College Crosscheck, Week 3: East Carolina, Old Dominion, VCU & Charlotte
March 8, 2024
Our Director of College Scouting, David Seifert, spent last weekend out on the East Coast, alongside Jason Burton of Prep Baseball Virginia/DC, before traveling to Houston for the Astros Foundation College Classic. This edition of the Crosscheck includes players from programs like UNC Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Houston, Old Dominion, and VCU. Seifert and Burton were able to witness a Day One prospect’s latest start for ECU, as well as get a look at a really talented, under-the-radar Old Dominion squad.
MORE DRAFT HQ HEADLINES:
- Winter’s Top-200 Draft Board
- College Crosscheck, Week Two
- Post-Lottery Mock Draft
- Dark Horse First-Rounders
- Draft-Eligible College Sophs.
Continue on to read Seifert’s College Crosscheck, Week Three:
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Trey Yesavage RHP / Boyertown, PA / 2021
After an initial two-inning look at Yesavage last summer at the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team trials, I pegged him as a late Day One draft talent who could pitch himself into the first round. After watching him deal on Friday against Purdue when he struck out 11 and allowed two hits and two walks in eight innings – he is now that. For me he slots into the back half of the first round after collegians Chase Burns and Hagen Smith, and just above Brody Brecht and Jonathan Santucci. Working with mostly a two-pitch arsenal of a 93-96 mph (T97) mph fastball and a plus slider, 84-86, out of the same window, he repeats both pitches time and time again. He will also flash a very usable split in the low-80s. On this look against the Boilers, Yesavage jumped ahead and stayed ahead, seldom wasting a pitch. It took him just 103 pitches to go eight innings, and 75 of those pitches were strikes. After three weeks, Yesavage has pitched 18 innings and struck out 30 batters, and opponents are batting just .115 against him. – David Seifert (June 23, 2023) |
FORMER JUCO PLAYERS MAKING IMPACTS
+ RHP Jaxon Jelkin (Bellevue West HS, NE, 2021), Houston:
Previously highlighted as one of the top JC transfers this season – from South Mountain CC to Houston this year – the slender-bodied 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander held Texas State to two runs on five hits in 5.1 innings at the Astros Foundation College Classic over the weekend. He was most impressive in the third inning when he struck out the side on 15 pitches. With a moderate effort, he repeats a starter-type delivery to a ¾ release point. He spins a plus slider with solid depth and sweep. It’s an out-pitch that he will throw in any count. His fastball has good life and sat in the low-90s, peaking at 95 mph. There also looks to be more in the tank. With maturity and strength gains, projecting to the upper-90s in the next year or two is reasonable. A 14th round pick of the Dodgers last July, Jelkin now profiles as a fourth- or fifth-round selection in this summer’s draft.
+ RHP Alexander Meckley (Gettysburg HS, PA, 2021) Coastal Carolina:
One of our ‘Impact JUCO Transfers to Watch,’ Meckley had the look of a bonafide ace opening weekend for the Chants, sitting mostly at 92-95 mph, and bumping 97, with his four-seam fastball. He also mixed in a useful sinker and a sharp downer curveball, 77-81, with big depth. A junior college transfer and therefore somewhat of a more unknown talent heading into this spring season, Meckley has already created some buzz with his 17 strikeouts in 15.1 innings and .196 opponent batting average.
+ RHP Ryan Degges (Christian Academy Knoxville HS, TN, 2021) Charlotte:
A strong-bodied reliever with a loose, quick arm. Electric arm, at times, sitting 95-97 mph. It’s a big moving, hard-to-locate fastball with 19 inches of IVB and 17 inches of horizontal break. Degges also flashed a wipeout slider at 84 mph with spin into the 2,600-2,700 rpm range. For all the good that his stuff shows, he is a work-in-progress at this point, Degges will likely receive Day Three consideration this summer as he offers plenty of upside and intrigue for any club, especially those known for developing pitching.
– David Seifert
EAST COAST MID-MAJORS, DRAFT WATCHLIST
OLD DOMINION
+ RHP John Holobetz (Pottsville Area HS, PA, 2021):
Standing 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with long levers, Holobetz still shows some signs of projection with room to fill out. The righthander got off to a somewhat shaky start, but settled in well in the third and made quick work during his final three innings. His fastball was 92-94 mph early on and flashed 95. He ended up settling 91-93 in the second and third innings, while being primarily 90-92 in the fifth.
Had two punchouts on the day, both coming via the fastball. In the first two innings he lacked control/command of the slider. The 81-84 mph pitch lacked shape and consistency in the zone. It was a little bit of a lower elbow and it seemed he was a little juiced up and his arm dragged a bit on that pitch. From the third to the fifth it got better. He showed the ability to throw it for strikes, but did not get a ton of whiffs with the short-shaped breaker. The slider showed best when he got it out front and worked the outer third and expanded off, that is when it showed the most depth on the pitch. The changeup was his most consistent and best secondary pitch. Sat 82-85 mph with the pitch and was not afraid to use it versus either handed hitters. It was an early and late count pitch to left handers, getting a handful of swings and misses. Showed to be an above average present pitch. Five innings of work and allowed three scattered singles, while striking out two hitters.
+ SS Kyle Edwards (Cox HS, VA, 2021):
Light, thinner frame at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds. Athletic and moves well with the glove and out of the box. Light on his feet and has some bounce when he moves. Higher end defender, hands and feet work, and sets angles to create throwing direction. Operates a little lower than many middle infielders, creating consistency and allowing him to work under the ball. Positionally, the hands, feet, and lateral movement leave no doubt he can defend up the middle. The arm is average, but enough that he could play shortstop for many years to come. However, Edwards is probably more of a guy who can bounce around in the infield and would be more than capable at any of the three infield positions.
At the plate he is short to contact with an accurate barrel. Hit for average and gap to gap doubles, with the occasional bolt. When Edwards gets a fastball in his counts, he simply does not miss, but has shown swing/miss against movement. Also showed an above average run tool with good jumps on the bases.
+ RHP Lincoln Ransom (Whiteville HS, NC, 2020):
6-foot-2, 210-pound frame. Senior right-hander works from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball was downhill at 91-93 mph, but it was the slider that was the out pitch. The slider was 85-87 with hard downer bite and is a true swing and miss pitch. Combining the shape and feel for the pitch, I would say it is a present average to above average pitch. Showed a changeup, but just looked to be a show pitch. The ability to attack with the fastball/slider combo in short work out of the pen makes him a dangerous weapon for the Monarchs on the back end of games.
-Jason Burton, Prep Baseball VA/DC Scouting Director
UNC CHARLOTTE
+ LHP AJ Wilson (East Surry HS, NC, 2019):
Another 23-year-old reliever for the 49ers, Wilson might have a current 5.56 ERA, but he has struck out a whopping 24 hitters in 11.1 innings. Like his teammate Rossi, the lefthanded Wilson has “now” stuff with a 90-92 mph fastball and an 81-83 slider with 2,900-plus spin. Lefties who have swing/miss stuff are always in demand at any level and Wilson could be another 49er who is quick through a minor league system.
+ RHP Tony Rossi (Lake Mary HS, FL, 2018):
At 23 years of age, Rossi is an experienced bullpen arm for the 49ers with “now” stuff. He will sit 95-96 mph with his fastball, while also showing an above-average 84-86 slider and an effective split-change, 86-88. So far this spring he has yet to allow an earned run and surrendered just two hits in 8.2 innings with 14 strikeouts. The righthander combines stuff and the ability to pitcher that is needed for success as a short reliever at the professional level. In that role he could be a quick mover through a minor league system.
– David Seifert
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
+ 3B/1B Brandon Eike (Powhatan HS, VA, 2020):
6-foot, 220-pound frame. The senior corner infielder showcased his in-game power with two extra-base hits on the day. Had a double off the wall and then a home run two at-bats later in the same left-center gap. Eike was very aggressive, especially in advantage counts. He overmatched some of the arms he faced, but the best arm he faced was a left hander. In that at bat he expanded the zone early, getting behind in the count and forcing some chase deeper into the count. Later grounded out in an at bat where he posted a 4.65 home-to-first. Third baseman that shows some athleticism at the position, but will more than likely move to first at the next level. Raw power that translates into in-game power.
– Jason Burton, Prep Baseball VA/DC Scouting Director
2025 MLB DRAFT WATCHLIST
+ 3B Alex Bouche (South Central HS, NC, 2022), Old Dominion:
A 2025 draft-eligible prospect with a solid 6-foot, 210-pound frame. Body is pretty proportional and has a thicker lower half. Took one of the louder batting practices on the day. His swing got a little longer at times during BP, but shortened it up a bit in game. During BP there was carry to the middle and backside of the field. It was a heavy barrel and showed the ability to create some impact on the baseball. During the game he seemed out of sync and just did not seem to be seeing the ball well. Showed some chase and expanded the strike zone, especially down, in all count types. On the dirt he plays a bit high at third. Had one groundball where he was able to showcase his arm strength across. It’s a big arm with carry across the infield. There is more than enough arm strength for him to stay at third long term, but his range and mobility will be the deciding factors moving forward.
– Jason Burton, Prep Baseball VA/DC Scouting Director