By Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

Twitter: @PBR_Texas

The state of Texas is known for producing some of the top talent in the country, especially when it comes to pitching. Look to each and every corner of the state and you will find high end arms. Players mature and grow at their own rate, some bloom early in their high school career while others make jumps later. Even though the recruiting cycle has changed in the past few years with players are committing earlier and earlier, there are still uncommitted seniors that are coming into their own and putting together great seasons. Our staff has been out all spring covering games throughout the state. This week we will feature uncommitted players.

Clayton Jones, RHP, Coppell HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound, lean-muscular, high-waisted, projectable frame. The uncommitted senior started on Saturday against McKinney Boyd. Jones works from a low-¾ slot with long arm action. His fastball was 84-86 mph through four innings of work. Although he scattered his fastball around the zone, the pitch shows life and depth when located at the bottom of the zone. Jones’ slider was sharp on Saturday, and was his best pitch at 74-77 mph with 10-2 shape. He was able to throw it consistently for strikes, both early-to get ahead, and late-to put guys away. Over four innings of work, Jones only gave up two hits, both singles, and was able to work around three walks by getting four strikeouts, all on sliders. His final line was 4 IP, 2 H, 4 K, 3 BB, 0 R, 18 BF.  Coppell would ultimately win the game 11-3, finishing the tournament with a 5-1 record. On the season, Jones has 12.1 IP, 13 K, 3 H, 3 ER, 14 BB, 1.7 ERA, and hitters have a miniscule .070 Batting Average against. Jones is a high academic student with a 5.1 GPA, 33 ACT and is interested in a Business degree. He is currently getting looks from several junior colleges around the state.

Grayson Jones, 3B/RHP, Highland Park HS, 2017
Another uncommitted right-hander that college coaches will want to keep an eye on is Grayson Jones. The two-way player appears taller than his listed 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. In a pre-season scrimmage, Jones’ fastball ranged from 86-87 mph, touching 88 once. He threw a 74-76 mph slider that flashed tight spin and depth. He threw one changeup at 79 mph. A couple of weeks later we got our second look at Jones. Again he showed a good feel for two pitches. The right-hander works from a ¾ slot with his fastball ranged from 84-87 mph with some life in one inning of work. He throws a slider with slurvey-type action that he can add and subtract with at 71-74 mph.

Caden Foster, RHP/OF, Plano Senior HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Foster came into the game and faced two batters, getting the last out for Plano in the top of the seventh inning. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long, clean arm stroke and athletic delivery. His fastball ranged from 86-87 mph, while his curveball was sharp at 76-78 mph with tight spin and 11-5 shape. He struck out the last batter he faced.

Jack Eumont, RHP, Strake Jesuit College Prep, 2017
6-foot-2, 200-pound, projectable, athletic frame. The uncommitted right-hander was consistently 88 mph, dropping only occasionally to 85-87 mph with minor mechanical mistakes. Slightly inconsistent, but current velocity and physical stature makes him a player that could help a college program.

Mason Mondin, RHP/SS, Seguin HS, 2017
Mondin, an uncommitted senior, stands 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. The right-hander works from a ¾ arm slot with long, loose arm action. Mondin was able to run his fastball into right-handed hitters at 84-85 mph from the windup (81-83 mph from the stretch). He maintains good arm speed on a sharp curveball, with 11-5 shape at 71-73 mph.

Deryk Serbantez, RHP/SS, Brazoswood, 2017
Approximate 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high arm slot with a short arm stroke and a clean delivery. Serbantez has advanced command of his fastball that he can throw with precision to both sides of the plate, ranging from 84-87 mph. His slider showed good depth at 69-72 mph. Quick feet on the pick to first base. Good competitor. Hits in the four hole and also plays shortstop.

Kel Bordwine, RHP, Cy Ranch, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound frame. Bordwine started the game throwing a heavy fastball for strikes at 79-82 mph, increasing his velocity in the middle innings to 81-84 mph. Balanced his heavy fastball with a 10/4 shaped curveball at 64-66 mph for strikes down in the zone. He only threw his slider occasionally, but it was effective at 72-75 mph.

Kevin Crucius, RHP/IF, Churchill HS, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound, projectable frame. Crucius, who was slated to start a game the night before but was pushed back due to rain, gave Churchill three strong innings, giving up only one run on two hits and struck out two Smithson Valley hitters. His velocity, which has been up to 87 in earlier outings this spring, was down to 81-83, but he had excellent running action that consistently missed barrels. He also had a sharp 10-4 shape slurve that came in at 77 mph.

Brian Dawson, RHP, Dickinson HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound, athletic, physical frame. The right-handed reliever works from a submarine arm slot with a repeatable delivery. He attacks hitters aggressively with his fastball and can dial up the velocity when needed. Throws an occasional slider with lateral movement, away from right-handed hitters. Dawson competes on the mound and has quick feet on his pick-move to first base.

Ford Uranga, RHP/1B, Argyle HS, 2017
6-foot-7, 200-pound, long frame. The left-handed hitter is a towering presence at the plate. He had a nice day offensively with two doubles, both to the opposite field, one in the left-center gap and another to left field. Uranga, a right-handed pitcher, threw his fastball 80-82 mph. His curveball is a still developing pitch at 64 mph with with loose spin.

Jacob Crain, RHP, Friendswood HS, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound frame. The right-hander works from an over the top slot with some funk in his delivery. Crain was able to work a steady mix of fastballs above the belt and curveballs down in the zone. With two strikes, he buried his breaking ball for swings and misses.

>>To view all of our scouting notes from around the state you can click on any of our three area scout blogs.

+ DFW Scout Blog
+ Houston Scout Blog
+ Central Texas Scout Blog

UP NEXT: Uncommitted Position Players

 

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