Junior Spotlight: Drake Mullins (Bluefield)

10/08/17 Initiates swing from neutral set up with stride to slightly open. Mullins works well away from hands and connects on time with back elbow achieving solid separation. He stays behind baseball with good leverage and extension. There is intermittent subtle front knee softness following heel plant reducing bat speed and creating uphill path. Benefit would be gained from aggressive hip turn around a firmer front side following heel plant. Overall mechanics are solid and minor adjustments should result in considerable improvement of recorded bat exit velocity of 84 mph.

Defensively, shows soft, quiet hands in receiving as well as solid framing technique. Feet and hands are quick with clean transfer in throwing. There is tendency to stay high in blocking and throwing motion is slightly long. Pop times of 2.00 to 2.10 were recorded on throws of 72 mph out of crouch.

7/12/17 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed hitter.  Mullins initiates swing from neutral set up with short, controlled stride.  He demonstrates aggressive weight shift and hip turn with quick hands and good separation. There is some lift to swing and he did show ability to generate back spin.  Mullins recorded a bat exit velocity of 88 mph.  Based on mechanics and approach Mullins has potential to be next level power bat.

Defensively, Mullins recorded pop times of 2.05-2.10.  He will have to work hard to improve blocking technique and lateral mobility to stay behind plate