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 innning 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.

Today we take a look at some quick thoughts and player notes from the 2019 Southern Academic Games.  The PBR staff will be jumping into full evaluations of each player in attendance in the coming weeks, these notes are off the top and fresh from the event.  A highly competitive day, several players showcased at a high level.  Below are the Quick Hitters from the Southern Academic Games.   To see the full statistical breakdown, CLICK HERE.

 

2019 Southern Academic Games: Quick Hitters

 

 

 

Oliver Zohn 2B / SS / South Garner, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 83 / POS: 2 Smooth defender on the infield who showed a knack for barreling the ball from the left side in game action.  Two balls smoked off the barrel.  Simple approach, quiet with quick hands.  Ran better in games than the 60, suggesting the 60 time should improve dramatically as he matures.

 

 

Luke Johnson C / 2B / Southwest Guilford, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 61 / POS: 9 Used a line drive approach in batting practice with loose hands and strength to his pull side.  Better than average barrel awareness and bat speed.  Exit velocity up to 86.  Accurate arm from behind the dish with a quick transfer.

 

 

Drew Gugino OF / SS / Lake Norman Charter, NC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 78 / POS: 16 Fluid stroke form the left side. Hands work through the swing lining balls middle to the opposite field.  7.19 sixty, playing quicker than the time posted.  Exit velocity up to 86 mph.  Good feel for the barrel.

 

 

Michael Boyian 3B / RHP / Salisbury, CT / 2020 Plays with rhythm on the dirt and better than average hands.  Shows some gap power at the plate with a smooth stroke.  Right handed hitter works easy, barreling ball after ball after ball in BP and transferring the approach to game situations.  Body type will handle strength gains and maintain quickness.  Also, up to 85 mph off the mound flashing a tight breaking ball.

 

 

Hank Dodson C / Northern Guilford, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 148 / POS: 21 Has strength in his swing from the right side with feel for his barrel.  Left the yard in batting practice and doubled off the left center field wall in game action.  Strength over quickness but showed an ability to get the barrel to average to above fastballs.

 

 

Colin Ravin C / 3B / Providence Day School, NC / 2020 Flat swing from the right side with loose hands getting extension through the zone.  Line drive approach, making hard contact on a ball to center field during game play.  Exit velocity peaked at 92mph.  Received well in game situations, easy target and soft hands.

 

 

Clay Minor SS / OF / Northern Guilford , NC / 2021 Athletic and fluid on the infield with an accurate arm.  Loose and fluid in the box from the right side with better than average bat speed.

 

 

Jack Mullane OF / SS / Reagan, NC / 2021 Smooth, simple swing from the left side with feel for his barrel and a projectable build.  Good game approach hitting balls on the barrel to both sides of the field.  In game, 3 of 4 at-bats resulted in hard barrel contact.

 

 

Jackson Bowman 2B / SS / Wesleyan Christian , NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 140 / POS: 5 Has strength and looks to drive the ball at the plate.  Keeps his barrel in the zone with above average bat speed.  Arm has carry defensively.

 

 

Thomas Bowman OF / LHP / Wesleyan Christian, NC / 2022 Gap to gap approach with quick hands.  Length in a thin frame that should be able to carry more strength with maturity.  Some pop in the barrel, homering to right center field during game action.  6.97 runner.

 

 

Nathan Nygaard C / 1B / Sun Valley, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 94 / POS: 12 Quick hands with a repeatable swing.  Has strength to his pull side and shows a knack for finding the barrel against live arms.  Average carry and a quick release from behind the dish.  Hands works with softness while receiving.

 

 

Koby Dunn RHP / C / George Walton, GA / 2020 Feel for three pitches.  Worked at the bottom of the strike zone with his fastball that has arm side run up to 82 mph.  Lands his breaking ball with 12/6 action and flashed a changeup with some sink.

 

 

Casey Gouge LHP / OF / West Rowan, NC / 2022 Throws three pitches for strikes from the left side.  Fastball has run and sink reaching 76 mph.  Showed confidence in both his breaking ball and changeup and his stuff should tick up as the body adds strength.

 

 

Matthew Chisum RHP / 2B / Fuquay-Varina , NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 137 / POS: 36 Athletic right hander with a loose body.  Arm has quickness from a ¾ slot.  Gets some run and sink on his fastball that reached 85 mph.  Flashed a hard, sweeping slider with late bite.

 

 

William Atwell RHP / Charlotte Latin, NC / 2020 Athletic frame.  Works quick and attacked hitters throughout his outing with his fastball holding steady at 86 mph.  Has feel for his curveball with big break and he throws it with aggression.

 

 

Matt Hayek RHP / 1B / Charlotte Catholic, NC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 155 / POS: 41 Filled up the zone throughout his outing, allowing no hard contact.  Got his fastball to both sides of the plate with arm side run, topping at 83 mph.  Showed feel for both his secondary offerings.

 

 

Sean Clark RHP / 1B / Asheville, NC / 2021 6 foot 3, 180-pound projectable right hander.  Repeatable delivery and his fastball appeared to play harder than gun readings.  Filled the zone up with his fastball and flashed feel for his breaking ball with 11/5 break.