Mack – Draft News – More Week One Highlights

I have been writing that one of the Mets targets at #19 should be #7 Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Well, that ship might have sailed after week one of the college season. Kjerstad led the Razorbacks to a 3-game sweep of Eastern Illinois, with a 7-12, .583 stat line with a slugging percentage of 1.667 and an OBP of .643, he hit 4-HR’s and had 10-RBIs. So much for being available at #19.

Clemson opened up its 2020 season with a 3-game sweep of Liberty. Clemson is famous for developing relief pitchers and their best, senior Carson Spiers, is off to a fast start… 2 appearances, 4-IP, 0-R, 0.00, 5-K, 0-BB.

The #1 team in the nation, Vanderbilt, did not get off to a great start this season. The Vandy Boys lost their opener to #13 Michigan and then beat Connecticut, followed by a loss to Cal Poly. 3B Austin Martin started off slow (2-10, .200), while starting pitcher Jake Elder didn’t impress either (1-start, 3.1-IP, 5.40). Highlights were SP Mason Hickman (1-ST, 5-IP, 0.00) and Freshman sensation (remember this guy?), Kumar Rocker (1-ST, 6-IP, 9-K, 0.00).

#2 ranked UCLA swept UC Riverside in their 3-game opening weekend series. Outfield sensation, Garrett Mitchell, went 3-8, .376, 1.143-OPS, for the series.

#4 ranked Louisville was knocked back on their heals by Ole Miss, losing two of three weekend games. Prospect lefty, Reid Detmers, went 5-IP, 1-ER, 9-K, 1.80, in his first outing of the young season.

Speaking of Ole Miss, Louisville became #1 in the nation after Vanderbilt lost their opener. Well, they then lost that ranking to Michigan after Ole Miss won this series. IF/C Cael Baker went 5-12, .417, with 2-HRs and IF Anthony Servideo, went 5-10, .500, with 1-HR.

#5 ranked, Mississippi State, swept Wright State in their weekend series. The biggest disappointment was top pitching prospect, J. T. Ginn, who gave up 2-ER, in 3-IP (6.00). OF Rowdy Jordon went 5-11, .455 for the weekend.

#6 Texas Tech is now 4-0 after the weekend. They sent Houston Baptist (2 games, 27 runs) and Northern Colorado (2 games, 36 runs) back to the drawing board after back-to-back drubbings. Draft prospect IF/OF Dylan Neuse (8-15, .471), and C Braxton Fulford (2-5, 4.00) led the way.  OF Cody Masters needs to giddy-up (1-9, .11). Name to remember: Freshman C/IF Nate Rombach (14-AB, 5-HR, 15-RBI).

#8 Auburn also went 4-0 this weekend, winning all four over Illinois-Chicago, Prospect outfielder, Steven Williams, went 4-11, .364 while starter Tanner Burns had a rough first outing (5-IP, 3-ER, 7-K, 1-BB, 5.40).

#9 Florida State went 2-1 against Niagara. They got off to a slow start, losing the opener 3-1, but they went on to score 35 runs over the next two games. FSU has two prospect pitchers… CJ Van Eyk went 5-IP, 0-R, 8-K and Shane Drohan gave up one run in 3.1-IP (5-K, 1.88).

#10 Oklahoma State (1-2) got their butt handed to them by… wait for it… Grand Canyon. Leading senior hitter OF Carson McCusker (1-10, .100) needs to do more while IF Alix Garcia (4-11, .364) fared well in a bad situation.