Under Armour All-America Game Notebook

Sun July 22, 2018
Sean Duncan
Area Scout

CHICAGO - As usual, the Under Armour All-America Game featured plenty of eye-candy velocity from the pitchers, but it was the hitters that left the lasting impression Friday night under the lights at Wrigley Field.

OF Riley Greene (Hagerty HS, FL) continued to cement his status as the top left-handed bat in the 2019 draft class when the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Florida recruit deposited a hanging 83-mph slider by RHP Brennan Malone (IMG Academy, FL) deep into the right field bleachers for a two-run home run in the first inning for the National Team. Prior to the hanging slider, Malone had fed Greene a series of 94-97 mph fastballs. Later in the game, Greene smoked a sharp single to left field on a 91 mph fastball and also walked. Greene is currently ranked No. 4 in the recently updated 2019 overall rankings.

Not to be outdone, SS Bobby Witt Jr. (Colleyville Heritage HS, TX), the No. 1 prospect in the country, punctuated the game in the ninth inning with a taper-blast of his own. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Witt crushed a 72-mph curveball by RHP Derek Diamond (Ramona HS, CA) nearly onto Waveland Avenue in left field to cap the American Team’s 8-2 victory. Witt didn’t get much to hit in his first three plate appearances, walking twice and was hit by a pitch. He also just missed a home run, lofting a sky-high fly-out to deep centerfield. 

Greene and Witt weren’t the only standouts. A look at other strong offensive performances:

+ OF Corbin Carroll (Lakeside HS, WA) has been one of the most consistent offensive performers all summer long, and he continued his trend of barreling up premium pitching at Wrigley. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting centerfielder is the quintessential leadoff hitter with advanced barrel control skills and impressive pop for his stature. The UCLA recruit turned on a 93-mph fastball for a double to right field, then proceeded to steal third base. Carroll also singled sharply to right field and walked. He has a compact, balanced swing and rarely chases pitches out of the zone. He’s patient and relaxed and generates easy bat speed with his hands. He also floats around the bases, has a strong, accurate arm from the outfield and plays hard. 

+ OF Andre Tarver (Ringgold HS, GA) is a ...

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