JUCO Crosscheck March 18

With the understanding of the seriousness of our nation’s Covid-19 situation in mind, the PBR JUCO staff wanted to give the baseball world a little something to get away for a minute or two. The 2020 season came to an abrupt halt last week placing many in tough situations. We are here to help as we all look forward to what's next for college baseball. 

We were on day two of a six day Texas JUCO run when the Covid 19 situation began to pick up so this week’s JUCO Crosscheck will not only include this past week's coverage but also a few high level prospects from previous weeks. 

Be on the lookout for more JUCO Wire content coming your way including top uncommitted prospects, JUCO Wire Draft updates and even some insight into the possible landscape of post-pandemic JUCO.

More JUCO prospect reports from across the country this week…

+ Noah Bailey, SO, UTL, Northwest Florida one of the most interesting JC bats this spring. Was      uncommitted until recently. Average 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame with average athleticism. Plays first base for NWF which will be a tough profile for pro guys but the bat plays. Pure hitter with solid average bat speed, high level barrel accuracy and strength to all fields. Saw 4 games and he blistered baseballs to all fields in every look. 

+ River Town, SO, OF, LSU Eunice Average 6-foot, 180-pound frame. Junior college performer that has flat out hit for 2 years. Average runner and arm and a solid defender in the outfield that will likely restrict to a corner. The bat will carry him. Left-handed hitter with gap power and an advanced hit tool. Has true feel for the strike zone with an accurate barrel. 

+ Justin Lawson, FR, RHP, Bossier Parish Wiry 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander with plenty of projection left. Clean in-line delivery with average fastball command as he worked in the 88-91 range with arm side sink and average fastball quality. Ground ball guy but does flatten out from time to time which causes occasional hard contact. Flashed solid feel for a 77-80 mph slider with solid shape not a true swing and miss secondary pitch at this point but the shape and spin should trend up in the future. 

+ Rafe Schindler, SO, RHP, Nunez - Long, strong frame with some projection left. Right-handed pitcher works in the 88-92 range with his fastball with solid average command. Showed a 74-75 mph curveball with average depth, a 78-80 mph slider with above average depth and a cutter at 86-87 mph with late darting action. Also flashed solid feel for a changeup at 80-82 mph. Fastball quality is just ok but the ability to show the slider and cutter in fastball counts helps. Grades out more average and would fit into many college rotations with day 3 possibility in 2020 draft.

+ Jerry Couch, SO, RHP LSU Eunice Average 6-foot, 200-pound framed right-handed pitcher. Worked 88-90 in a 5-inning no hitter. Was a part of a double-header no-hitter for LSUE earlier this spring. Two-pitches that grade out more average as his slider flashed swing and miss potential. The body and arsenal lean toward stock but the pitchability would fit in on most college pitching staffs with a chance to trend up if in the pen.

+ Drew Lasseigne, FR, RHP, LSU Eunice Physical 6-foot-5, 238-pound right-hander with a mature frame. High-level competitor with a big arm. Sat 89-93 in a no-hit performance flashing feel for an average slider with depth. High tempo delivery with some effort that will likely land him in the bullpen at higher levels which should allow stuff to play up a tick.

+ Caleb Balgaard, SO, UTL, McLennan Physical 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame. Lean build with present strength throughout. Played game one at first base and game two in left field - serviceable at both. Right-handed hitter that really knows where the barrel is. Squared balls up all day with above average strength - ball really jumps off of his bat. Slightly above average runner, turned in a 4.52 second home to first time on the turn. Physical right-handed hitter with corner position versatility. 

+ Jalen Battles, SO, INF, McLennan Athletic 6-foot-2, 180 pound right/right shortstop. Flashy defender with springy infield actions and a solid average arm with carry across the infield. Above average runner with fluid body control - ran 4.46 seconds on the turn on a double to right-center. Solid bat with average bat speed and strength - shows feel for the strike zone. Advanced defensive tools that can stick at shortstop. Bat will continue to come along as strength is added to the lean frame. 

+ Connor Phillips, SO, RHP McLennan  Athletic 6-foot-2, 200 pound right-hander. Lean body with explosive movements. Athletic in-line delivery with some late effort. Hides the baseball well with a long, deep take away with shoulder tilt  into a high-¾ slot landing on a firm front side. Best fastball was a downhill with finish at the plate sitting 94-96 mph early and holding 91-93 mph in the fifth. Command was average early with a couple scattered spells at times. Solid feel for slider at 82-86 mph - showed for a strike and for swing and miss out of the zone. Change was 88-90 mph and highly effective when down. Athletic right-hander with explosive stuff.