Rare Double-up In Georgia On Monday

April 4, 2018
Blake Davis
State Director, Georgia

Spring Break allowed for a rare, double-up opportunity on Monday. Lambert High School traveled to Buford High School at noon and Gainesville high school went against Lanier High School at the normal 5:55 pm. Both games had strong pitching from both established upperclassman and up and coming underclassmen. Buford ran out a couple of effective bullpen arms in relief to seal the deal in the early game, defeating Lanier 4-3. Gainesville came out swinging and that was all senior Kyle York would need as he tossed a no-hitter through five innings, getting the win 11-0.

Buford has a strong roster filled with 2018 and 2019 prospects. Headlined by OF Austin Turner (2019 Auburn commit), RHP David Ramsey (2019 Auburn commit), 1B Noah Ledford (2018 Georgia Southern commit) and LHP Sean Adams (2019 Georgia Southern commit).

But, today we focus on Buford’s two 2018 bullpen arms that are still uncommitted and show the ability to help a pitching staff on the college level. Griffin Bonner had a strong showing for two innings striking out two and walking one. He allowed no runs and was in control the entire way. CJ Couch was used as the closer role and offers a unique down-under look that appeared very uncomfortable from where I was sitting.

Griffin Bonner RHP / Buford, GA / 2018

Athletic looking med framed RHP that is still uncommitted. Has athletic delivery and is aggressive to the zone. Coming from a high 3/4 slot, his Fastball (84-86) is mostly true but locates to both sides of the plate. Bonner also spins the ball well and shows feel for landing the pitch. Did not offer a change in this 2 inning look. He has only recently gone to the mound exclusively and offers a fresh arm with upside. Interesting arm that has the ability to pitch and help someone on the next level.

CJ Couch RHP / Buford, GA / 2018

This is an example of a self aware kid. Does not have the arm strength of typical college recruit, but Couch offers and interesting down-under arm slot. His fastball has a hump in it and he locates it surprisingly well and the slot does not make things any easier. He does not offer the fastball alone, his slider stays on the same plain but offers a ton of length. Projects as a specialist at the college level, but have no doubt he could get outs in the bullpen at the next level.

Lambert also ran out an interesting arm in Cooper McCann (2018 Mercer commit). McCann went the distance for the Longhorns and took the loss, but had nothing to hang his head about. He went six strong, giving up 1 earned run on four hits, with a walk and 6 punch-outs.

Cooper McCann RHP / Lambert, GA / 2018

Definition of a projectable arm, Cooper McCann has great ingredients to work with. He's got a tall frame at 6-foot-4 with broad shoulders and room to fill out. He is a strike thrower and can sink the ball. He pitches from 3/4 slot and has a upright delivery. Also spins a little slider that should come as velo and strength do. Like the upside and looks like a promising sign for Mercer.

In the second game Gainesville traveled to play a young Lanier team. This game featured two quality shortstops in the Red Elephant’s Banks Griffith (2018 Furman commit) and the Longhorn’s Jaydn Jackson (2019 Georgia Tech Commit).

Banks Griffith SS / Gainesville, GA / 2018

Not going to wow you with tools, but Griffith has a good frame and has feel to play the game. Sound approach at the plate with good bat to ball skills. Defensively he appears to be a headsy kid and with an accurate arm. Will follow in his brothers footsteps and should be a good player at Furman.

Jadyn Jackson SS / Lanier, GA / 2019

Athletic middle infielder with actions to stay in the dirt at the next level. Has a low center of gravity and good hands. At the plate Jackson has a contact approach and looks like a runner. Will need to add strength at the plate, but looks like a nice addition to Georgia Tech's 2019 class.

The two arms that went in this one also showed plenty of ability. Kyle York of Gainesville has had an accomplished high school career on the mound, and put another notch on his belt by throwing a no-hitter. On the other side, there was a young, 2020 right-hander that is currently uncommitted in Zachary Murray. Though he did not get the results he was looking for, he showed plenty of ability.

Zachary Murray RHP / Lanier, GA / 2020

Athletic medium framed right-hander with a fast arm. Delivery works and appears to be a strike thrower. 3/4 arm slot with mostly flat fastball, but flashed the ability to get downhill. Worked 84-86 touching 87 on occasion. Showed feel to spin breaking ball and land it. Athletic kid with an arm that works. Good looking 5-foot-10 uncommitted 2020.

Another youngster that stood out yesterday was Gainesville’s uncommitted 2020 Jackson Kemp. He has good a good body, strength and bat-speed at the plate. Will be interesting to see how he progresses over the next year.