Recap of Region 6 State Games

Recap some highlights of Region 6 games:

1st game Region 6 vs Region 2

As it turned out, this was Region 6 toughest opponent. Region 2 started Adam Warren, considered the best '05 pitcher in the state. Jonathan Ratledge was the hitting star in this game. He put on a show going 3-4 with 2 key doubles. One cleared the bases that put the Region 6 team on top. This game really put JRatt's name before all the scouts. Wade Moore made the play of the day leaving his feet to make a sensational catch in right field. Garrett Sherrill pitched excellent as he shut down a very potent Region 2 offense for 4 innings to get the win.. TJ Worrell came in the last two innings of scoreless relief to get the save.

2nd game Region 6 vs Region 8

The Wade Moore Show. The kid was overpowering with his FB and sharp curve. This talented sophomore had one of the best LH bats, as well, producing key hits all week. It was difficult to name one particular hitter as they all were hitting well, but it was impressive watching Michael Cavasinni and Greg Miclat lead off with either bunt singles or p-rods to the gaps. Watching these two runners on the bases were worth the price of admission. All runners ran aggressively, as they put tremendous pressure on the other team's defense.

3rd Game Region 6 vs Region 4

In a rain shortened game, Tom Porter was simply unhittable. He had unbelievable control with his CB and mixed in a good FB that left the batters confused. Kevin Glass blasted a towering shot that hit the cow's head on top of the high wooden fence, preventing it from being a HR. The game went 3 innings before it was called due to "dusty conditions" after a brief rain shower.

The game resumed the following morning with Zach Rosenbaum on the hill. Zach was throwing pills "consistently 88+" and throwing CB's for strikes as the Region 4 hitters had difficulty getting their bats going. Cory Dunning blasted a long HR for Region 6. This was the only game that ended in a shut out.

Gold Medal Game Region 6 vs Region 5

Highly touted Nick Conaway was throwing for Region 5 vs Jonathan Ratledge for Region 6. Conaway threw very well, but was letdown by his defense. The Region 6 team took advantage of the costly errors with their aggressive running and timely hits. Blake Ketner's double scored the key runs to put the Region 6 team on top. Marc Nicholson blasted a towering HR to seal the win. The score ended at 8-3 and the Region 6 team was the Gold Medal winners.

Next, a brief profile of each Region 6 player and thoughts about other Region players that I saw.

 

Region 6:

Greg Miclat, JM Robinson--had an excellent tournament. Showed great hands and speed. Demonstated he could hit line drives all over the field. Scouts left drooling

Mike Cavasinni, North Meck-- The fastest player at the tournament. Had an opportunity to play his most natural position (2nd B)...made a ML play diving up the middle and getting up to make the play. Mike shows surprising power.

Brett Shore, South Rowan-- a natural ss, moved to 2nd effortlessly. good hands and bat

Ryan Query, AL Brown-- catcher, opened eyes among scouts that have not seen him play. Already demonstrates college level defensive skills (soft hands, minimal glove movement) and opened eyes with his bat. Stock rose with scouts

Keith Mauney, Providence-- one of 2 sophs. Keith showed well with his defensive abilities plus good bat speed.

Jeremiah Worthington, AL Brown--good size.. great speed..raw talent...good upside

Wade Moore, West Rowan-- 2nd soph on team. One scout said was the best LH hitter. competitor..great OF..strong arm..unfortunately, for baseball fans, will probably play football in college.

Marc Nicholson, Independence--so savvy at the plate...2 strikes makes no difference to him. Has one of the quickest bat speeds on the team. Hit a toweriing HR in the gold medal round... might have been best kept secret

Zac Kennedy, South Meck--aggressive, quick and a competitor. Zac can and has played every position in the field.

Garrett Sherrill, AL Brown--WOW!! simply an athlete. unusual throwing motion and a nice slider makes Garrett nearly unhittable. Nice size and surprising bat, too. One of the starts of the game

Cory Dunning, Providence-- Cory, like many of his teammates, is an athlete. Can play all positions on the field and has a good (pop) to the bat. Cory, also, hit a long HR in the tournament.

Drew Martin, Ashbrook-- Drew was injured and never should have played, but it is to his competitive nature that he refused to sit. Despite having a nearly broken wrist, Drew played ss looking as smooth as ever. This kid is special and the scouts took notice of his "tough" nature.

Jonathan Ratledge, South Meck--everybody was watching this kid. Displayed unbelievable hitting power and a ML bat swing...I don't believe there is a college not interested in JRatt.

Zach Rosenbaum, North Meck--potential, potential, potential. could become a premiere pitcher in the state. Under tutelage of his dad (an ex-ML pitcher), Zach continues to improve each year. Size..speed..and very young..this kid has a chance to be drafted.

Tom Porter, North Meck--one of the smartest pitchers..seems to toy with hitters..always one pitch ahead of them. has unbelievable control. reminds one of Robert Woodard

Blake Ketner, Northwest Cabarrus--Great pitcher and a wonderful athlete..has it all..size, speed and can handle the bat.

Will Davis, North Stanly--my favorite player..Huge. When you first see Will, one thinks catcher...which he does play, but he also pitches and can play ss. He runs a 4.6-4.7 60 yard and plays MLB on the football team. He can hit for power. What makes Will stand out, also, is that he is a great kid...humble and always smiling.

Kevin Glass, Butler--STRONG...absolutely can crush the ball. Played catcher and first and showed very well at the tournament. Should have received a prize for hitting that cow on the fence.

Dusty White, Hopewell-- he needs a nickname.."sweet swingin'" Dusty has great potential..has an absolute power swing, yet can drive the ball the other way. To me, Dusty is the most feared batter in the region 6 lineup...and the improvements he makes each year have made the scouts jockeying.

Next-- recaps of other players I observed from other regions

 

Region 6...

Braves, thanks for the great scouting reports on the Region 6 players. I had a feeling those kids would win. Now I have a question, and I'm not trying to start any arguments with other regions either, this is a serious, honest-to-goodness question. Is it the water in Region 6 or what? I realize 2 years don't constitute a dynasty, still Region 6 has basically breezed through this tournament the last 2 years now. You may also know that Region 6 had nearly 80 players at the tryouts, so I'm sure there's many more talented players in this area. I'm just wondering if the baseball talent is simply growing in this area (south piedmont) or is this 2 year winning streak just a coincidence... Any comments or thoughts???

p.s. and Braves,,, didn't you leave somebody off the Region 6 list?

 

There were another 10+ players at the tryouts who could have replaced about any 10 players on the team and it wouldn't have missed a beat. The talent base in Region 6, particularly in the 05 class is huge and there is another strong crowd right behind them.

The improved programs in the area and the strong team play against quality competition from an early age is showing. Region 5 is in a dead-heat with their programs and quality competition.

I don't think Region 6 is going to go backwards, but the other regions of the state will probably catch up real soon, particularly down in Region 2 and over in Region 3.

 

Other Region players that I saw. Now, remember, I didn't see all of them, so if I left someone off, it's not because I didn't notice them...I just didn't get a chance to see them.

Region 1

Aubrey Edens, DH Conley-- the kid can pitch. Nice delivery, good FB, above average CB. I loved his presence on the mound. Pitched a great game against Region 5..probably the best game played all week. Good athlete, too!

Ryan Graepel, J H Rose-- ss with good range. I only got to see him hit twice, but demonstrated good bat speed

Region 2

Shane Thompson, Hoggard-- a scrappy 2nd baseman with a very good bat. The type of player that you can tell is a gamer...likes to get dirty.

Kendric Burney, SW Onslow-- Wow..if he was only taller, this kid would be drafted early. The strongest wrists I had seen. The ball jumps off his bat...has speed and looks very comfortable playing CF. Gets good reads off the bat. ..is a terror on the basepaths. Top 10 players that I saw.

Adam Warren, New Bern-- did not have his best stuff, but also pitched against some strong sluggers. You can see instantly why so many people rate him one of the best in the state. Adam can be dominating. FB cruising at 88 with a devasting CB to match.

Region 3

Frankie Lewis, Fuquay-Varner-- an absolute hitting machine...compact and aggressive. This kid does not like to walk.

Marc Locklear, Garner-- I loved his stroke...strong, quick hands. You absolutely can not throw a fastball by him. Everytime I watched him hit, the ball was heading to the gaps.

Andrew Taylor, WF-Rolesville-- I was told to watch this guy hit...and I'm glad I did. He and Locklear are very similar in their hitting style. They are aggressive in their hitting approach and hate to walk.

Region 5

Addison Johnson, North Forsyth--the kid is a scrapper...shows tremendous range in CF..has surprising arm strength for his size..is a perfect lead off hitter. A Top player

Jason Rook, Western Guilford--Wow...you can tell he's a player watching him walk to a dugout. Some players have an air about them that breathes confidence..Jason is one of them. Very, very good pitcher...and is extremely athletic...can play any IF position. He is definitely a Top 10 player

Jeremy Synan, NE Guilford-- a D1 prospect..period! can hit..play the IF and is a terrific leader

Nick Conaway, South Stokes-- may have the liveliest arm. I only saw him in one game and his defense let him down, but you could tell immediately that this kid is legit.

Houston Summers, NW Guilford--big kid with a terrific name...only got to see him in 2 AB's, but sure looked impressive.

Hampton Foushee, RJ Reynolds--only saw one inning of relief, but he is an impressive lefty...good speed in FB..had terrific command of his pitches. This kid is good!!

Region 7

only saw the 14-1 blowout. I know they have some terrific players with Wil Boyd, Isaac Harrow, Brandon York, etc....but again, there was not much to see with that game.

Region 8

Again..only saw one game and that particular one..nobody jumped out to notice. I know there are great players on that team..Ben Savaiko, Wes Williams to name a couple.

Understand that there were many great players that were sitting at the time I was watching, so the fact that I didn't mention them in no way is to take from their talents. One of the best hitters I watched struck out all three times I saw him. It didn't take away from his talents..he just lost those battles. These are my opinions. They may or may not be shared by others.

I hope those who did see the games, please feel free to express your opinions and especially add those to the names I didn't mention.

 

Congrats to Region 6 on a well-played tournament. There are a lot of big time 05's in the junior state games this year. Hopefully you will see a bunch of them signing to play major league ball come this time next year.

 

The feedback I received from the ML scouts were the '05's were "thin" at the pro level, but the class was huge at the college level.

 

Region 6

"p.s. and Braves,,, didn't you leave somebody off the Region 6 list? "

He most certainly did leave somebody off. The talented, but ever so humble "TJ Worrell". What a great competitor! He is truly an outstanding pitcher and, like Rosey, has the "Draft" potential. But more than that, he is a great kid - has the leadership abilities that coaches love...first one out of the dugout with congrats and always has that extra pat on the back for his fellow player. He is truly a gem!

 

YEAH !!!!! What she said.

Congratulations to TJ and all his teammates on the Region 6 team. I think it COULD be the start of a growing trend.

 

Redbirdfan, Mr.Worrell is who I was referring to. I like him because of his name,,,,, "TJ"...