The Mack Draft Report – Scrimmage News, Justin Atkinson, Dominic Jose, Josh Tobias, Matt Spalding, Trevor Story, Taylor Nunez

In Scrimmage news…


The Wake Forest Gold blanked the Black team, 3-0… great pitching all around… Nate Jones: 3.1-IP, 2-K, 0-R, 0-H… John McLeod: 3.0-IP, 1-ER, 1-H, 4-K… Chuck Schlegel: 2.2-IP, 3-K, 1-H, 0-R. Mac Williamson and Matt Covay drive in a run apiece…


The University of Kentucky black team beat the blues, 2-1… Jordan Cooper: 3.0-IP, 2-ER, 5-K, 2-H, 1-BB… 6-9 Alex Meyer: 3.0-IP, 4-K, o-BB – 1-R, 0-ER…


Southern Utah: Black Team 3, Red Team 2 – Mitchell Kauweloa went 3-4, Taylor Shaw and Alakai Aglipay both had two hits… Kelsey Outram: 5.0-IP, 5-K… Justin Neubauer: 5.0-IP, 4-K.


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Dave Thorvald Olson

 We’ve written about some of the kids coming out of Canada and hottest might be SS Justin Atkinson. The 6-0, 175 Atkinson wields a very impressive bat, hitting .400 for the gold-medal winning BC team at the Canada Cup. Plus, plus arm.


Righty Justin also pitched for the Ontario Blue Jays… fastball hits 93… athletic delivery and free, easy loose arm…


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An outfielder that is starting to get some positive press is Boca Raton High School’s (Florida) Dominic Jose.


He impressed everyone in the WWBA, especially with his bat, which included a game winning grand slam home run. It was especially rewarding for Jose, who was on the sidelines for a good part of the summer with a hamstring injury.


Jose is the son of former major league outfielder, Felix Jose.


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The odds on favorite to be the first second baseman chosen in the upcoming draft goes to Southeast Guilford High School’s (North Carolina) Joshua Tobias.


Some will argue with me that he plays other positions (LF), but, trust me, he will be drafted as a second baseman.


Tremendous arm strength… raw power… excellent speed to first base… currently projects a s leadoff hitter… unorthodox short swing… great bat speed… only 5-8, 194… has potential to be solid offensive player… switch hitter… needs to keep swing plane in hit zone… verbally committed to UF, but is expected to turn pro.


Seiler had him 32nd overall in his mock, Hickey put him at 13th, and Sully had him 14th. Right now, I have him as the 21st overall pick in the draft.


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Another newbie to talk about… St. Xavier High School (Louisville) and Kentucky Baseball Club’s RHP Matt Spalding.


6-0, 190… fastball up to 96… sits at 91-94… over the top release… curve comes in the 73-77 range… 88 throw from outfield… 6.88 60… is committed to Western Kentucky University… excellent showing both at the Perfect Game Southeast Underclassman Showcase, and the WWBA… ranked 305th by PG…


Matt enters my rankings as the 154th top RHP in the upcoming draft.


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This is also the first time we have written about Irving (Texas) High School infielder/outfielder Trevor Story, who has verbally committed to play for the LSU Tigers next season.


I have him down as a shortstop, but some think he has the best outfield arm they has seen this winter. Had himself a wonderful showing at the WWBA.


Plus average raw power… compact swing… soft hands at short… also throws a 94-96 fastball…


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Another of the big relief pitchers being scouted these days is 6-4, 175-pound Salmen High School (Louisiana) RHP Taylor Nunez.


Nunez’ fast ball sits in the 87-89 range, touching 90… plus, plus curve as well…


I’ve got Nunez as the 155th best RHP in the upcoming draft.