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Juco  | Story  | 2/14/2018

College Spotlight: JUCO Notebook

Britt Smith      Vincent Cervino     
Photo: McLennan Athletics
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Perfect Game College Player Database

Every week during the 2018 college baseball season we will be pulling at least one report, and corresponding video when available, of a player entered into the College Player Database. This week we will share several reports on players from a trio of Texas junior colleges – McLennan, San Jacinto and Howard – in addition to Walters State from Tennessee. All of the reports entered into the database can be found in one, easy-to-find place as linked above, and can also be accessed off of the individual PG player profile pages.

To access all of the reports you will need a College Baseball Ticket (CBT) subscription. To learn more about the CBT and to sign up today please visit this link.




Josh Breaux, C/OF/RHP, McLennan College

Even on a weekend when he was not in the lineup after taking a foul ball to wrist that left him unable to swing the bat, Breaux (6-foot-2, 220) managed to create some buzz again on the mound with an appearance in relief against the top-ranked San Jacinto Gators. Working with a fastball only, he produced a 1-2-3 inning while sitting at 97-mph. Showing arm-side run and slight sink to righthanded hitters, as well as the ability to throw a darting four-seamer, Breaux only threw three pitches that were not at 97. He jammed the second batter of the inning with a 95 mph boring fastball in on the hands to get a chopper to the third baseman. He used a 96 mph fastball to get ahead of the leadoff batter and bumped 98 mph on a four seamer down and away to San Jac leadoff hitter Tyriece Silas, before eventually striking him out. Breaux’s command of the fastball is much improved from his freshman campaign and he has shown a better feel thus far for using the movement of the pitch as well. Through two outings this year, Breaux has recorded five of his six outs via the strikeout without allowing a baserunner. 

By the lofty standards he set as a freshman, he is off to a slow start at the plate in 2018, if you consider a .333 average with two doubles, a triple and two home runs in just 21 at-bats slow. His average may not be as lofty as it was at this time last year but sporting a 1.254 OPS is actually ahead of the numbers he posted at the same point in the season as a freshman. The power he possesses in the bat is plus on any scale and the strikeout-to-walk ratio is even. He will be back in the middle of the Highlanders’ lineup soon enough, but head coach Mitch Thompson is not going to take any chances rushing Breaux’s recovery because he will be a key piece in getting the Highlanders back to Grand Junction this spring.

Other McLennan players added to College Player Database:

• Tristen Bayless
• Logan Freeman
• George Callil




Trey Dillard, RHP, San Jacinto

The only question about the abilities of Dillard were emphatically answered in his most recent outing against fifth-ranked McLennan Community College. With the top-ranked Gators holding a 2-1 edge entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Dillard stepped on the mound and delivered a resounding version of slamming the door shut. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound closer put to rest any questions of his ability to command his high-octane arsenal. From a high three-quarters arm slot Dillard repeatedly pounded the strike zone with a fastball that sat at 97 mph and topped at 98. He showed poise and composure with an easy effort delivery that stayed online and well directed.

The velocity was not the only impressive aspect of the outing but the command of it was. Without missing spots, Dillard pounded the glove with arm-side life and slight sink. Compound that with an 11-to-5 power curveball, which showed depth and bite at 84-87 mph, and it is easy to see how the Gators held the lead without incident. Should Dillard, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., continue with this type of precision, he should vault to near the top of scouting lists as a solid high draft pick for this June’s Amateur Draft.

Other San Jacinto players added to College Player Database:

• Sergio Macias
• Herbert Iser
• Jacob Cantleberry
• Alerick Soularie
• Aaron George
• Nick Neville
• Reid Morgan
• Tyriece Silas
• Devon Roedahl
• Peter Zimmerman




Tyler McKay, RHP, Howard College

With a long and lean frame standing 6-foot-6, 180-pounds, McKay shows a good amount of functional strength. The Kansas State transfer, has a clean and well-timed delivery from a high three-quarters arm slot. He hides the ball well in behind him before delivering to the plate. With just a waist high leg lift and minimal lower half input, it appears that there is much more in the tank for the Howard starter.

His fastball sat 89-91 mph, with sinking arm-side run and McKay showed the ability to command it well to both halves of the plate. He uses a slider with 10-to-4 shape thrown with depth and late, quick bite in the 82-83 mph range as a groundball pitch successfully. In addition, McKay uses his changeup, which is thrown with hand speed that matches his fastball, and shows arm-side run and sink, to generate off-time contact.

On a day when the weather conditions were far from ideal, McKay demonstrated a willingness to get on the mound and compete well, even with an extremely tight zone behind the plate. He shows poise and the demeanor of a seasoned veteran on the mound, working around some defensive miscues behind him, McKay never let the situation of the game affect his effort or execution on the mound.

Other Howard players added to College Player Database:

• Doug Facendo
• Saul Garza
• Nick Jodway
• Jaxon Williams




Hunter Wolfe, SS, Walters State

Shortstop Hunter Wolfe is one of the most toolsed-up prospects in the junior college ranks and comes in ranked fifth on the JUCO Top 150 draft prospect list. Wolfe is extremely athletic and has very natural, athletic actions over at shortstop. He reads the ball well and can work through throws with his footwork showing soft hands and making a number of impressive plays. Wolfe is an excellent runner, timed at 4.07 and 4.12 seconds to first base from the right side, and would grade out as a plus/plus tool that is likely his carrying tool.

Wolfe hits in the middle of the order for the Senators and shows a very compact swing and does a good job at getting the bat head out in front. He has more power than one would gather from first glance as his second swing of the game he launched a no-doubt, three-run shot deep to the pull side. The approach is more of a line drive one but he showed that he can get into a mistake pitch. Wolfe's carrying tool is his 70 run tool, however, he has a good collection of skills, bat-to-ball and defensive prowess to be worthy of a high draft selection. He is certainly athletic enough to even move to center field in pro ball if he can't stick at shortstop.

Other Walters State players added to College Player Database:

• Duncan Pence
• Luke Berryhill
• Hayden Lehman
• Alex Haynes
• Dylan Harris
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