TJ Hunt
Scouting Director, New Jersey

Day 3 at Diamond Nation for the 18U Wood Bat Championship saw a few more new faces to watch out for in NJ. Take a look at the write ups and wrap up of the tournament here:

+ John Ariza, RHP, Seton Hall Prep HS, NJ, 2018
Ariza has a big frame at 6-foot-3 215-pounds. Topped at 85 mph but sat mostly 82-84. Flashed a curveball with 11/5 gradual break between 68-73 mph. Pitches from a high-3/4 slot with some downward angle. Throws across his body, somewhat cutting his lower half off on finish. Arm action is short, and stabby in the back - quick arm on the follow through. Finishes toward first base. Big frame to till out, will continue to add velocity as he matures.

 

+ Karan Singh, 3B, West Windsor-Plainsboro South HS, NJ, 2019
Singh has a big bodied frame at 6-foot-1 205-pounds. Possesses exceptional baseball actions in the field. Hands are clean and exchange is quick. Average throwing arm across the infield. Offensively, starts with an opened stance and in a crouch. Bat rested flat on shoulder. Uses a small leg kick/stride to get front leg squared. Hands load up and back. Quick hips and flat bat bath - barreled a deep fly out to the warning track in left field. Needs to improve on overall speed, but bat and actions are present.

+ Collin Mackle, OF, Toms River South HS, NJ, 2019
Mackle is a lean, athletic 5-foot-10 155-pound outfielder with a high ceiling. LH hitter with exceptional bat control and barrel awareness. Mackle's hands and hips are fluid in entirety of his swing.  Lanky frame - interesting follow as he continues to fill out frame.

+ Anthony Trifari, C, Montville HS, NJ, 2017 (uncommitted)
Trifari is a 5-foot-9 190-pound catcher. Had two hits on the day including a ground rule double. Strong compact swing. Defensively, shows solid receiving skills and lateral movements for blocking.

OTHERS TO WATCH
+ Lance DeSantis, RHP, Montgomery HS, NJ, 2019
+ Jack Erbeck, 1B, The Hun School HS, NJ, 2019
+ Ahmir Cournier, MIF, Toms River East HS, NJ, 2019

THE WRAP UP
There were some players that certainly made a name for themselves as risers in their respective grad classes, while other players solidified their ranks. 2018 1B Brandon Hylton (Watchung Hills HS, NJ) is certainly one of those high risers in the 2018 class. Tall and lanky at 6-foot-5 215-pounds, Hylton shows plus power for his age. Took the first pitch he saw (see below) over the right field fence for a home run. Seton Hall commitCole Patten (RHP, Sparta HS, NJ, 2018) is another riser on the PBR scene after he threw a perfect game on Friday night - sitting 83-86 with his fastball and displayed a plus swing-and-miss changeup for his age. John Kelly (RHP, Rutherford HS, NJ, 2018) has a strong build and quick arm - 82-83 mph, and his fastball seemed to jump on hitters on Saturday afternoon. Quincy Clark (RHP, Seton Hall Prep HS, NJ, 2019) has a wiry build and a long quick arm. Still needs some polishing with an offspeed pitch, but fastball action is there at 82-83. William & Mary commit Matt McDermott (2B/SS, St. Peter's Prep HS, NJ, 2017) continues to impress with his relentless motor on the field. A true spark to a lineup, McDermott seemed to barrel every ball on the weekend. St. John's commit Ian Murphy (RHP, Gloucester Catholic HS, NJ, 2018) was electric on Saturday. Velocity was consistently 86-88 mph, touching 89 once with his curveball flashing sharp 12/6 break at 70-71.

(Brandon Hylton Home Run)

 

There were also a few names that proved their standing in the player rankings, among those names were No. 1 2019, RHP Nick Maldonado (Seton Hall Prep HS, NJ), No.8 2018 Virginia commit Christian Hlinka (OF, Delaware Valley HS, NJ), and top ranked SS in the 2018 class - Stony Brook commit No. 21 Evan Giordano (Gloucester Catholic HS, NJ). Maldonado was dominant on the mound on Saturday night, striking out seven of the first nine batters he faced. His fastball sat 84-86 mph, but it was with his offspeed that he really raised eyebrows. The sophomore righty was able to throw his curveball (68-73 mph) and changeup (76-77 mph, with fastball handspeed) for strikes in any count. Polished mechanically with a short, quick arm action, Maldonado will certainly not be uncommitted for much longer... Hlinka possesses serious left handed power for his age. His swing is effortless, and peppered the right centerfield gap with a double off the wall. Giordano has sneaky power for his age - but he especially caught spectators eyes with spectacular play in the field. Able to range in the hole and gloveside with ease, Girodano can make strong throws from any arm angle.

UPCOMING EVENTS - REGISTER NOW!