Scouting notes from LakePoint

It was a full day of baseball Friday at LakePoint with a D1 programs Eastern Michigan and Nebraska-Omaha, two talented JUCO’s in Volunteer State and Lincoln Trail, as well as the tough NAIA Point University.

Notable standouts from today’s action include:

Sr. RHP Sam Delaplane, University of Eastern Michigan

The Eagles’ closer in 2015 took the mound to open up their season and didn’t disappoint showing a very loose arm action and working from a three-quarters slot. The 5-foot-11, 175 pound right-hander started with a medium leg raise into a slight drop and drive, Delaplane utilized an online delivery with good extension down the mound. Delaplane worked quickly and opened the game hitting 91 mph on the gun and held his velocity well throughout his outing, sitting in the 88-90 mph range. His fastball primarily worked straight, but when he threw it low in the zone it generated slight arm-side run. His best pitch was his 12-6 shaped curveball that showed tight spin and impressive depth. He filled the strike zone and was able to locate arm-side exceptionally and flashed well glove side. Delaplane had the occasional problem leaving his fastball up in the zone, getting hit hard when he did, but he competed on the mound and left after 6 2/3 innings allowing three runs.

For 2/19's video of Delaplane, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FIr3PV4Ifs

Sr. OF Cole Gruber, University of Nebraska Omaha

Coming in to the game as PG’s pre-season conference player of the year, Gruber showed impressive tools across the diamond. He opened the game with a double to right field, aggressively challenging the fielders with his legs and safely making it to second. In the field, he managed to get fantastic jumps on the ball with good range. Gruber is a truly elite runner clocking a 4.13 home to first time that’d fit around the 70 range in the professional 20-80 scouting scale. His speed plays very clearly in games as he swiped two bags and beat out an infield hit. At the plate, Gruber showed very impressive bat speed with a short, compact stroke. His advanced feel for barrel timing and pitch recognition allow him to square up pitches with consistency.

For 2/19's video of Gruber, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liag2Zy9cHc

Sr. 3B/SS Clayton Taylor, University of Nebraska Omaha

Taylor didn’t wait long to make his presence felt in the game with a first-pitch-swinging two-run home run in the top of the first inning. Taylor showed really consistent plane through the zone with his swing that generated natural lift and back spin. In his following two at-bats, Taylor utilized a more patient approach working two walks and showing the ability to pick up spin. Taylor’s bat speed stood out as well, turning on an inside fastball with the present strength to keep the ball fair, rather than pulling it foul.

Sr. RHP Tyler Fox, University of Nebraska Omaha

The 6-foot-2, 190 pound right-hander is the third member of this Maverick’s team to make PG’s all-conference selections, joining his teammates Taylor and Gruber. Taylor worked from a three-quarter slot with a short arm action and quick circle through the back. He lands slightly closed on the mound, giving him a slight cross-fire delivery down the mound. His fastball worked in the upper 80’s throughout the start with a floor of 85 and a high of 80 mph. With his cross-fire action, his fastball showed slight cut action to it low in the zone. Fox worked in an 11-5 shaped curveball as well on the mound flashing depth up to 76 mph, but his better of the two breaking pitches was his 10-4 shaped slider. He showed slightly more feel for his slider with short breaking action that he threw harder, up to 80 mph. Fox also showed a changeup in warm-ups with slight fade and depth.

For 2/19's video of Fox, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sq3j3W379A

RS Jr. SS Marquise Gil, Eastern Michigan University

The toolsy Eagles’ shortstop showed very clean, quick actions in the infield with smooth transfer skills and strong arm across the diamond. Gil looks taller than listed at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds with good present strength. He moves well on the bases consistently requiring a pick-off attempt from opposing pitchers and taking the extra bag with ease. At the plate, Gil is slightly inconsistent with his bat path, but his bat speed helps him recover and continue to make hard contact.

Sr. OF/3B Jackson Martin, Eastern Michigan University

It’s hard to lose Martin on the field, as he easily lives up to his listed 6-foot-5, 220 pound frame. Martin has clear present strength and has filled out his large frame well. His long limbs work both for him and against him, occasionally making his swing long, but also allowing him to get to the outside pitch and drive it. He works with a pull oriented approach with raw power and quick hands. He netted three of the 17 hits recorded by Eastern Michigan Friday afternoon with four RBI and three runs scored.

So. 3B/OF Brennan Williams, Eastern Michigan University

Not to be outdone by his teammate, Williams delivered a big day of his own showing easy, pure bat speed at the plate with a line drive swing plane. Williams cleared the left-field wall with a deep home run to further expand the Eagles’ lead. With clear strength in his 6-foot-4, 225 pound frame, Williams generates good leverage and torque through his lower half to drive the ball to all fields.

Sr. RHP Dylan Griffin, Point University

Taking the mound for Point University, the 6-foot-3, 220 pound senior looks the part on the mound. With strength throughout his frame, the tall right-hander works with a sharp downhill action and impressive arm speed. Working from a high three-quarter slot, Griffin features a long arm action with a hard stab at the end of his circle. Landing slightly closed with a heel turn in his landing, Griffin showed a fastball that topped out at 93 mph with cutting action, and sat in the 90-92 range for the first two innings, then settled in in the upper 80’s. He struggled with command, but occasionally flashed the ability to work arm-side. Griffin also featured a sharp, 10-4 shaped slider that hit 84 mph with sharp bite and tilt.

For 2/19's video of Griffin, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RePvEHaK0Zk

So. OF DeAires Moses, Volunteer State CC

A 31^st round pick of the Mariners in the 2014, the 5-foot-9, 170 pound Moses showed exceptional quick twitch athleticism and top notch speed. In the field, Moses displayed really good ability to track balls and flashed his impressive speed and range to make a diving catch in the right-center field gap. At the plate, he starts with a slightly open stance and a hand set that rests close to the body. He ripped a double in his second at-bat, but had some trouble matching plane at the plate in his following at-bats. His speed will always allow him a chance to beat out a base hit, registering a 4.03 home to first time on a bunt puts him in a special class.

For 2/19's video of Moses, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmae6mwoJ14

So. RHP Josh Krupinski, Volunteer State CC

The 6-foot-5, 240 pound Krupinski came in the game in relief for Volunteer State. He worked quickly from a three-quarter arm slot with a long arm action. Krupinski showed good lower half incorporation with good hip drive down towards the plate. His fastball had heavy action and touched 90 mph. With a slightly closed landing and heel turn finish, he generates slight cut action on his fastball. He worked both sides of the plate well and showed the ability to generate swings. Would like to see him work on a secondary offering to play off his fastball.

For 2/19's video of Krupinski, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGgmBlDF2H8

So. LHP Austin Batka, Lincoln Trail College

The University of Michigan commit came in to fire a pair of relief innings for Lincoln Trail College. With an extreme cross-fire delivery, Batka relies on a long, loose arm action and plus arm speed on the mound. His fastball showed good cut action and topped out at 91 mph and sitting 88-90 mph in throughout his outing. His inconsistencies in release point hindered command, but he flashed the ability to locate arm-side. In warm-ups he showed both a changeup and slider, but did not throw either in game. The changeup flashed some fade and depth, showing some potential to be a weapon.

For 2/19's video of Batka, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6Av3GbKrPE

Fr. RHP/C Justin Wilson, Volunteer State CC

The 6-foot-2, 170 pound right-handed Wilson came in to close the game for Volunteer State after catching the first eight innings. Behind the plate, he showed an exceptionally strong arm that translated well on the mound as well as sound receiving skills. As a pitcher, he started with a medium leg raise and high over the top arm angle. He landed online and showed a very quick arm with sharp downhill action. He featured a fastball that touched 93 mph and sat in the low 90’s. He also struggled slightly with repeating his delivery leading to occasional wildness, but he attacked hitters and did not hesitate to elevate his fastball to garner a swing and miss.