9 to Know - 2021 Grads to Follow
January 2, 2020
9 to Know - 2021 Grads to Follow
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Jarian Pinckney OF / 2B / Andrews, SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 9
5-11, 193lb strong frame. Looks the part of a college running back. 6.92 sixty time. 76 mph OF velocity. 89 mph exit velocity (tee). RHH with a wider stance and high hand set. High stride and small hand load turn the barrel into a more vertical position. Launches from a higher position with a steeper attack angle. Muscles the barrel through contact. Showed good extension at times. Inthe outfield, fielded the ball outside the left foot and got it out quickly with a clean exchange and quick pro step. Full arm action and H3Q slot produced accurate throws with avg. carry.
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Austin Gordon SS / RHP / Myrtle Beach, SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 3
6-3, 175lb frame with long limbs and wiry athleticism. Stretch exclusive, got to a balance point at the belt with no one on base. Showed a quicker knee to knee leg lift with runners on. Rotates slightly at the top of the balance point before working down the mound to get his extension. Stabs the hand on the backside, loading the scaps, and slightly abbreviating the arm arc. Lands slightly closed of his line and gets to a OTT arm slot creating some deception. Repeated the delivery well for a player with his length. Controlled the FB from 85-87 in the lower half of the zone to the corners and showed ability to elevate with intent. CB has potential to develop into a plus pitch. Slot remains the same but he gets around the pitch at times. At its best it has some serious late bite and 11/5 shape at 69-73. Big time winner at the 2019 FG pounding the zone and striking out 4 batters in his two innings of work
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Reed Garris RHP / C / Wando, SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 27 / POS: 8
C/RHP with a strong athletic profile. Muscular lower half and projectable build will give him a chance to add strength at the next level. Relaxed, open stance with a forward hand set. Knee tuck load pushes the hands back over the back foot, with a long stride. Showed ability to lag the barrel and generate some pop through contact, with a lofted path. Good bend in the hips behind the plate, handled pitches in the lower half of the zone with strong hands and wrists. On the mound, medium rocker step from the wind up gets the balance point just above the belt. Slightly rotational at the top with a full arm action and H3Q to OTT arm slot. Repeated the delivery well with a controlled tempo. Lands slightly open of his line and gets down the mound with a powerful lower half. FB showed occasional wiggle to the arm side. 3 pitch mix controlling the FB in the lower half of the zone at 85-87 and showing feel for a SL with plus potential that ranged from 73-78 and a CH that has matching hand speed and fade at 76. Worked the lower half of the zone during the 2019 FG working ahead consistently and getting ground ball contact.
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Demajion (Buddy) Howard OF / 2B / Lancaster , SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 61 / POS: 15
5-7, 185lbs. Compact athletic frame. RHH with a taller stance, slight bend in the knees and relaxed hands. Steep attack angle and flat path through contact. Consistent low line drive contact in BP rounds. Wants to use the middle of the field and play to his strengths. Smooth transfers with confident hands in the OF. OTT arm slot with minimal fade and good accuracy. Throws were on target with some carry. In game showed ability to cover plenty of ground from the CF position, expect him to stick there and have a chance to hit at the top of the order at the next level.
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Ryan Toll 3B / OF / Lexington , SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 56 / POS: 5
5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic frame with a good mix of strength and athleticism. The RHH put up an exit velocity of 89 mph (tee). Translated his EV into a solid BP round with good pop in BP and live ABs. Begins in an athletic stance, slightly open, loads the hands back with a short stride that lands softly. Above avg. bat speed and a flat swing plane that finishes slightly uphill with good extension. .Found some barrels with a lot of loud contact through his round. Line drive approach. In the infield, registered his best throw across the diamond at 83 mph; has athletic footwork, a twitchy exchange and soft hands. Laterally, his movements were athletic and used his glove work out front. Used a short arm action with a high ¾ slot while showing consistent accuracy across the infield.
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Alex Phillips OF / OF / Blacksburg , SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 41 / POS: 10
5-foot-11, 155-pound athletic frame; OF. The RHH had a max exit velocity of 88 mph (tee). Begins in balanced stance with a quick load, then uses a short stride right before his swing. Has a straight-to-the-ball swing plane and quick bat speed, and he ends his swing with a level finish. From the outfield, he displayed a position velocity of 67 mph; showed a clean exchange, soft hands and quick footwork. OTT slot and a long arm action with consistent accuracy. The athletic recruit showcased his speed with an elite 60 time of 6.30, showed a long powerful gate with easy running form.
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Shane Thomas C / OF / Richland Northeast, SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 72 / POS: 9
Athletic 6-0 175lb frame with lean strength, sloped shoulders, and strength in the lower half. 6.48 sixty time paired with an 86 mph exit velo. Timed up well in BP with a solid round of on barrel line drives through the middle of the field. Short toe tap load and slight barrel turn at the top. Flatter bat path through the zone with loose whippy tempo. Serviceable defender behind the plate, block and recover is aided by his athletic ability. Catch and throw is inconsistent, lacking carry through the bag. Secondary OF should be given serious consideration out there moving forward.
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AJ Tolbert OF / 1B / Orangeburg Prep, SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 64 / POS: 17
6-1, 200lb frame with strong build, moderate projection remaining. RHH with a taller stance with a knee to knee load, vertical bats gets limited coil at the top. Barrel is flat through the zone and he showed a tendencies to be top hand strong. Occasional lag of the barrel generated pop at times. Strong upper half and good rotation. Muscles the barrel through the zone. Ball jumps when he catches it cleanly. Long OTT arm action from the OF, takes some time to get the ball out. Throws were on target with good carry. Potential utility man at the next level.
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Will Morris 1B / 3B / Lugoff-Elgin, SC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 50 / POS: 3
Large frame with broad shoulders. Body will support additional polish as he matures. Easy actions for his body type and sneaky athleticism. Quiet approach at the plate with medium high leg kick and deep hand load. Slight hitch at the foot strike with a lofted bat path. Keeps the barrel on plane and gets good extension through contact. Above avg pop present to all fields. Showed tendencies to prefer the ball away and drive it into the opposite field gap. Serviceable defender with avg arm strength and lateral quickness. Skillset suited for 1B at the next level.
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