2019 Southern Academic Games: Pitcher Only Analysis

July 8, 2019
Matt Payne
Associate Scout, PBR North Carolina

The 2nd annual Southern Academic Games was held at Wilson Field on the campus of Davidson College on Tuesday June 18th. Close to 40 players, representing four states participated. Each player was vetted academically and athletically before being invited. With close to 10 colleges in attendance throughout the day, players went through a full workout and played in an eleven inning controlled scrimmage.

During the workout phase of the day, players were able to showcase themselves offensively and defensively. Position players had their exit velocity measured in the cage area, prior to taking multiple rounds of BP in front of evaluators. During the defensive portion, players were able to workout from their defensive position, fielding live ground balls, allowing evaluators to get a feel for athleticism and projection. Pitchers were evaluated in live situations, throwing against hitters.

Our next group to evaluate are the pitcher onlys. Seven pitchers threw two innings vs. live hitters in a controlled scrimmage format. Below are the full evaluations with links to the player video (click their names). Four arms worked above 83 with two at 85 or higher. Grad years of the pitcher only group ranges from 2020 - 2022.

To see the full statistical breakdown from the Southern Academic Games, CLICK HERE.

Southern Academic Games: Pitcher Only Analysis

Nate Harper RHP / Myers Park, NC / 2020

5 foot 10, 145-pound lanky frame with room to fill out. Works only from the stretch, coming set at the belt. Hands work up with his leg lift with his knee working up to the bottom of his chest. In line to the plate with a square toe landing. Long arm stroke, throwing from a high ¾ slot with some quickness to the hand through release.. Fastball ranged from 77-81 mph, sitting mostly at 79-81 mph. Curveball has some bite with 11/5 shape, also getting some sweeping action at times. Has feel for his curveball that worked at 64-68 mph. Stayed around the plate with both pitches throughout his outing.

Jake Wagoner RHP / 1B / Northern Guilford, NC / 2020

6 foot, 175-pound average build with strength in his lower half. Smooth, fluid tempo to his delivery, Starts with a rocker step to the side with his hands working over his head. In line to the plate with a square toe landing. Breaks from the glove around his chest with a long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ to ¾ slot. Kept his fastball down mostly with feel for both sides of the plate. Fastball ranged from 76-79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape mostly but threw some with 12/6 break. Curveball has gradual break working at 66-69 mph. Overall, strike thrower using little effort and can land his breaking ball.

Casey Gouge LHP / OF / West Rowan, NC / 2022

6 foot 1, 150-pound lanky frame with plenty of room for maturation ahead. Deliberate, slow tempo to his delivery starting with a side step going into his leg lift that works up to the bottom of his chest. In line to the plate with a close toe landing. Breaks from the glove at the belt with a medium arm action, hiding the ball behind his body, throwing from a high ¾ slot. Gets some run and sink on his fastball ranging from 71-76 mph. Has feel for his breaking ball with gradual break and 12/6 action at 61-63 mph. Flashed a changeup with fade at 66-68 mph. Overall, a strike thrower who should see his stuff progress as his body gets stronger.

Matthew Chisum RHP / 2B / Fuquay-Varina , NC / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 137 / POS: 36

6 foot 1, 160-pound lanky frame. Body is loose and athletic. Fluid tempo to his delivery, starting with a rocker step, going into his leg kick working up to the bottom of his chest. Compact at the balance point, working slightly across his body to the plate with a square toe landing. Long, loose arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot. Arm has some quickness to it. Kept his fastball down in the zone with run and sink. Fastball worked mostly at 82-83 mph, topping at 85 mph. Breaking ball has a sweeping action with some bite at times working at 68-70 mph. Big break with hard spin. Potential out pitch. Has some feel for his breaking ball and expanded the zone with it. Should see his velocity tick up in the future as his athletic body adds strength.

William Atwell RHP / Charlotte Latin, NC / 2020

6 foot 1, 175-pound average build. Quicker tempo to his delivery, starting with a side step going into his leg lift, with his knee working up to his chest. Tucked at the balance point with some hip and shoulder turn, working across his body to the plate. Breaks from the chest with his arm going down out of the glove working to a high ¾ release with some quickness. Aggressive and attacked hitters throughout his outing, filling up the strike zone. Gets some run on his fastball that sat mostly at 85-86 mph, topping at 87 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed on his breaking ball with 11/5 to 11/4 action. Breaking ball has big break at 66-69 mph. Impressed throughout his outing going right at hitters.

Matt Hayek RHP / 1B / Charlotte Catholic, NC / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 155 / POS: 41

6 foot 1, 235-pound build. Fluid tempo to his delivery, starting with a small rocker step, with an average leg lift and the hands working in sync. Slightly across his body to the plate with a square toe landing. Long arm swing, throwing from an over the top slot. Got his fastball to both sides of the plate with arm side run and some down angle. Fastball ranged from 78-83 mph, sitting mostly at 80-82 mph. Feel for his breaking ball with 11/5 shape at 67-70 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed on his changeup with sink at 71-73 mph. Worked quick and attacked hitters, allowing no hard contact during his outing, filling up the strike zone.

Sean Clark RHP / 1B / Asheville, NC / 2021

6 foot 3, 180-pound long, lanky, projectable build. Little effort to his repeatable delivery, starting with a small side step going into his leg lift, with his knee working up to the bottom of his chest. Breaks from the belt, working in line to the plate, with a square toe landing. Medium arm stroke, hiding the ball, with some quickness to the hand and a high ¾ release. Fastball has angle when down in the zone ranging from 79-83 mph, working mostly at 81-82 mph. Feel for his breaking ball with 11/5 tilt and gradual break at 66-69 mph. Filled the zone up throughout his 2 innings of work.