Local South Carolina baseball commit has lived up to billing at A.C. Flora
April 23, 2019
Jack Reynolds committed to South Carolina months before his first varsity baseball game and has backed that up with a strong freshman season.
The first-year player leads the Falcons in hitting and ranks near the top of every offensive category for one of the top teams in Class 4A. A.C. Flora is one of the favorites to win the state title when the playoffs begin April 24.
“Jack has had a great year, couldn’t be more proud of what he has done,” AC Flora coach Andy Hallett said. “He is advanced for a 15-year-old. You can never expect a freshman to play like he is 18 years old. You never expect him to come in and have the season like he has had.”
Diamond Prospects founder Austin Alexander got a glimpse of Reynolds at the DP Palmetto Games in August and was at his first varsity action during the IP Classic in Georgetown. At the Palmetto Games, Reynolds hit 87 mph and earned Golden Arm award for his team.
In his first varsity game, Reynolds ripped a double and had a single in his first two at-bats.
“His hit tools are very advanced and his ability to take the barrel of the baseball at a high rate is very unusual for someone his age,” said Alexander, a pro scout and former college baseball coach. “He hits velocity, hits left-handed pitching, hits in the clutch and all fields. He hits at a very high level for such a young player.
“You don’t know which way a player is going to go when they experience success at that young age. Jack from my understanding is a tireless worker and very intent on working at his craft. My crystal ball sees him getting pro interest before high school is over and playing baseball for a very long time.”
Reynolds has hit anywhere from leadoff to third in the Falcons’ order. He entered this week’s Forest Acres Classic, leading Flora in average (.426), hits (18), on-base percentage (.569), second in RBI (15) and has struck out six times in 73 plate appearances.
On the mound, Reynolds has two saves, 12 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched.
“I just tried to go up there and do my job every time,” Reynolds said. “… worked hard in offseason and wanted to come in and show everyone what I could do and help them compete for a state championship.”
Reynolds committed to USC back in October and was a big Gamecocks’ fan growing up. He remembers playing on the playground at Founders Park when he was younger and watching Whit Merrifield’s game-winning hit in the College World Series.
Reynolds also looked up to former Gamecock Madison Stokes, who played at A.C. Flora. He has been to a few games this year and USC coach Mike Current was at a Forest Acres Classic game this week.
“I always wanted to go there. I love the coaches and the campus. I love the fans and atmosphere,” Reynolds said of USC. “Committing to USC makes me work harder because people know I’m committed and they come at me with their best.”
April 23, 2019
Jack Reynolds committed to South Carolina months before his first varsity baseball game and has backed that up with a strong freshman season.
The first-year player leads the Falcons in hitting and ranks near the top of every offensive category for one of the top teams in Class 4A. A.C. Flora is one of the favorites to win the state title when the playoffs begin April 24.
“Jack has had a great year, couldn’t be more proud of what he has done,” AC Flora coach Andy Hallett said. “He is advanced for a 15-year-old. You can never expect a freshman to play like he is 18 years old. You never expect him to come in and have the season like he has had.”
Diamond Prospects founder Austin Alexander got a glimpse of Reynolds at the DP Palmetto Games in August and was at his first varsity action during the IP Classic in Georgetown. At the Palmetto Games, Reynolds hit 87 mph and earned Golden Arm award for his team.
In his first varsity game, Reynolds ripped a double and had a single in his first two at-bats.
“His hit tools are very advanced and his ability to take the barrel of the baseball at a high rate is very unusual for someone his age,” said Alexander, a pro scout and former college baseball coach. “He hits velocity, hits left-handed pitching, hits in the clutch and all fields. He hits at a very high level for such a young player.
“You don’t know which way a player is going to go when they experience success at that young age. Jack from my understanding is a tireless worker and very intent on working at his craft. My crystal ball sees him getting pro interest before high school is over and playing baseball for a very long time.”
Reynolds has hit anywhere from leadoff to third in the Falcons’ order. He entered this week’s Forest Acres Classic, leading Flora in average (.426), hits (18), on-base percentage (.569), second in RBI (15) and has struck out six times in 73 plate appearances.
On the mound, Reynolds has two saves, 12 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched.
“I just tried to go up there and do my job every time,” Reynolds said. “… worked hard in offseason and wanted to come in and show everyone what I could do and help them compete for a state championship.”
Reynolds committed to USC back in October and was a big Gamecocks’ fan growing up. He remembers playing on the playground at Founders Park when he was younger and watching Whit Merrifield’s game-winning hit in the College World Series.
Reynolds also looked up to former Gamecock Madison Stokes, who played at A.C. Flora. He has been to a few games this year and USC coach Mike Current was at a Forest Acres Classic game this week.
“I always wanted to go there. I love the coaches and the campus. I love the fans and atmosphere,” Reynolds said of USC. “Committing to USC makes me work harder because people know I’m committed and they come at me with their best.”