Team Carolina Carried by Bats & Arms on Day 3
July 30, 2022
Team Carolina - 9 Team Nevada - 0
Team Carolina posted a big victory over Team Nevada with a complete team effort. Four pitchers combined on the shutout while the offense erupted for 9 runs, scoring in 5 of their 7 at-bats. With the win, Team Carolina will have the opportunity to finish on top of their Pool at the 2022 PBR Future Games.
While wins and losses are not the reason for the Future Games, the solid play from the entire roster is a big reason that Team Carolina is attracting so much attention from the throng of college coaches in attendance this week. Below are notes on players that stood out in Team Carolina’s Game 2 Win.
Player Notes - Game 2
CJ Oxendine, C, North Myrtle Beach HS, 2025
After a stellar performance behind the plate, handling high end arms, CJ had the day off from catching but still made noise with his bat. Strength in the hands is present with a flat path, working direct to the ball, working gap-to-gap. Led off the game turning around the 1st pitch of the game with a loud single to right, setting a tone for the day.
Langston Rupert, OF, Hickory Grove Christian, 2024
Right handed hitter has shown some twitch and bat speed, but as he continues to develop his offensive game, it is obvious he has a chance to create some havoc on the bases and patrol center field with confidence. Rupert ran down two balls in the gap, holding on to one catch as he ran into a Team Carolina Left Fielder. On the bases, Rupert was looking to run early in counts and showing excellent closing speed that allowed him to overcome average jumps. Again with more reps, the speed and feel for creating havoc should come easy.
Andrew Palmer, 1B/OF, Oceanside Collegiate, 2025
The Dicks’ Sporting Goods Player of the Game hammered an elevated fastball off the top of the scoreboard in left center field. In his following at-bats, he continued to flash advanced bat speed with solid balance and head discipline, getting another ball off the barrel for his 2nd hit of the day. The setup is slightly unorthodox with his hands away from his body, but Palmer is showing an ability to get to advanced pitching this week.
Sean Rouse, OF, Sumter HS, 2024
A physical presence from the right side of the box, Rouse does not get cheated. He has put on prolific power shows in each Team Carolina BP, translating to Rouse seeing breaking balls in several at-bats and showing an ability to recognize and lay off spin while staying on time for fastball.
John McKillop, 1B, Charlotte Catholic HS, 2024
Left handed hitter was confident and stable producing hard contact in three at-bats, two of which came against left handed arms. Working to use the middle of the field, there is some leverage to the swing.
Rafael Soto Jr, SS, P27 Academy, 2024
An excellent defender with advanced glove skills continues to attract routine plays and makes them with ease, and some flare. In the box, the switch hitter showed an ability to find the barrel from each side of the plate, creating solid bat speed. A flatter path from the right side, he hammered a two strike fastball working to get in on him down the 3B line for a double.
Chone James, C, Socastee HS, 2024
Has continued to impress with his skill behind the plate receiving and creating instant comfort with his pitching staff. Flashed excellent carry and accuracy on an attempted steal as the 3rd out was created with a strikeout.
Asher Goss, OF/RHP, Laurens HS, 2024
Athletic frame with quick twitch present, Goss may have pressed a bit during Day 1 BP. Today in Team Carolina’s full round of BP, the right handed hitter carried a lot more barrel feel with his twitch. The swing translated into the game where he bounced a double off the top of the wall in left field. He closed the game, touching 87 from the bump.
Anderson Nance, RHP, Morehead HS, 2024
Highly regarded in North Carolina and a name that a lot of people wanted to see perform on this stage, Nance answered the calls putting up a big day. The righty pumped strikes showing the ability to move his fastball in and out while also elevating at times. Ranging 88-92, the frame suggests there is still more growth coming to the pitch as he continues to fill out. An athletic and quick arm, the fastball routinely beat hitters from both sides of the plate. Nance had average feel for a short slider at 76-77.
Walker McDuffie, RHP, Lee County HS, 2024
Calm, cool, and collected, this was just another Friday evening playing catch, except for the 300+ college coaches in attendance. Unfazed, McDuffie worked from multiple arm slots featuring a fastball with heavy run ranging 82-87, adding and subtracting at will. From the low-¾ slot the slider works with length, giving right handed hitters fits at 73-75, 2350rpm. At times McDuffie would go to a high-¾ slot, throwing more of a natural overhand breaking ball at 71, 2500rpm. With great feel for what he was doing, McDuffie seamlessly worked from each slot, with each pitch, keeping hitters off balance and creating a ton of weak swings, soft contact, and several strikeouts.
Hunter Phipps, RHP, Dutch Fork HS, 2024
With Nance and McDuffie leading the outing, Phipps simply followed suite. The fastball ranged 86-91, 2250rpm, pounding the down zone with good feel for his glove side. Phipps was able to challenge hitters with the fastball, location and some movement giving hitters issues along with the velocity. The breaking ball sat 74-75, 1950rpm with short, late tilt.