Week Five kicked off tonight in the upstate and DP dialed in on a twinbill at Spartanburg Methodist College. Coach Tim Wallace was generous enough to allow us to jump on his field for teams to showcase their talents. With only two weeks left in season some teams are battling to get into the final eight.
Game One featured the underclassmen of Gaffney #2 taking on the more experienced Boiling Springs. Even though maturity separated the two teams, Gaffney didn’t back down and continued to put up a fight until the last pitch. The Bulldogs would come out victorious 9-2.
The nightcap was a more balanced game as two of the league’s upper ranked teams faced off in a competitive affair. There is plenty of history between Union and Woodruff as they used to battle in region matchups which creates a great HS baseball atmosphere. Both teams traded licks in the first couple of innings before Union separated themselves with a 4-2 advantage in the sixth. Graham Lawson opened the bottom half with a solo bomb which got Woodruff’s offense going. They ended up plating five runs to take a 7-4 lead. The game ended due to time expiring but solid affair to end the evening.
-Prospects–
Brandon Brasher – 2015, Boiling Springs HS, Uncommitted, 3B/RHP: Brasher had a night at the plate coming up a 2B short of hitting for the cycle. He found the barrel in every AB and went ‘ya-ya’ to deep left center (which is a poke at SMC). Brasher also made every play at 3B and showcased an above average and accurate arm across the diamond. Would like to see him clean up his body this off-season but playing at the next level is more than a possibility.
Dustin West – 2015, Union HS, Uncommitted, 1B: I’m starting to like this kid more and more. I think the swing will translate over even though he needs to get better picking up the breaking ball. Once he starts seeing plus pitching he will be exposed. West put a solid stroke on the ball his first AB lacing an oppo-double. Kid seems to enjoy the game and he plays it in the correct manor (hustles, very vocal, and poised). West will be a solid pick up for someone looking to add a bat in their lineup.
Graham Lawson – 2015, Woodruff HS, Clemson commit, RHP/1B/C: Mostly known for what he does on the mound, Lawson showed he is multi-talented tonight. He started behind the plate and made it look easy showcasing arm strength (2.01). He probably could have developed into a catcher if he worked at it but having been seen up to 93 MPH on the bump removes him from the equation of becoming a catcher. Lawson got the rally going in the sixth with his solo blast to deep left center. He was slated to have his first outing on the mound tonight but game was called due to time limit.
Damian Eubanks – 2017, Gaffney HS, Uncommitted, INF/RHP: Eubanks hits leadoff for this Indian team but l liked what I saw on the mound. He throws from two different slots and shows ability to command the zone with both. He climbed up to 78 from up top and 73 from down low. Getting physically stronger and bigger will assist once natural maturity runs its course. Another follow guy.
Michael Elijah – 2016, Boiling Springs HS, Uncommitted, SS/OF: Elijah made some solid plays at SS tonight, showed above average arm and actions. Elijah shows athleticism and baseball IQ. Defense trumps offense but bat speed is present. A definite follow guy.
J.D Cheek – 2016, Union HS, Uncommitted, UTL/RHP: Raw, good looking athlete here with Cheeks. He shows bat speed and ability to hit even though it is all pull side. He got down the line 4.38. Not real sure what his position is but 2B looks to be a good fit.
Clay Skinner – 2016, Woodruff HS, Uncommitted, RHP: Third time seeing Skinner on the bump and he continues to show a lot of consistency with his delivery and release point. Velocity wasn’t as good as we saw a couple of weeks ago but if he makes a jump, there will be options out there for him moving forward. Turns over a breaking ball well. FB was 79-82 tonight. 81-83 couple of weeks ago.
-Notables-
Troy Millwood – 2015, Union HS, Uncommitted, RHP/C: Millwood sat 79-82 on the mound, located a breaking ball with depth, and showed slight command. He also jumped behind the plate after pitching and didn’t look bad either. Millwood plays hard with respect for what he does.
Avery Green – 2016, Woodruff HS, Uncommitted, MIF: Undersized sparkplug that has wheels (4.60 turn). Green is put together and looks to understand what type of player he has to be.
Houston Wright – 2017, Gaffney HS, Uncommitted, RHP/1B: Long and lean kid. LHH/RHP. 75-77 on the mound with long extremities. Barreled a couple of balls up as well.
Jordan Jeter – 2016, Union HS, Uncommitted, 3B/1B: Not a lot of production but passes the eye test for being a baseball player. Swing tends to get long and needs to shorten up.
More Notables: Jack Masters, Trent McDaniel, Clayton Caudell, Robbie Vess
SMC Plus: http://www.gosmcpioneers.com/sports/bsb/2014-15/releases/20140811j4zybk