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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/8/2018

15u PG Super25 Scout Notes


Day 1, Friday, July 6

A number of promising players displayed an array of talent at the Boombah Sports Complex during Day 1 of play at the PG Super25 15u National Championships. If Day 1 is any indication, the competition will be outstanding for the next few days.

The Carolina Rockies ran lefthanded pitcher Eli Crump (2021, High Point, N.C.) out to the hill to open up pool play and he was solid for five strong innings. The crafty lefty threw three promising pitches out of the same window and consistently pounded the strike zone throughout the morning. Although not over-powering from a sheer velocity standpoint, Crump mixed and matched his fastball (68-71 mph) – that he never threw to the heart of the plate – a sharp 12-to-6 curveball (62-64 mph) and a very deceptive changeup  (65-66 mph). His ability to command and control and dictate the pace of the game was a big plus for the promising lefty.

Noah Hill (2021, Archdale, N.C.) is the 6-foot, 165-pound catcher for the Rockies and possesses the necessary tools that make his future behind the dish look bright. He has soft hands and receives the ball like a player with far more experience. He also has excellent footwork and a quick trigger when throwing the ball. At the dish, Hill has gap-to-gap power potential. He has a slight lift in his swing path at contact and appears to have a great grasp of the strike zone.

The Rockies powerfully built first baseman, Colby Cox (2021, Greensboro, N.C.), flashed some skills that certainly appear to be projectible. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound middle-of-the-order hitter has a very patient mindset and he never chased pitches out of the zone. He has an up-the-middle to pull-side approach with his swing path and incorporates a very strong lower half into his swing. What makes him a bigger threat offensively is his above average speed and his instinctive running ability. Around the bag, he possesses soft, sure hands and displays quick and very coordinated footwork.

Displaying a team full of fundamentally sound gamers was the Mountain West Marshalls representing the Utah Baseball Academy. The South Jordan, Utah-based Marshalls have a number of promising young players who had their skills on display in their early morning run-rule victory.

Cameron Day (2021, Layton, Utah) toed the rubber to start the game for the Marshalls and was impressive. The solidly built, 6-foot-2, 185-pound righthander, pitched off his plus fastball (84-86 mph). His four-seamer showed some solid late life, especially up in the zone. He coupled his well-commanded fastball with a slurvy, 11-to-5 breaking ball, that was almost unhittable. His sweeping breaking pitch had late sharp movement at the plate. He also showed a 75-76 mph change up out of the same window as his fastball. His poise and repeatable mechanics, along with his raw picthability, make Day a prospect worth following.

Raidyn Steele (2020, Nephi, Utah) flashed some raw power at the dish for Mountain West. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound righthanded swinger flashed consistent plus power, especially to the pull side as he led his squad offensively to their early morning victory. Hitting out of a slightly open stance, he appears to have a great grasp of the strike zone and mature patience at the dish.

The Marshalls three-hole hitter and shortstop is Landon Frei (2021, Santa Clara, Utah) a slick-fielding, heady ballplayer who plays well beyond his years. His ability with a glove on his hand is very impressive. He has very smooth feet and soft hands and an arm that is sure, strong, and has carry on all throws. At the dish, he shows great patience and a quick, middle-of-the-field swing path. He gets his barrel to the ball consistently and shows line drive ability to all fields.

Tyler Nelson (2021, Salem, Utah) pitched one inning in relief of starter Cameron Day and was equally impressive. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound righthander displayed two highly developed pitches that he pounded the zone with. His projectible frame and advanced, repeatable mechanics, allowed Nelson to consistently throw strikes. His fastball (81-to-83 mph) was thrown to both sides of the plate with purpose. His long arm action and high three-quarters arm slot made his four-seamer jump at the plate. He paired his impressive fastball with a tight-spinning, 12-to-6 curveball, that was very deceptive and showed depth at the dish.

Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Dig In Baseball brought a solid squad to central Florida for the National Championship. Leading the way for Dig In is their catcher, Ethan Giacalone (2020, Olney, Md.). The powerfully built, 6-foot-1, 160-pound backstop showed consistent advanced catching mechanics. His catch and throw skills appear projectible and his ability to call a game and handle his staff are far more mature than his current playing level. The athletic Giacalone hits out of an open stance and appears to possess the ability to consistently drive the baseball.

The Bahama Spartans made their debut in the 2018 National Championships in early morning pool play. The Spartans displayed great spirit and enthusiasm throughout their contest and flashed some certain projectible baseball skills. Leading the Spartans on the field were Ajani Cumberbatch (2020, Nassau, Bahamas), the club’s gifted left fielder, and Steven Adderley (2021, Freeport, Bahamas), who leads off and plays center field for the Bahamas clubs.

Cumberbatch, is a 6-foot, 175-pound righthanded swinging outfielder who shows promising skills in the field and at the plate.  The long-limbed rising junior at Monte Verde HS can cover ground in the outfield, and shows a strong and accurate arm. Offensively, he has a short, quick, middle-of-the-field swing path and consistently gets his barrel to the ball.

Adderley is a flyer. He has very playable plus speed and gets to his top-end in only a few strides. He also makes consistent contact at the plate and flashed some raw pull-side power out of the leadoff spot for the Spartans. Defensively, he has the ability and instincts to cover gap-to-gap. His arm strength, which is average at this stage in his career, is highly accurate and will only get stronger as he matures.

Headfirst Bercovich Gold is another fundamentally strong club who played their first pool games this morning at Boombah. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based club was paced by two gifted players.

Cameron Calvillo (2021, Castro Valley, Calif.) is a righthanded pitcher who was in command throughout his three-inning stint on the mound. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound righty pitches with a powerful lower half. The ball appears to jump out of his hand. He has a short take away and a longer finish and a repeatable three-quarters arm slot. His fastball velocity sat in the 82-84 mph range. His fastball command was consistently impressive as he pitched to both sides of the plate with purpose. His out-pitch was his short-breaking, tight-spinning, 12-to-6 breaking ball that buckled a lot of knees. His curveball velo was deceptive, thrown at 71-73 mph. His change was a third, very mature pitch for the righthander. It showed depth at the plate and was consistently clocked between 74-76 mph.

The three-hole hitter for the California nine was Max McGee (2021, Pleasanton, Calif.). The athletically built, 6-foot-1, 160-pound righthanded hitter showed gap-to-gap plus raw power and consistent bat-to-ball skills. He also flashed impressive top-end speed stretching a routine double into an exciting head-first triple.

Joe Tipton (2020, Kingston, Tenn.) started on the bump for the Knoxville, Tenn.-based Redstitch Prospects club. The 6-foot, 170-pound rightly is a strike thrower who had three impressive pitches on display during his three innings on the hill. His fastball (77-79 mph) showed consistent arm-side run and sink and was really tough on righthanded hitters. His 12-to-6 breaking curveball was clocked in the 65-67 mph range and is a solid second pitch for the tall righthander. His changeup was clocked in the 69-70 mph range and showed tumbling depth at the plate.

Handling the Redstitch staff was Drayden Johnson (2020, Knoxville, Tenn.), a confident and gifted backstop who calls a very mature game and keeps his club on its toes. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound rising junior at Halls HS is an accomplished receiver with soft hands and sound movements behind the plate. He has a quick arm action and his throws show both accuracy and carry.


Day 2, Saturday, July 7

After a tough 0-2 start on Day 1, the Bahama Spartans BBC bounced back on Saturday and secured a well-earned victory in morning pool play. Ajani Cumberbatch (2021, Nassau, Bahamas), who stood out during Monday’s games, was the starting and winning pitcher and was he ever impressive. The lanky righthander twirled five no-hit innings and mixed a well commanded riding fastball (78-82 mph), a sharp-breaking 12-to-6 curveball (63-65 mph) and a quality changeup (69-71 mph) during his dominant five innings on the bump.

Righthander Aaron Forbes (2021, Nassau, Bahamas) completed the Spartans victory by finishing the final two frames, allowing only one scratch single. The equally gifted Forbes, while not possessing overwhelming velocity with his fastball, showed great control and command and worked his four-seamer (70-72 mph) to both sides of the plate. He worked quickly and confidently and used pure mechanics and a long arm action to repeatedly pound the strike zone.

The Virginia Breeze Baseball Club out of the Chesterfield, Virginia, has impressed many in attendance with the sound fundamental approach they bring to the diamond. Leading the Breeze offensively and defensively is Kevin Gunn (2021, Stony Creek, Va.). The rising sophomore at Dinwiddie HS is a standout in the field and at the plate. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound three-hole hitter shows a mature, patient approach at the plate and never unnecessarily expands the zone. He has a short, quick and flat bat path and a middle-of-the-field mentality. He sees pitches deep and has some gap-to-gap punch. He is an above average runner and is highly instinctive on the basepaths. Defensively, Gunn is steady and smooth. He has outstanding first step quickness, soft hands, and a sound, sure arm.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania is well represented by the Steelsharks Baseball Club. The blue-clad Steelsharks have run out to a 3-0 record in pool play and have dominated their opponents during the tournament’s first two days.

Leading the way for the Pennsylvania-based club is their very talented catcher, Eric Ludwick (2021, Bethlehem, Pa.). Standing 6-foot-3 and tipping the scales at 190-pounds, Ludwick already possesses a solid and projectible body type and the coordinated movements of athletes much his senior. He has a strong hitting base and keeps his bat in the zone for a long time. He has plus gap-to-gap power and appears to be in complete control with a stick in his hands. Defensively, he shows polished skills and appears to understand and appreciate the tools that are necessary to be successful behind the plate. He shows easy movements and has soft hands. He transitions well to throw and has a plus arm that is highly accurate. Lastly, Ludwick is the unquestioned leader of this very talented team.

Nate Mikulski (2021, Bethlehem, Pa.) is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound righthanded pitcher for the Steelsharks. He started and went three impressive innings allowing only two hits (no runs) over the course of his outing. He is a command and control righthander with flawless and highly repeatable mechanics. His high three-quarters arm slot and long arm action allowed him to work downhill and fill up the strike zone. Mikulski pitched to both sides of the plate and seldom threw to the middle. He complemented his fastball with a sharp slurvy breaking ball that showed depth and quality spin.

Closing out the Steelsharks victory was righthanded reliever Jack Rothenhausler (2021, Bethlehem, Pa.). The barrel-chested righty has a bulldog approach. He works fast and pounds the zone with an impressive 84-85 mph fastball that jumps out of his hand. He overpowered the Steelsharks opponent in closing out the game. When he is not on the mound, Rothenhausler is a stout corner infielder who shows excellent footwork and soft hands. Rothenhausler is also a middle-of-the-the order power swinger who consistently gets his barrel to the ball.

Damian Lantigua (2021, Tampa, Fla.) is a quick, energetic and versatile middle infielder for the Tampa-based Baseball University Bombers. He plays shortstop and second base equally well and shows an impressive understanding of positioning and footwork. He has a very sure glove and can make the tough plays look fairly routine. Lantigua has an above average arm that is highly accurate.

The Stars Baseball Club out of Manassas, Virginia, is another highly competitive team that is well coached in the fundamentals. Casey Cook (2021, Chantilly, Va.) tossed six quality innings Saturday morning and featured two pitches that are highly promising. His riding four-seam fastball was consistently clocked in the 84-86 mph range and showed riding life, especially in the upper half of the strike zone. His tight-spinning 67-68 mph curveball was a great complement to his quality fastball. He showed poise and consistency and rarely pitched from behind.

At the dish, Cook is equally as impressive. The lefthanded swinger has quick hands and a short, compact stroke and outstanding plate discipline.  His middle-of-the-field flat bat path allowed him to see pitches deep and make consistent barrel contact.

Grant Barberich (2021, Leesburg, Va.) is a stout and impressive looking third baseman for the Stars club. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Barberich uses his sturdy frame to drive balls from gap-to-gap and has a power hitter’s lift at contact. Defensively, he has very quick feet, sure hands and a strong and accurate arm.

The Carolina Rockies continue to show they are a team with a number of promising prospects. Leading the Clemmons, North Carolina-based club on Saturday afternoon were two athletically gifted and very heady ball players.

Carter Bass (2021, Lexington, N.C.) is the club’s leadoff hitter and very impressive shortstop. Bass has a very mature approach at the plate, especially out of the leadoff spot. He is patient, understands the zone and has a quick, inside-out bat path that promotes advanced plate discipline. He consistently sprays line drives up the middle and to the opposite field. Defensively, he is rock steady. He understands positioning, shows excellent first step quickness, always plays behind and through the ball and has a strong and accurate arm.

Chase Cox (2021, Greensboro, N.C.) is the Rockies left fielder and a middle-of-the order power stick for the N.C. club. And, yes, he is the twin brother of the Rockies first baseman, Colby Cox. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound outfielder shows plus defensive skills. He has an above average arm that shows accuracy and carry. He gets very good jumps on the ball, especially to his glove side. Offensively, he is a true power threat. Hitting out of a slightly open stance. He shows consistent plate discipline and has noticeable pitch identity awareness.

High Springs, Fla. is home to the North Florida Gators Baseball Club. The Gators are lead on the field by two gifted players.

John Rechsteiner (2021, Alachua, Fla.) is the high-energy third baseman for the north Florida team. He flashed projectible gap-to-gap power using a powerful lower half to generate plus bat speed. Defensively, he plays an aggressive third base and uses very quick feet and an above average throwing arm to make difficult plays look routine.

Hayden Davis (2021, Brooker, Fla.) saved a big victory on the hill for the Gators in mid-afternoon play. The rising junior at Union County HS, pitched two pressure packed innings like a veteran closer. His three-pitch mix was impressive. He pitched off of his well-commanded four-seam fastball (78-80 mph). He threw to the edges and was always ahead in the count. His complementary 12-to-6 breaking curveball showed depth at plate and buckled more than a few knees. He also mixed in a tumbling splitter (66-67 mph) as his out-pitch.

– Jerry Miller
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