Top Performers: Time to Sign Matchup Showcase
December 13, 2018
Time to Sign recently had its annual fall showcase for uncommitted players from all over the country, primarily from the Northeast. There were numerous players from the event that stood out, and PBR was on hand to evaluate. Here are a some names that raised eyebrows:
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Pitchers
The arms this event contained were solid across the board. The event itself was unique in that pitchers faced a live batters within an extended cage area and coaches and scouts were able to see ball flight.
Uncommitted 2019 RHP Chad Cole (Passaic Valley HS, NJ) has re-established himself as one of the top uncommitted pitchers in NJ. After suffering an injury as a sophomore, Cole was still rehabbing through last offseason and had just came back into his own last summer. Cole has a long, loose arm from a high-¾ slot. His fastballs maintained velocity at 83-85 with armside run and sink. He flashed a breaking ball with 11/5 spin at 73-74 with late, downward bite and a swing-and-miss changeup at 75 MPH.
Uncommitted 2019 RHP Nick Scalabrini (Ramapo HS, NJ) has strung together several quality workouts in a row that I have seen. The lanky right hander stands 6-foot-3 and throws from a high-¾ slot. His breaking ball has big yet sharp, late break. Scalabrini struck out several batters in his live outing. His fastball sat 83-84, curveball dropped in at 71-72 and also featured a straight changeup for strikes at 77 MPH.
Uncommitted 2019 RHP Griffin Gardner (Andrew Jackson HS, SC) came out of the shoot firing -- popping an 88 and sitting comfortably at 83-86. The broad shouldered 6-foot-4 215-pound right hander featured an 11/5 breaker at 71-72. Strong lower half, Gardener was able to finish over his lead side with extension.
Uncommitted 2019 LHP Timothy O’Connor (Worcester Academy HS, MA) was 83-85 with some effort, flashed a curveball with 1/7 break at 73-74 MPH. Funky delivery, drop and drive type pitcher. High-¾ to over-the-top slot.
Recent Delaware State recruit, 2019 RHP Connor Baksh (Christian Brothers Academy HS, NJ) topped at 82 MPH and sat mostly 78-80. Flashed a curveball at 69-70. Creates uphill angle as he descends down the mound. Firm, athletic landing leg -- Baksh shows some room for added velocity to come.
Uncommitted LHP Sean Saviano (Monroe Township HS, NJ) sat 81-83 with some armside sink and run. Breaker backed up a couple times, but shows some promise with his lower-¾ arm slot.
Position Players
2020 SS Matthew Gluck (West Morris Central HS, NJ) had arguably the best hands at the event. The 5-foot-7 155-pound utility infielder has quick, smooth and athletic movements in the infield, the ball gets in and out of his glove swiftly and throws from multiple different arm slots.
2021 C Brandon Guerra (Paramus Catholic HS, NJ) is certainly a name to watch in the coming years. Still growing into his body, Guerra receives with soft hands and routinely popped 2.08-2.16 pop times at the event. From the right side, Guerra shows some line drive pop.
2020 INF Vincenzo Czarecki (West Morris Mendham HS, NJ) really swung it well at the event. The ball sounded different off the bat. The 6-foot 200-pounder projects as a 2B/3B type, but his strength projects him as a key bat in any lineup.
2019 C Josearmando Diaz (Puerto Rico) had an impressive, lean athletic build at 6-foot 185-pounds. Throws out of the crouch had an extra zip on them, 1.96 was the best recorded pop time I got. 77 MPH down to 2B -- stood out at the event with his physicality.
2020 OF/INF Patrick Cerami (Bergen Catholic HS, NJ) has a broad shouldered, lean athletic build at 6-foot 175-pounds with room to fill out even more. He has a short, compact swing. Line drive pop with a balanced finish. Slight stab to his arm action, projects more of corner INF or OF type. Follow.
2020 INF Frank Greco (Indian Hills HS, NJ) has the ability to hit to all fields. I saw Greco a few times last spring as just a sophomore batting in the middle of the lineup for Indian Hills. He has a quiet, controlled start, but possesses some explosive actions at contact. I like him in the infield, too - more of a 2B/3B type, but glove work is easy and consistent.