Scouting notes from LakePoint

2/26/16

In a full slate of games at LakePoint on Friday, the action kicked off with a JUCO match-up, then transitioned to a pair of D1 games, then rounded out the day with High School games and the Georgia Highlands.

The standouts from today's action included:

Fr. RHP Justin Wilson, Volunteer State CC

Wilson, for the second straight week, handled the closer's role for the Pioneers after serving as the team's catcher for the first eight innings. Wilson showed the same online delivery and downhill action on the mound, with impressive arm speed. The 6-foot-2 right-hander showed the same lively fastball that touched 92 mph and comfortably worked 89-91 mph in his inning on the mound showing slight cutting action. The same command issues plagued Wilson on the mound as he struggled repeating his release point. In this outing he flashed a 77 mph curveball, but did not show much feel for the pitch, merely acting as a spin offering. 

For video of Wilson, please follow this link. 

Sr. 3B Clayton Taylor, University of Nebraska-Omaha

The smooth-swinging Taylor earned a nod in last weekend's edition of the blog and returns after leading the Mavericks' offense to a big win on Friday. Taylor continued to show strong plate discipline and ability to recognize and lay off spin. He also demonstrated his strong feel for barrel timing as well as plus bat speed with a three-run home run and single at the plate. Taylor utilizes a pull oriented approach with quick, strong hands through the zone. 

For video of Taylor, please follow this link.

Sr. RHP Tyler Fox, University of Nebraska-Omaha

The Senior once again earned the Friday start for the Mavericks, following last week's outing against Eastern Michigan. This outing went considerably better for Fox as he fired seven scoreless innings allowing just three hits, no runs, and striking out seven batters. Fox utilized a similar four pitch mix that he did a week ago, relying on a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. His fastball worked in the same 85-88 mph range, topping out at 90 mph and generating good cut action when thrown glove side. His curveball showed considerably better than a week ago, showing tighter spin and depth. Fox did exceptionally well to keep hitters off balance using all four of his pitches and setting them up off of the curveball. He also showed more feel for his changeup with good arm-side fade and keeping the pitch low in the zone. 

Jr. RHP Tyler Zuber, Arkansas State University

The slightly built Zuber stands very realistically to his listed 5-foot-11, 175 pound frame on the mound. What he lacks in height, the right-hander makes up for in pitchibility. Zuber used a short, compact arm action with a smooth three-quarter release point. He generated good downhill action with a very efficient delivery. He held his fastball velocity well throughout the outing, with it sitting 89-91 mph and hitting 92 mph with regularity. Zuber showed good arm-side life with his fastball and filling the bottom of the strike zone. His best pitch however was his very sharp 10-4 breaking slider that showed good tilt and tight spin. Working the pitch aggressively and in any count, he relied on it frequently and it showed as a true swing and miss offering. 

For video of Zuber, please follow this link.

Sr. RHP Matt Eckelman, St. Louis University

The strongly built 6-foot-4, 240 pound right-hander showed a loose arm action from a three-quarter arm slot. Eckelman worked his fastball up to 92 mph and routinely sat 89-91 mph with slight arm-side life, but saw it level out up in the zone. Leaving the ball up was part of the downfall for Eckleman as the Maverick hitters jumped on his elevated offerings. He mixed in a 11-5 slow breaking 78 mph curveball that showed some depth and a changeup that flashed sink.

For video of Eckelman, please follow this link. 

Jr. RHP Zach Girrens, St. Louis University

Girrens started on the mound from the first base side with a medium leg raise and closed landing down the mound with a heel turn finish. He worked from a three-quarter arm slot and showed good arm speed and downhill action with a fastball that hit 90 mph and sat between 86-89 mph with heavy life. He featured a pair of breaking balls, a 12-6 curveball and a harder thrown 11-5 downward slider. He lacked feel for the slider often trying to overthrow it and seeing it bounce before the plate. Girrens had trouble replicating his release point on the mound, hurting his command and leaving balls up and out over the plate.