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Leagues  | Story  | 3/19/2018

Week 1 Recap - Spring League

Steve James     
The opening weekend of games in the PG Spring League was marked by weather delays, cold temps, schedule adjustments, and quality performances.  Even with the weather issues, games were played on the turfed fields at Southeast Polk and Mt. Mercy. 

Hitters Baseball 2018 vs Iowa Select Black 2018

About 35 scouts made the trip to watch the Hitters Baseball 2018 vs Iowa Select Black 2018 double header.  There was quite a bit of talent on the field from both teams and some quality performances to make note of.

Nic McCay (2018 - Carlisle, IA - South Dakota St.) took the ball to start game 2 of the double header and was dominant from the start.  He led off the game striking out PG All-American Jarred Kelenic (2018 - Waukesha, WI - Louisville) and never looked back.  McCay pitched at 88-91 MPH with his fastball and located it well.  The difference maker in this outing was his ability to locate his sharp curve ball at 72-74 MPH.  McCay threw 70% strikes and struck out 9 with his only base runner being a walk.  McCay has made steady progress over the past few years and seems to have taken another step forward yesterday.  

Clayton Nettleton (2018 - Davenport, IA - Iowa) was good as well pitching at 87-91 MPH.  Nettleton struck out 4 in his 2 innings of work and didn't allow a hit.  The ball was coming out of his hand well and it was a good first outing to build on.

The aforementioned Kelenic is known for his outstanding defensive ability and Sunday he lived up to that reputation.  Cal Harris (2020 - Peosta, IA - Mississippi) hammered a ball ticketed for the right center field fence.  Kelenic got a great jump on the ball and covered a ton of ground to make a full speed catch on the warning track, about a step before running into the fence.  There was a collective gasp from everyone in attendance when he hit the fence and fell.  Fortunately he got up unscathed and got the ball in right away to prevent a runner tagging up and advancing to 3rd.  It was the defensive highlight of the weekend.  Kelenic also had some quality at bats making hard contact.  He just missed a walk off home run in game one that came up about 8 feet short.  

Alex Binelas (2018 - Oak Creek, WI - Louisville) crushed a home run to straight away center field in game two.  He went 2 for 4 in the game and put together quality at bats all day.  He showed obvious strength on the home run as well as high level bat speed throughout the day.  Binelas almost beat out a routine ground ball to second base and showed very good speed down the line.  

Connor Van Scoyoc (2019 - Cedar Rapids, IA - Arizona State) pitched at 88-91 MPH with his fastball and showed good sink and run on it.  He pitched better than his stat line shows and didn't allow an earned run.  The ball was coming out of his hand well and he also showed bite on his curve ball at 75 MPH.  

Max Alba (2018 - Franklin, WI - North Carolina) pitched at 87-90 MPH with his fastball and collected 5 strikeouts in his 3 innings of work.  He worked around come control issues in the first inning and settled in nicely.  He threw his breaking ball at 80 MPH it showed good spin and tightness to it.  Alba had a solid first outing and should build off it well.

Nathan Rintz (2019 - Schaumburg, IL - Arkansas) pitched at 83-86 MPH with his fastball and was effective in his 3 innings of work.  He struck out 8 while walking 2.  Rintz threw 70% strikes and was aggressive in the strike zone.  He projects for velocity and also had a quality first outing to build off of.

Trevor Burkhart (2018 - Davenport, IA - Parkland) had a good day at the plate collecting 3 hits with a double.  Burkhart showed his speed on a bunt single and had an aggressive approach at the plate all day.  

Daniel Hahn (2018 - Cudahy, WI) had a big 2 RBI double for the Hitters in game 2.  He showed bat speed and competed at the plate well.

Cal Harris swung the bat well all day.  Aside from the hard hit ball that Kelenic robbed, he hit a hard double down the right field line.  He also had competitive at bats with good contact.

Levi Usher (2018 - Fairfax, IA - Kirkwood CC) appears to be getting close to 100% on his recovery from the broken leg and surgery last September.  Usher hit a hard single up the middle and collected 3 hits on the day.  

Brayden Frazier (2018 - Cedar Rapids, IA - Iowa) hit the ball hard a few times on the day.  He showed good bat speed and strength in his swing.

Top 2019 Performances

Sam Goodman (2019 - Dubuque, IA - Wichita State) was very good in his 3 innings of work.  He pitched at 81-84 MPH with a quick arm action.  He threw his curve ball for strikes at 75 MPH with good shape and spin to it.  Goodman needed just 30 pitches, 70% of them strikes, to strike out 5 in his 3 innings.  It was a very good start of the season for Goodman.

Zach Bierman (2019 - Dubuque, IA) pitched very well at 81-84 MPH with his fastball and threw 76% strikes.  He threw a sharp curve ball for strikes and has made big strides since last fall.  Bierman was dominant not allowing a hit while striking out 5 in his 2 innings of work.

Casey Sole (2019 - Cedar Falls, IA - Southeast Missouri State) swung the bat well collecting 3 hits with an RBI and 2 runs.  He had quality at bats and hit the ball hard.

Austin Simpson (2019 - Fairfield, IA) showed good bat speed and strength in his swing all weekend.  He collected 3 RBI on the day to go with consistent hard contact.  He hit a hard double down the right field line and showed an aggressive approach.

Spencer Whitlock (Wauwatosa, WI) pitched well throwing 3.2 innings and allowing just 1 hit with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks.  He topped at 81 MPH and competed well.

Nick Fleckenstein (2019 - North Liberty, IA) collected 3 hits with a double, RBI, and 2 stolen bases.  

Top 2020 Performances

Joseph Harris (2020 - Marshalltown, IA) swung a hot bat all weekend collecting 5 hits with 2 doubles and an RBI.  Harris is a big strong kid with bat speed and good hitting tools.

Casey Young (2020 - Winterset, IA) showed good hitting tools collecting 4 hits  with 2 triples and 3 RBI.  Young showed a smooth swing with bat speed.  He also pitched and allowed just 1 hit in 2 innings with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.  

Thomas Ward (2020 - Waukesha, WI) barreled the ball up consistently collecting 5 hits with a double and 5 RBI.  He had himself a great first weekend.

Josh Meulemans (2020 - Sussex, WI) had 3 hits with an RBI and stolen base.  

Tyler Tscherter (2020 - Reinbeck, IA) pitched well at 80-84 MPH and didn't allow a hit.  He was dominant and struck out 8  in his 3 innings of work.  He showed command of his fastball and showed pitchability.

Alex Pendergast (2020 - West Des Moines, IA) swung the bat well collecting 4 hits with 3 RBI and 2 stolen bases.  

Ethan Ellsworth (2020 - Indianola, IA) swung a hot bat as well collecting 3 hits on the weekend.  

Top 2021 Performances

John Doty (2021 - Urbandale, IA) had 3 hits on the weekend with 1 RBI and 2 stolen bases.  

Cael Luzum (2021 - Decorah, IA) topped at 78 MPH and had a quality outing.  He struck out 5 in his 2 innings of work and walked 2.
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