On Sunday, Northeast Mississippi traveled to Jackson, Tennessee to take on Jackson State.  These were two highly competitive baseball games, with Northeast Mississippi winning Game 1 7-2 and Jackson State coming back to win game 2 5-4.  This was a nice day, but temperature dropped late in game 2 with some drizzle.  Below are notes on select players (check out the Twitter feed for some video highlights!): 

Jackson State Sophomore Pitchers

RHP Kyle Brana: FB (86-88), CB (72-73)

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

Brana showed premium fastball life in a quick 2 hitter appearance.  5’11, 185-pound athletic frame w/ some lower half strength.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ ¾ release.  Learning to keep his arm on time, tendency to have arm lag behind and miss up and away to his arm-side.  FB shows plus arm-side run, occasional sink.  CB is short downer w/ proper rotation.  Thrower right now flashes control of the strike zone.  1 swing and miss on 2 swings.

LHP Josh Coburn: FB (88-90)

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

Coburn showed a projectable frame w/ quick arm, hitting 90 on two of his three fastballs.  6’5, 175-pound athletic frame w/ lot of projection.  Barely scratched the surface of his frame potential.  Entered with runners on, only saw from the stretch.  Pitched from a ¾ release across his body, tough angle for lefties.  FB showed short arm-side run.  Saw a CB last year that showed above average potential, but did not see in this outing.  All 3 fastballs were strikes out of the middle of the plate. 

RHP Alan Rickman: FB (83-86, T 87), SL (73-76), CH (75-79)

-       6 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Rickman showed an intriguing 3 pitch mix, throwing any pitch in any count.  6’4, 190-pound athletic frame w/ some physical projection.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ H ¾ release.  Repeats w/ downhill plane.  FB shows occasional arm-side run.  SL shows occasional ¾ tilt w/ average depth, occasional slurve comes up out of hand.  CH w/ arm-speed, fade and sink.  Strike-thrower (52 of 82) w/ ability to stay out of the middle of the plate.  Above average control of off-speed stuff, will pitch backwards, throw CH in 3-2 counts.  Generated 7 swing and misses on 36 swings (19 %), including 6 of 12 on the SL. 

LHP Spencer Woods: FB (78-81, T 82), CB (68-71), CH (72-75)

-       6 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Woods showed a 3 pitch mix, pounding the zone.  5’11, 185-pound stocky frame w/ sloped shoulders.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ H ¾ release.  Works very quickly, catching the ball from the catcher and getting right back on the rubber.  Showed above average pick-off move, varying times and leg kick to confuse baserunners, picked off 2 in this game.  FB shows occasional arm side run.  Slurvy CB, shows feel for varying shape.  Occasional big downer as get me over, tightens it for short SL at times.  Mixes in CH where arm-slot drops, shows fade.  Strike-thrower (60 of 93), stays out of middle of the plate.  Any pitch in any count.  Combination of any pitch in any count and quick worker makes hitters uncomfortable, allows fastball to play up.  Generated 13 swing and misses on 42 swings (31 %), evenly dispersed amongst his 3 pitches.   

Jackson State Sophomore Position Players

OF Donnell Bailey: 0-5

Bailey shows a powerful swing w/ big power to his pull-side.  6’1, 225-pounder has mature frame w/ lot of strength.  Hits from a slightly open stance w/ controlled bat waggle into short leg kick and proper load.  Explosive bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  Just missed a couple pitches on this day, still getting timing.  Shown ability to make 2 strike adjustments, improved spin recognition from the last time we saw him.  Big power bat w/ a presence in the box.  Was not tested in the OF.  3 swing and misses on 10 swings.

UT Ian Bibiloni: 2-6, 2B, 3B

Bibiloni is an exciting super utility player with the ability to do something in every phase of the game.  6’0, 175-pounder features slender frame w/ some present strength, some physical projection.  Hits from a slightly open stance w/ hand rhythm into leg kick and proper load.  Lands closed.  Big bat speed, understands how to maximize his current strength.  Pull HR power w/ ability to drive the ball gap to gap.  Above average runner underway.  Defensively, played both 2B and CF in the doubleheader.  Athletic w/ soft hands, average arm strength.  2 swing and misses on 15 swings.

C Josh Frantz: 1-6

Frantz showed above average arm strength behind the plate w/ whippy bat speed.  5’11, 190-pounder features athletic frame w/ physicality in the lower half.  Hits from an open, crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into leg kick and proper load.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ pull power in pull-oriented approach.  Tools to hit, dealing w/ some timing issues.  Defensively, shows soft hands w/ feel for framing.  Can present earlier target for his pitchers, occasionally gets too big w/ glove rest.  Above average arm strength, learning to be more efficient w/ lower half and direction.  Consistent 2.04-2.07 between innings.  2 swing and misses on 13 swings. 

Northeast Mississippi Sophomore Position Players

C/1B Tucker Childers: 3-7, 2B, HR

A Mississippi State commit, the physical lefty hitter features special power.  6’3, 235-pounder w/ big league frame.  Physical w/ present strength, close to mature.  Offensively, hits w/ an open stance w/ bat resting on back shoulder into stride and proper load.  Generates premium bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  Up the middle approach w/ power to all fields.  Makes a different sound off of his bat w/ feel for back-spin.  Presence in the box w/ plate discipline.  Caught game 1, played 1^st base game 2.  As a catcher, presents a big body to throw to w/ quality low target.  Stabby receiver learning the little movements associated w/ catching.  Above average arm strength behind the plate led to 1.97-2.07 pop times between innings.  Tools to catch, but will take time to develop.  2 swing and misses on 12 swings.

OF Colt Chrestman: 1-6

Chrestman showed plus running speed underway, getting consistent 4.28-4.4 times from the right side.  6’1, 200 pounder w/ athletic, close to mature frame.  Offensively, hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into hanging stride and load.  Athlete learning how to hit.  Pull oriented approach w/ hips flying open.  As direction w/ lower half improves, will make a jump offensively.  Proper bat path.  Was not tested in CF.  3 swing and misses on 9 swings. 

SS Parker Haberstroh: 3-7, 1 HBP

A Mississippi College commit, Haberstroh shows table-setter tools.  5’8, 170-pounder w/ athletic, close to mature frame.  Switch hitter repeats same swing from both sides of the plate, featuring a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ hand rhythm into short leg kick and load.  Line drive, all field approach, wants to hit gaps and use his above average speed to leg out extra base hits.  Shows ability to bunt for hits from both sides of the plate.  Defensively, reliable defender w/ solid hands and feet, average arm strength.  2 swing and misses on 10 swings.

Jackson State Freshman Position Players

3B Alex DeRiggi: 2-5, 2B, HR

DeRiggi showed prototypical 3B tools, featuring above average arm strength, power.  6’2, 215-pound athletic frame w/ some physical projection remaining.  Straight on, upright stance w/ hand rhythm into stride and load.  Lot of pre-pitch head movement.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  Above average power, learning to get to it consistently.  Pull oriented approach.  Defensively, shows above average arm strength w/ carry through target.  Good reactions/first step, developing glove.  4 swing and misses on 10 swings.

OF Sam Williams: 0-6

Williams shows all the tools you look for in an OF.  6’2, 200-pounder w/ athletic, projectable frame.  Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ some hand rhythm into big leg kick and load.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  Pull oriented approach w/ projectable gap power.  Defensively, covers ground in the OF w/ above average running speed.  Above average arm strength w/ carry through the target.  Projects as above average defender in any OF spot.  3 swing and misses on 10 swings.

MIF D.J. Wright: 0-7

Wright is an exciting athlete who just needs reps to make a jump.  6’4, 190-pounder shows athletic, projectable frame.  Just scratching the surface of his physical potential.  Offensively, hits from an open, slightly crouched stance w/ bat waggle into short leg kick and proper load.  Short to the ball w/ natural loft.  Generates bat speed through the zone.  Gap to gap approach, projectable power.  Defensively, moves well on the infield w/ above average arm strength w/ carry through target.  2 swing and misses on 9 swings.

Northeast Mississippi Freshman Pitchers

RHP Jake Christa: FB (84-87, T 88), CB (68-72), CH (73-74)

-       5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Christa carried a perfect game into the 5^th inning.  6’4, 240-pound physical bulldog build w/ close to mature frame.  Pitched from a full wind-up w/ H ¾ release and quick arm.  Straight FB shows occasional cut.  Short downer CB w/ inconsistent shape.  Would have SL life at times, short downer action at others, occasional spinner.  Learning to repeat same breaker.  Straight CH w/ occasional fade/sink.  Around the zone (56 of 94 for strikes).  Generated 10 swing and misses on 34 swings (29 %).

LHP Cooper Cox: FB (82-86), CB (71-75), CH (73-76)

-       5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Cox showed above average fastball life to miss barrels.  6’2, 220-pound physical build w/ close to mature frame.  Pitches from H ¾ release w/ low effort delivery.  Repeats.  FB shows above average arm-side run, occasional bore.  Medium downer CB flashes proper rotation.  Occasional slurve w/ ¾ tilt.  CH w/ arm-speed, occasional fade/sink.  Around the zone (50 of 87 for strikes).  Generated 14 swing and misses on 43 swings (33 %), including 8 of 27 (30 %) on his fastball.

RHP Ty James: FB (85-87), CB (68-70), SL (75-77), CH (74)

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

James showed 4 pitch mix, but relied on the FB/CB to get hitters out.  6’0, 180-pound athletic frame w/ some physical projection.  Pitches from a full wind-up, but more comfortable from the stretch from an over the top release.  Straight FB w/ occasional ride through the zone.  CB w/ above average depth, proper rotation.  Flashes above average rotation w/ late bite.  SL is more of a power CB showing more vertical movement than lateral movement.  Spiked the one CH he threw.  Filled the zone w/ FB (11 of 12 for strikes), developing control of secondary pitches.  Generated 2 swing and misses on 9 swings (22 %), both on fastballs.

LHP Tyler Samaniego: FB (87-90)

-       0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Samaniego showed explosive arm speed w/ easy effort.  6’2, 200-pound athletic frame w/ some physicality in lower half, projection remaining.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ low ¾ release.  Repeats w/ low effort throw, tough angle.  Threw all fastballs in this outing (23), showed occasional arm-side run.  Around the zone, more control than command right now (8 of 15 for strikes).  Generated 4 swing and misses on 12 swings (33 %). 

Northeast Mississippi Freshman Position Players

2B Anthony Lipsey: 3-5, 2B, HR

Lipsey is a bat-first 2B w/ feel for barrel.  5’10, 240-pound stocky frame w/ physical lower half.  Close to mature.  Hits w/ a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into short stride and load.  Repeats w/ quiet head, balanced.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ natural loft.  Projects to hit for average and power, shows feel to use all fields.  Back-spin w/ pull HR power, double power to all fields.  Defensively, below average range w/ reliable glove.  3 swing and misses on 10 swings.

OF Jacob Wilcher: 5-7, 2B

Wilcher shows exceptional barrel feel in all fields approach.  6’3, 220-pound athletic frame w/ physical projection.  Offensively, hits from a slightly open stance w/ bat resting on back shoulder into short leg kick, proper load.  Short and simple swing, repeats.  Generates bat speed through the zone w/ flat plane.  Lot of line drives w/ knack for finding barrel.  Gap to gap offensive approach.  Above average runner covers ground in RF.  2 swing and misses on 9 swings.