Sadler Goodwin going strong for Winter Garden Squeeze

WINTER GARDEN In more than three years of involvement with the Florida Collegiate Summer League, Jay Welsh has never seen anything quite like the day that Sadler Goodwin had June 21.

A rainout the day before caused the Winter Garden Squeeze to travel to Altamonte Springs for a double-header against the Scorpions.

Over the course of those two games, Goodwin had himself a day: the incoming junior for Troy University went 4-for-6 at the plate with two home runs, two doubles, 10 RBIs and three runs scored.

“That’s the best day I’ve seen in this league — with me or against me,” Welsh said. “(Goodwin) was really locked in that day.”

For his part, Goodwin says the success from the first game just rolled over into the second.

“The first game, I was seeing the ball well and that really kick-started that day,” Goodwin said.

In total last week, Goodwin went 12-for-24 and hit four doubles, three home runs and drove in 15 runs — more than enough to earn him Player of the Week honors for the Florida League.

Goodwin, who plays infield and pitches for the Squeeze, was a late-addition to the roster — but one that Welsh has been grateful for.

“We got a call the final week (before the season) and they (the Troy coaching staff) said ‘Jay, could you please take another kid for us,’” Welsh recalled. “(Goodwin) came here and, just from the first day … he’s just an unbelievable all-around player.”

Goodwin's four home runs and 24 RBIs on the season lead the league to this point.

Giants check out Nurse

Scouts from the San Francisco Giants were present at Heller Bros. Ballpark the evening of June 23 for the Winter Garden Squeeze’s game against the DeLand Suns.

The scouts were there to get a closer look at Conner Nurse, the Giants’ selection in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year player Draft. 

Nurse, a recent high-school graduate from Ridge Community School In Davenport, pitched four innings in his outing, allowing just two hits and no runs.

A decision on whether to sign the prospect by the Giants has not been made public at this time.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].