C
Collyn Taylor
Guest
This weekend was a big one for visitors with the Gamecocks taking two of three against Missouri. The unofficial list of visitors I have:
2018 RHP Taj Bradley
2019 Will McGregor
2019 Dawson Taylor
--Bradley was the biggest visitor, coming in Friday and Saturday for those games. He came in with his mom and was able to visit with the coaching staff before the MLB Draft in about three weeks. I haven't heard any feedback on how the visit went, but I know he really loves the university.
He's a big draft prospect at about 93-94 on his fastball and topping out near 96 according to one source. He throws a curveball in the upper-70s (78-79) and a changeup. Right now, he's thinking about enrolling early and going through summer classes.
If he comes to school, I think he could factor into the weekend rotation competition.
--Taylor, a big part of the 2019 class was in town as well. He's coming off shoulder surgery. It was a lot better than expected, and his rehab process won't take as long as originally thought. He'll be back to throwing a baseball in November.
--Had the chance to watch 2020 outfielder David Cromer again for Lexington in the state playoffs. He hits cleanup for the Wildcats and is built like a football player (he plays linebacker on the football team as well). Hitting cleanup, he drew a walk and came around to score in a big spot as the Wildcats had to come back against Wando. I like his game and if he can develop his swing a little bit more, he'll be a really good power hitter.
He's DHed some and played a little bit of right field this season, but he'll move to right and first base next year to test him out at some of the natural power-hitting spots.
--Talked with 2018 commit Jacob English, brother of former Gamecock Tanner English, the other night and discussed his season. It ended one game away from advancing to the state championship series. He had a rough start to the year but ended hitting above .300. The big question for him is where he fits defensively. He can play both middle infield spots, and he'll get a shot at the shortstop job this fall but could play second too. He also told me he wouldn't be opposed to playing some outfield like his brother.
--Skylar Meade was down to scout English's teammate at St. James about a month ago, 2021 pitcher Ethan Salak. No real details on him, but I'm going to figure out more.
--PerfectGame is in the process of releasing their top 500 prospects for this year's MLB Draft, which starts Monday, June 4 and goes until June 6. They've done 201-500 with only two current or future Gamecocks on the list:
282: Carlos Cortes
350: Chris Cullen
I expect to see a few more names in the top 200, which will come out over the next few days.
2018 RHP Taj Bradley
2019 Will McGregor
2019 Dawson Taylor
--Bradley was the biggest visitor, coming in Friday and Saturday for those games. He came in with his mom and was able to visit with the coaching staff before the MLB Draft in about three weeks. I haven't heard any feedback on how the visit went, but I know he really loves the university.
He's a big draft prospect at about 93-94 on his fastball and topping out near 96 according to one source. He throws a curveball in the upper-70s (78-79) and a changeup. Right now, he's thinking about enrolling early and going through summer classes.
If he comes to school, I think he could factor into the weekend rotation competition.
--Taylor, a big part of the 2019 class was in town as well. He's coming off shoulder surgery. It was a lot better than expected, and his rehab process won't take as long as originally thought. He'll be back to throwing a baseball in November.
--Had the chance to watch 2020 outfielder David Cromer again for Lexington in the state playoffs. He hits cleanup for the Wildcats and is built like a football player (he plays linebacker on the football team as well). Hitting cleanup, he drew a walk and came around to score in a big spot as the Wildcats had to come back against Wando. I like his game and if he can develop his swing a little bit more, he'll be a really good power hitter.
He's DHed some and played a little bit of right field this season, but he'll move to right and first base next year to test him out at some of the natural power-hitting spots.
--Talked with 2018 commit Jacob English, brother of former Gamecock Tanner English, the other night and discussed his season. It ended one game away from advancing to the state championship series. He had a rough start to the year but ended hitting above .300. The big question for him is where he fits defensively. He can play both middle infield spots, and he'll get a shot at the shortstop job this fall but could play second too. He also told me he wouldn't be opposed to playing some outfield like his brother.
--Skylar Meade was down to scout English's teammate at St. James about a month ago, 2021 pitcher Ethan Salak. No real details on him, but I'm going to figure out more.
--PerfectGame is in the process of releasing their top 500 prospects for this year's MLB Draft, which starts Monday, June 4 and goes until June 6. They've done 201-500 with only two current or future Gamecocks on the list:
282: Carlos Cortes
350: Chris Cullen
I expect to see a few more names in the top 200, which will come out over the next few days.
