By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

CARY, NC – The first day of game play at USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars began Wednesday, and many of the top 2015 prospects in the Prep Baseball Report’s coverage area were in attendance. Despite competing in sweltering temperatures nearing 100 degrees, there were many highlights at the USA Baseball Complex.

+ SS John Aiello (Germantown Academy HS, PA), who’s currently ranked No. 1 in the PBR overall rankings, looks to be one of the most polished 2015 infielders in the country. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Wake Forest recruit has an extremely loose, athletic swing from both sides of the plate, and has showed the ability to barrel up velocity every time we see him on a national stage. On Wednesday, Aiello went 2-for-4 with an RBI. All four at-bats he squared up the ball. In his second at-bat from the left side, he easily turned on a 92-mph fastball for a single to right field. He also ripped a single back up the middle. Defensively, he started the game at third and moved to shortstop later in the game. He showed off his considerable arm strength when he backhanded a ball deep in the hole and edged a 4.35-runner at first base. Although Aiello may not have the blazing speed (6.82 60) of some other middle infielders, he has athletic, lively actions and excellent hands.

+ With far less fanfare than Aiello, SS Cole Daily (Springfield Sacred-Heart Griffin HS, IL) enjoyed a breakout day for the United Team. The left-handed hitting Notre Dame recruit went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a double. Daily, who helped lead his high school to a 3A state runner-up finish, singled down the third-base line, then took an extra base on a missed cutoff; doubled in the left-center gap, and singled up the middle. Daily, who’s ranked No. 4 in Illinois’ 2015 class and No. 18 overall, also played a flawless game at second base. Daily ran a 6.85 60 during Tuesday’s workout as well.

And much more ...