Prep Baseball Report

Junior Future Games Identifier Spotlight: 3 Prospects Stand Above The Rest


Sean Duncan
President

EMERSON, GA - The Prep Baseball Report Junior Future Games Identifier Tournament featured many of the top 14U and 13U programs across the Southeast and Midwest at LakePoint. 

While there were several impressive performances throughout the weekend, these prospects stood above the rest, not only for their on-the-field performances, but also their high-ceiling potential. The East Cobb Astros ran away with the 14U championship, defeating the Georgia Jackets National squad in the championship game.

Jackson McKenzie 1B / LHP / Fairhope, AL / 2023

 6-foot-1, 190-pound two-way athlete who undoubtedly will be recruited at a high level to do both. Barrel-chested and baby-faced, McKenzie has current proportional strength and plenty of room for continued physical development. Highly advanced offensive force from the left side. Smashed baseballs all weekend long for East Cobb Astros, McKenzie barreled up everything thrown in the strike zone, including multiple extra-base hits. Calm, quiet and strong in the box, swings with controlled aggression, generates natural lift in the swing, ball jumps off the barrel to all fields. Likely will grow into big raw power. Advanced hand-eye, knows the strike zone. Defensively, showed excellent hands, footwork and athleticism around the bag. Also looks to be a high-level pitching prospect. Earned the victory in the championship game. Strike-thrower works out of a consistent ¾ slot, arm accelerates quickly, soft stab on the back-side, hides ball. Momentum works downhill, lands square, crosses over to finish. Fastball worked mostly 81-83 with tilt, touched 86 in the 2nd inning on a fastball up in the zone that resulted in a swinging strikeout. Comfortable going to offspeed whenever he wanted. Confident in straight changeup, ranged 67-73, maintained arm speed creating deception. Curveball, 12/6 shape with depth at 66-68, challenged hitters all afternoon, got swing and misses on in addition to batters looking.

 

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Dylan Cupp SS / RHP / N/A, GA / 2023

6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, long, lean build, high-waisted athlete with plenty of room for physical development. Looks to be a high-level national prospect, one that has advanced present abilities and high-ceiling upside. Possesses loose, fluid hands, natural instincts; makes the game look easy yet plays hard. Advanced defender; soft, easy hands, plays extremely well on the move; fields the ball with natural rhythm and gets it out front. Sure-handed. Present arm strength and accurate with the ability to throw from multiple angles. Offensively, right-handed hitter and bats leadoff. Calm, quiet and relaxed in the box. Tracks pitches well, seldom chases; advanced strike zone awareness. Advanced rhythm in load, seemingly on time with everything. Swing is loose and low-maintenance; generates above-average bat speed. Line-drive approach, middle-out; high-level hand-eye athlete. Seemingly on-base all tournament long, either by hit or walk; swiped second and scored, repeat and rinse. Long, fluid strider, will grow into his foot speed. … On the mound, came in relief and threw well. Fastball ranged 81-83 mph, mostly straight. Changeup is a solid offering, 74-76, throws it aggressively and has arm-side fade. Arm works free and easily, longer draw in the back, athletic out front. Overall, Cupp looks to be a premium national-caliber athlete who should be highly coveted in the coming years.

 

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Dylan Lonergan RHP / N/A, GA / 2023

6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher with a stronger lower half. Possesses premium arm strength with little effort. Topped out at a tournament-best 87 mph, pitched at 83-85. Works out of the stretch only. Clean, full arm path coming through a high-3/4 slot; loose and athletic out front. Ball comes out of the hand super-easy. Repeats delivery well for age, slightly closed landing. Fastball played mostly true; still developing strike zone consistency. Toggled the shape of his breaking ball, ranging between 74-77 mph. When thrown harder it flashed signs of being a wipeout offering in the future. Also mixed in a 78-79 mph changeup occasionally. Results didn’t match pure stuff on this look, but with the ease at which he generates premium velocity at his age, Lonergan should continue to develop as a high-level power arm in the future.

 

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>> CLICK HERE to read the Scout Blog from the event

 



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