Cash has potential to be 'one of the best catchers in the country'

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS BASEBALL

South Carolina’s freshman class has officially arrived on campus this summer with eight freshmen either on campus or expected before school starts in August.

Before fall ball starts, GamecockCentral is profiling each freshman by talking to someone who knows them best in their high school coach.

Now up is catcher Jax Cash, who spent three years at Spartanburg before transferring to IMG Academy this season.

Cash had Tommy John surgery this year and will begin rehab in Columbia, but GamecockCentral caught up with his coach at Spartanburg, Wesley Brown, about what Cash could potentially bring to the table this year.

GC: How would you characterize Cash’s game?

WB: I had him for three years, since he was a freshman to his junior year. He has a load of potential. He could be one of the best catchers in the country. I don’t know what they’re going to use him as but he’s also a very good pitcher. I know he’s going in and they’ll look at him in different ways from what I understand, but I think he could be an immediate impact for them behind the plate. I know Berryhill caught a lot of innings for them this year due to some injury stuff behind but I think Jax could step in there and be a benefit to them right out of the gate.

He’s got a super strong arm, an above average arm and his pop time is very good. He does a really good job receiving the ball and those are things that are going to pick up strikes on those close calls.

GC: You kind of touched on it already, but what makes him a good defensive catcher?

WB: He’s got a high baseball IQ. he knows the game really well and he always seems to be a pitch ahead of the game when he’s in there. He does a pretty good job blocking the ball, and he’ll learn the pitchers. Once he learns the pitchers that’s going to benefit him as well. The more time he gets in the bullpen I only think that’s going to make him better.

GC: We’ve talked about him defensively, but how does he project offensively?

WB: I think he’s a gap-power guy. I think he’s a guy that can hit it out of the ballpark to all three main areas. He’s got power to all sides of the field. He’s actually a pretty good situational hitter with the hit and run and he can actually lay a bunt down pretty well. He’s actually faster than people give him credit for. He’s a sub-seven runner in the 60, which is rare for catchers this day and time.

GC: I know he’s rehabbing from Tommy John right now, but is he a guy that you could see making an impact this year?

WB: I think he can. I think it’ll depend on recovery time and if he can get through his time. I understand he’s a little head of schedule right now. I think he can come in and compete absolutely.

GC: Could you see him spelling a guy like Luke Berryhill this year and being in the thick of the starter competition after that?

WB: Absolutely, I do. I see him being a benefit in a year and a half or so.