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College | Story | 2/27/2019

Scout Take: Georgia Tech

Greg Gerard

Photo: Kyle McCann (GT Athletics/Danny Karnik)

College Notes: Feb. 22 | Feb. 23 | Feb. 24 | Big bats in AZ
Scout Takes: UCLA | Vanderbilt | Virginia | Stanford | College Player Database

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

What Happened: The heroics of catcher Kyle McCann hitting a walk-off home run in extra innings jolted the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to a game one win over UCLA, but the No. 4 team in the country bounced back in a big way taking games two and three. The Jackets jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in game two, but the Bruins scored six unanswered runs in the next two innings to ultimately seal the deal. Game three was all Bruins as they scored all six of the game’s runs and provided outstanding production from their pitching staff.

Carrying Tool: Starting pitching. Two out of the three starters for the Yellow Jackets over the weekend turned in a quality start. The lone starter who did not was Connor Thomas, the team’s statistical leader in virtually every pitching category a year ago. Friday night starter Xzavion Curry and Sunday starter Brant Hurter each pitched well in their starts on the bump and should fair well in the ACC. Thomas, who is has been a light's out starter on Saturdays for the Jackets was hit around some, but the lefty has a proven track record as a dominant pitcher giving GT a formidable weekend trio.

Concerns: Bullpen depth. The worry for the Yellow Jackets is after these three starters turn in good starts is bridging the gap to the end of games. Tristin English is a bright spot for Georgia Tech and he was masterful in his three innings of relief on Friday night, ultimately earning the win. Jonathan Hughes is another, but these two righthanders cannot pitch every day. The Yellow Jackets are going to have to have someone else step up in a big way for this team to win games in the later innings.

Best Player on the Field: Kyle McCann. It was obvious throughout the weekend who the best hitter, best power hitter and ultimately the best player was for the Jackets. It was catcher Kyle McCann. The lefthanded hitting backstop seemed to barrel the baseball up each time he was at the plate. He was a power threat on Friday night as his late game heroics were ultimately the difference in the game. The question is if he can stay behind the plate long-term at the next level, and after this weekend of blocking balls and showcasing his flexibility the answer is likely yes.

Fearless Forecast: Super Regional. A team with as many veterans in the lineup and three quality starting pitchers could see themselves in a Super Regional at the end of the year. The talent is there for the Yellow Jackets, but the production has to all come together. The lineup is well-balanced with guys like shortstop Austin Wilhite and designated hitter Michael Guldberg off to a hot start while the pitching staff, as mentioned, is the carrying tool. As the season continues, however, they are going to need to improve week in and week out as well as catch fire come playoff time.

Player covered: Kyle McCann, Michael Guldberg, Austin Wilhite, Tristin English, Xzavion Curry, Jonathan Hughes, Connor Thomas, Amos Willingham, Brant Hurter.

Kyle McCann
McCann is off to a hot start to the 2019 season already with three home runs in two series. The one he hit in GT's series against UCLA was a no-doubter to dead center field in walk-off fashion. The lefthanded hitting catcher has a strong swing with lots of simplicity. He looks to hammer balls to his pull side with intent to elevate and hit the baseball out of the park. If this look was any indication, McCann is a prototypical all-or-nothing type hitter at the plate.

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