At the NHSI last month, RHP Caden Dana (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) had a good test, squaring off against Buford HS, GA, a lineup filled with Division I recruits. It was a solid outing, as he allowed three runs on five hits and a hit batter while striking out six. A month into his regular season now, he’s clearly rounding into form and went up against The Hun School, NJ, over the weekend--another lineup filled with talented hitters. He went six innings, yielding just two hits and two walks (plus two other situational intentional walks) while striking out nine in a walkoff win for Don Bosco.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Kentucky recruit worked 92-95 mph, spinning the fastball up to 2620 rpm. There was greater life to the fastball in this look, especially down in the zone with ride and run. His usual 12/6 curveball was effortlessly dropped in for strikes at 78-83 with spin rates in excess of 2700. It has multi-tier break and tunneled any high fastball. Most intriguing, he continued to feature his new slider. It was 86-88 at round 2500 rpm. The pitch is tightly spun with horizontal break and played like a cutter, though there is the potential for it to be a true short slider. He also flashed an 83 straight changeup that holds future average potential. Overall, it was the type of dominant, competitive performance against a good lineup in a big atmosphere that will garner even greater buzz for the righty.