HBCU Baseball’s Top “No Fly Zone” Fleet Footed Outfielders

With the 2023 season completed, Black College Nines takes a look at its annual HBCU baseball top outfielders who have turned the impossible into routine catches, bring some of the best speed in all of HBCU baseball, and have proven themselves on the field.

Our list follows statistical information, scouting reports, and head coach input of the speedsters reaching balls hit in the gaps and turning would be hits into routine outs.

BCN evaluated players by arm strength, fielding range, speed, and hitting for power and average.

The phrase “No Fly Zone” was used by former Texas College head coach and current Prairie View A&M pitching coach Anthony “Happy” Macon to describe his Texas Steers 2018 outfielders who turned balls driven into the gap that appeared to be a hit, but were caught as outs.

No. 1 Jatavis Melton Jackson State University

No. 2 Cory King Alabama State University

No. 3 Nathan Paulsen West Virginia State University 

No. 4 Jalen Young Florida Memorial University 

Young had 135 putouts, and 6 assist, with a fielding percentage of .986. At the plate, Young batted .319, with 53 hits, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, and 26 runs batted in which included 23 stolen bases. Based on 2023 Statistics:

No. 5 Trevor Hatton Grambling State University 
Hatton patrolled the outfield this past 2023 season for Grambling. His fielding percentage was .985 with 123 putouts in 55 games. He batted .303 with 27 stolen bases in 228 at bats, scored 52 runs, 69 hits, 11 doubles, 6 triples, 12 home run and 73 runs batted in. Hutton was the Black College Nines HBCU Baseball “large school” Player of the Year, and Black College Nines Elite First Team. Based on 2023 Statistics:

No. 6 Hylan Hall Bethune Cookman University 

Hall, played a good outfield and tracks down balls well in both gaps. This season had a .981 fielding percentage with 100 putouts. He was also stellar on the offensive side with the Wildcats, with a .356 batting average, 79 hits, 18 doubles, 54 runs batted in. Based on 2023 Statistics:

No. 7 Janmikell Bastardo Florida A&M University 

Bastardo was one of the best fastball hitters in all of Division I HBCU baseball. HBCU baseball premier slugger, but he is also known for his stellar defensive work with speed and standout tools who moves well to the ball in the outfield. At the plate, Bastardo had a .333 batting average this past season. Heiht 13 doubles, 1 triples, belted 13 home runs, and drove home 54 runners.  Based on 2023 Statistics:

No. 8 Dionte Brown Norfolk State University 
Brown has quick instincts and can track down a lot of would-be hits in the gap. Staller at the plate batting .347, with 4 doubles, 3 triples, 58 hits, 24 runs batted in, and 6 stolen bases. Recorded a .976 fielding percentage. (Third appearance on “No Fly Zone” Fleet Footed Outfielders list 2021, 2022, 2023) Based on 2023 Statistics:

No. 9 Ian Matos Alabama State University 

Matos recorded a .972 fielding percentage this past season with 168 putouts and 5 assists playing in 59 games. Matos recorded 5 errors, but his bat spoke loud and clear with a .355 batting average, banged out 78 hits, 20 doubles, 3 triples, 9 home runs, and 47 runners were driven in. Was a Black College Nines Elite Second Team. Based on 2023 Statistics:

No. 10 Lavoiser Fisher Albany State University 
Fisher recorded a .978 fielding percentage this season with 86 putouts and 3 assists in 50 games started. Any ball hit in the gaps or to the warning track, he is under or arm extended making the catch for an out. This past season season he batted .321 including, 54 hits, scored 58 runs, 6 double, 2 triples, 15 home runs and 64 run batted in.  Based on 2023 Statistics:

No. 11 Darrin Brown Clark Atlanta University
Brown led his teams in runs batted in with 35. In the batter’s box, he had a .326 batting average to go along with 14 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 home runs. He is also known for his stellar defensive work with speed and standout tools who moves well to the ball in the outfield. Brown has shown the ability to be a well above average defender with his plus range and covers ground very quickly. Based on 2023 Statistics:

Honorable Mention: 

Gabriel Vasquez – Texas Southern University

Jaylen Armstrong – Southern University

Ty Jackson – Florida A&M University 

Brantley Cutler – University Maryland Eastern Shore 

Jordan Hamburg – Coppin State University

Wilfredo Mendez – Delaware State University 

Zach Baker – Lane College

Brandon Simon – University Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Tiger Borom – Grambling State University

Caleb Evans – Jackson State University (Second appearance on “No Fly Zone” Fleet Footed Outfielders list 2022, 2023) 

Malik Berrien – Rust College

Jordon Smiley – Jackson State University

Garrison Weiss – Prairie View A&M University

Ricky Jones – Virginia State University 

Jaylen Armstrong – Southern University (Second appearance on “No Fly Zone” Fleet Footed Outfielders list 2022, 2023) 

JJ Rollon – Southern University (Second appearance on “No Fly Zone” Fleet Footed Outfielders list 2022, 2023) 

Roderick Coffee – Texas Southern University

Daniel Gay – Clark Atlanta University

Zane Ross – Albany State University

TJ Ash – North Carolina A&T University

Jordan Varela-Payne – Bluefield State College (Second appearance on “No Fly Zone” Fleet Footed Outfielders list 2022, 2023) 

Jaden Oden – Savannah State University

Jamel Mitchell – Benedict College (Second appearance on “No Fly Zone” Fleet Footed Outfielders list 2022, 2023) 

Jalen McDuffie – Benedict College

Daquarius Thompkins – Edward Waters University

Trey Rutledge – Miles College

Harrison  Barnes – Tuskegee University 

Josh Shepherd – Lincoln University (PA)

Tyler Fitch – Dillard University

Mitchell Brown – Philander Smith University

Jhan Carlos Javier – Wiley College

Bryant Rhooms – Stillman College

Darlin Fernandez – Talladega College

Davie Pound – Harris Stowe State University

Dominique Page – Paine College