By: Gary Randall – October 1, 2020
Tuesday rain pushed a normal Tuesday-Wednesday DP schedule back a day and resulted in a Thursday evening of baseball at the Chester Baseball Complex. A warm start in Game 1 transpired into a cool, dewy nightcap to wrap up Week #2 of league play.
Game 1: Cougars-Black and Falcons C started early and raced off into a close and fast-paced contest going a full 7 innings in quick fashion. Neither team logged anything but a circular zero until the 6th when both teams scored. And during that inning the Falcons C squad one-upped the Cougars-Black and held on to gain the “W”.
-Prospects: College and/or Pro-
Damien Callagy – York Comp. HS, 2023, IF/RHP, Uncommitted: First look at this lanky sophomore who will require strength gains and improvements to move his game into the legit college prospect category. Must, however, give him a shot at helping at the next level as a possible two-way guy. Made solid plays defensively, but must tighten and strengthen the carry on his too long and floppy-armed throws. Flashed some speed in a 4.37 home-1B time. Bat must come along. On the bump he was only 76-79 MPH in the game, but had 80-81 in several warm-up pitches. Is he holding back on his best FB? The CB is more a Slurve and it will need more spin/bite. Not a sure thing yet, so goes on the Suspect list over the Prospect list for the time being.
Jackson Latham – York Comp. HS, 2024, RHP: Young righty who must be followed over the coming years. Like how the arm works – solid ¾ slot arm path with arm speed out front, FB registering 76-79 MPH and moving well in this 1 inning look. Betting this FB reaches upper-80’s in time. What he’ll need is a more competitive breaking pitch and upgraded mastery of the k-zone. Keep an eye on how this one progresses.
-Top Game Performers-
Cougars-Black:
Royce Buck – three efficient and scoreless IP’s filling up the zone with FB/CB.
Cooper Queen – two scoreless innings pitched, a single and a nice diving play at 1B.
Levi Comer – fine defensive play in RF and added a single at the plate.
Damien Callagy – quality defense at SS.
Falcons C:
Avery Childs – a single and a nice defensive play in the infield.
Jackson Brown – two singles and a SB.
Lane Ross – two barrels on the night, one for a single.
Levi Donaldson – two scoreless on the mound.
Logan Sulli – earned the Save pitching a scoreless 7th inning.
-FB Velocities-
Cougars Black: Royce Buck 68-70, Cooper Queen 74-77, Damien Callagy 76-79, Jackson Latham 76-79.
Falcons C: Levi Donaldson 69-72, Lane Ross 77-80, Avery Childs 71-74, Killion Bennett 68-70, Jackson Brown 72-77, Logan Sulli 73-78.
Game 2: A few more upperclassmen dotted the field in the nightcap between the Bearcats and Cougars-Graphite. Immediately the game sped up, not in terms of the pace in clicking off innings but in the speed of bats, throws and legs. Cougars-Graphite lurched into the lead, but the Bearcats managed to stay close. In actuality the Cougs scraped by after 5 complete, but time allowed the Bearcats to hit in T6 and tie it up without the Cougars getting their chance in the bottom of that inning.
-Prospects: College and/or Pro-
John Wimmer – Rock Hill HS, SS, 2023, Uncommitted: A second league play look at this promising sophomore who hasn’t really performed that well in the 3X5, but the potential is locked in there. Presently, the power tool looks the most likely to continue coming, but the bat is in need of polish. Stroke is on the long side, too few barrels come into play and pitch recognition is not as sharp as it needs to be. He still reacts and moves more like a 3B rather than a SS but won’t write off 2B as a possible landing spot after HS. Like the potential offense here, but improvements must come. Whether they come or not and to what degree will determine if mid-D-1 or major-D-1 ends up being the fit. And, of course, the pro side is still in the mix.
Anderson Fulk – York Comp. HS, 2021, OF, Uncommitted: Good-size at 6-03/180 and L/L. Plays CF, but not at all certain he will stay there. The arm is more than adequate, speed appears to be in the 7.0 range…and, so, the bat as usual will be the deciding factor. Did not have a good night at the plate. Doesn’t get his “A” swing off enough. Will reach for pitches, will get around pitches, but his “A” swing has potential. Word is that DII schools have taken note of him and I think that’s warranted.
Hunter Latham – York Comp. HS, 2022, RHP, Uncommitted: Limited mound experience I am told, but may find a spot on a college mound with a tad more progress. Sat 81-83 MPH, had an 86 pop up on the gun once w/o any 84’s or 85’s, so not totally sure if that was a misread or he has that in him now. CB 69-73, flashed solid bite, didn’t repeat often. OT slot, cross path landing, shortened arm arc. College possibilities – hope to run into this one again to see what shows up.
Parker Callahan – York Comp. HS, 2021, RHP, Uncommitted: Another on-the-fringe talent that could push into the college arena if this coming spring produces some slight upgrades in repertoire. FB up to 83, most 80-81, work to do for a competitive CB, CHG further along and useable. Adequate control of FB, less w/ CB. Lean body and arm action suggest the FB reaching and working in the mid-80’s and perhaps touching 88-ish. College coaches – give this one a look.
-Top Game Performers-
Cougars-Graphite:
Jack Peeler – 2-4 with a couple singles. 80-84 on the mound.
Trace Stowe – two hits a single and a double.
Andrew Kinsey – 1B and 2B with a RBI.
Hunter Latham – K’d side in the 4th inning.
Bearcats:
Maddox Mobley – doubled w/ a RBI.
Kyle Wimmer – singled, walked and added a RBI.
Coleman Van Sickle – single to RCF gap.
Max Gladstone – pitched a scoreless 5th inning.
-FB Velocities-
Cougars-Graphite: Parker Callahan 79-83, Hunter Latham 81-83, Britton Adams 75-79, Jack Peeler 80-84.
Bearcats: Cayden Towell 77-80, Kobe Thurmond 75-77, Morris Morrison 67-69, Kyle Wimmer 77-79, Max Gladstone 73-76.