James
McGrady

VA/DC Scout Blog 

McGrady had possibly the biggest impact of any player on either team. Started at shortstop and did not get too much action, but had a big day on the mound for the Gators. Came on to pitch in relief of Matela and McGrady was very strong. Three pitch mix with two secondary offerings that were legitimate high school out pitches. Had the ability to throw the curveball for a strike about whenever he wanted and could finish counts with the curveball or slider at any time. The curveball had 12/6 shape and depth while the slider varied in shapes, but threw one early on at 73 mph with frisbee like shape and got a swing and miss for a strikeout on that. At the plate he struck out twice versus Kaltreider early in the game, but saw it well in his next two at bats. Barreled up a line drive to left field, but it was caught and then came through with a clutch single in the sixth inning. McGrady, along with Younce and Ott, is a leader on this team and one of the Gators' important pieces should they have a chance to make a deep run in VISAA D2. 

Unsigned Senior Games

McGrady is 6-0 with an athletic frame that has plenty of projection left to it. He hits from the right side from an open athletic stance, strides on line, short smooth load back. Hips rotate completely with some violence and he maintains some lower half balance. Hands stay inside, short and quick to the ball, uphill swing path, some strength at contact, showed primarily a pull approach with some natural loft built into his swing, has some gap power present, exit velocity was 86. In the infield, rounds the ball and fields with a wider base and above average hands, works through the ball to a quick clean exchange, throws from a high three-quarters arm slot, quick arm, position velocity was 85. Ran a 7.45 60 yard dash.

TPG West

McGrady is 6-0 with an athletic frame that has plenty of projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a balanced athletic stance, small leg kick stride on line, smooth load back to a slight wrap. Hips rotate completely with some violence and he maintains good lower half balance. Hands stay inside, short and quick to the ball, slightly uphill line drive swing path, showed a pull preference, exit velocity was 82. In the infield, rounds the ball and fields with a wider base and soft hands, works through ball to a clean exchange, throws from a three-quarters slot, position velocity was 87. Ran a 7.57 60 yard dash. On the mound, he throws from a three-quarters arm slot, short loose arm action and some effort to his delivery. Shoulders are level and closed, lands slightly closed with an athletic finish. Fastball was 78-81, with some late run. Curveball had some armspeed and was 65-68 with sharp 11/5 break to it. Change-up was 73-75 with good armspeed and hard fade.

Preseason All-State III

McGrady is 6-0 with an athletic frame that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open balanced athletic stance, low leg kick stride on line, smooth load back. Hips rotate completely and he maintains good lower half balance. Hands stay inside, slightly uphill line drive swing path, extension through the ball, exit velocity was 86. In the infield, rounds the ball and fields with above average hands, works through the ball to a clean exchange, throws from a high three-quarters arm slot, position velocity was 83. Ran a 7.41 60 yard dash.

Top Prospect Games East

McGrady is 6-0 with an athletic frame that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance, short leg kick stride on line, smooth load back. Hips rotate completely with violence and he maintains good lower half balance. Keeps hands inside, short and quick to the ball, strength at contact point with extension through it, quick bat. Uphill swing path, line drive swing with some carry in gaps, showed good approach working primarily gap to gap, natural loft built into his swing, exit velocity was 85. In the infield, gets body behind ball and fields with above average hands and a wider base. Works through the ball, clean exchange. Throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with a short loose arm action, infield velocity was 82. Ran a 7.37 60 yard dash.

Preseason All-State II

McGrady is 6-0 with an athletic frame that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open balanced athletic stance, short leg kick stride on line, smooth load back, hips rotate completely with violence, has good balance during his swing. Short and quick to contact, fast bat, keeps hands inside, strong at contact point with extension through the ball, slightly uphill path, line drive swing has loft built in and ball carries in gaps, showed good approach working gap to gap, more potential power to access, exit velocity was 85. In the infield, clean feet, rounds ball and fields with above average hands. Plays through ball to a clean exchange, throws primarily from a high three-quarters arm slot, loose quick arm action, position velocity was 83. Home to first was 4.28.

Top Prospect Games II

McGrady is 5-11 with an athletic frame that has plenty of projection left to it. Hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance, strides on line, short load back, hips rotate completely with some violence, he maintains some balance during his swing. Short to the ball, worked middle of the field, level to slightly uphill swing path, some strength at contact and extension through the ball, exit velocity was 82. At short, rounds ball and fields with above average hands and a wider base. Works through ball to a clean exchange. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot, position velocity was 81.

1.28.18:  McGrady is 5-10 with an athletic frame, he hits from the right side from an open athletic stance. Short stride on line, minimal load, has some rhythm to swing. Explosive hips and some balance to swing. Quick to ball, short path, level line drive swing with some extension through the finish, some whip to his bat. Showed good approach working middle of field, exit velocity was 78. At short, quick feet, rounds ball and fields with a wider base and above average hands. Pushes through to a clean exchange, throws from a three-quarters arm slot, short loose arm action with a quick arm, infield velocity was 81.