Kentucky got off to a strong start in 2010 going 3-0 in the Caravelle Resort Tournament in Conway, SC. The Wildcats used a strong pitching performance from JR LHP Logan Darnell and SO RHP Braden Kapteyn, plus a very costly ninth inning error by Coastal Carolina to win 3-2 on Sunday.

Darnell is yet another talented arm on the Kentucky pitching staff that showed it depth over the weekend. He sat in the 88-92 range with a fastball that has good armside life. Darnell really pitches off his fastball well, but he also shows a solid feel for his off-speed stuff. Over six innings of work, Darnell allowed two runs on seven hits, while striking out six Chanticleers and walking just two. He has been as high as 94 in the past and likely projects as a reliever at the next level.

Braden Kapteyn doubles as Kentucky’s three-hole hitter and closer and was very effective in three innings of work. A physically imposing athlete at 6’4”, 220 lbs Kapteyn sat in the 89-92 range with his fastball, while also flashing a potential above average change-up. He worked three scoreless innings allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out three batters.

With an everyday line up that is loaded with talented players, Coastal Carolina’s top guy might be JR OF/2B Rico Noel. The preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year, Noel was 48-51 on stolen base attempts last year and was 5-7 on the first weekend. While his pure speed grades out as just a tick above average, his instincts on the base paths are outstanding. At 5’9” 170 lb Noel is not likely to be confused for a power hitter, but he has good quickness in his swing and profiles well at the top of a batting order. He was able to draw five walks on the weekend and posted a .571 on-base percentage.

Approximately ten scouting directors were on hand Sunday to catch a glimpse of Virginia Tech JR RHP Jesse Hahn. It is rare to see scouts flock to see a Sunday starter, but Hahn’s pure stuff is some of the best in the country. Although Hahn doesn’t have a long track record of success he did not disappoint on Sunday as he threw seven scoreless inning allowing five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He sat comfortably in the 92-94 range with his fastball topping out at 96, while also showing a potential MLB average curveball and changeup. Virginia Tech went to an easy 14-3 rout over West Virginia.

Virginia Tech SS Tim Smalling also put on a show Sunday going 5-5 and finishing 7-15 for the weekend. The redshirt-junior spent his first two seasons at Arkansas before sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. A question that came up quit a bit among area scouts in attendance was how Smalling managed to get out of North Carolina on two different occasions as he attended Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC. While a move from shortstop will likely occur at the next level, Smalling would most likely be the top shortstop in the North Carolina collegiate rankings this year.

Virginia Tech JR OF/1B Austin Wates continued to impress scouts on Sunday with a 2-4 day that put him at 7-12 (.583) for the weekend. He did a good job of squaring balls up all weekend and his quick hands are noticeable in his swing. One area of improvement that might go unnoticed is Wates drew three walks over the weekend as compared to just 24 in 411 at-bats in his first two years. A top-notch athlete Wates moved to left field on Sunday after playing first base the first two games.

Coastal Carolina will once again have a strong contingent of teams in town this weekend as UC Irvine, James Madison and NC State will all converge on Conway for the Baseball at the Beach tournament.