Mack - Weekly Draft Notes

5-14-21 - Maine Baseball @MaineBaseball

 

Nick Sinacola breaks a 30-year old program record, striking out more batters in a single season than any other Black Bear in Maine history!

 

Mack’s spin -

 

We just talked about this killer in my last ‘Bullet’ post.

 

Bad competition but worth considering in the 4^th/5th round.

 

5-14-21 - Florida Rivals -

 

LHP Ryan Webb 

 

Georgia’s Sunday starting pitcher has had a really impressive season for the Bulldogs and considered to be one of the top collegiate southpaws in the country. On MLB Pipeline, Webb is the 90th ranked prospect in the 2021 MLB Draft.

 

During his fourth year at UGA, Webb has made eleven starts which is a career-high for Webb. He has also posted a 3-4 record with a 3.32 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 12.4 K/9, and .198 opponent batting average.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

I have Webb coming off my board as the 15^th southpaw.

 

5-14-21 - fish stripes -

 

OF Benny Montgomery

 

The Miami Marlins went all pitchers in the 2020 MLB Draft, so it would not be surprising if they prioritized the top available hitters this year when it’s their turn to pick. Red Land High School outfielder Benny Montgomery might be their guy.

 

5-13-21 - D1Baseball @d1baseball

 

In four games last week, Texas A&M’s Will Frizzell had seven extra-base hits, two doubles, eight runs scored, five homers and finished the week with a whopping 11 RBIs.

 

Mack’s spin -

 

We just talked about Frizzell in my last “Bullet” post.

 

Glad to see others are recognizing this rising talent.

 

5-13-21 - mlb -

 

James Wood, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (No. 25)

 

Wood really jumped on the map over the summer, when he turned what was perceived to be raw tools into performance. For much of the showcase circuit, he was one of the most exciting hitters in the country, showing he could tap into his raw power while posting plus run times. This spring has been a different story, as he’s often scuffled at the plate with swing-and-miss concerns aplenty. He did hit a couple of homers last week, so perhaps he’s righting the ship close to the end of IMG’s season, and he’s the type of player who could perform very well in private workouts.

 

Mack’s spin =

 

I have Wood as my #2 outfielder, right behind Sal Frelick.

 

5-13-21 - mlb -

 

Will Taylor, OF, Dutch Fork HS (Irmo, S.C.) (No. 26)

 

Taylor may be the Draft’s best three-sport star. He accounted for 32 touchdowns while quarterbacking Dutch Fork to the South Carolina 5-A title last fall -- earning a football scholarship to play wide receiver at Clemson in the process -- and also has won state wrestling championships in the 152- and 160-pound weight classes. He’s more advanced on the diamond than most multi-sport athletes, with impressive feel for hitting and center-field instincts, and he’s also at least a plus-plus runner with developing strength.

 

Mack’s spin - 

A late riser, I have Taylor currently as my 6^th outfielder.

 

5-13-21 - mlb -

 

Josh Hartle, LHP, Reagan HS (Pfafftown, N.C.) (No. 28)

 

Hartle could become the third North Carolina prep left-hander to go in the first round of the past five Drafts, following MacKenzie Gore (Padres, 2017) and Blake Walston (D-backs, 2019). He bounced back from an appendectomy this spring to throw a 14-strikeout perfect game in his second start. The Wake Forest recruit has a projectable 6-foot-5 frame with the potential for three solid or better pitches and command to match.

 

Mack’s spin - 

Hartle keeps eeking up the charts.

 I currently have him as my 3^rd lefty on my charts.

 

 5-13-21 - mlb -

 

Anthony Solometo, LHP, Bishop Eustace Prep (Pennsauken Township, N.J.) (No. 55)

 

Getting comps to Gore and Madison Bumgarner does set a pretty high bar, even if those comparisons are more because of his high leg kick and lower arm slot than his stuff. That said, Solometo’s stuff has been plenty good, as he’s been popping 95 mph regularly with a fastball that he commands very well. The North Carolina recruit has a slider that can be plus and a changeup that should give him three at least above-average pitches with excellent control of all three.

 

Mack’s spin -

 Another southpaw creeping up the charts.

 Currently, I have him at #4 behind Hartle.

 

 5-12-21 - PBR -

 

Player: Vytas Valincius

 

Position: 3B/1B

School: Baylor School (Tenn.)

 

The No. 2-ranked prep third baseman in the 2021 class was a clear standout at this year’s PBR Super 60, where he launched balls upwards of 409 feet, recorded a max exit velocity of 110 mph, and posted the event’s second-highest average exit velocity (98.25 mph). Valincius’ hit tool separates him from most hitters in his class and gives scouts a high level of confidence in projecting his future power output. He gets the most out of his physical 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame, creating considerable torque while working uphill with his right-handed swing to generate launched contact. The hands load fluidly in sync with a knee-knock leg kick, and his low time to contact makes his power production that much more efficient and exciting. What’s more, Valincius already has the ability to slow the game down at the plate, discerning pitch types early and then tracking them well. He’s an impressive athlete for his size and ran a 6.97-second 60-yeard dash time at the Super 60. That athleticism, as well as Valincius’ strong arm (up to 89 mph), gives him a chance to start at third base professionally, and the bat will more than carry him as a first baseman if necessary.

 

Mack’s spin -

 Pretty impressive report.

 I have him as my 5^th first baseman on my board.