Mack - Weekly Draft Notes

 

Weekly Draft Notes

 

2-19-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Florida catcher Nathan Hickey with an absolute moonshot here. Takes a first-pitch fastball from Daniel Federman over the right field fence. Hickey is a top ten catcher in the 2021 class. Plenty of loft and bat speed on this shot.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Hickey is one of the secondary catchers in this draft. I currently have him in the 3^rd-5th round range.

 

 2-19-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Miami has themselves a fun arm for 2021. Junior RHP Daniel Federman has a loose, whippy arm and an easy action to the plate. Works well into his hips and really rides down the bump. Fastball sitting 92-93, has touched 95+. Good feel for fading CH and tight SL. Shows a CB

 

Mack’s spin -

 

This is the first info I have this year on this pitcher. I will store it away and add him to my watch list.

 

 2-19-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Kansas State LHP Jordan Wicks is your clubhouse leader for best 2021 debut. 7 IP, 3 hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks  Was up to 94.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

An excellent first outing on a cold day from this guaranteed first round pick.

 

 

2-19-20 - PG College Baseball @PGCollegeBall

 

Deceptive operation from @WVUBaseball LHP Jackson Wolf (‘21 Elig.) with a SL-CH-FB sequence here for a K. Low slot lanky lefty, sweeping action on upper-70s slider, tough AB for LHHs

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Wolf pitched well, in both last year;s shortened season and in winter ball.

 

I currently have him in the third round, but I could be wrong and a strong 2021 season could push him up the board.

 

 2-18-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Maybe the most fascinating thing about Ashburn, Virginia LHP Brandon Clarke is that is looks to be getting easier and easier for him…

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Clarke showed up at the Prep Baseball Report’s Super 60 this off season and wowed them all sitting 92-96. No one as expecting this.

 

Definitely worth keeping two eyes… and a radar gun… on.

 

 2-18-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Here's how 1B shakes out in my preseason ranks. Florida slugger Kris Armstrong leads the way, though there's some serious juice behind him in Miami's Alex Toral and Notre Dame's Niko Kavadas, among others.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

A relative poor college first base crop this year.

 

 2-18 - 21 - Joe  @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Second base ranks for the 2021 season. A lot of these guys have versatility or project to move to 2B as professionals. The Boston College tandem of Sal Frelick and Cody Morissette lead the way, though Max Ferguson and Tyler Black are very good players. Dayton Dooney is a sleeper

 

Mack’s spin -

I’m playing Frelick in the outfield and Morissette on second.

 

 2-18-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

It's a top-heavy third base class this year, but there's some serious talent here. Alex Binelas leads the way, but Zack Gelof isn't too far off. Trey Sweeney may be my biggest draft sleeper, while Damiano Palmegiani and Riley Tirotta have big helium on their names.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

A thin college third base class let my a future star (Binelas).

 

 2-18-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Finally, we'll take a look at college shortstops.

 

Pretty fun class. Matt McLain leads the way, but Kamren James has a bat to watch. He'll be very young for the draft. Jalen Battles is another pretty big sleeper. Dylan Neuse is included here, but may be 2B/OF long-term.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

McLain is the future star here.

 

The rest of the star shortstops will come from the high school ranks.

 

 2-18-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Finally, we'll take a look at college shortstops.

 

Pretty fun class. Matt McLain leads the way, but Kamren James has a bat to watch. He'll be very young for the draft. Jalen Battles is another pretty big sleeper. Dylan Neuse is included here, but may be 2B/OF long-term.

 

 2-18-21 - the uconn blog -

 

Two and a half years removed from taking the field as North Carolina’s starting third baseman in the College World Series and putting in a game-winning 2-for-5, three RBI night at the plate against eventual champions Oregon State, Ben Casparius is at a different school, in a different state, playing an entirely different role on this year’s UConn baseball team. Now, after an extremely long delay, he’s the Huskies’ Friday starter in a long line of great Friday starters.

 

Casparius’ transfer saga was rendered all but moot by the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the season, but for a while, the UConn coaching staff thought he was a lock to start opening day. He had high praise last fall, with head coach Jim Penders touting his “explosive” fastball. “If he throws it bellybutton or higher, it looks like 100 when it’s 93 [mph],” Penders said. His competitive streak and his command of the strike zone are legit, too.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Casparius is starting to be projected as a first round pick.

 

 Click here for the full list of Mack's Scouting Reports.