
Staff report
Former South Rowan standout Kane Kepley has been a sensation in the minor leagues this season, and one of his former Raider teammates may be drafted in July by MLB.
Texas reliever Haiden Leffew, 21, is in Omaha and has a lot going for him. He projects to be drafted in rounds 7 to 12, and he could go earlier than that.
Baseball America has Leffew at No. 213 on its latest draft board.
Leffew is a hard-thrower for a lefty. He usually works at 93-94 mph, but he has thrown some 97s. He has a powerful body (6-1, 235) and his changeup is rated as one of the best in college baseball. It’s his signature pitch.
Leffew pitched for Wake Forest for two seasons. He had high ERAs, but posted a 7-1 record and struck out 97 in 70 innings. He made a transition to being a full-time reliever as a sophomore for the Demon Deacons after starting five games as a freshman.
He transferred to Texas for his junior season. He’s made 17 relief appearances for the Longhorns but has only pitched 20 innings, striking out 31. He has a 4-1 record.
Texas opens the College World Series against Georgia on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN will broadcast the game from Omaha, Nebraska.