2019 Southern Academic Games: Outfielder Analysis
July 5, 2019
The 2nd annual Southern Academic Games was held at Wilson Field on the campus of Davidson College on Tuesday June 18th. Close to 40 players, representing four states participated. Each player was vetted academically and athletically before being invited. With close to 10 colleges in attendance throughout the day, players went through a full workout and played in an eleven inning controlled scrimmage.
During the workout phase of the day, players were able to showcase themselves offensively and defensively. Position players had their exit velocity measured in the cage area, prior to taking multiple rounds of BP in front of evaluators. During the defensive portion, players were able to workout from their defensive position, fielding live ground balls, allowing evaluators to get a feel for athleticism and projection. Pitchers were evaluated in live situations, throwing against hitters.
We begin our player evaluations with the outfielders that attended the Southern Academic Games. Nine total players worked out from the outfield, ranging from 2020 – 2022 graduates. Seven players ran under a 7.25 laser timed 60, with two running under 7.00. Two outfielders saw their exit velocities peak above 90 mph with the top at 94. Below are the six primary outfielders from the 2019 Southern Academic Games.
To see the full statistical breakdown from the Southern Academic Games, CLICK HERE.
2019 Southern Academic Games: Outfielders
 |
Tyler Johnson OF / 2B / Strom Thurmond, SC / 20215 foot 8, 152-pound average build. Hits from the right side with a balanced setup. Uses a leg kick during his load with his hands working back and the barrel in a more upright position. Gets stuck on his back leg at times creating some length in his swing. Barrel works level through the zone hitting some line drives to his pull side. Exit velocity recorded at 84 mph. Plays through balls in the outfield with active feet and average hands. Clean transfers with a long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot. Accurate arm that topped at 76 mph. Recorded a 7.32 in the 60. |
 |
Drew Gugino OF / SS / Lake Norman Charter, NC / 2021Rankings StateRank: 78 / POS: 16
5 foot 11, 162-pound lanky build. Hits from the left side with an open setup. Weight works back during the load with a short stride and barrel waggle. Fluid stroke with a short path to the ball. Hands get extension through the zone with better than average barrel awareness. Squared balls up to the opposite field during batting practice. Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 86 mph. Fluid, athletic actions in the outfield, playing through the ball with average hands. Some carry to his throws from a high ¾ slot with some feel for the plate. Positional velocity topped at 81 mph. Recorded a 7.19 in the 60. |
 |
Alden Kolessar OF / 2B / Rockingham County, NC / 2020
5 foot 11, 175-pound average build. Left hand hitter uses a balanced, relaxed setup. Smooth load with a short stride. Uses the whole field during batting practice with his barrel working short to the ball. Line drive approach with feel for his barrel. Flat bat path with bat speed during game action, doubling down the left field line. Exit velocity recorded at 87 mph. Average hands in the outfield, playing relaxed through the ball. Longer exchange, with a long arm stroke, throwing from an over the top slot. Positional velocity topped at 85 mph. Recorded a 7.17 in the 60. |
 |
Jack Mullane OF / SS / Reagan, NC / 2021
6 foot 1, 160-pound lanky, athletic build. Relaxed, athletic setup from the left side of the plate. Smooth back during his load with a short stride. Fluid, smooth stroke with a line drive approach and his barrel working short to the ball. Drove balls middle to the opposite field during batting practice with advanced feel for the barrel. Good in game approach with above average bat speed. Barrelled balls to both sides of the field during game action. Exit velocity recorded at 92 mph. Athletic through the ball in the outfield with fluid feet. Longer exchange, throwing from a high ¾ slot with some accuracy and carry to his throws that topped at 79 mph. Average hands on the infield and fights to get the hands and feet in sync at times. Arm topped at 72 mph across the diamond. Recorded a 7.03 in the 60. |
 |
Carson Harris OF / OF / Marvin Ridge, NC / 2020
6 foot 1, 165-pound average build. Tall, relaxed setup from the right side of the plate with some bat waggle. Works back during his load and glides into the ball with a medium length stride. Shorter swing path, keeping his barrel in the zone and getting extension out front. Works mostly middle to his pull side with some strength when he gets the barrel out. Drove a ball to center field during game action. Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 87 mph. Plays through balls in the outfield, fighting to get the hands and feet in sync through catch. Transfers across his chest, throwing from an over the top slot. Accurate arm that topped at 80 mph. Recorded a 7.14 in the 60. |
 |
Thomas Bowman OF / LHP / Wesleyan Christian, NC / 20226 foot, 165-pound lanky frame. Hits from the left side with a balanced setup. Short stride during his load with a quiet barrel. Balanced, short swing with quick hands. Line drive approach working gap to gap with some feel for the barrel. Better than average bat speed with some uphill leverage in the swing. Homered to right center during game action. Exit velocity recorded at 88 mph. Plays through ball in the outfield with quick feet. Average hands with an accurate arm, throwing from a high slot. Positional velocity topped at 81 mph. Recorded a 6.97 in the 60 and 4.48 home to first. |