On Tuesday, Columbia State traveled to Hanceville, Alabama to take on Wallace State.  These were two highly competitive baseball games, with Wallace State winning Game 1 6-5 and the two teams tying at 6 in Game 2 before it was called due to rain in the top of the 7th.  This was a rainy day, with most of game 2 being played under a constant drizzle to occasional downpour.  Below are notes on select players (check out the Twitter feed for some video highlights later today!): 

Columbia State Sophomore Pitchers

RHP Keegan Foge: FB (85-90), CB (76-80), CH (80)

-       2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Foge has made a velocity jump since the fall, going from working 82-85 and touching 86 to pitching 85-88 and touching 90 3 times.  6’4, 185-pound frame w/ long limbs, projectable.  Repeatable delivery w/ H ¾ release.  FB shows short arm-side run while mixing in a medium downer CB that flashed tightness, late break and threw one CH that he buried.  Pounded the zone w/ the FB (20 of 29 for strikes) while generating 12 % swing and miss on his stuff overall (2 of 17, 2 of 16 on FB). 

LHP Trevor Sanders: FB (82-85), CB (65-69), CH (73)

-       2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

Sanders showed a more repeatable delivery since the fall, helping him throw a few more strikes.  6’1, 190-pound frame w/ projection, some lower half strength.  Pitches from a wind-up w/ H ¾ release.  FB shows short arm-side run while mixing in a big, loopy CB that comes up out of hand and a CH w/ fade and occasional sink.  Around the zone (16 of 30 for strikes).  Generated swing and misses on his stuff at 29 % rate (4 of 14).

RHP Cameron Williams: FB (86-89, T90), CB (74-76), CH (82)

-       0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K

Williams shows all the tools you look for in a late inning reliever.  Physical bulldog at 6’3, 230-pounds w/ close to mature frame.  Pitches from a full-windup w/ lot of moving parts, high effort throw.  Premium stuff, featuring a FB w/ arm-side run, CB that flashes above average w/ tight rotation, late above average depth and CH w/ short fade.  Sprayed the zone, more of a thrower than a pitcher at this stage.  Tools to throw strikes, just needs reps.  Generated 14 % swing and miss on his FB (1 of 7).

Wallace State Sophomore Pitchers

RHP Zak Moon: FB (80-84, T85), CB (68-72), CH (74-77)

-       2.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Moon got stronger as the game went along, touching 85 in his 3^rd inning of work.  Physical frame w/ lower half strength, close to mature.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ lot of moving parts and low ¾ release point.  Low effort throw.  Attacked w/ a FB w/ occasional arm-side run, medium downer CB flashed proper rotation, got loose at times and straight CH w/ occasional sink.  Strike thrower w/ FB (25 of 33) w/ feel for the zone w/ off-speed stuff.  Generated 67 % swing and miss on his CB (2 of 3).

RHP Heath Olive: FB (89-92)

-       1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Olive showed an impact FB to close out game 1.  Medium, athletic frame w/ some physical projection.  Pitches from the stretch only w/ quick arm and low ¾ release.  Threw 25 FB’s in this outing, showing run w/ occasional sink, 15 for strikes.  Generated 23 % swing and miss (3 of 13) on the pitch.  Shows some feel for pitching w/ intent.

RHP Jordan Simpson: FB (86-89, T90), SL (77-80), CH (76-79)

-       2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Simpson started game 2 and flashed swing and miss stuff.  Pitches from the stretch only w/ early break of hands, short stab in back w/ low ¾ release.  Attacked hitters w/ FB that flashed short arm-side run, occasionally straight while mixing in short ¾ SL that flashed proper shape, flashed back-up and straight CH w/ arm-speed.  Around the zone, showed ability to pitch w/ intent.  34 of 50 for strikes.  Generated 27 % swing and miss rate on his stuff (6 of 22), evenly dispersed amongst his 3 pitches. 

Columbia State Sophomore Position Players

SS Haddon Adams: 1-8

A Lipscomb commit, Adams showed premium defensive tools w/ line drive oriented bat.  6’0, 180-pounder swung the bat better than box score indicated.  Toe tap w/ short hand load in crouched stance w/ some hand rhythm.  Up the middle approach w/ lot of line drives.  Generates bat speed through the zone.  Above average runner underway.  Defensively, shows soft hands w/ plus arm strength w/ carry through target.  Rangy defender made all the plays w/ good feet.  2 swing and misses on 14 swings.

LF/1B Ethan Cady: 2-6, 2 2B

Cady shows powerful swing w/ ability to drive the ball to all fields.  6’2, 200-pounder showed barrel feel, hitting w/ an open stance w/ shift of weight into toe tap and load.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ extension.  Proper bat path.  Doubles power to all fields, pull HR power.  Defensively, plays an average LF.  Profiles as a corner outfielder/first base type.  4 swing and misses on 12 swings.

3B Elliot Curtis: 2-7, HR

Curtis showed big power, culminating in a 380 foot no doubt 2 run homer.  6’0, 205-pounder w/ thick lower half, close to mature frame.  Quiet stance w/ short stride and proper load.  Hits w/ no stride w/ 2 strikes.  Generates bat speed through the zone.  Pull oriented approach occasionally leaked w/ hips.  Above average pull power w/ ability to hit any FB.  Developing spin recognition.  Defensively, hands work at third base w/ average arm strength.  11 swing and misses on 21 swings.

OF Bryce Giles: 4-5, HR

Giles had a huge day, hinting to putting together his big tools into even bigger production.  5’10, 165 pounder looks more physical than measurements indicate.  Switch hitter uses same swing from both sides of the plate, slightly open stance w/ bat rhythm into short leg kick and proper load.  No stride hitter w/ 2 strikes.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  Executed the bunt game extremely well, bunting for 2 singles from the left side (3.88 – push) and right side (3.72 – push).  Shows pull power from both sides of the plate, including a HR from the right side on this day.  Premium runner gets to top speed quickly, including beating out a routine groundball to short w/ a 4.15 run time from the left side.  Speed plays in the OF, covers a lot of ground.  Made a nice diving catch on a ball directly in front of him.  0 swing and miss on 9 swings.

OF Devin Symlar: 2-5

Symlar had a solid day, showing his ability to hit to all fields w/ some barrel feel.  5’9, 175 pounder has some physical projection remaining.  Hits in a crouched, straight on stance w/ Gary Sheffield-esque bat waggle into short leg kick and proper load.  Gap to gap offensive approach.  Proper bat path w/ extension.  Understands his strike zone and how to manipulate his body to try and get ball calls.  Was not tested defensively.  3 swing and misses on 14 swings.

Wallace State Sophomore Position Players

OF Dalton Cobb: 1-3, 1 BB, 3 HBP

Cobb had an interesting day, as his belt came equipped with a pitch magnet, getting hit 3 different times.  Clean-up hitter has a medium, athletic frame w/ some physical projection.  Offensively, hits w/ upright, straight on stance w/ bat rhythm into leg kick w/ no separation.  Quick to the ball, generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  Projects to hit for average and power, coming off of a .304-.445-.539 slash line as a freshman.  Was not tested defensively.  1 swing and miss on 7 swings. 

1B Palmer Ford: 2-5, 2B

Ford showed consistent swing w/ bat-speed.  Tall, athletic frame w/ projection, some present physicality.  Slightly open stance w/ hand rhythm into knee to knee stride and proper load.  Quick to the ball.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ upright finish.  Projects to hit for average and power.  Coming off of a .311-.408-.537 slash line as a freshman w/ 9 HR’s.  Made all the plays defensively.  0 swing and miss on 8 swings.

SS Kolby Robinson: 1-6

A Southeastern Louisiana commit, Robinson shows a high contact profile w/ middle infield defensive tools.  Short, athletic frame w/ some present strength.  Crouched stance w/ short, controlled bat waggle into stride and short hand load.  Short to the ball.  All fields approach w/ ability to hit gaps.  Above average runner underway can bunt his way on.  Does a lot of small things offensively.  Defensively, showed range up the middle w/ average arm strength, soft hands.  1 swing and miss on 8 swings.

OF Dalton Sinquefield: 0-7

A Troy commit, Sinquefield is everything you are looking for in a hitter, was just missing on this day.  Tall, athletic, prototypical corner OF frame w/ some physical projection.  Offensively, hits in a slightly crouched stance w/ short controlled bat waggle into proper stride and load, lands closed.  Plate coverage w/ upright finish.  Dealing w/ some timing issues on this day, just missed 2 pitches.  Doubles power w/ projectable pull HR power.  Was not tested defensively.  2 swing and misses on 13 pitches.

Columbia State Freshman Pitchers

RHP Kyle Chandler: FB (82-85), CB (73-75), CH (78)

-       1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Chandler entered the game in a very difficult situation (bases loaded, 1 out) and induced a pop out and a ground out to get out of it with no damage.  6’2, 185-pound frame w/ some present lower half strength, projectable.  Pitches from the stretch only w/ easy arm action, downhill plane.  Attacked hitters w/ a FB w/ occasional arm-side run, medium downer CB w/ occasional proper rotation and CH w/ arm-speed and late sink.  Intriguing 3 pitch mix still learning to pitch with intent.  20 % swing and miss rate (2 of 10, all FB’s).

RHP Shawn DeAngelo: FB (80-84, T86), CB (72-75), CH (71-74)

-       2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

DeAngelo impressed pitching in sub-optimal conditions w/ constant rain.  Projectable pitcher frame at 6’2, 185-pounds w/ present lower half strength.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ lot of moving parts and quick arm.  Downhill plane.  Attacks hitters w/ FB w/ short arm-side run, tight medium downer CB w/ late bite and CH that flashed above average sink.  Thrower right now shows flashes of pitching w/ intent.  Generated 25 % swing and miss rate on his stuff (3 of 9 on FB).

LHP Daniel Freeman: FB (81-83, T85), CB (70), CH (76-78)

-       1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Freeman worked a quick 1-2-3 inning in a downpour.  Prototypical pitcher frame at 6’5, 210 pounds w/ lot of projection, some present lower half strength.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ ¾ release point and repeatable delivery, easy arm swing.  Attacked hitters w/ FB w/ occasional run, medium downer CB and above average straight CH w/ arm-speed.  Pounded the strike zone w/ his FB/CH mix, throwing 10 of 11 for strikes, mainly to his arm-side.  Generated 22 % swing and miss on his stuff (2 of 9 overall, 2 of 3 on CH).

Columbia State Freshman Position Players

C Alex Carignan: 3-7

Carignan showed a number of intriguing tools, including a 2.06 pop time on a caught stealing.  Prototypical catcher frame at 6’2, 215-pounds w/ some physical projection remaining.  Offensively, hits w/ slightly open stance w/ some bat rhythm into leg kick and power load.  Lot of movement in swing makes it difficult to repeat swing.  Swing suggests power is coming w/ more reps.  Defensively, received well overall w/ ability to box balls, reliable glove.  As a thrower, features quality release w/ above average arm strength w/ carry through target.  3 swing and misses on 13 swings.

2B Justin Carlin: 3-5

Carlin showed reliable glove at 2B w/ feel for barrel.  6’0, 165-pounder has just scatched the surface of his frame potential, lean and athletic.  Open stance w/ bat rhythm into big leg kick and power load.  Shortens leg kick and swing w/ 2 strikes.  Doubles power type w/ barrel staying in the zone for a long time.  All fields approach.  Defensively, showed reliable glove.  3 swing and misses on 17 swings.

1B Daniel Freeman: 2-4

Freeman picked up a couple clutch singles, including one with a 100 mile per hour exit velocity.  6’5, 210 pounder has lot of projection w/ some lower half strength.  Straight on w/ hand rhythm into leg kick and short load.  Projectable power w/ present doubles power.  Developing pitch recognition, will come with reps.  3 swing and misses on 8 swings. 

Wallace State Freshman Pitchers

LHP Jackson Tavel: FB (84-90), CB (71-73), CH (74-78)

-       2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

A Jacksonville State commit, Tavel showed electric stuff when he was in the zone.  Medium, athletic frame w/ some physical projection.  Pitches from the stretch only w/ a quick arm, downhill plane from H ¾ release.  Began game 88-90 before settling in at 84-86.  Attacked hitters w/ 3 pitches that flashed above average including a FB w/ occasional run, tight medium downer CB that flashes proper shape and CH w/ late fade, arm-speed.  Around the zone, will lose the zone in spurts.  Overall, threw 38 of 60 for strikes.  Generated 46 % swing and miss rate (12 of 26), including 7 of 9 swing and miss on his off-speed stuff.

Wallace State Freshman Position Players

C Easton Kirk: 2-2, 2 HR

Kirk had a huge day, driving two home runs to center field and driving in 5 of Wallace State’s 6 runs in the 2^nd game.  Medium, stocky frame, prototypical catcher build w/ present strength.  Straight on stance w/ hands in front into shift of weight, proper stride and load.  Proper bat path stays on plane.  Feel for back-spin.  Well synced swing w/ lower and upper half working together.  As a receiver, shows feel w/ the glove, can present his pitcher a better target.  Popped 2.16-2.18 on two stolen bases.  0 swing and miss on 4 swings.

C Brady Sherrill: 2-4, 2B

Sherrill had a strong all-around day, seeing 28 pitches in 5 plate appearances.  Medium, athletic frame w/ some present strength, some projection.  Crouched stance w/ bat waggle into stride and short load.  Knack for finding the barrel.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  All fields approach.  Understands his strike zone, feel for fouling off tough pitches.  Defensively, shows tools to receive w/ ability to box the baseball.  As a thrower, shows average release and arm strength, popping a 2.13 on a caught stealing.  Accurate thrower.  3 swing and misses on 12 swings.