By Brandon Hall

Director of Scouting, PBR NC

 

Follow us on Twitter: @PrepBaseballNC

 

A beautiful Friday night at South Mecklenburg HS saw two Charlotte area schools get together for a 14-inning scrimmage.  Less than one week until both open, for real, Cox Mill and South Meck took the opportunity to put their lineups on the field and see where they stand.

 

Cox Mill looks to be a scrappy bunch that will feed off of their energy.  Defensively solid up the middle with Connor Ledet behind the plate and Justin Fox at shortstop.  The tale of the tape, as they year rolls on, will be with their arms.  Will they throw enough strikes, especially with their secondary stuff, to compete at a high level.  The coaching staff has a history of developing talent throughout the year, and there is definitely a mold to work with in 2017 for Coach Taylor.

 

Justin Fox (SS/RHP, 2018) moves around with athleticism showing some carry on the baseball with his arm.  On the bump he worked up to 82 from a high-3/4 slot.  Intriguing, during warm-ups, he flashed the ability to pitch from a submarine slot but he stayed in the higher slot throughout his outing.

 

Connor Ledet (C, 2017) presents a big target to throw to and seems to have good hands, working to keep pitches in the zone.  Pop times, in game ranged from 2.25 – 2.47, showing accuracy and carry on throws.  Offensively, there is strength in the swing, working to stay gap to gap.

 

On the bump, a surprise of sorts, stood out.  CJ Hassel (RHP, 2019) may have been set to start the year with the JV squad, but after his outing at South Meck, the staff has a decision to make.  Hassel worked up to 79, but his breaking ball may be a future-cast of sorts for his fastball as it topped at 75.  A full report on Hassel and others from the scrimmage can be seen in the High School Scout Blog – 2017.

 

South Meck enters 2017 with a new coach and a very aggressive philosophy.  Coach Hoop has the Sabres playing with energy and while young in certain spots, there is talent that can be developed.  On the bases, South Meck looked to run and create tempo.  Stealing second and third, throughout the scrimmage, the philosophy does create some pressure on opponents. 

 

On the bump, 2019 grad, Thomas Umphlett got the start.  A strike thrower, Umphlett flashed some feel for his breaking ball and the ability to pitch off of his fastball.  A full scouting report can be found on the High School Scout Blog – 2017.

 

In the box, South Meck has strike zone discipline, working five walks their first two times through the order.  Andrew Motsinger (SS, 2018) and Nick Reynosa (OF, 2017, Slippery Rock commit) showed good barrel awareness in several at-bats with each smoking a couple of balls, while staying in the middle of the field. 

 

Zach Weston (MIF, 2019) is a left-handed hitter that has a buzz around him.  A good athlete with a wiry body that can continue to add strength.  Good head discipline and a level stroke, Weston has some quickness in his body and showed consistent plate discipline in each at-bat.  Timing and barrel awareness can continue to increase as he sees more live arms in the spring.

 

 

For more scores and highlights from across NC HS Baseball, follow the Around the Bases blog each week.

 

For more indepth analysis and video on prospects from around NC, check out the High School Scout Blog – 2017.