EMERSON, Ga. – The WWBA Labor Day Classic is in full swing as players from all over are making their fall baseball debuts. The Upstate Mavericks Black, a program that has been a mainstay at Perfect Game events since their inception, are also attending and are off to a hot 2-0 start in pool play.
The Mavericks have been around since 2006 and have always churned out elite talent. In their short history they have had 20-plus MLB draft picks, at least one player per year since 2009, and more than 300 college commitments. Founder and team manager Chris Nall attributes the success of the organization to maintaining their hot start back in 2006 and building on the talent pool ever since.
“We started in 2006, I was right out of coaching college ball and opened up an indoor facility,” said Nall. “I got the opportunity to take over a core group of guys that ended up being Scott Wingo, College World Series MVP and in the Dodgers organization; John Nester, who was at Clemson; Michael Roth played a little bit with us (and) Madison Younginer just got called up by the Braves a couple weeks ago.
“I’ve been very fortunate to start having success right away with the talent we had. We expanded from one team that summer to two that fall and then to 10 teams the following summer. It kind of exploded and took off; we’ve been blessed over the years and over the 10 years we just eclipsed 325 players to play college ball, 26 players drafted, we’ve won several PG events including the 2014 14u WWBA (National Championship).
“It’s about the kids, it’s about getting them better and advancing them. It’s not really about teaching them how to swing a bat or field a ground ball at this level but it’s about preparing them for college. When they graduate they start from ground zero as a freshman and you have to be able to compete, it’s tough. Those four years go by way too fast to not be in a good situation. At the end of the day we try not to oversell kids, we put them in a situation where they can play right away, and ask them to give 110 percent.”
Although Nall has overseen many talented teams, this particular team stands out due to their athleticism. The versatility of the players, natural athletic talents, and organizational philosophy help guide this team in the right direction and to compete at a high level.
“This group is a little bit different,” said Nall. “I got out of it for a little bit, I was just running the program for two years. I went to Limestone (College) as the recruiting coordinator and had two great years there, I loved every minute of it, but I really missed being out on the field. The Perfect Game World Series at the end of the summer was my first time back on the field and then last night was my first group. There is a core of this team that has played for a couple years but this is a fairly new group full of guys who have played for me in the past when they were 14, 15, and 16.
“When I went to college they went and did their own thing. Blake Jeter is a perfect example he went and played with EvoShield for a couple of years and now he’s back with us; Gabe Holt has played with Marucci some over the years. This is a fun group, it’s a very athletic group. This is kind of built like a college team as in there’s a lot of center fielders and shortstops on this team. If you have an athlete at every position then you have a chance to win and that’s ultimately what we’re trying to do. We have a lot of athleticism we have guys who can run, we have three or four shortstops and centerfielders, and when you put those guys on the field you have a chance.”
One of the players who Nall has coached in the past and present is Gabe Holt, the No. 11 player in the state of Georgia for the class of 2017 – 127th nationally – and a Texas Tech commit. Holt is a multi-talented athlete whose natural speed, 6.5 60-yard dash time, and hit tool separates him from the other middle infield prospects for the 2017 class. Nall recognizes that Holt is a special player and a player whose work ethic and love of the game allow for a limitless potential.
“Gabe is a special player,” said Nall. “He has a different motor than a lot of guys. He’s got some tools like speed, arm strength. He has some pop – he’s not your typical slap hitter from the left side – and he has some juice. He hit two or three balls out of the ballpark this summer and I expect him to do it this fall. He’s only going to continue to get bigger and stronger. The sky is the limit for him. He’s got great work ethic and overall he’s a good kid.
“He brings a high level of energy to the guys around him. He and Douglas Angeli (Jr.), who’s been with me for a very long time and a UNC Wilmington commit, are both really special up the middle. They’re contagious and it really affects everyone on the team. I made the comment last night that I love seeing them back together because they’re always talking. Those guys are communicating and that’s pro ball. That’s what you see out of them is a pro ball mentality which is special at this age.”
Holt, a participant at the Perfect Game National Showcase in mid-June, has never really taken a moment to look back at all he has accomplished. Born and raised in Georgia, Holt always thought he would stay home but the offer to play baseball at Texas Tech was too enticing. This fall Holt is committed to gaining strength and overall polish as a player, something that should go a long way towards succeeding in the Big 12 conference.
Although the WWBA Labor Day Classic is just Holt’s second tournament event this summer, he appeared in nine a year ago, and enjoyed tremendous success. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at six of those, including the WWBA Underclass World and WWBA World Championships, and when combined with his red-hot performance at the 17u WWBA National Championship this July, in which he hit .706 (12-for-17), Holt has a tremendous amount of momentum carrying him into his senior year of high school.
“Obviously playing against this talent helps to get you ready for the next level,” said Holt. “The pitching is so good and it really prepares you. I’ve always played up so with the talent level there it gets me ready for the next level. If you play better talent then you play better at the next level. I definitely never thought I’d be committed to Texas Tech. I’m a local Georgia guy and Texas is almost 18 hours away. I’m definitely excited about what the future holds and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Holt finished Saturday’s 16-5 victory over Trojans Baseball by going 3-for-4 with three runs scored including a rocket triple off the right field wall. His aforementioned speed plays in game and he has pop from the left side with a quick bat. Texas Tech is still a year away so for the time being Holt is dedicating himself to improving as a player and to help the guys around him get better every day.
“I want to get stronger,” said Holt. “As a team, get better team chemistry and to get to know everyone better. We want to get better every day.”