2016 Rawlings Select Classic #1 Event Page
Episcopal Knights (Bellaire, Texas)
Top Prospects (Position, Grad Year, PG Rank)
• Matt Mitchell (RHP/1B, 2016, High Follow)
• Kobi Owen (OF, 2016)
• Trei Cruz (SS/2B, 2017. 489)
• Turner Gauntt (C, 2017, Follow List)
Pitching
St. Edwards commit Matt Mitchell should get the ball for the Knights in their first match-up. Mitchell has a big, physical 6-foot-5 frame with tons of present strength and should contribute offensively at first base when not pitching. Head Coach Matt Fox is also excited about Bennett Inoff who is returning from injury and should see time on the mound as well as in the field.
Offense
The offense for the Knights is a step ahead of the pitching at this point with talented Division I commitments around the field. Rice commit Trei Cruz should man the top of the order as well as a spot up the middle in the infield. Tulane commit Kobi Owen should also have an impact in the lineup with an athletic frame and smooth swing. As noted above, the Knights’ lineup will also get contributions from Mitchell and Inoff as well as Texas commit Turner Gauntt.
Summary
Matt Fox’s Knights should never be out of a game during the tournament with an impressive lineup that has depth and the ability to score runs quickly. Their semifinal loss a year ago should help drive the club to improve off of last year’s finish.
Hardin Valley Academy Hawks (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Top Prospects (Position, Grad Year, PG Rank)
• Tyler Thompson (RHP/1B, 2016, 275)
• Trevor Lloyd (RHP/OF, 2016, High Follow)
• Kevin Marth (RHP, 2016, Follow List)
• Ryder Green (3B/RHP, 2018, 34)
Pitching
The Hawks have a very strong set of starting pitchers, highlighted by Austin Peay commit Tyler Thompson who features a low-90s fastball on the bump and a 12-to-6 curveball. Fellow seniors Trevor Lloyd and Kevin Marth will also look to make big contributions on the mound.
Offense
Hardin Valley’s offensive will be led by fast-rising sophomore third basemen Ryder Green. The Kentucky commit made the rounds with team USA last summer and looks to build of his success at the plate and on the mound.
Summary
The Hawks appear to be in as good a position as any entering into the Rawlings Select Classic with the deep pitching needed to compete in an event like this. They also should receive plenty of offense highlighted by Green, as well as several of the two-way pitchers.
Lake Mary Prep Griffins (Lake Mary, Fla.)
Top Prospects (Position, Grad Year)
• David Litchfield (SS/RHP, 2016)
• Connor Wahn (OF, 2016)
• Jared Harden (C, 2016)
• Riley Wash (C/1B, 2017)
Pitching
The Griffins of Lake Mary only have two primary pitchers listed on their roster, righthander Cody Cabral-Vega and lefty Walker Dycus. They will most likely also look for contributions from Andy Allison and David Litchfield when they’re not playing the field.
Offense
Offensively, the Griffins have a handful of names to keep an eye on including talented senior shortstop David Litchfield. Litchfield possesses good speed and should hit at the top of their order throughout the tournament. Junior catcher and first baseman Riley Wash looks to build off of a strong summer campaign, while senior Connor Wahn will help produce runs.
Summary
With a very young roster (only three seniors and six juniors) the Griffins will look to build for the future as new players move into key roles for this season. Litchfield should be their player to watch, both in the field and on the mound with lots of athleticism.
Murfreesboro Centreal Magnet Tigers (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Top Prospects (Position, Grad Year)
• Darek Sargent (SS/RHP, 2016)
• Wes Duffield (1B/RHP, 2017)
• James Touchton (RHP, 2017)
• Chris Johnson (LHP, 2017)
Pitching
The Tigers’ pitching staff should rely heavily on James Touchton who returns for his junior season following an impressive sophomore campaign when he struck out 80 batters in 59 innings. Lefty Chris Johnson is another impressive junior who should be making an appearance on the mound.
Offense
Darek Sargent should be the name to watch for the Tigers as he mans their shortstop position with lots of athleticism. The two-time district player of the year is committed to Delta State. Also contributing offensively will be Wes Duffield manning first base and hitting in the middle of the order when not pitching.
Summary
The Tigers are coming off a strong finish in 2015 where they went 33-7 and lost in the state tournament. They have a large number of returning players and lots of experience with a team comprised of entirely juniors and seniors.
Scarsdale Raiders (Scarsdale, N.Y.)
Top Prospects (Position, Grad Year, PG Rank)
• John Klein (LHP, 2016)
• Tyler Mandel (3B/1B, 2017, High Follow)
• Roy Krishnan (RHP, 2017, Follow List)
Pitching
Raiders’ Head Coach Doc Scholl is excited about lefthanded senior starter John Klein retuning as the ace of their rotation. Junior righthander Roy Kirshan should also get some innings on the mound as the team’s top ranked arm.
Offense
Offensively Tyler Mandel should lead the charge in the middle of the order with a smooth swing and some power potential. Team captain Scott Kelly will also look to stand out with developing power at the top of the order.
Summary
What has coach Scholl so excited this season is his club’s defense. Starting with Kelly at shortstop, Koji Sakulrat at first and Harry Chaflin behind the plate. The Raiders have an experienced roster loaded with juniors and seniors that look to improve this season.