Feb. 21--MESA, Ariz. -- As one National League scout best described it, there was "plenty of heat" at Friday night's Texas Christian-Arizona State game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Jason McLeod, the Chicago Cubs' senior vice president of scouting and player development; Matt Dorey, the Cubs' amateur scouting director; and assistant Shane Farrell watched TCU's Preston Morrison throw a three-hit 3-0 shutout.
Many scouts came to watch TCU top pitching prospect Riley Ferrell. But Ferrell didn't warm up until the ninth as Morrison retired 11 consecutive batters at one point en route to an 88-pitch complete game.
Among the teams who also had high ranking evaluators in attendance were the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay, Cincinnnati, Oakland, Detroit, Arizona, San Diego and Kansas City. Retired Cubs pitcher Mark Prior, now with Padres, and Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke also were in attendance.
TCU freshman catcher Evan Skoug of Libertyville went 2-for-4 with a double and prevented a run by blocking a pitch with a runner at third base in the first inning. ASU left-hander Brett Lilek of Marian Catholic High School struck out seven in six innings but was charged witih two runs.
Many top evaluators are in the Valley watching several college games, including a tournament at Sloan Park involving Big 12 and Pac-12 conference teams.
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