Mack - 2021 Draft Targets: Andrew Painter, Shane Barringer, Phillip Abner, Cody Morissette, Hagen Smith

                                Andrew Painter  

                        RHP   6-7   225   Calvary Christian HS (FL)

Talking Chop - The guy sitting at the top of a lot of prep pitcher rankings right now is big Florida prep arm Andrew Painter, a polished but projectable arm with a massive frame. Painter has been listed with different heights depending on the source, anywhere from 6’6 to 6’8, and 210 pounds. He doesn’t have the pure stuff of Petty right now, but he can top out at 96 while sitting mid 90s with two swing and miss breaking balls in the slider and curve. He also has a change that should be an above average to potentially plus offering as well. As good as the arsenal is and the projection to add more, that is only half the intrigue here. Painter is a polished arm with at least above average command who can pound the strike zone or make a hitter chase. There just aren’t many guys this young with his combination of present and future stuff with that ability to pitch. To be honest he is more of a 1B to Petty’s 1A than he is the #2 arm. Painter’s college commitment is to in-state Florida, just like Petty.

PG - Andrew Painter is a 2021 RHP with a 6-7 225 lb. frame from Pompano Beach, FL who attends Calvary Christian Academy. Outstanding pitcher's build with ideal size and impressive present coordination for his size, plenty of room to get even stronger. Low effort delivery with a 3/4's arm slot, can vary his tempo to give hitters different looks without loss of command or stuff, very comfortable and confident in all his actions on the mound. Steady mid-90's fastball, topped out at 96 mph, has the present ability to spot his fastball to both sides of the plate. Change up is a very advanced pitch, likely the best change up in the class. Throws both a curveball and a slider for strikes with feel for different shapes. Highest level talent on the mound of the type that doesn't come along every year.

 

Mack observation -

Painter will obviously be a first round pick and I would be thrilled if he was still around when we picked.

My only caution is my concern for pitchers that stand above 6-5. Most don’t make it due to future arm/shoulder problems.

 

                        Shane Barringer

                        LHP   6-5   SR.  Bellarmine University

Excellent extension that makes batters uneasy. Fastball sits in 89-93 range, touching 94. Steep downhill plane due to height.

Secondaries are still developing which is not good for someone that will end this season as a 23-year old.

Very raw.

2020 stats:  5-G, CG, 2-1, 4.12, 19.2-IP, 20-K

 

Mack Observation -

This is the kind of pitcher I draft on day three in hopes of developing a future pen piece.

I expect him to still be around after two days of picking.

 

             Phillip Abner 

        LHP   17/yrs.   6-1   220   Charlotte Christian (NC)

 

Many are saying that Abner is the most polished arm in the next draft. 

Quick moving arm. 90-92 fastball that seldom misses. ++ slider and change-up that not only spot up well, but move in different directions.

 

https://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=494387 - Philip Abner is a 2021 LHP/1B with a 6-1 220 lb. frame from Charlotte, NC who attends Charlotte Christian. Big and strong build, pretty mature physically. Loads onto his backside well in his mechanics and uses his strong lower half well in his delivery, strides closed out front but clears his hips well, high 3/4's arm slot creates plenty of angle. Fastball topped out at 93 mph, did a nice job of throwing strikes with his fastball and working ahead in counts. Slider has nice bite and power when he stays on top of it, flashed a firm change up. Two-way potential at the next level, has a strong left handed bat with pull side power potential

 

Mack observation - 

Abner sounds like the real deal. Definitely a guy I would send the scouts out to see. 

 

        Cody Morissette 

        2B   20/yrs.   6-0   175   Boston College

 

A “hit tool” second baseman that had an outstanding 2019 Cape Cod season. Shows serious power potential. 

Downside is defense and not being able to be a quality middle infielder in the majors is a downer (just ask the Mets…). 

2020 stat line:  15-G, 58-AB, .448/.522/.665, 2-HR

 

Mack observation - 

Someone is going to draft this kid in the first 100 picks because it is rare to find a second baseman that can hit like this. 

Still, I am defense first when it comes to my middle infielders. 

He would make good affiliate filler material, but I am not going to waste an early pick this way.

 

                Hagen Smith 

                    LHP   16/yrs.   6-3   200   Bullard HS (TX) 

 

Smith is considered one of the top lefthanders in the country even at the ripe old age of 16. There is still some projection left in his 6-3, 200 frame. Fastball in the 89-91 range, but has hit 93. Also has heavy sink which makes it a swing and miss pitch. Also has a hard slider. 

Prep Baseball - Hagen Smith (Bullard HS, TX), an Oklahoma State recruit, possesses a low-90s fastball and sharp slider to go along with a projectable, 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and quick arm that will have scouts closely monitoring him moving forward.

 

Mack - observation - 

There is so much talent in this draft. Smith is one of them. 

I would love to see this kid still around when we pick in the third round. My guess is his projected talent will have him picked earlier than this.