Prep Baseball Report's Matt Payne was at the Friday night game between LA Tech and Charlotte. Here are some of the scouting nuggets that he shared with D1 Baseball:
Cade Gibson, LHP, La Tech– Six-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Fastball ranged from 87-92 mph (1800-1900 spin), mostly at 90 mph in the first inning and 89 in the second. Fastball had run to the arm side with sinking action at times. Consistent feel for locating it to his glove side while flashing feel for his arm side. Breaking ball ranged from 77-81 mph with a 2700-2950 spin rate. Got swing/miss with his slider in the zone against left hand hitters and when expanding the zone away. Changeup had arm side run at 81-82 mph (1800 spin). Very sharp during his first three innings, retired the first seven he faced. Struggled the second time through the lineup only getting one out in the fourth before an early exit. He did not get any chase on his breaking ball the second time through and lost some feel for the changeup. Worked 3.1 innings allowing six hits, five earned runs, struck out five and walked one.
Greg Martinez, RHP, La Tech– Six-foot-3, 205-pound thick, strong frame. Fastball sat at 94 mph, touching 95 mph five times and 96 two times with 2300-2450 rpm spin. Slider at 80-83 mph (2400-2575 spin). Sharp at times starting in the middle and working down and away from right hand hitters. Lacked command but arm strength is present. Pitched one scoreless inning in relief, allowed no hits and walked one.
Cole McConnell, OF, La Tech– Athletic, defined build at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. Stayed through a breaking ball making hard contact on a lineout to first, walked in another at bat going deep in the count and laying off some pitches out of the zone. Relaxed and balanced, simple load, short stride, small hand cock back. Generates bat speed with ease, loose swing leverage, consistent line drives in BP with carry to both gaps in BP. Accurate arm lacking carry during I/O. Fluid actions in the outfield ranging to both gaps. Second leading batter for La Tech this season with a .341 average, 19 doubles, nine home runs and 71 RBI.
Taylor Young, SS, La Tech– Five-foot-9, 170-pound frame with some strength present. Turned on a fastball and hit it over the wall 386’ feet to left center (102.5 mph EV). Made hard contact lining a ball through the six-hole, doubled to left center on an inside fastball that jammed him a bit, but showed enough hand strength to get it to the gap. Stayed through a breaking ball in another at-bat that sent the left fielder back. Did not chase and will shorten up when needed. Starts balanced with an athletic base, hands up by his head, uses a leg kick, hands load down and back, will shorten the load in game action, compact swing with feel for his barrel. 4.85 on the turn from home to first. Sure hands at shortstop, comes and gets the ball playing on the run with ease, gets the ball out quick when needed with an accurate arm. Baseball IQ showed as he deked baserunners on a bloop to shallow left center. High level college baseball player who will likely get late round consideration after a huge senior season, batting .351 with 10 home runs and 20 doubles from the leadoff spot.
Cade Gibson, LHP, La Tech– Six-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Fastball ranged from 87-92 mph (1800-1900 spin), mostly at 90 mph in the first inning and 89 in the second. Fastball had run to the arm side with sinking action at times. Consistent feel for locating it to his glove side while flashing feel for his arm side. Breaking ball ranged from 77-81 mph with a 2700-2950 spin rate. Got swing/miss with his slider in the zone against left hand hitters and when expanding the zone away. Changeup had arm side run at 81-82 mph (1800 spin). Very sharp during his first three innings, retired the first seven he faced. Struggled the second time through the lineup only getting one out in the fourth before an early exit. He did not get any chase on his breaking ball the second time through and lost some feel for the changeup. Worked 3.1 innings allowing six hits, five earned runs, struck out five and walked one.
Greg Martinez, RHP, La Tech– Six-foot-3, 205-pound thick, strong frame. Fastball sat at 94 mph, touching 95 mph five times and 96 two times with 2300-2450 rpm spin. Slider at 80-83 mph (2400-2575 spin). Sharp at times starting in the middle and working down and away from right hand hitters. Lacked command but arm strength is present. Pitched one scoreless inning in relief, allowed no hits and walked one.
Cole McConnell, OF, La Tech– Athletic, defined build at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. Stayed through a breaking ball making hard contact on a lineout to first, walked in another at bat going deep in the count and laying off some pitches out of the zone. Relaxed and balanced, simple load, short stride, small hand cock back. Generates bat speed with ease, loose swing leverage, consistent line drives in BP with carry to both gaps in BP. Accurate arm lacking carry during I/O. Fluid actions in the outfield ranging to both gaps. Second leading batter for La Tech this season with a .341 average, 19 doubles, nine home runs and 71 RBI.
Taylor Young, SS, La Tech– Five-foot-9, 170-pound frame with some strength present. Turned on a fastball and hit it over the wall 386’ feet to left center (102.5 mph EV). Made hard contact lining a ball through the six-hole, doubled to left center on an inside fastball that jammed him a bit, but showed enough hand strength to get it to the gap. Stayed through a breaking ball in another at-bat that sent the left fielder back. Did not chase and will shorten up when needed. Starts balanced with an athletic base, hands up by his head, uses a leg kick, hands load down and back, will shorten the load in game action, compact swing with feel for his barrel. 4.85 on the turn from home to first. Sure hands at shortstop, comes and gets the ball playing on the run with ease, gets the ball out quick when needed with an accurate arm. Baseball IQ showed as he deked baserunners on a bloop to shallow left center. High level college baseball player who will likely get late round consideration after a huge senior season, batting .351 with 10 home runs and 20 doubles from the leadoff spot.
