Scouting notes from LakePoint

3/8/2016

Today was a full day of baseball at LakePoint, starting with JUCO games at 3:30, with Division II following, and Division I at 6 all taking place on the north quad. A pair of High School games with first pitches slated for 5:55 occupied the south quad.

The notable standouts from today's action included:

So. RHP Makenzie Stills, Home Plate Citadels (HS)

The slightly built Stills took the mound for the Citadels as the #23 ranked player in the 2018 class. Stills on the mound stands out for his height, and not in the prototypical fashion. Listed at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, he may be 5-foot-9, but plays big on the mound. He works from a three-quarter arm slot and strides quickly towards the plate. Stills breaks his hands early with a long, loose arm action and lands on-line with slight heel turn finish causing a fall off towards the first-base side. Stills' arm speed has never been in doubt, but it showed off with a new high on Wednesday. In the first inning he hit 94 mph and worked 89-92 mph after. He showed the ability to generate good cut action when trying to work glove side and saw slight arm-side run lower in the zone inside. He struggled with finding the strike zone in his two innings on the mound, but was able to battle and generate a swing and miss when needed. At this level, Stills will be able to cover a large number of mistakes with velocity alone, but he should continue to work on pitch location and sequencing. Stills also showed some feel for a curveball at 76 mph with short breaking action and 11-5 shape. He only mixed in a couple breakers in the outing, but he did show the ability to throw it for strikes and change the eye level of hitters, often setting them up for an elevated fastball. He still has plenty of time to continue to grow and add additional strength, but with his current arsenal of pitches he can dominate his competition. 

 For video of Stills, please follow this link.

RS Fr. RHP Zach Kendall, Bowling Green University

The freshman Kendall took the mid-week start for the Falcons and did well in his 4 2/3 innings on the mound. Kendall stands at a believable 6-foot-1 with good projection left in his frame as he continues to add strength. He worked very quickly on the mound with an up tempo delivery that was oriented on throwing strikes and challenging hitters inside. He threw from a three-quarter arm slot with simple mechanics and a loose arm action. His fastball worked 87-89 mph and touched 90 mph with good arm-side life. His command was significantly better arm-side and he often struggled working the black without having it tail too far out. Kendall showed good feel for a power breaking ball with 11-5 shape and tight spin. He was confident in the pitch and willing to burry it in the turf in any count. 

Jr. RHP Nick Coudret, University of Southern Indiana 

The strongly build, 6-foot-3, 210 pound Coudret came on in relief for the Screaming Eagles in their 13-2 win on Tuesday. Coudret worked from a three-quarter slot with good, downhill drive and on-line landing with a slightly hyperextended front leg. He utilized a short, compact arm action that he repeated well with modest lower-half incorporation. He worked aggressively downhill with a fastball that touched 92 mph and consistently worked 88-90 mph over the life of his three innings with good arm-side life. Coudret allowed only one hit and a walk in his three scoreless innings of relief. He filled the zone and did very well to keep the ball low. Coudret mixed in a handful of hard breaking 12-6 curveballs that showed good depth.