By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

After a busy summer, things have quieted down on the amateur baseball front. There is still plenty of baseball to be seen, but the travel is certainly lighter. I caught a couple games at USA Baseball’s National Training Complex on Sunday and will share a few notes on the Evoshield Canes this week. The South Atlantic Border Battle is a couple weeks away and then at the end of October I’ll head to Jupiter, FL, for the World Wood Bat Championship. Until then, let’s answer a reader’s question. Remember, you can submit questions on Ask, where I can answer, but I’ll go into more detail with some questions here.

What are your draft thoughts/projections for some middle infielders in the northern states?
When you look at the 2016 class and shortstops from northern states, there are some good players with upside, but it’s not particularly top heavy. For me, there is one player that stands apart from others and that’s SS Gavin Lux (Indian Trail HS, WI). Lux is an excellent defender with easy, natural actions and arm strength. He struggled with the bat at some big events this summer, but I like his swing and think things will come together for him down the road.