Went checked out this year's team at today's scrimmage...
Some Notes:
We'll start with the pitchers Alton Davis started for the Red Team and JT Quinn for the Black.
Davis is a slender lefty, but showed a good three-pitch mix with a fastball that topped at 95 per scouts that were there.
Was a little wild with his slider, and the Black Team touched him for two runs, but overall was solid. If you're a lefty-hitter, he's not fun to hit against.
Was impressed with Quinn, the transfer from Ole Miss.
Like Davis, Quinn topped out at 95 and has a hard sinker that when it's one, is going to get hitters beating it down in the dirt.
Quinn gave up just one hit in three innings. Sorry, I didn't keep up with the strikeouts, but he had a handful.
Davis Chastian also pitched three innings, giving up one run on a homer to freshman Michael Mullinax.
ABAC transfer Lucas Morici has a big, big arm. Morici topped at 97. Was told that control was a bit of an issue, but today he seemed to have everything pretty well-harnessed.
Black Team Starters
1B Charlie Jones
2B Slate Alford (also played third)
SS Erik Parker
3B Ryland Zaborowski
RF Lukas Farris
CF Max Mullinax
LF Bryce Clavon (also played second)
C Henry Hunter
DH TL Saxon
Red Team Starters
1B Brennan Hudson
2B Ryan Black
SS Trey King (also played third)
3B Cade Brown
RF Josh Morant
CF Nolan McCarthy
LF Knox Bennett
DH Robbie Burnett
C Daniel Jackson
NOTES
Bryce Clavon - Very impressed. Built like a RB, which isn't surprising considering he played QB at Kell. Clavon lined a single up the middle against Davis and promptly stole second and third.
Max Mullinax - Drove in two runs with a couple of hits, including a screamer over the fence in right that would have been a homer at Foley Field.
Eric Parker - Very good range at short. No hits, but displayed a good eye and stole a base.
Nolan McCarthy - Certain guys you can look at and tell they are gamers. That's definitely the case with Nolan. The dude's a baseball player, if you know what I mean.
Slate Alford - had a couple of hits, one to right and one to left
Catcher Daniel Jackson - Very athletic, doesn't take a bad cut. Also threw out a runner trying to steal third.
Robbie Burnett - No hits today, but hit the ball hard. Like Clavon, looks like he could suit up and play running back for Kirby Smart.
Brennan Hudson - Played first base today. Solid left-handed batter. Hit a couple of line drives, including a single to right.
Ryland Zaborowkski - Another big guy (6-5, 236). Didn't get a hit today, but has a good eye.
Ryan Black - Smooth. Very good length and bat-to-ball skills. Stole a base
My personal observations.
Granted, it was just one scrimmage. But physically this one of the better-looking and more athletic teams than they've had.
It's a really good-looking group. Still need to see how some of these bats coming from other conferences are going to adjust to SEC pitching. But there's certainly a lot of potential here.
Biggest observation about the pitching is all four guys I saw today throw HARD, with each having a three-pitch mix.
Tre Phelps and Kolby Branch did not play today, but were there.
There were 12 scouts there today.