often starts off out of the zone against lefties.
Fringy command of all three pitches and below-average control of the strike zone – he leads the ACC in walks and is second in hit batsmen – has kept Rosario from reaching his potential at Miami. Still, some teams will be enticed by his raw stuff late on Day 2.
3B Yohandy Morales, Miami (No. 31 on Top 400, 152 DiGS+)
Morales put the ball in play five times in Friday’s game but only came away with one hit. He caught the ball off the end of the bat twice on fairly hittable pitches. Normally a bat-first player, he was actually more impressive with the glove against Carolina.
At six-foot-four and 225 pounds, Morales has an extra-large frame with a strong build. He comes with lots of strength in his upper and lower body and surprising athleticism. He has a long swing with some moving parts, but he makes up for it with his exceptional hand speed.
After a breakout 2022 season in the power department, Morales has taken a step back as a junior. He has legitimate double-plus raw power and the ball explodes off his bat when he finds the barrel, but he doesn’t consistently do so. He doesn’t strike out at a concerning clip, but he also doesn’t draw many walks, and while he doesn’t chase too many pitches, his pitch recognition could definitely use some work. Still, he has been a highly productive run producer for the Hurricanes over the last two seasons.
Morales looked fairly spry at third base, showcasing the ability to make several different kinds of plays– barehanded, throwing on the run, ranging into the hole. His lack of speed may push across the diamond down the road, but his plus arm strength should keep him at the hot corner for the time being. Once considered a first-round lock, Morales is looking more like a comp round pick these days, but his offensive upside remains incredibly appealing.
1B CJ Kayfus, Miami (No. 108 on Top 400, 153 DiGS+)
Kayfus reached base four times in Friday’s contest against North Carolina, walking twice and putting the ball in play in his other four trips to his plate.
Kayfus has a medium frame with a slight build– although he’s added significant weight since arriving in Coral Gables. He has an open stance, with a small leg lift and a simple, left-handed stroke.
He doesn’t have much power for a first baseman, but he boasts strong plate discipline and excellent bat-to-ball skills. He has been a bit more of a free swinger in 2023, striking out at a slightly higher clip and currently on pace for double-digit homers, but he will always be hit-over-power. The junior has been cemented as Miami’s leadoff hitter since early March, with above-average speed and good instincts on the basepaths.
Kayfus spent a little bit of time in the outfield early in his college career but has only played first base this season. He is a capable defender there, but playing a non-premium position puts extra pressure on his bat. He’s a Day 2 guy as it is, but an uptick in power would make him a more complete prospect.
OF Zach Levenson, Miami (No. 179 on Top 400, 145 DiGS+)
Levenson made plenty of noise with the bat against the Tar Heels, including a pair of hits that gave him his 13th multi-hit game of the season.
Levenson has a strong build with modest athleticism. He has an incredibly simple approach at the plate, with a small load and an even smaller toe tap, using his compact-yet-explosive uppercut swing to barrel up the baseball and hit it in the air.
Over his two years at Miami, the JuCo transfer has displayed solid plate discipline to go along with quality contact skills and solid-average power to all fields. He extends plate appearances and waits for a pitch he can drive. He doesn’t run particularly well, but he isn’t a liability on the bases.
Although not a difference-maker with the glove, Levenson looks the part of a solid corner outfielder with average arm strength. He’s spent time in both left and right and could handle either spot at the next level. Regardless, he is a bat-first prospect who should come off the board on Day 2.
Deep Drives: ECU + Vandy/South Carolina
Another week, another Deep Drives edition.
It was a quieter week on all fronts, so it’s only natural to get some extra help and combine live looks with another writer. One of our newest writers, Jonathan Martin, makes his Deep Drives debut as he got a chance to get out and see a heavyweight matchup in the SEC between Vanderbilt and South Carolina in Nashville. Meanwhile, Tyler ventured out to East Carolina to get a chance to look at one of the best arms in the 2024 class, Trey Yesavage.
RHP Trey Yesavage, east Carolina
Line: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K (86 Pitches)
When we revamp our 2024 draft board, fully expect Yesavage to be in first-round consideration. The stuff is that good. He’s a big, physical specimen on the mound for ECU, who has gone from a high-leverage reliever in 2022 to a bonafide ace in 2023.
It’s hard to see the fastball not being a plus pitch at the next level. He’s been up to 98 MPH this year, though the velocity against Cincinnati was 92-95 MPH early, before settling in at 91-94 MPH as the outing went on. He’s able to generate a ton of backspin at release, which comes from an over-the-top arm slot, and the pitch has ridiculous riding life at the top of the zone. It gives him a big margin for error at the present level, especially with his feel for throwing his off-speed arsenal lacking in this start. The fastball alone had sixteen whiffs on the night, which is ridiculous. His command of the pitch is much improved, as well, giving him plenty of success living on the edges before going upstairs for whiffs.
The aforementioned off-speed arsenal is rather robust, though it was not utilized much on this day. The primary breaking ball is a slider/cutter hybrid that he’s recently added, giving him an additional weapon with late horizontal break and tight spin against righties. When he kept the pitch down in the zone, it was nasty and got three whiffs, though there were times where he bounced it off the dirt or missed glove-side. He has a splitter in the low-80’s that can drop off the table when it’s on, though in this outing, he only threw one for a strike and struggled to find feel throughout the outing, missing arm-side constantly. There’s also a 12-6 curveball in his repertoire, and while it has sharp downward break, he struggled to find the strike zone with it.
Overall, the evolution that Yesavage has had gives him plenty of potential and upside for teams. If there’s any nitpicking to be made here, it comes from the off-speed command plus the long ball. He’ll be eligible as a junior in next year’s draft, but if he keeps this up, it’s tough to envision him lasting past the first round.
1B josh Moylan, east Carolina
The pride of Stoney Beach, Maryland, Josh Moylan made a name for himself in his freshman campaign before entering the “sophomore slump” last spring. As a junior, Moylan has begun to find his old form and has been one of the hottest bats in the country in recent weeks.
Moylan is a tall, physical human with plenty of present strength. He’s struggled with strikeouts throughout his career, but he shows patience at the plate and draws a fair share of walks. With that said, the burgeoning power that Moylan possesses will intrigue teams. His swing has plenty of loft to it and his power plays to all fields. His lone hit against Cincinnati was a back-side homer, carrying over the fence in the opposite field gap. He’d go on to have a home run in the remaining two games of the series, propelling ECU’s win streak to eight straight games and one step closer to gaining a hosting spot in tournament play. The bat will need to continue to perform, as he’s a first base profile with consistent defense.
He likely profiles more toward the back half of the draft at this point in time, providing a team with a money-saving option at this point in time. Things can change, however, and if Moylan continues to crush the baseball, he could find himself sneaking his way up boards.
OF Ethan Petry, South Carolina
To say Ethan Petry is putting together a spectacular freshman season would be modest. The freshman is facing elite SEC arms and doing damage against high velocities while handling off-speed pitches fairly well. Friday night, Vanderbilt gave their workhorse a rest in Carter Holton and started Bryce Cunningham against South Carolina. Cunningham was offering 94-95 MPH fastballs to the upper portion of the zone, while also mixing in a slider and right-on-right change-ups. Cunningham managed to strike out Petry twice, but during those two at-bats, the freshman showed the ability to recognize spin and not be overpowered by a solid fastball that carried into the top of the zone. In his last AB against Cunningham, Petry took a first pitch, belt-high fastball opposite field for his seventeenth home run of the year, tying South Carolina’s freshman home run record.
As stated in the above tweet, I am almost certain Petry did not fully get ahold of this baseball, which is scary. The ball still managed to get out into the right field seats 3 rows deep, but you could hear it was slightly missed. This just shows what kind of bat speed Petry possesses, and this could be an intimidating hitter for opposing pitchers for the next two years. The spray charts and this particular swing shows Petry’s is not selling out for home runs either. He maintains good front hip direction and gets a ton of unforced extension on the baseball. This shows he trusts himself to let the baseball travel and lets his insane bat speed work from there. He works with a slow early toe tap that allows him to not be overpowered by hard fastballs and he controls his forward move well. As with any power hitter, there were a couple of questionable swing decisions with him being a little too aggressive on chases out of the zone on spinners, but that will clean up nicely as he continues to see more college-caliber arms. Very excited to see this young hitter continue to make noise in college baseball.
Catcher Cole Messina, South Carolina
Cole Messina is a 2024 draft-eligible catcher from South Carolina that has put together a pretty solid season thus far. He does a good job managing his strikeouts compared to walks, he barrels the ball often and is aggressive early. Friday, he went deep twice, both home runs being on 94 MPH fastballs that were middle-in portion of the plate in 0-0 counts. Both home runs were hit virtually in the same spot and were hammered. Messina also collected two walks on the day while flying out to right field on a slider that he was a tad out front on. Besides the slider he gave into, he ignored all off-speed offers and hunted the fastball.
Defensively, Messina worked well behind the plate against a Vanderbilt team that likes to steal bases. He handled some tough blocks limiting the opportunity for runners to take extra bases as well as stealing some strikes on the corners. With only one look it is hard to tell, but the defense behind the plate is at least serviceable at the next level. The body movement on some pitches could calm down a tad to create a more consistent look for the umpire, but Messina will be behind the plate or at 1B in the future. Overall, his ability to stick to his plan and approach at the plate is impressive as well as his ability to do damage on early fastballs. As his career continues and he begins to get different pitch mixes, it will be interesting to see how his approach changes.
RHP Will Sanders, South Carolina
During Sanders’ Friday night start against Vanderbilt, the righty showed obvious glimpses of big-league intangibles. He works with a very fluid delivery that he shows he can repeat. The ball comes out of his hand well and shows the ability to create ride that could be successful in the top of the zone. The arm action also shows the ability to create deception, although sometimes not enough. The body type is there with long lanky limbs that can handle the addition of mass. Sanders has the prototypical build for what most teams look for in a big-league pitcher.
Friday night there were some signs of his fastball not getting calls in on batters or missing enough bats at times. His fastball sat 91-95 while flashing above-average vertical life and when working down, some late run. The curveball was his go-to off-speed pitch, and it showed the most success against the Vandy hitters. Sanders' curveball worked with sharp 12-6 action that floated around 84-86 MPH. There was some inconsistency with the depth on the pitch, but it created 7 whiffs on the day and produces some awkward swings. Sanders is known for great feel of his changeup, but Friday he did not have it. The changeup missed down and arm side mainly and was not competitive enough to induce much weak contact.
Sanders ended the day with only giving up five hits while striking out four and walking four. He did not give up much hard contact on the day besides two doubles and a hard line out from Jack Bulger. The command was a little shaky, but Sanders had a decent start. There are some things that can be cleaned up but, you cannot argue the projectability and future of Sanders is very exciting.