By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

LONG BEACH, CA—Monday at the 2017 Area Code Games was another combination of batting practices and games, with the four remaining teams getting their time in the cage. The Yankees (Northeast) are arguably the most impressive team on offense so far, as several hitters put on a show in BP. OF Nick Decker (Seneca HS, NJ) launched a couple balls out deep to right field, as did 1B Grant Lavigne (Bedford HS, NH). IF Charles Mack (Williamsville East HS, NY) is very relaxed with low hands in his set-up, but gets them into a launch position before whipping the barrel to the baseball. He has solid bat speed and the ball occasionally jumped off his barrel. C Dominic Keegan (Central Catholic HS, MA) also demonstrated strength at contact and 3B Nick Northcut (Mason HS, OH) has a compact swing that generates power to his pull side.

The day’s best highlight came at the start of the final game. The Nationals (Southeast) sent RHP Ethan Hankins (Forsyth Central HS, GA) to the hill to take on the Brewers (Southern California). That immediately gave us a great matchup as SS Brice Turang (Santiago HS, CA) led off for the Brewers. Hankins fired 96 mph fastballs to Turang and struck him out on five pitches.

Hankins worked at a breakneck pace, barely giving hitters time to get set before he started his windup. He lived in the 92-94 range for most of the three innings he logged and ranged from 91-96 overall. His fastball is lively with arm-side run and he shows off his athleticism by keeping his long frame under control, throwing strikes and showing the ability to vary his delivering, routinely quick-pitching batters. The knock against Hankins is his breaking ball. The slider is loose with big break and currently operates as a below-average offering. He pitches from a 3/4 slot, which can make it tough to stay on top of pitches and create spin, but there is no arguing against his electric fastball. Turang and Hankins faced off one more time and Turang walked on four pitches. While Hankins is able to throw a high percentage of strikes, he does tend to miss arm side when he rushes through his delivery. Hankins pitched three innings and allowed three walks and a single while striking out five.

Here are some more highlights from Monday’s action…