6/20/2015 3:16:47 PM
Jason Groome has been viewed as one of the top arms in the 2016 class and he reaffirmed that notion, sitting in the 92-95 mph range with his fastball, looking as though he’s playing catch and doing it with ease. Pounding the ball downhill in the strike zone, the left-handed Vanderbilt commit showed a sharp curveball in the upper-70s and a changeup at 79 mph.
Alexis Torres has continued to have a nice showcase, squaring up a 93 mph fastball from Groome and lined it deep to centerfield for a standup double.
Jeff Belge, another high end arm out of the Northeast, faced off against Groome for the first two innings. With a strong and broad 6-foot-4, 245-pound build the St. John’s commit showed an easy arm action that produced a fastball up to 92 mph. Able to pound inside on right-handed hitters, Belge also showed a nice feel for a breaking ball in the 75-77 mph range.
Avery Tuck announced his presence during batting practice and he hasn’t stopped hitting against live pitching as he again drove a pitch to the opposite field, banging a double off of the Green Monster. On the game he ended up picking up 3 hits on the day.
Facing a quality left-handed fastball, catcher Herbert Iser squared up a low-90s fastball and shot it back up the box for a hard line drive single.
Jarron Silva showed off his speed and defensive instinct early in the game as he came charging in and made an excellent diving catch on a sinking line drive. 4.22
It would be hard to find a bat that has proven to be more consistent than that of Joe Rizzo. A left-handed hitter, Rizzo was unfazed by velocity as he once again got the barrel to the ball and hit a hard ground bat single up the middle.
Rian Haire, a University of South Carolina commit, showed a steady fastball in the 89-91 mph range, working over his front side well and generating solid downhill plane. To go with his fastball the left-hander showed a solid slider up to 79 mph with tight rotation and late biting life.
Cam Sheppard, a University of Georgia commit showed a solid two-strike approach in the box before lining fastball back up the middle for a hard line drive single. He then stole second base within the next two pitches.
The second Vanderbilt commit from the Northeast to take the mound, right-hander Ian Anderson showed a high level of pitchability, mixing three pitches very consistently with a feel for all three. Working steadily in the 91-93 mph range with his fastball showing solid life to his arm side Anderson also mixed in a quality breaking ball and a late fading changeup.
Coming out from California, San Diego commit Cole Cardey generated consistent downhill plane on his fastball that peaked at 91 mph, showing heavy life down in the zone. Able to miss bats with his fastball, Cardey also showed a nice feel for his 12-6 in the 73-74 mph range with a 78 mph changeup to round out his arsenal.
A primary shortstop, South Carolina commit Grant Bodison may have made the defensive play of the showcase while at second base as he ranged back to his right on a soft flare and finished the play with a diving catch while still going backwards.
The third Vanderbilt commit to take the mound, left-hander Braxton Garrett worked comfortably in the 88-90 mph while filling up the bottom half of the strike zone with the pitch. To go along with the fastball, Garrett showed a quality feel for his sharp curveball snapping several off for strikes up to 80 mph.
Blair Frederick is a left-hander from Louisiana who is committed to stay in-state with the Tigers of Louisiana State. Working steadily in the upper-80s with his fastball from a deceptive and extended three-quarter arm slot, Frederick was able to fill up the strike zone. Along with his fastball, Frederick showed a strong feel for his slider up to 77 mph out of the same slot with big breaking life.
Standing at 6-foot-6, right-hander Easton McGee shows a very projectable frame and already is capable of producing quality stuff on the mound. Living in the 88-90 mph range with his fastball, McGee showed heavy life with his fastball down in the zone from a quick and compact arm action.
Closing out the game was right-hander Brandon Fraley from the state of Delaware. Listed as a primary outfielder, the uncommitted Fraley sat in the 87-90 mph for his one inning of work. Showing a quick and short arm action, Fraley filled up the strike zone and also showed a sharp 12-6 curveball up to 79 mph.