MacKenzie
Gore

In his final regular season start, Gore took the mound against a rival in South Columbus HS, NC, in front of several high-level scouts, most of which represented teams with top 10 picks in the draft. It was business as usual for the East Carolina recruit, as he cruised through a complete game on 99 pitches. He allowed four baserunners, one on an error that was erased on a caught stealing, two hits and a walk. One of the hits was a weak roller to third base. Gore was mostly 90-92 on the evening, but hit 93 several times. He ranged from 88-92 for the last two innings and his last pitch was 92 on the black for a strikeout looking to end the game. He struck out just one through the first two innings, but racked up 13 through the next five to finish with 14. Gore’s breaking balls—a curveball and slider—were inconsistent, but both flashed sharpness and the makings of being swing-and-miss pitches as he develops consistency. He also flashed a changeup at 82 with sink.

Pitched four perfect innings. He struck out nine of the 12 batters he faced on 54 pitches, throwing mostly fastballs. He touched 94 mph in the first inning and settled into the 88-91 range for most of the appearance. His curveball was 73-75 with sharpness.

Approximately 75 scouts, including at least eight scouting directors and a handful of special assistants, packed the seats behind the plate in Whiteville, NC, to see Gore take the mound. All in attendance were treated to a strong pitching performance as the East Carolina recruit struck out 10 while allowing just three hits and a hit batter in 6.2 innings pitched. In the first inning, Gore came out sitting 91-93 mph, touching 94, and struck out two—one on a 92 fastball up and the other on an 81 cutter/slider away to a lefty. His fastball has life through the zone and opposing hitters had trouble making good contact against it. His cutter/slider has short, darting action, but flashes bigger break when thrown harder. Gore got another strikeout in the second, this time on a 76 breaking ball. Ranging from 73-77, the breaking ball had 3/4 break with sharpness. It was at its best at 76-77. Between the third and fourth innings, Gore struck out five in a row. He mixed in a changeup at 79-80, though it was inconsistent. He choked the pitch early, but showed better feel for it later in the game and got a strikeout with on in the fifth, giving him a strikeout with all four pitches. In the seventh, he fell behind 3-1 to a batter, not getting a couple calls he wanted, and reached back for two consecutive 94s to get his 10th and final strikeout. He induced a groundball to the next batter that could have been a game-ending double play, but the throw to first was off target. Gore was then removed due to pitch count. He has a projectable frame and is athletic on the mound, with a very high leg kick. He’s very flexible and can spring off the mound to make plays with ease. He takes a long stride down the mound and gets way out over his front leg.

Gore allowed just one run on five hits and a walk in three innings while striking out seven. His fastball was 89-91, touching 92, and he added three pitches. He throws a short slider at 79-84 and a curveball that's loopy with 2/8 shape at 69-71. His changeup was 75. Gore induces lots of weak contact with his stuff. McMahon had some of the best velocity of the day, sitting 92-94 in his first inning, but settled in at 91 after that. His secondary stuff, which includes a 78-80 slider and 76 changeup, is still developing, but he has a lean frame and quick arm. He allowed two runs on three hits and struck out five. 

Gore walked one and allowed a hit, though it should have been a routine groundout, while striking out three in two innings. Gore has a projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. He is athletic and loose on the mound, pitching with an exaggerated delivery as he employs a high leg kick and raises his hands way over his head at his balance point. His fastball sat mostly 90-91 mph and ranged from 89-93. He didn’t have much use for his secondary stuff, but mixed in a low-80s changeup, cutter at 82-83 and a curveball in the mid 70s. He struggled to spin his breaking ball at the East Coast Pro workout last month, but showed 1/7 shape in this outing. His cutter had short, darting action.

A lanky LHP with long levers that lead to a long, loose arm action.  The high-3/4 slot can produce an elite fastball and has consistently shown the ability to get hitters out ranging 84-88 and touching 90-91.  Gore's change-up, to right handed hitters, and curve-ball, to both left and right handed hitters, present quality secondary stuff that will continue to improve with reps.  The ability to pitch off fastball, with stuff and location is a separator for Gore.

Long, lanky frame at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds. He incorporates a high leg kick in his delivery and is exaggerated with his hands, bringing them high above his head at his balance point. His delivery is loose, athletic and easy. In his appearance, he broke a bat, induced a weak groundout and struck out two. His fastball was mostly 87-88 mph, though he touched 89-90 with some arm-side run. He mixed in a slider at 76 and a curveball at 71-72. He is committed to East Carolina.