On the Hunt: Fast-Rising Uncommitted 2019-2020 Prospects
October 6, 2017
By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker
@ShooterHunt
The fall season is in full swing, and On the Hunt takes a look, this week, at seven prospects who are must-watch commodities before the winter. On the list are four 2020 players who have created a buzz around the country with their play early on in the fall including two two-way players, a catcher, and a right-handed pitcher. With the 2019 class rapidly making college commitments, the three players highlighted below including two pitchers and a left-handed power-hitting outfielder have the ability to give some school’s recruiting class a boost. States represented this week include: Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Texas.
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Austin Plante OF / 1B / Lake Travis, TX / 2019Rankings State Rank:43 POS:7
Plante is a physical left-handed power-hitting outfielder who should find a home in the middle of some school’s lineup at the next level. At 6-foot-4, 225-pounds, Plante has a large presence in the box, and his strong bottom hand allows his barrel to lag in the zone while back-spinning balls on an upward plane. He sets up in an athletic, balanced stance with his feet wide and weight on his back side. His hands rest next to his ear as he rocks back with a minor leg lift before quickly working to the ball and through the zone. Plante showcases easy power to both gaps, and his quiet approach should help him continue to progress while facing advanced pitching. The ball jumps off his bat with minimal effort, and though strong now, his body is still maturing, and once he has filled out, he may have a chance to hit for even more power (he launched multiple home runs in batting practice in a recent PBR Texas event). In the outfield he showcases a strong, loose arm up to 89 mph, and his confident hands should allow him to play either corner position or first base at the next level. Overall, having an impact, power bat in the middle of the order is something that many college coaches will envision when watching Plante, and with his continued development he has a strong chance of becoming just that. |
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