DCP Battlegrounds Scout Notes: Part 1

Evan Bouldin RHP/SS Appoquinimink (DE) 2022

Coming off a tremendous high school campaign in which he helped lead Appoquinimink both on the mound and at the plate to a State Championship appearance, Bouldin put forth another exceptional outing last Sunday for the 2022 Scout Team. Between his exceptional character, ability to lead, competitiveness, and pitch ability on the mound, Bouldin remains one of the best uncommitted sleepers in the 2022 class. On the mound, Bouldin showed command of his three-pitch mix throwing all for strikes and mixing effectively. The fastball sat 80-82 and touched 83 mph, while the breaking ball flashed sharp 11/5 break at 66-67 mph, and change-up sat 70-71 mph. Controlled wind-up and compact, repeatable delivery. Threw with shorter arm action from a high three-quarter slot with light effort. The ball came out of the hand really well as he kept the arm speed the same on all three pitches making the fastball more deceptive as we continue to wait for an inevitable jump in velo. At the dish, Bouldin also made an impact for the 2022 Scout Team on Sunday collecting a couple of loud base knocks. Stays short to the ball with a more level swing path currently and really did a nice job staying on the ball and driving it back up the middle. There is no doubt after seeing in-person Bouldin’s resume of work over the course of the past year that he will make a difference for a program at the next level in due time.

James Breen LHP/OF St. George’s (DE) 2023

Really like the pitch ability from the 5’11’’, 165 pound lefty out of St. George’s. Deliberate wind-up with a long, smooth kick-out stride down the mound. Throws with long arm action from a high three-quarter slot with light effort. Mixes effectively three pitches with the fastball ranging 80-82 T83 mph. Breaking ball shows 1/7 shape at 64-66 mph and change-up was 74-75 mph.

Chase Fleming LHP/OF Appoquinimink (DE) 2023

Started on the bump for the 2022 Scout Team on Saturday night sitting 79-81 from the left side with natural arm-side run. Mixed in a 61-63 mph breaking ball with more 1/7 shape and a 69-71 mph change-up that showed some late fade. Athletic 5’10’’, 165 pound frame. Low effort delivery with a long kick-out stride down the mound throwing with long, free arm action from a high three-quarter slot. Really gets great extension over the front side through release with a full follow through and finish. Also showed a nice short, quick, and compact swing from the right side at the plate in a few AB’s. Keeps the head down well through contact and stays behind the ball with extension. Will be a name you start to hear a lot more of up at Appoquinimink as they look to make another deep run in the playoffs again this spring.

Adam Gardner RHP/SS Stephen Decatur 2023

Interesting first look at the high waisted, long and lanky 5’10’’, 150 pound righty out of Stephen Decatur. Pounded the zone with a 77-80 T81 mph fastball that showed plus arm-side run throughout. Also mixed in a tight slider at 64-66 mph. Repeats the delivery well throwing with a long, whippy arm-circle from a mid three-quarter slot. Tough look for hitters and could very well make a big jump with added strength to the frame. Intriguing arm to follow down on the shore.

Colby Heiser RHP/3B Snow Hill 2022

Heiser was one of the most impressive arms on the weekend as he really looked good on the bump in his outing against Bryant & Stratton CC (VA). 5’11’’, 190 pound frame with some strength present. The fastball showed a ton of life through the zone at 83-86 mph, and he mixed in both a 79 mph change-up and quality 66-68 mph breaking ball with good depth and 11/5 shape. Deliberate wind-up with a quick kick-out stride down the mound. Creates quick arm-speed through release throwing from a high three-quarter slot. Heiser was also impressive at the plate as he consistently barrelled balls and showed the ability to drive the balls to both gaps. Really exciting player that showed extremely well this past weekend at the Battlegrounds and figures to garner much more attention on the recruitment trail heading into the winter.

Ty Jacoby LHP/1B Old Mill 2023

Nice look at Jacoby once again last weekend at the DCP Battlegrounds. Showed a quality three-pitch mix on the mound with a fastball that ranged 77-81 and touched 83 mph. Breaking ball had big 1/7 shape at 68-70 mph and the change-up showed fade at 69-70 mph. Smooth stride down the mound throwing with shorter arm action from a high three-quarter slot. Athletic 6’0’’, 175 pound frame with some strength present in the body. Showed the ability to drive the baseball at the plate as well and consistently make hard contact. Very intriguing two-way player with upside on both sides of the ball.

Gage Joseph OF/RHP Cape Henlopen (DE) 2024

Joseph is really starting to fill out nicely into his long 6’0’’, 165 pound frame. And with that, we are beginning to really see the power potential elevate. More of a gap-to-gap line drive hitter prior; he really showed the ability to drive those gaps this past weekend at the Battlegrounds. Hits from a relaxed and open stance at the plate with controlled hand rhythm. Creates nice hand separation and stays short to the ball showing a slightly uphill swing path through contact. Stayed behind the ball well with good balance throughout the swing and in addition to the power development, I also came away impressed by his pitch recognition and confidence at the dish. In game one for 2024 National early Saturday morning, Joseph also got the start on the bump. Throwing from an over the top slot, Joseph utilizes a controlled wind-up and delivery to get down the mound over the front side with some extension. Struggled a bit with command but always competes and still found ways to get outs and do his job. Fastball sat 76-79 and touched 81 mph with slight arm-side run at times and mixed in a breaking ball that ranged 62-65 mph. Really excited to see how his body continues to transform in the weight room this off-season as he looks poised to be a key piece in what looks to be another strong team come Spring out at Cape Henlopen.

Lukas Loring RHP/SS Stephen Decatur 2024

It was another solid appearance put forth by Loring at the Battlegrounds coming off an impressive showing at this summer’s DCP Showcase. Another one in a long line of talented, highly projectable arms down on the shore at Stephen Decatur. Works downhill from a tall, compact balance position and throws with a long, free, full arm circle from a high three-quarter slot. Fastball worked to both sides of the plate at 80-83 T83 mph and mixed in a tight 11/5 breaking ball at 67-69 mph.

Tyler Reinert RHP/OF Conrad (DE) 2022

Reinert took the ball for the 2022 Scout team last Saturday against a step-up in competition in Bryant & Stratton CC (VA). The athletic 5’10’’, 165 pound power throwing righty held his own showing tremendous competitive spirit on the mound throughout. Physical strength and maturity is present in the frame as he looks poised now more than ever to make an immediate impact at the next level when the time comes. Sitting 86-88 mph on the fastball, Reinert worked both sides of the plate and mixed in both a tight 73-76 mph breaking ball, and quality 78-79 mph change-up with fade to get outs. There's some effort in the delivery as he gets down the mound hard and over the front side. The arm is loose and comes out of a high three-quarter slot. Really nice to see him bump the velo some and hold it throughout the outing competing against much older competition.

Joaquin Rodriguez-Costa 3B/RHP Sussex Central (DE) 2025

Rodriguez-Costa is a highly intriguing two-way prospect in what is already shaping up to be an extremely talented and deep MD/DE class of 2025. His 6’4’’, 190 pound frame is as projectable as it comes and he backed that up with a phenomenal weekend at the plate showing off his middle to opposite field approach; collecting multiple hits, and then jumped on the bump for a short relief appearance for the DCP 2025 National squad. Mixed deliveries out of the stretch throwing with long arm action from a mid three-quarter slot. Fastball sat 77-79 and touched both 80 and 81 mph with slight arm-side run while mixing in and showing feel for an 11/5 breaking ball at 65-66 mph and 73 mph change-up.

Shawn Rosemond 1B/LHP Stephen Decatur 2022 (Salisbury)

Coming off his recent commitment to DIII National Champion Salisbury University, the strong and very physical 6’2’’, 200 pound Rosemond showed tremendous pop at the plate all weekend and impressed on the mound featuring a quality three-pitch mix from the left side. The fastball has made a significant jump since the summer showcase sitting 84-86 and mixed in both a 71-73 mph breaking ball with tight 1/7 shape and 75-76 mph change-up. Pitches with a quick, high leg kick into a tall, compact balance position. Lands slightly closed to the plate throwing with shorter arm action from a high three-quarter slot. Can’t wait to see the impact he provides Stephen Decatur this Spring as he was somewhat overshadowed with a plethora of other high quality arms last season on the bump. As they reload again this season, look for Rosemond to be a key part of their plans not only on the mound but at the plate in the middle of the order as one of the top potential impact bats across the Bayside Conference.

Foster Smith RHP/2B Stephen Decatur 2024

Really liked what I saw from Smith on the bump for 2024 National last Saturday at the Battlegrounds. Doesn’t possess over-powering stuff to date but he really showed a great idea of how to pitch beginning with pounding the zone. Filled it up and worked both sides of the plate mixing in three pitches for strikes. Pitches to contact, missed barrels and induced a ton of weak contact with a fastball that showed really nice arm-side run at 74-76 mph, 12/6 breaking ball at 63-66 mph, and 68-69 mph change-up. Utilizes a high leg kick into a tall balance position. Smooth stride down the mound falling slightly to the glove side and throws with shorter arm action from a three-quarter slot with light effort.

Zak Sophy LHP/1B Middletown (DE) 2022

Can’t say enough about the projectability and ceiling that the hard throwing 6’2’’, 200 pound lefty Zak Sophy possesses. Easy to dream on but consistency continues to linger as the one major question mark. Utilizes a high leg kick and drop-and-drive type delivery. Quick arm with a high three-quarter slot. Sophy sat 84-86 and touched 87 mph in his outing against Bryant & Stratton CC (VA) last Saturday with a breaking ball that still shows more room for development at 69-72 mph. The bat also plays as he has a ton of juice at the dish but his future looks to be on the mound with that electricity from the left side. Another fierce competitor, Sophy has the body to hold up and potential to be a major impact arm for a program down the line.

Andrew Steinhaus RHP/OF Middletown (DE) 2023

Another arm we got to see for the second time this year and first since the spring was Andrew Steinhaus. Tall, long, and lanky, highly projectable frame at 6’3’’, 165 pounds. Worked ahead on hitters all day spotting the fastball to both sides of the plate at 80-83 and touched 84 mph. Mixed in a change-up at 75-77 mph and breaking ball at 73-75 mph. Pitches with a slow, deliberate wind-up with a high leg kick into a tall, compact balance position. Quicker kick-out stride down the mound throwing downhill from a mid three-quarter slot with light effort. Long and loose arm that’s quick through release with great extension. Keep an eye on Steinhaus to really make a jump by next Spring after an off-season in the weight room.

Brady Wardell RHP/1B Conrad (DE) 2025

First look at a highly projectable arm in Conrad (DE) righty Brady Wardell. 6’2’’, 170 pound frame with plenty more room to fill out. Featured a three-pitch mix throwing with short arm action from a mid three-quarter slot. Controlled wind-up and high leg kick into a tall, compact balance position. Shorter stride down the mound creating some arm speed and extension through release. Fastball sat 76-78 and touched 79 mph. Breaking ball showed 11/5 shape at 69-71 mph and change-up was 70-72 mph.

Kayden Webb RHP/OF Easton 2025

Coming out of seemingly nowhere, Webb has since generated an enormous amount of interest following his lights out inning of work last Saturday at the Battlegrounds. Extremely athletic 5’10’’, 160 pound frame with still plenty of projection. Showcased and electric - clean, easy, and free arm throwing from a mid to high three-quarter slot with easy effort. Works in-line to the plate with a controlled, relaxed, and repeatable wind-up and delivery. Gets over the front side well through release with quick arm speed and whip. Pounded the zone and worked both sides of the plate with a 82-83 mph fastball that touched 84 mph and 11/5 breaking ball at 62-65 mph. Struck out two and induced a weak fly-ball pitching with poise and confidence throughout the short stint. Really exciting arm with a tremendously high ceiling and tons left in the tank.