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We got a chance to get out and watch the Mills Godwin Eagles twice last week. 

See video and notes on three uncommitted players from the Eagles.

Mills Godwin

Garrett Mason RHP / OF / Mills E. Godwin , VA / 2023 Mason stands a solid 6-foot-4, 200-pounds with lean strength throughout and plenty of room to add more. The 2023 uncommitted right hander got the start on Friday night and did not disappoint. He has always shown the upside and potential, but on Friday night things seemed to kind of come together. The fastball sat 87-89 mph during his first three innings of work, touching 90 three times. Showed really solid feel for a 72-75 mph breaking ball that he was able to throw for strikes consistently to right handed and left handed hitters. Was comfortable with a third pitch, a changeup, that sat 77-80 mph and was most effective to left handed hitters. He was able to throw it for strikes to right handers as well, but it did not show the action that would typically warrant it being used a ton versus right handed hitters. To left handed hitters the changeup seemed to have more late fade and got hitters out front with it running away from the swing plane. The delivery builds pace and arm speed, working from a high three-quarter arm slot.

 

 

Luke Smyers LHP / OF / Mills Godwin, VA / 2025 Lanky 6-foot-2 frame with long limbs and plenty of projection left. Smyers came on in relief for Godwin twice this week and showed why he is one of the best '25's in the state. Works exclusively from the stretch with a normal effort delivery. Short whippy arm action and throws from a low three-quarter slot. On Friday night Smyers was in attack mode from his first pitch, using mainly fastball-changeup combos for right handed hitters and fastball-breaking ball combos for left handed hitters. The right handed hitters saw his 80-83 mph fastball work to the arm side with occasional heavy, late sink. Smyers' changeup was a straight change that worked at 74-76 mph with average feel for the zone. Versus left handed hitters the breaking ball was his go to pitch. It sat between 71-74 mph with late downer bite and got plenty of whiffs. This is his best out pitch and when he can show the ability to move it in and out to right handers it will be even more effective.

 

 

Justin Tobin SS / 2B / Mills E. Godwin, VA / 2023 5-foot-10, 180-pound solid athletic frame. Tobin is a high end runner, turning out a 6.69 this fall at the State Games and showcased his speed this week at the plate. Runs hard out of the box and you will not get a bad ninety, or turn from Tobin. On a pop up Friday night Tobin ran a 4.43 on the turn. In addition to his speed Tobin has a short compact swing at the plate with line drive tendencies and some sneaky power when on time. Both games that I saw this week, Tobin led off the first inning with a line drive single. He ambushed early fastballs to get the Godwin offense going. The load and stride are unique. He uses an early toe tap stride before restarting and getting the foot down early and on line. There is minimal hand load and separation with a more hands first, A to C type of swing. On Wednesday night in his third at bat Tobin got on plane with an elevated fastball and drove it to deep left center for a double. With his short approach to contact it will be tough to beat Tobin up in the zone. Defensively he is a long term second baseman/centerfielder. In the infield he has lateral range, short arm action, and a quick exchange and release.