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Super 16 Invitational: Saturday Notebook

June 9, 2019
TJ Hunt
Director, PBR New Jersey

The summer circuit has hit the ground running with the first big tournament of the year, the Super 16 Invitational at Diamond Nation. Over 40 teams competed against each other, showcasing some of the top 2021 talents in the Northeast. Here are some takeaways from Saturday’s games.

Evoshield Canes North Atlantic

Brandon Melendez, OF/C, St. Mary’s HS, NJ 2021
Melendez has a strong, lower half build - ripped a double down the LF line early on in the game. The swing path plays - starts in a wide, quiet stance from the right side with hands creating some pre-pitch rhythm. Short, compact swing with balance. Certainly a player to keep an eye on this summer.

Full Count 16U

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, SS, Franklin HS, NJ 2021
I’ve been hearing whispers of Kuroda-Gauer’s talent all spring and today he really showed it off. Athletic build at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds, Kuroda-Gauer’s present bat speed and bouncy athleticism in the infield made him stand out. Starts in a tall, opened stance with hands creating pre-pitch rhythm. Small toe-tap and stride to start swing, hands load up and back. Quick, explosive hips and hands - just missed on a towering fly out to LF at Jack Cust Baseball Academy. Definite follow, one of the top 2021s on the board.

SJ Elite

Ryan Dromboski, RHP, Northern Burlington HS, NJ 2021
Uncommitted. Lanky, athletic at 6-foot-2 160-pounds. Fastball sat 82-83 with some armside life. Curveball showed some 11/5 bite at 67-68 MPH. Clean, athletic high-¾ arm slot. Creates uphill leverage going down the mound with a tall, athletic balance point. Creates extension on release. Lands square to homeplate, but will drift off occasionally to first base side.

Taconic Rangers

Xavier Kolhosser, RHP, Roy C. Ketcham HS, NY 2021
Tall, lanky frame. Fastball sat 83-84 touching 85 a few times. Curveball had more 12/6 downer bite at 66 MPH. Loose, clean arm action - primarily out of the stretch. Closes self off in leg lift and hides the ball. Fastball had some late, heavy life. Punched out the side in his second inning of work - using mostly fastballs.

 

Wladyka National 16U

Pierce Coppola, LHP, Verona HS, NJ 2021
Uncommitted. Lanky 6-foot-6 17-pound frame with room to fill out. One of the most impressive prospects from the day. Fastball sat 83-85 touching 86 and 87 once. Curveball had smaller 1/7 bite at 72-75. Lots of levers coming at the hitter, makes it difficult to pick up. Shows feel for command of CB. High-¾ slot. One of the top uncommitted 2021s in the class.

 

Diamond Jacks Super 16U

Anthony Scarlata, RHP, Bridgewater-Raritan HS, NJ 2021
Uncommitted. Lanky, 5-foot-11 155-pound frame. Fastball sat 80-81, slider has swing-and-miss potential and showcased it throughout his outing. Late-biting at 73-76 with 10/4 action. Smooth, repeatable delivery and easy ¾ slot with armside run on fastball. Command is there, and once he adds some muscle to frame, Scarlata will see a jump in velocity.

Alex Duffey, C, Seton Hall Prep HS, NJ 2021
Elon recruit. Duffey stands a strong, athletic 6-foot 150-pounds. LHH with gap to gap power. Starts slightly opened with hands above back shoulder. Uses a big leg kick to start swing as hands load up and back. Maintains balance and shows barrel awareness through the zone. Barreled two line drives.

Matt Miceli, SS, Somerville HS, NJ 2021
Uncommitted. Miceli is one of the most gifted athletes in this class. His game reminds me of ‘19 Furman recruit Aidan Healy. Strong, athletic frame and brings tons of energy to the game. 5-foot-10 160-pounds. Barreled a one-hop RBI to SS and then tattooed a ground rule double into the LCF gap. Starts in a neutral, athletic stance with hands above back shoulder. Small leg kick and quick, short stroke through the zone with slight uptick on finish.

 

 

Christopher Baillargeon, C, Xaverian HS, NY 2021
Uncommitted. Baillargeon has an athletic frame at 6-foot 160-pounds. Crushed an RBI double to LCF and had impressive at bats all game. Short, powerful stroke with a small foot stride. Hand load is minimal, but hip explosiveness shows. Tallied a 2.10 in-game pop-time and was consistently 2.0-2.09 in between innings. Definite follow.