Austin
Bates

03/22/17 - continued his blistering week at the plate by going 3-for-4 on the day with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. The Chipola recruit has looked confident in the box and squared up multiple pitches throughout the week. Noticeably stronger forearms. Athletic.

03/21/17 - continued to impress as he had another two hits at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Looks much more comfortable in the box. Squared up the ball twice. Threw out a couple more runners from behind the plate again. Chipola recruit.

03/20/17 - He went 2-for-2 at the plate and also showcased a strong, accurate arm from behind the plate by throwing out multiple base stealers on the day. Quick release, good awareness of runners on the base paths. Athletic build. Chipola recruit. (IMG Classic)

01/21/17- Chipola recruit. Currently ranked No. 49 in the Florida 2017 Class, No. 146 Overall. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder has consistently shown to be one of the top defensive catchers in the state. A very heads up player, he shows feel for the game and how to direct from behind the plate. He's an above average receiver, with soft hands and strong wrists with a quality low set-up. He also has a very quick transfer with a strong arm with his best time being a 1.85 pop with even more room to improve. Offensively, the right handed hitter has a quality path through the zone. Can cut himself off at times and not clear his hips. He consistently finds the barrel and creates loft. Will be very interesting to see how that translates to power with strength.

5/21/16- North Carolina commit who stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a lean and athletic body on a medium-sized frame. Bates is ranked 38th in Florida and 108th overall. He has advanced actions behind the plate with a quick transfer, short, over the top arm action, and a quick release. His throws are on line and accurate at 80 mph down to second. Offensively, he does not get much of a load but he has a short, quick swing and flat bat path through the zone. He has good balance and stays gap to gap. He is a gamer and plays hard.

3/31/16- North Carolina commit who stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a medium frame that is lean and athletic. Advanced actions behind the plate that includes a plus throwing arm. Quick release and he is able to throw out runners from his knees. At the plate he is slightly open and gets a small separation for his load. Short, quick swing with a nice bat path through the zone and he runs very well for a catcher.

 
6/14/15- North Carolina commit. 5-foot-11 160 pounds with a lean and athletic body with some strength. Quick transfer and good footwork behind the plate with a solid arm. 1.85 pop time. Quiet and balanced at the plate. Gets a small separation for his load, has a nice swing plane, and the ball jumps off his bat.

Austin Bates, C, John F. Kennedy HS, NY (2017)
Bates is the definition of projectable with a slim, slender build, 5-foot-11, 160-pounds but highly-athletic. (7.1 60) Behind the dish his footwork is above average, gains ground on his throws, receives soft with a clean exchange. Bates throws from a high-3/4 slot and gets a lot of external rotation creating well-above arm strength and pop times at 1.89. At the plate his setup is slightly open. Strides back to even on the pitch, short path to the ball, hands stay inside the ball, barrel gets uphill some, shoulders have north-south tilt. His finish is at his shoulders with some extension. There's no doubt Bates is a next-level guy, already verbally committed to North Carolina, he just needs time to add 15-20-pounds, develop and mature.