6/7/2019 12:00:00 AM
Cody Howard (2021 RHP, Conroe, TX) came out and filled the strike zone on the mound for Gray, running his fastball up to 89 mph while showing a quick arm and physical projection. He was able to create cut on the pitch at times and showed a short, tight slider with a replicated release.
Kade Grundy (2021 RHP, Somerset, KY) showed impressive arm strength on the mound yesterday and today showed that strength with the bat. In his first trip to the plate he barreled the second pitch he saw, an outer half fastball, to the opposite field gap for a standup triple, showing both extension and strength at the point of contact with quickness on the bases.
Lauden Brooks (2021 SS, Cincinnati, OH) showed well on both sides of the ball as the young Kentucky commit made a nice play on the charge at shortstop, picking the ball mid-stride while throwing a strike across. He followed up the defensive pay with a hard line drive single back up the middle in the next half inning.
Drake Donahoe (2021 RHP, Omaha, NE) has a strong frame and after swinging it well he jumped to his primary position on the mound where he made quick work of his three innings. With a short arm stroke he was able to fill up the strike zone and topped out at 85 mph while mixing both a curveball and changeup throughout.
Jonathan Vastine (2021 SS, Bartow, FL) put a nice swing on the ball during his first at-bat of the game from the left side, spoiling a couple tough pitches before barreling an outer half fastball through the six-hole for a line drive single.
Neither Jonathan Santucci (2021 OF, Leominster, MA) nor Santino Rao (2021 1B, Orlando, FL) are committed yet at this point though that could change pretty quickly. Both are lefthanded bats and though neither actually picked up a base hit, both stung the ball to the opposite field showing hard contact off the barrel and comfort in executing.