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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/1/2019

16u South Day 3 Scout Notes

Nate Schweers      Andrew Jenkins     
Photo: Colton Shaw (Perfect Game)

2019 16u WWBA South Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2

Though Jacob Ruiz (2021, Austin, Texas) did not record an official at-bat in Sunday’s game, his presence was felt in PNT 2021 National Team’s victory. Ruiz walked, was hit by a pitch, and had a run-scoring sacrifice fly at the plate on Sunday, and he also made a couple of really nice plays at shortstop Ruiz has some present arm strength across the diamond, generating good backspin and carry to his throws. Ruiz has a physical, 6-foot, 170-pound frame, and moves well at shortstop, rounding the ball well and showing good lateral range. Ruiz is currently uncommitted in the 2021 class.

Nash McMahon (2021, Friendswood, Texas) was 2-for-3 at the plate for PNT 2021 National Team on Sunday with a pair of RBI. After helping to start a rally with a double down the right field line in his second at-bat, McMahon put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth with single back through middle that scored two. McMahon has a smooth and fluid swing from the left side of the plate, and he does a great job of getting his hands extended with a middle of the field to pull side approach.

Jason Hawkins (2021, Allen, Texas) was another hitter to impress at Trinity High School on Sunday morning. Hawkins was 1-for-3 at the plate, highlighted by a loud, two-run double over the head of the center fielder. Hawkins swings with intent to drive the baseball, and he has plenty of room to grow into his 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame and add strength. Hawkins, who is a primary catcher, looked comfortable at third base in Sunday’s game as well.

Ben Smedshammer (2021, Lorena, Texas) tossed just 61 pitches in his five inning, complete game effort for Stix 2021 Heitz. Smedshammer showcased a fastball in the low-80s, topping at 86 mph. Smedshammer was able to keep hitters off balance all day, striking out six and allowing just one hit. Smedshammer also showed good feel for a mid-60s curveball, using it as a show pitch before coming back to the fastball as the strikeout pitch.




Reese Ratchford (2022, Sulphur, Okla.) was very impressive during his start on Sunday, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out nine and allowing just three hits. Ratchford used a heavy dose of his fastball with good down plane and late run to the arm side at 82-85 mph, topping at 87 mph. Ratchford has an athletic frame with a smooth and effortless delivery down the mound, creating good linear direction toward the plate at foot strike. The right-hander also showed good feel for spin, showing a curveball with tight spin, late depth, and 11-to-5 shape in the low-70s.

Ethan Marszalek (2021, Katy, Texas) has an athletic and projectable frame, showing a lot of things to like for the future during his outing on Sunday. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed sat 83-86 mph with the fastball, topping at 87 mph. Marszalek has a long and loose arm action, releasing from a mid three-quarters slot. He also showed some developing feel for a breaking ball in the low-70s, using it as a show pitch before going back to the fastball. As Marszalek learns to work down toward the knees and command the fastball with more precision, more success will come with it.

Blake Morrow (2021, Frisco, Texas) followed up a strong performance on Saturday with another strong day at the leadoff spot for Dulin’s Dodgers – Doan. Morrow was 2-for-2 at the plate on Sunday, with a pair of singles, a sacrifice bunt, and a walk. Morrow makes this go for his team at the top of the order, and consistently works counts and puts together quality at-bats. Morrow starts from a slightly crouched and slightly open stance at the plate, and has a simple bat path and high contact approach.

In a game that featured excellent pitching from both sides, Colton Shaw (2021, Richardson, Texas) got the start and was very impressive for Dallas Tigers Ahearne. Shaw has an athletic and projectable, 6-foot-1, 163-pound frame, and he uses it well, gaining good momentum with linear direction down the mound. Shaw has a fast arm from a high three-quarters slot, and featured an electric fastball up to 89 mph on Sunday night. Shaw’s ability to use both halves with the fastball paired well with his hard slider that flashes plus at times. The righty’s slider was in the upper-70s when at it’s best, and he was able to get a lot of swings and misses.




After making some noise at the plate during the first two days of the tournament, Connor Carson (2021, Bullard, Texas) had an outstanding start on the mound for the Dallas Patriots 16U – Sherard on Sunday. Carson tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six. Carson has an athletic frame, getting down the mound with good pace and power. Carson has a long and stiff arm action from a three-quarters slot, getting some good arm-side run to the fastball up to 88 mph. Carson attacked hitters all night, pitching to contact and getting a lot of quick outs. The primary shortstop is showing the tools this week to be a standout two-way player at the next level.

– Nate Schweers




Aaron Garcia (2021, Chula Vista, Calif.) had a good performance at the plate in day three action. Listed as a primary catcher, Garcia was the designated hitter for Blackhawks National 16u and went 2-for-2 at the dish with one walk. He started with his weighted pre-loaded into his stance, a high hand set with a high back elbow, and he stayed balanced through his swing with a middle-of-the-field approach. Showing patience at the plate, Garcia hit a line drive in his first at-bat followed by a fly ball single to center field.

Ethan Adkisson (2022, Diana, Texas) is a 5-foot-9, 155-pound shortstop. Adkisson has had a productive tournament through two days and continued to do so in day three of pool play. The righthanded hitter started off his day with a double down the right field line, then hit a hard ground ball to shortstop in his second at-bat. He led the way for the T.H.A. STIX - Thomas offense going 1-for-2 in the game and is now hitting .500 through three games. Adkisson showed semi-soft hands at shortstop with above average footwork and slight carry to his throws.

Hitting leadoff and playing right field, Elijah Wohl (2020, Ponca City, Okla.) helped guide the Academy Select 16u Ingram offense going 2-for-3 with one home run and two runs scored. He found barrels in all three of his at-bats, including a deep home run that hooked just far around the foul pole down the left field line. He proceeded to hit a towering shot to center field that was caught just short of the wall in his third plate appearance. Wohl showed some raw power on the day with an aggressive approach.




Hitting cleanup for Banditos Scout Team 16uis Trey Rucker (2021, Boerne, Texas) who had a strong day at the plate. In his first at-bat, Rucker waited back on a curveball and drove it to deep left-center field for an RBI double and then showed off his light-tower power by hitting a no-doubt home run that was three-quarters up the light pole when it left the yard. Rucker is an uncommitted utility player that has the tools to be an elite hitter and should continue to impress during the over the next two years at IMG Academy.

Mentioned in day one scouting notes as a hitter, Houston commit Brandon Burckel(2021, Lindale, Texas) started on the hill for Banditos Scout Team 16u. He had a smooth, downhill delivery with a solid arm action. His fastball was 86-88 mph, topping out at 90 mph, and flashed a 12-to-6 curveball at 75 mph that created swings-and-misses during his outing. He throws from a high three-quarters arm slot, creates run and cut along with the ability to work at the knees. Burckel threw 2 1/3 innings and struck out two. This two-way athlete could be a major contributor to the University of Houston in the future.




Baylor commit Cody Howard (2021, Conroe, Texas) needed only 10 pitches to retire the side in his brief outing for Banditos Scout Team 16u. His fastball sat 88-91 mph with slight arm-side run and tunneled his slider at 77 mph that had tight spin. Howard worked one inning and struck out two. He pitched from a high three-quarters arm slot with a long arm circle in the back, created good angle with an extended release. Howard will be a nice addition to the Baylor Bears pitching staff when he arrives on campus in Waco.

– Andrew Jenkins
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