LATEST PG SHOWCASE REPORT
2007 National Showcase
Joseph (Jay) Austin is a 2008 OF/P with a 6'1'', 180 lb. frame from Atlanta, GA who attends North Atlanta HS. He has a lean, greyhound type body and could trade spots physically with top 2008 prospect Aaron Hicks and few would notice the difference. Austin has outstanding running speed at 6.20 in the 60 and runs easily and effortlessly. Austin has huge range in centerfield and has more arm strength than he showed in drills. Offensively, Austin is still looking for his identity as hitter. He has fast twitch hands and some present strength but looks like he's thinking too much at the plate, especially about slapping the ball and running. Austin's speed is an impact tool but he's big and strong enough with enough raw bat speed to drive the ball and attack it aggressively instead of playing a little man's game like his East Cobb teammates Raymond Anderson and Jonathan Taylor. The tools are in there to develop into a high level hitter but they weren't on display in Cincinnati. Often overlooked in Austin's package is that he's a projectable left handed pitcher with a 90 mph fastball and a hammer 76 mph curveball, although he doesn't pitch frequently and is still raw mechanically. As an athlete, Austin has all the tools and could blossom quickly if he has the aptitude with the bat. Austin is a good student.