Gabe
Gaeckle

Scout Ball - Uncommitted; Two innings, fastball was steady 91-92 for quite a long stretch in this outing, fastball control was fair with some up and off the plate but also spotted up enough to show how high his stuff can play. Overhand CB 73-76 and flashed usability of the change-up. 

At Monterey: I’d known about Gaeckle from colleagues, but came away very impressed after my first look at him and the Freshman will be a high-follow very quickly. Starting at 2B you could see the arm strength fits better on the left side of the infield having balls come out of his hand with ease and firm trajectory; made turns look easy during pregame. The defense in the middle INF was evident and his bounce and anticipation show he’s been coached well at a younger age. His athleticism allowed him to move between both MIF spots and also played in the OF giving him the opportunity to help an already deep club. At the plate it's a very narrow and upright stance with a quiet front stride and hands having slow rhythm in the load; slight upward trajectory on a quick fire. Showed some barrel speed on a line drive at the SS and with more strength can see him being a strong gap-to-gap hitter. The future for Gaeckle is going to be on the hill where his athletic, high waist frame oozes with projection (1.2IP, 2K, 2BB). Keeping his hands at his chest through an athletic, high front knee the hands break as he sits and rides the slope keeping the arm in the pocket and showing quickness out of his H-¾ slot. One area he will need to focus on is strengthening the front leg to absorb the force he produces down the hill; it’s controlled aggressive and times he spins off on the heel leading to the arm being late. FB 82-84 T86 with quality angle out of the H-¾ slot; pitched in lower half of zone and moved it to both sides of the plate when needed. CB 70-74 with 12/5 shape and late, sharp break; will easily push to be a plus pitch by his senior season. CHG 79 with some run armside; had decent feel but didn’t utilize it much.