Scouting Reports: All Teams

North scouting

NCBBFAN: Thanks for the update, sounds like they are loaded in the middle and good at the hot corner. They need to look at GA at 1st if they need good defense there. I can't wait to see this young talent develop over the next two to three years. Thanks again for you knowlege and insight and I will see you on the week of the 24th. Has anybody seen Central C's talent yet?

 

homerun4, I agree that Wade Moore is a very talented athlete, but I think he's a better football player than baseball player.

As of friday the only underclassmen to spend time with the varsity have been Lane Hartley(SO, SS, RHP) and Garrett Hatley( FR, 2B). I'm not sure if they were there to be considered for varsity or if they were only there to fill holes for a intrasquad scrimmage. Both are good defensive players but neither looked very strong at the plate against live varsity pitching.

Although it's still early the starting rotation looked good on the mound for the first time out as well as the relievers. Hitting at this point looks to be well ahead of where it was this time last year. Defensively there are a few rough edges to be honed but no physical errors were made in 6 innings with only 1 mental error. I must say that there are several kids that have improved surprisingly since last year.

West will get their first test against a normally good team at Asheboro on friday. (scrimmage game, weather permitting) PLAY BALL !!!!!

 

Dont get me wrong guys - I'm not slamming the NPC - I really think NWC & WR can run with any dogs in the state. I know NWC better and wouldn't want to face them - tough team.

 

Central Cabarrus is going to be hard to figure out for awhile. They have some early season games against the SW4A teams which should be an indication. I have heard of at least 1 transfer from Vance who moved out of Meck county last year and there may be more.

The players over at CC can hit - flat out hit. But the team was shallow last year on both Vars & JV. They lost one of their key pitchers for most of the season - he was just starting to throw in games in May and that's a big loss.

CC has some outstanding players so, given the circumstances, they can beat anyone. You have to put the ball in play against them, because they are going to score some runs. For fun, watch LaBoy (05) P/CF - the kid's got a great upside and is going to be tremendous. Played Varsity last year and, talent-wize matches up favorably with any 05 in the state. Great kid & nice folks too.

 

Hard players to replace

Two key contributors for their teams last year in the Meca8 are going to be difficult to replace. They were just that good.

Matt Wiley @ West Charlotte
Greg Gesslien @ Independence

These were, probably the two most respected players in the conference last year by their opponents (all of whom are happy to see them go on to college ball).

 

Central C

NCBBFAN: You are right about Ryan Laboy we have played with him over the years and he has always been a very good player. University of Miami has already sent him an information request so they can follow him. I did not see him pitch last year, only play center field. He has always had a good arm but tends to lose focus at time when pitching. Has he improved on this from what you have seen?

 

About the ability to concentrate:

There is a lot more pressure on an underclassman pitching on varsity. The hitters are older, faster, stronger, better, used to facing hard throwers. For a younger player, it is mentally exhausting. Either they mature quickly or they tire quickly. It's a process that must be gone through at some time. Some shine in the process, though most don't. Cruse (over at Hopewell) pitched at North his Freshman year and went 2-5, he went 5-2 his soph year. Part is better stuff, part is maturity.

Some players, though great in every other way, don't respond well to that continuous pressure, others thrive on it and can't understand why everyone doesn't concentrate that way.

That maturity could come from just growing up a little and learning concentration. Some people are not mentally geared to be on the mound over a 2 hr stretch and get exhausted. Some of those make GREAT relievers. I believe that everyone COULD learn it, if given a chance - all it takes is innings and the desire.

I hope he gets his innings in this year to start the process.

 

people up here are still digging out from the snow and ice...

 

The Garner Sr. High School line-up/ roster should look like this:

1. Taylor Franks CF SR.
2. *Ray Guy* 2B SR. ~ME~
3. Jesse Duke LF SR.
4. Adam Stanley RF/P SR.
5. Adam Hamerick 1B SOPH.
6. Jeff Hatcher C JR.
7. Trey Bailey SS JR.
8. Michael Pullen DH JR.-Daniel Tew 3B JR.
9. Arik Hempy P SR.
Summy Rucker OF SR.
Matt Spivey OF JR.
Justin Warren P JR.
JP Primus INF JR.
Justin Byars P JR.
Josh McLaughorn P SR.

 

Rayz

Garner looks loaded for through next year - any good junior pitching prospects?

I know Hempy and Stanley will get most of the innings this year and give Garner a great 1-2 punch.