Brandon
Eike

Cape Cod: Mostly rode the bench for his first two seasons at North Carolina, then blossomed as a key run producer for VCU this spring, hitting .345/.395/.608 with 11 homers and 24 doubles. He gave Hyannis a nice jolt for the stretch run, hitting .309 with one homer, five doubles and 11 RBIs in 15 games between the regular season and playoffs. Solidly built at 6-foot, 215 pounds, Eike proved to be a very capable defensive third baseman with sound actions, range and arm strength this summer. With an open stance, a high hand setup and some waggle, Eike has plenty of strength but excels most at driving the gaps and racking up doubles, particularly to the right-center gap. Eike’s short track record might have kept him from getting drafted this year, but his performance on the Cape helped boost his profile, and he could work his way into being a top-10-rounds money-saving senior next spring if he continues to perform.

Impressive first day for Eike. On the mound he sat 88-90 mph with the fastball in the first two innings. In the third the velo sat 87-88 mph. Command was strong to both sides of the plate in the first two innings. Flashed ability to throw breaking ball for strike in any count. Breaking ball had 11/5 shape at 73-75 mph. Changeup is a really solid secondary pitch at 81-82 mph and ability to locate to both sides of the plate. Threw it multiple times to the glove side to right handed hitters. At the plate he took the first pitch he saw over right center field fence and his next at bat he hit a double to deep right center on a line. Advanced barrel awareness and displays power to all fields.

VA/DC Scout Blog

Eike has a strong solid frame standing around 5-foot-11. Windup starts with a small rocker step and moves to a repeatable leg lift and balance point with shoulders and lower half closed. Slight sink in the back leg moving down the mound and drives off landing in line. Arm action is short with quick arm speed and throws from a three-quarter arm slot. Delivery has some effort and intent to it. Works with a quick pace, getting the ball back and toeing the rubber ready to work. Fastball worked 85-87 and touched 88 mph in the 1st. By the 3rd-4th innings velo seemed to slide a little, sitting at 83-85 mph, but could reach back and find 87-88 whenever he wanted. In the 5th Eike sat 87-89 mph the entire inning and filled up the zone. Curveball showed armspeed and 11/5 shape with late break at 72-75 mph. His second best offspeed pitch seemed to be his changeup, that sat 81-82 mph. He had plus feel for it and present armspeed. Had ability to throw it in any count and showcased it in the early innings, inducing multiple at bats ending in soft contact or swings and misses.

VA/DC Scout Blog

Eike has an athletic frame and has committed to Virginia Tech as a pitcher. While we missed him on the mound he had a good weekend at the plate. He showed batspeed and consistently barreled the ball all weekend. He is short to the ball with strength at contact and power potential. Eike has a chance to be a two-way player in college depending on how his development progresses.