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Tournaments  | Story  | 1/17/2021

MLK East Scout Notes: Days 1 & 2

Vincent Cervino      Tyler Russo     
Photo: Jonathan Santucci (Perfect Game)

Noah Malone (2024, Glendora, Calif.) brought possibly the loudest stuff of the entire event to the mound on day one given he is still six months away from turning 15. The 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander is pretty physical already and he incorporates that physicality into how he swings the bat, generating good bat speed and some jump off the barrel although he wasn’t able to lift the ball much in this scout’s look. On the mound, however, he came out firing from the jump, working in the 85-88 mph range and firing a single 89 mph bullet. It’s a longer arm stroke but there’s good arm speed and he creates a good bit of life toward the arm side. As impressive as the velocity is, the slider may be an even better pitch as he throws it with great intent, already into the mid-70s with devastating late bite that proved unhittable when he was around the zone with it. There were some strike issues, but given the age and time of year, there’s really not much to worry about; he should be a fun player to follow as he progresses and refines.

Carter Smith (2025, Cape Coral, Fla.) is another youngster who has already placed himself among the best in the country and for good reason given he may have the best long-term upside of any position player in the class. At 6-foot-2, 160 pounds, he’s nowhere near his physical peak and it will be scary when he does reach that. He has a glaring hit tool, already hitting 1.000 through two games this weekend, and combines that with a good deal of power as he is able to drive balls a long way while also simplifying and punching liners through the infield. The bat seems to carry the profile right now, but he’s up there with the best in his abilities at shortstop, can work up into the mid-80s on the mound and is a nationally recognized quarterback on the gridiron.


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