Mack – Draft 5-Pack – Friday Starters – Brandan McKay, JB Bukauskas, Tommy Doyle, Robby Howell, Gunner Leger

Louisville 6 – Boston College 0  - LHP Brandon McKay – Louisville – 7.0-IP, 0-ER, 5-H, 12-K, 1-BB -

  D1 - Brendan McKay has been a dominant force of nature from the day he arrived on the Louisville campus. Here in 2016, he’s now had to deal with expectations and to his credit he’s dealt with them beautifully. He’s ascended seamlessly into the Friday starter role, and entering this weekend’s action this weekend he was clearly recognized as one of the most dominant aces in the nation. Not to mention, he’s been an anchor in the cleanup spot of the Cardinals’ lineup and is a highly thought of prospect with his bat as well.

           

North Carolina 6 – Georgia Tech 5  -  RHP JB Bukauskas – North Carolina – 7.0-IP, 2-ER, 14-K, 2-BB

            Red Reporter - When Bukauskas graduated high school in 2014 he reportedly asked all 30 MLB teams not to draft him. The Diamondbacks rolled the dice and took him in the 20th round, but the right hander stood firm on his commitment to North Carolina. As a freshman he went 5-3 in 14 starts for the Tar Heels. As a sophomore he went 7-2 with a 3.10 ERA. In those 78.1 innings of work he struck out 12.75 and walked 3.83 per nine. In 2015 Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs had Bukauskas ranked as the second best draft prospect in the class of 2017. According to McDaniel he was the most talented high school player not to sign with a team that season. Here is what he had to say about Bukauskas: He isn't big (5'11 or so) and there's some effort to his delivery, but he's regularly into the mid-90's, has been into the high-90's, flashes a plus breaking ball and the starter traits are coming along.

                      

Virginia 2 – Clemson 0  -  RHCL Tommy Doyle – Virginia – 1.0-IP, 0-R, 2-K. 0.00

           Daily Progress - Through eight games, the undefeated and 13th-ranked Cavs have compiled individual numbers like Robbie Coman’s .467 batting average, Adam Haseley’s four home runs and Jake McCarthy’s seven steals. More quietly, Doyle has posted an ERA of 0.00 over five appearances.

                      

University of Central Florida 4 – Jacksonville 0  -  RHP Robby Howell – UCF – 9.0-IP, 0-R, 3-H, 7-K, 0-BB

            BDR - I’m also looking forward to getting a closer look at returning talent like JR RHP Robby Howell… Howell and Faintich both have upper-80s fastballs (93 MPH peak for the former, 91 for the latter) and average-ish breaking balls. Howell was a workhorse last year (80.2 IP) who seems poised to do more of the same in 2016

                      

Louisiana 4 – Appalachian State 0 - LHP Gunner Leger – Louisiana- 7.0-IP, 0-R, 2-H, 10-K, 3-BB

           Nola - Leger, the son of McNeese State football offensive coordinator Tim Leger, had an impressive 2015 season, being named to the Louisville Slugger All-American Freshman squad. He was 6-4 with a 2.87 earned-run average in 17 starts. He struck out 83 in 106.2 innings with only 19 walks. He had a streak of 38 innings where he didn't issue a walk.