The Top Fastball in NC... And a Freshman to Follow
April 21, 2021
With the start of the NCHSAA Baseball season on Monday April 26th, many teams across the state are playing scrimmages this week. PBR was at East Rowan HS on Tuesday to take in one of those scrimmages with the Mustangs hosting Cox Mill.
Both teams enter the 2021 season with talented rosters and high hopes of how far they can go into June. Below we take a quick look at each team with a full scout blog on players to follow from the scrimmage.
Team Info
East Rowan
The Mustangs enter the 2021 season with a legitimate ace in ECU commit Jake Hunter. Hunter worked a couple of innings in the scrimmage and was very efficient. Following Hunter on the mound is fellow senior JD Basinger, Jr. Cameron Padgett, and So. Chance Mako. This quartet of arms will give the Mustang staff a lot of options on how they will attack opposing lineups.
Defensively East Rowan is athletic across the diamond. Freshman Charles Hightower was especially good at shortstop with good feet and elite hands. Mako played 3B when not on the mound giving the left side of the field a solid foundation. Cameron Padgett worked in at SS as well. With these three infielders, it will allow the defense to stay strong, as arms rotate onto the bump.
Offensively the Mustangs barreled 5 balls in the 1st inning against what may be the top fastball in the state. Simple and direct, working the middle of the field, the lineup has depth and continued to apply pressure with solid at-bats throughout the scrimmage.
Cox Mill
The Chargers flashed some depth on the mound, but they will be carried initially by UNCW commit, Martin Gair. Gair’s pure stuff will allow him to compete with any lineup thrown at the Chargers. Behind Gair, Cale Oehler, a Jr. LHP, has already thrown in some big games in his career. South Carolina commit, So. Tyler Zedalis is more known for his bat and infield play, but he should provide a potential high leverage arm to help close games as needed.
Defensively Cox Mill will lean on Sr. SS Nick Aldefer to keep things clean. Aldefer plays with energy, possessing good feet and hands, and an arm that should allow him to stay on the left side as he moves on to Queens University, where he is committed.
In the box, the top of the Charger order will be relied on to do most of the damage. Aldefer, Zedalis and Jr. 1B Jack McGowan will pace the run scoring efforts. As they go, so will the Chargers.
Scout Blog
Martin Gair, RHP, Cox Mill HS, 2021
UNC Wilmington commit. Length in the frame with broad shoulders and some strength present. Listed at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. Inconsistent delivery that began to repeat as the outing progressed. Low leg kick, working to load the front hip. Slight uphill tilt through the shoulders. Medium arm swing, loading the scapular naturally, working to an over-the-top slot that can dip to a high-3/4 release. Strong arm with well above average arm speed. Tends to land on-line with a closed foot-strike, but did alter the landing spot, and his line, early in the outing. Fastball worked