Central Carolina Prospects- Wingate

Part 1

What a great weekend for baseball! But it was even better because of the players participating. During the two-day event, I saw something you rarely see in these type events. For many of the players who have never played together before, I watched every single player hustling into and out of the dugout, picking up their teammates and genuinely supporting each other trying to win their games. It was refreshing to see that.

I have attended 100’s of showcases, workouts and clinics, but I have never witnessed what I saw the last two days. Many showcases offer evaluations, but rarely are they revealed or discussed with the players and their families. I watched Freddy Suggs speak to every player and their parents (70+ participants) about his evaluation of their son’s performance. It went well into the night before he was finished and he didn’t leave until the last player left (many wanted to talk to him after the evaluations.) What I found unique is Coach Suggs had all the players gather in the stands to discuss many things about recruiting, off season workouts and being a “baseball player”. I’m sure these guys have heard many of these things before, so I was watching if the players were paying attention or if they were bored by the information. I didn’t see one player not looking at Freddy while he spoke.

I had an opportunity to coach 4 different teams. I wasn’t looking specifically at talent for two reasons. First, all of them had some tools and second, I let the scouts determine that. I was looking for attitudes and “ball players”: The guys with high baseball IQ’s and was aggressive. Fortunately for me, I had a ton of those type players. Since I was not able to coach them all, I can only speak about the players on my teams and here were some that caught my attention

 

Part 2

Ethan Austin- RHP 5’11” 190 ’10 North Stanley

Here is a kid with an attitude. Great composure. A bulldog mentality who knows what he is doing on the mound

Adam Church- Catcher 6’1” 200 ’09 Watauga

I admit---he’s my boy. But what is there not to like. He plays the game hard-nosed, but with a smile on his face. He just loves playing the game. I believe if there is snow on the ground, he would say “what a great day to play a ball game” He just loves it that much. He has a pro body and uses that body as a brickwall at the plate…and can absolutely crush the ball. How he has not signed already is beyond me.

Tom Dobbins- Catcher 6’1” 190 ’09 Reagan

Here is another catcher that caught my eye. A very high baseball IQ that manages pitchers like a coach. In fact, I found Dobbins to be the most instinctual player at the event. For a catcher to be able to steal 3 bases and turn a double into a triple with aggressive base running is something you do not see often. He seemed like a player that is thinking one step ahead of others. When Tom gets with a college lifting program, this kid will be a stud.

Jonathon Hamlet- RHP 6’0” 208 ’09 Chase

A mature body, aggressive pitcher and an attitude to match, This Spartanburg Methodist commitment knows what he is doing on the bump. You cannot rattle him. The kid is a bulldog and I fear for a batter that crowds the plate against him.

Kyle Hedgepath - 2ndB 6’0” 155 ’09 Fuquay-Varina

Quickest wrist of any hitter attending. Allows the ball to get deep and uses the whole yard. To my knowledge, the kid never made an out in two days. Great hands, great feet and unbelievable attitude. Got nailed by a pitch in his elbow; everybody wanted to take him out, but he wouldn’t let them. Then he proceeded to steal 2nd. I loved that kid.

Andrew Parker- 2ndB 5’9” 155 ’09 Reagan

A Tyler Hanover-type player without his power. Quick hands, quick feet and makes all the plays. No one out-hustles him and he does it with a smile. If a team is going to be successful it must have a Parker on it…a leader.

Michael Whited- SS 5’10” 170 ’10 Ragsdale

A solid no nonsense player, Whited is fundamentally sound and consistent. A good number 2 hitter because he will always make contact. He will be instrumental in the success of the baseball powerhouse Ragsdale baseball program.

Eric Pilecki- RHP 6’2” 190 ’09 Cary

Most projectable pitcher at the event. I didn’t get a chance to catch his readings, but I didn’t need to see them. He dominated every inning that he pitched. I would like to mention to the coaches at Cary, you need to let this kid bat. It was a plus this weekend

Cody Shelton- 3rdB 6’2” 170 ’10 Ardrey Kell

In my opinion, he was the best athlete at the event. Shelton is a legitimate D1 prospect, as he gets older. He has very quick hands (probably developed from playing hockey); gap to gap power and can literally play any position in the field. Let me tell you what Shelton did. After playing another game at 3rd base, the last game I needed another outfielder. Cody begged to play it (making a hustling catch and a strong throw at the plate.) I needed an extra inning for a pitcher and he said, “Coach, I can pitch”..he went out there and shut out the side. Later in the game, I wanted to give my catcher a rest and sure enough here comes the Shelton kid. “Coach, I can catch!” ..and he did.

Cody Shelton is a broad shouldered kid that will probably be 6’3” 195 solid frame by the time he is a senior. Obviously, he can do it all, but for those that remember his older brother, Kyle, Cody is an even better athlete that will out-hustle you and will compete his butt off. Give me 9 Cody Shelton’s and we will compete against any team in the state..he is that good

 

Re: Cody.

First, he's a 2010, not a 2011. Second, I got a phone call from my son a little earlier today and Cody was with him. I could hear Cody telling my son that he played just about every position this weekend (and he had a blast). They did even chuckle about him catching. Clearly, the kid can do it all and he is a GREAT kid. Very polite and personable. A kid you don't mind your kid hanging around with. And he's humble. You gotta like humble.

 

Cody Shelton was not on the player list, so I guessed what his class was. Thanks for the correction

 

No problemo...

Also to note (as you likely already may know), Cody plays for On Deck and did an outstanding job at 3rd this fall.

 

There were other very good players. I just ran out of time to list them all.

Listen to this tandem. Phillip Cotton SS '10 Fuquay-Varina was incredible. He is a solid 5'11" 170 build and the ball flys off his bat. He was another one of those great kids that love the game and play it hard. He just missed going yard and played a flawless SS. He would have been my Captain on the one team I coached..I liked him that much.

Now think about this: With Phillip Cotton and Kyle Hedgepath up the middle at F-V, no wonder they are considered to be the favorites in their conference again. They remind me of the North Davidson's middle last year. They are quick, they are smart and they can hit!

 

Adam Church

Let me just note that he hit .416 (.543 in NW4A Conference) with 6 2B, 5 HR, and 20 RBI in his junior season, not to mention he only struck out 9 times in roughly 90 plate appearances. It would not surprise me if he doubled his home run total next year. He has one of the purest swings you'll ever see. He is an outstanding student with one of the best attitudes you will ever come across. In my opinion, he could hit successfully at any D1 level. Braves is right when he says its a shock that he has not signed with a college yet.

 

It's still very, very early in the recruiting process. Mr Church will have many opportunties before him. He will just have to sift through them to decide which one he wants. In my opinion, Adam Church is the most underrated prospect in the state. How many big, strong, hard hitting, hard playing take charge catchers are there in this state?

It's funny how this recruiting process can work. Sometimes it is who you know and what team you play for that makes a difference. I have a strong feeling that Adam Church will be on many radars soon.

 

Let me jump on the Church bandwagon! Home Coming King, GREAT GPA and SAT scores. I have watched him play on many teams and in many different situations. Just give him 15 minutes and he will be your new best friend. I know where the guy wants to go to school and they need to jump on him fast!

 

Homecomg King? Uhgggg...I can't imagine what Adam looks like in a dress. In fact, I'm trying to get that image out of my mind