Weekly Draft Notes (+ Friday Night Starter stat lines)

Friday, 4-9-21 Friday Night Starters:

 

Gavin Williams - East Carolina - 5-IP, ER, 9-K

 

Steve Haijar - Michigan - 5-IP, 2-ER, 4-K

 

Zach Pettway - UCLA - 6.2-IP, 5-ER, 8-K, LOSS (0-2)

 

Ryan Cusick - Wake Forest - 5.1-IP, ER, 9-K, LOSS (1-2)

 

Michael Kirian - Louisville - 7-IP, 3-ER, 10-K

 

Tommy Mace - Florida - 6-IP, 4-ER, 6-K

 

Jonathan Fincher - Louisiana Tech - 9-IP, CG, 0-R, 5-K, WIN (6-0)

 

Christian MacLeon - Miss. State - 6-IP, 2-ER, 6-K

 

Jordan Wicks - Kansas State - 6-IP, 4-ER, 6-K

 

Ty Madden - Texas - 6-IP, 2-ER, 2-K

 

Ryan Webb - Georgia - 6-IP, ER, 13-K

 

Jack Leiter - Vanderbilt - 7-IP, ER, 13-K

 

Russell Smith - TCU - 7-IP, 2-ER, 12-K

 

Micah Dallas - Texas Tech - 4-IP, 6-ER, 5-K, LOSS (1-2)

 

Thomas Farr - South Carolina - 5-IP, 3-ER, 5-K, 5-BB, LOSS (2-2)

 

Grant Holman - California - 4-IP, ER, 3-K, LOSS (0-1)

 

Chase Silseth - Arizona - 6.1-IP, 0-ER, 6-K, WIN (5-0)

 

Kevin Abel - Oregon State - 6-IP, ER, 8-K

 

 

4-9-21 - Kendall Rogers @KendallRogers

 

Kansas State LHP Jordan Wicks has excellent feel for that 81-83 mph CH. he also spotted up his 91-93 mph fastball better in the third inning. He can move that thing up and down the zone, but for the most part, it’s low in the zone from a down angle. Showed a CB at 80.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

I currently project Wicks as the 3^rd top lefty in the draft, somewhere in the 2^nd round.

 

 

4-9-21 - Kendall Rogers  @KendallRogers

 

 

On a different note, this is the most erratic command I’ve seen from Texasl RHP Ty Madden this season — and he still has allowed just one run through four innings and has two strikeouts

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Early on, Madden looked to be a sure fire top 10 pick.

 

Not anymore.

 

 

 

4-9-21 - PG College Baseball @PGCollegeBall

 

Ohio State RHP TJ Brock (‘21 elig.) closes out the Buckeye win. Worked 95-97 with the FB, SL 86-90 w/ best one at 90. High octane reliever.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Brock will be one of the early relievers chosen in the draft, probably in the 3^rd round.

 

 

 

4-8-21 - PG -

 

Though it was close, Midseason Pitcher of the Year honors go to Jack Leiter, as the second-year right-hander has been nothing short of fantastic. Leiter leads the country in both ERA (0.43) and strikeouts (71) and has his signature moment of his complete game, no-hitter against South Carolina early in SEC play. The right-hander has been into the upper-90s and holds mid-90s well with four or five pitches that he uses to get a ton of swings and misses. Leiter has been must-watch television for the entire year and that doesn’t figure to change anytime soon.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

This speaks for itself.

 

 

 

4-8-21 - PG -

 

The Midseason Player of the Year is the country’s leading home run hitter in South Carolina’s Wes Clarke. His batting average is only .309, but Clarke has been doing major damage with home runs and walks as his on-base percentage is a robust .460, meaning he’s basically getting on base once every two plate appearances. His OPS is 1.269 with the nation-leading 15 home runs to his name, as Clarke has parlayed his hot start in 2020 into becoming one of the most feared sluggers in the country.

 

 

4-8-21 - Pen Live -

 

If Red Land coach Nate Ebbert wanted to, he could sell tickets to have people come out and watch Benny Montgomery take batting practice.

 

The senior outfielder, who has generated draft buzz as one of the nation’s top high school baseball players, takes batting practice before games in front of scouts and fans that have arrived at the field early enough to catch a glimpse.

 

And he puts on a show. With thundering power that last year won the Perfect Game All-American Classic Home Run Derby, Montgomery crushes pitches all over the field as dozens of phones and cameras point at him while he swings.

 

 

 

4-8-21 - Seacoast Online -

 

Cody Morissette, a 6-foot, 175-pound infielder, has seen most of his games this season with the Eagles at second base, starting eight games. He has also started four games at third base. He has played both positions six times, and served as the designated hitter twice.

 

Morissette has .268 with three home runs and 14 RBIs for Boston College going into Friday’s three-game weekend series against ACC foe North Carolina State.

 

 

4-7-21 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Another introduction to a 2021 MLB Draft prospect. Today, it's Hialeah Gardens, Florida catcher Rene Lastres. The bat has taken big strides over the past 6 months and he's a big, pro-bodied backstop with a great arm. Get familiarized!

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Defense first guy that is starting to get some ink this month.

 

 

 

4-7-21 - Shooter Hunt @ShooterHunt

 

A couple swings from ‘21 Arizona OF Matty Clark including a double over the bag at 3rd.

 

Physicality stands out right now with strength at plate from right side.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

First ink I have on him this year.

 

 

 

4-7-21 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Another view from Benny Montgomery's first rocket of the year. Hands are certainly lower and a bit quieter than last summer. Most notably, Montgomery looks a lot more physical. He's up to 205 pounds now. Played last summer closer to 190-195.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Right now, I have Benny as a late first round pick.

 

 

 

4-7-21 - pittsburgh post gazette -

 

Joe Rock consistently throws his four-seam fastball in the 92-94 mph range and can hit as high as 97. His slider’s velocity sits in the mid-to-low 80s with a sweeping break, and his change-up has continued to develop as he has gotten more comfortable with it. Above all, Rock’s control is what has stood out the most. He holds a 51-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season. In his no-hitter, he threw 54 of 89 pitches for strikes.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

I now have Rock in my top 100 picks.

 

 

 

 

4-7-21 - Fish Stripes -

 

RHP Andrew Painter’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and even topped out at 100 mph a couple weeks ago. His changeup and curveball are his best two secondary pitches. Painter also possess a mid-80s slider that’s still developing. Painter also has a very smooth delivery and is able to repeat mechanics extremely well.

 

Strengths

 

Tremendous size

Power arm

Four-pitch mix

Athletic with good mechanics

Very repeatable delivery

Advanced feel for pitching

Arguably best H.S. pitcher in country

Could move quickly through minor league system

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Nothing has changed here.

 

Still my favorite prep righty.

 

 

 

4-7-21 - Prospects Live -

 

For the high school hitters, it’s hard to look past Peyton Stovall of Haughton, LA. He’s hitting the cover off the ball this spring and it’s really caught scouts attention. He’s pushing into day one consideration for some teams. Elsewhere, Fort Pierce, Florida outfielder Jay Allen has really taken steps forward in terms of his physicality at the plate and power projection. The athleticism has ticked up. He’s certainly creeping into those conversations as well. Another one is IMG Academy shortstop Drake Varnado.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

I currently have Stovall as a late second round pick.

 

 

 

4-7-21 - Joe Doyle  @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

Another EV over 108mph for Henry Davis. He's got a handful of them this year.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

Easily the top catcher on the draft.

 

 

 

4-6-21 - BPJ -

 

2B Cooper Kinney is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitter who has simple mechanics and an easy and relaxed approach. He is an impact hitter who squares up the ball consistently, has impressive bat speed and projectable power due to his durable and athletic build.

 

One under-the-radar trait in Kinney’s game is his defensive versatility. He played every defensive position growing up and currently plays catcher and third base at Baylor. This season, he has played mostly at third base while occasionally getting time behind the plate.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

I currently have Kinney as a late fifth round pick.

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