Commitment Corner: Temps Are Cool; Commits Still Coming in Hot
December 14, 2016
Jared Carrier
Director of Scouting, NY
Since our summer schedule kicked off with the wildly popular New York State Games at the end of June there has been a flurry of activity since then. Let's catch everyone up to speed on recent commits in the Empire State.
Recent Additions
+ RHP Bryan Bizzaro (Olean/Finger Lakes CC)...Lean frame with 81-83 MPH FB; lateral action approach with 2S FB and slider. Good two-year fit as there is plenty of room for growth here.
+ RHP Kevin Besko (Arlington/Western New England)...Three pitch feel with his go to pitch being a 12-6 CB. Finds ways to get outs evidence by his spring scouting blog reports and performance at NY Games.
+ RHP Joel Ciccarelli (Liverpool/Erie CC)...Full bodied RHP with a downward action FB; short arm action from a over the top slot; sharp 12-to-6 CB. Central New Yorker heads west to Erie CC for the next two years.
+ LHP Cameron Morrissey (Baldwinsville/St. Lawrence University)...Lean and long LHP with tremendous arm side action to his FB. Arm action is long and loose. Mid to upper 70's velocity is only going to improve. Three pitch feel and stays around the plate; pitchability is there.
+ C Joseph Barberio (St. Mary's/Niagara CC)...High end catcher from western NY stays home to play for NJCAA power Niagara CC. Quick release behind the plate with accuracy; quiet in the box and explodes through contact. Game will really elevate over the next two years.
+ 3B/OF Shane Marshall (Webster-Schroeder/Binghamton)...Feedback on Marshall after the NY games was that he was the most impressive position player at the event. Binghamton was quick to scoop him up less then a week later. Measurables tell part of the story with a 6.80 60; 88 MPH from the outfield and a exit velo of 96 MPH.
+ 3B/RHP Parker Hendershot (Tioga Central/Buffalo)...Steady left side infielder with above average arm (90 MPH) and pop in his bat (100 MPH exit velo). Physical frame has time to fill out, which is the scary part.
+ RHP Tyler Schoff (Rome Free Academy/Bryant University)...Long and lean RHP with all the levers working in the right direction. Up to 87 MPH at our August 2nd Eastern NY Prospect Preview; committed exactly one week later.
Recent Additions
+ RHP Bryan Bizzaro (Olean/Finger Lakes CC)...Lean frame with 81-83 MPH FB; lateral action approach with 2S FB and slider. Good two-year fit as there is plenty of room for growth here.
+ RHP Kevin Besko (Arlington/Western New England)...Three pitch feel with his go to pitch being a 12-6 CB. Finds ways to get outs evidence by his spring scouting blog reports and performance at NY Games.
+ RHP Joel Ciccarelli (Liverpool/Erie CC)...Full bodied RHP with a downward action FB; short arm action from a over the top slot; sharp 12-to-6 CB. Central New Yorker heads west to Erie CC for the next two years.
+ LHP Cameron Morrissey (Baldwinsville/St. Lawrence University)...Lean and long LHP with tremendous arm side action to his FB. Arm action is long and loose. Mid to upper 70's velocity is only going to improve. Three pitch feel and stays around the plate; pitchability is there.
+ C Joseph Barberio (St. Mary's/Niagara CC)...High end catcher from western NY stays home to play for NJCAA power Niagara CC. Quick release behind the plate with accuracy; quiet in the box and explodes through contact. Game will really elevate over the next two years.
2017 Commitments
+ OF Leugim Castillo (Lancaster HS/Oklahoma)...When Castillo steps onto campus in Norman, he may get confused for a wide receiver on the Sooners' football squad at 6-foot-2; 207 pounds. Explosive player with some raw ability; that if harnessed will be a legitimate pro prospect.
+ 3B/OF Shane Marshall (Webster-Schroeder/Binghamton)...Feedback on Marshall after the NY games was that he was the most impressive position player at the event. Binghamton was quick to scoop him up less then a week later. Measurables tell part of the story with a 6.80 60; 88 MPH from the outfield and a exit velo of 96 MPH.
+ 3B/RHP Parker Hendershot (Tioga Central/Buffalo)...Steady left side infielder with above average arm (90 MPH) and pop in his bat (100 MPH exit velo). Physical frame has time to fill out, which is the scary part.
+ RHP Tyler Schoff (Rome Free Academy/Bryant University)...Long and lean RHP with all the levers working in the right direction. Up to 87 MPH at our August 2nd Eastern NY Prospect Preview; committed exactly one week later.
+ INF/RHP Dominick Spinoso (CBA-Syracuse/Farleigh Dickinson)...Explosive player in a compact frame. Mid 80's FB with tight action slider with tilt. Left side infielder with middle infield actions; quick release.
+ C Jake Zurat (Williamsville North/Buffalo)...steady defender;quick release with on the bag throws. Handles the bat well and will be a solid contributor at the next level.
+ 1B/RHP Tyler Kelder (Kingston/St. Bonaventure)...Big/strong 1B with pull-side/gap power. Offers something on the mound in the 82-84 MPH range with a serviceable complement of secondary offerings.
+ OF Drew Guerra (Monroe-Woodbury/Albany)...Lanky LHH outfielder with a smooth stroke; handles the bat well to all fields and has a high ceiling in the power department as he physically fills out.
+ 3B/RHP Avery Short (Kingston/Siena)...Athletic dual position prospect; handles the left side of the infield but was also Kingston's #1 rotation starter. Look for a big year in 2017 from him and his Tiger teammates.
+ SS/RHP Tanner Cooper (Candandaigua/Stony Brook)...One of the steadiest all around players in the state. True shortstop with great lateral range;accurate arm. High contact/line drive approach.
+ LHP James Rubino (LaSalle Institite/Seton Hall)...Low 3/4 slot LHP with a clean delivery. FB up to 86 MPH but more in the tank here.
+ SS David Reynoso (Walter Panas/Buffalo)...Athletic frame; steady glove with accurate arm. Reynoso is always at the top of the list after he attends an event. Contact/line drive approach with good speed (6.90 60).
+ LHP Jake Schettine (Marcellus/Brockport St.)...Prototypical pitcher's build at 6-foot-1; 175 pounds. Upper 70's FB coupled with left to right slider with late bite and arm side fade change up will allow for him to get outs at the next level.
+ OF Zac Granger (Horseheads/Lackawanna JC)...Above average arm and 6.90 60 speed with the ability to drive the ball (93 MPH Exit velo), Granger will be an impact player for the Division II Junior College in Scranton, PA.
+ INF/OF Michael Steffan (Williamsville East/Canisius)..Long and lean switch hitting utility player that projects best in the infield. Free and easy swing from both sides of the dish; additional power to come when he fills out.
+ RHP/SS Colby Dunlop (Millbrook School/Connecticut)...Dunlop, the Day 3 starter for the Hudson Valley team at the NY Games ran his FB up to 88 MPH following 2 games at SS and the defensive workout. Reports of him eclipsing the 90 MPH mark a few times over the summer made him a desirable pick up for the Huskies.
+ RHP Ryan Murphy (Roy C. Ketcham/Le Moyne)...Murphy, who threw a dominant 4 innings at the New York Games back in June, will be heading to DII Le Moyne College. The wiry RHP sits mid 80's, flashing an occasional 87 MPH. Sharp breaking ball when on top and understands the game around him.
+ 1B/3B Tyler Mandel (Scarsdale/University of Bridgeport)...Mandel, an original showcase attendee from 2014 with PBR-NY, recently committed to DII Bridgeport in Connecticut. The barrel chested corner infielder can swing it with the best of them.
+ LHP Jeff Hayner (Kingston/Niagara University)...Hayner we have seen twice since April of 2016. Not an overpowering arm velocity wise he knows how to get outs. Low 80's with a feel for the corners, pitching backwards and changing speeds.
+ RHP/3B Aaron Potter (Depew/Niagara CC)...Depew, a potential dual position player, sports an athletic 6-foot-2 175 pound frame. Steady line drive; middle of the field stroke at the plate and big 2-to-8 CB from the mound.
+ SS/RHP Joseph Greco (Bellport/Sacred Heart)...Athletic, high end infielder. Clean swing; explodes through the zone. Active feet, quick release and an adequate left side arm.
+ 3B/RHP Ryan Hann (Williamsville South/Niagara CC)...Plays for WNY Prospects. Corner Infielder who was an a first year PBR attendee. Will continue to enhance his game at NJCAA power Niagara CC.
+ 2B/SS Brendan Reilly (Cicero-North Syracuse/Brockport)...Compacet short stroke from the middle infielder. Bounce in his step defensively; lateral range with a quick release.
+ RHP Ben Brown (Ward-Mellville/Siena)...Big bodied RHP who was a low 80's arm prior to his sophomore season for Ward-Mellville HS (at our Preseason All-Long Island event in Feb. 2015).
+ 2B/RHP Nicholas DeBrino (CBA-Albany/Canisius)...Compact, strong frame with some pop to his pull side (92 MPH exit velocity). Active, high energy defender with soft hands a quick release.
+ 1B/LHP Josh Surowiec (Williamsville North/Mercyhurst)...One of our exit velocity champions at 100 MPH. Surowiec is just not a power guy but a high average, top 1/3 of the lineup mainstay. Adequate defender at 1B who will only get better, possible mound option from the left side at the next level.
+ RHP Nick Antonello (Liverpool/Oswego St.)...low 80's with a down in the zone game plan. Will continue to develop, more in the tank here.
+ C George Pappas (Susquehanna Valley/New Haven)...Solid defender with accuarate arm. Balance approach with above average plate coverage. A well rounded player in all facets of the game.
+ SS Jake Evans (Liverpool/Binghamton)...Rangy build, creates bat whip through the zone. Second base mold defensively but with physical gains will be able to handle left side duties at the next level.
+ RHP Justin Wisniewski (City Honors/Niagara CC)...Prototypical pitcher's frame at 6-foot-1 160 pounds with a low 3/4 arm slot with a right-to-left slurve. Plenty of projectability for this RHP.
+ OF/RHP Matt Bass (Tottenville/Pace University)...Potential dual threat at the next level. Runs a 7.00 60 with a 90 MPH arm from the OF. Compact, athletic frame with a level, line drive stroke. Sits 83-84 on the mound with some secondary feel.
+ OF Dell Butler (Olean/Niagara CC )...Compact frame with some lift to his swing; attacks ball in the OF with accurate arm. Projects as a LF at the next level.
+ OF Dawson Bailey (Lewiston Porter/Niagara University )...High end athlete at 5-foot-11 175 pounds. Ran a 6.89 60 and possesses a 93 MPH exit velocity. Open stance with some lift to his pull side gap. Quick exchange with an accurate arm from the OF.
+ LHP Devyn Kelly (LeRoy/Finger Lakes CC)...Crafty LHP who can mix and match. The type of arm from the left side that college programs can utilize to get outs.
+ C Andrew Huffman (Rondout Valley/Sullivan CC Commit)...Full bodied catcher that improves his numbers at every event he's attended. Strong arm at 75 MPH with pop times now ranging between 2.00-2.10. Shown some pop to his pull side.
+ INF Mateo Gil (Grand St. Campus/Salem International University)...Physical 3B with soft hands and suitable left side arm at 82 MPH. Explosive bat and plays the game at a high level of intensity.
+ C Antonio Fisher (Hudson/Keuka College)...Physical, strong armed catcher who's been a veteran at PBR events. Consistently in the 1.9-low 2.0 range. Showed a much improved bat at the NY Games in June.
+ INF Brent Jones (Proctor/Canisius)...Compact, athletic middle infielder with some juice in his bat. Active defensive footwork, flashes positive lateral actions and agility. Arm strength will need to climb but a good 2B fit or possible move to LF down the road.
+ SS Matthew Heffernan (Mattituck/Fredonia St.)...LHH middle infielder with a repetitive line drive stroke; uses the whole field. Good defensive bounce; solid glove; 2B projection. Long Island native heading to western New York in the fall of 2017.
+ 2B Michael Jamele (Brockport/Merrimack)...Athletic 2B with quick release. Repeats a level swing with balance at the plate; above average runner.
+ 2B Paul Dominguez (Rocky Point/Lynn University)...Solid 2B with respectable arm (82 MPH). Looks the part of a player that can handle 2B/SS/3B and may have that role down the road.
+ 2B/SS Tyler Candelaria (Webster-Schroeder/Keuka College)...LHH middle infielder with repetitive stroke. Steady defender with more of a 2B projection at the next level.
+ 2017 RHP/C Colin Weinert (Warwick/Lackawanna JC)...A rare dual threat both as a RHP and catcher. Saw Weinert twice this fall; flashes pull side pop at the plate and a sub 2.0 pop time. On the mound he possesses an above average breaking ball and FB that hovers in the low to mid 80's.
+ 1B Ryan Kalbfus (Penfield/Gannon University)...Power frame RHH with some lift to his swing, athletic around the bag. Offers some ability on the mound with a low 3/4 arm slot.
+ 2B Mark Ryan (Union-Endicott/Elmira College)...A player through and through. Looks and plays the part. Good bounce in his step defensively with a quick release. Compact line drive stroke at the plate; will only get better.
+ 2B/SS Jack Simonetty (Roy C. Ketcham/Springfield College)...2B/3B projection at the next level. Easy effort stroke through the middle; steady hands; suitable left side arm.
+ 1B Zach Scannell (Liverpool/Jefferson CC)...Compact power frame that has impressed at past events. Ball jumps off the bat; has improved defensively. Future middle of the lineup staple.
+ RHP Ethan Radley (Rensselaer/Keuka College)...Wiry RHP with plenty of pitchability and a high ceiling. Sleeper pick that would will open some eyes with some physical gains and experience.
+ 3B Matt Kellner (Frontier Central/Fredonia St.)...Physical 3B with some lift in his swing; flashes some pop to his pull side. Suitable left side arm; corner projection will hold at next level.
+ OF/RHP Jonah Harder (Liverpool/Wilkes University)...Athletic, wiry OF/RHP who gets after it defensively and in the box. Line drive/slash approach with 6.70 speed. Over the top delivery on the bump who may be able to contribute at the next level.
+ RHP/OF Alexander Wanat (Williamsville North/Brockport St.)...Impressive dual prospect with some end athleticism; low to mid 80's on the bump with some juice in his bat and above average arm from the OF.
+ C Noah Bowen (Westmoreland/Jefferson CC)...Athletic catcher with some raw ability; line drive, pull side approach. Quick feet and exchange behind the dish.
+ 3B/RHP Steve Hendrick (Webster Schroeder/Brockport St.)...Full bodied RHH with some pull side pop. Flashed up to 84 MPH from the mound. Dual prospect potential.
+ C Philip Ferranti (Webster Schroeder/Monroe CC)...Accurate arm behind the plate with solid fundamentals. Line drive/pull side pop from the 6-foot-0 190 pound backstop.
+ INF Reilly Hall (Cooperstown/Coker College)...Sweet swinging LHH who can spray the ball around will be heading to South Carolina next fall. Has impressed every time he's crossed our path.
+ OF James Weisman (Rocky Point/Brookdale CC)...The Long Island OF with some pull side pop from the left side will be heading to New Jersey for the next 2 years before making a play for the 4 year level. Currently No. 76 in our 2017 rankings. Strong showing at the NY Games back in June.
+ RHP Christopher Cramer (Cicero-North Syracuse/Brockport St.)...Athletic RHP with loose, clean arm. Feel for CH and CB/SL is there. One of the few top remaining arms from our 2017 rankings; up to 85 MPH at our Unsigned Senior Showcase on Oct. 30th.
2018 Commitments
+ RHP/OF James Flood (Red Hook/Siena Commit)...Flood, one of PBR-NY's highly touted underclassmen at the Futures Showcase and Futures Games in 2015, has shown some physical maturity and flashed a FB up to 86 MPH at the Syracuse Sportzone Tournament. Natural, all around athlete.
+ OF John Hipsman (Chester/University of Richmond Commit)...Hipsman had a great Futures Games performance in Indiana and shortly thereafter verbaled to Richmond. Uses the whole field at the plate; runs well and accurate arm. High ceiling as he polishes his game.
+ OF/RHP Brian Sanders (All Hallows/Army Commit)...Also plays for the Bronx Bombers travel team. Verbal commit on September 10th.
+ 1B/RHP Andrew Roden (Vernon-Verona-Sherrill/UMass-Lowell Commit)...Big, strong LHH/1B who uses the whole field. Pounds the ball. Low to mid 80's arm on the bump. Potential dual prospect.
+ RHP Erubiel Candelario (Kipp College Prep/Marist Commit)...Electric RHP with projectable body. Sat an easy 87 MPH at the NY All-Star Games back in September. Physical maturity and improved secondary feel may garner some pro looks down the road.
+ RHP Lenny Torres (Beacon/St. John's University Commit)...Free and easy mid to upper 80's fastball from an athletic frame. Another exciting athlete to keep tabs on in the future as he works towards his ceiling.
+ 2018 OF/LHP Brian Hart (Saratoga Springs/Marist Commit)...Athletic dual prospect with above average measurables (6.72 60, 86 MPH from the OF, 94 MPH exit velocity). Also flashes some potential on the mound as LHP that sits low 80's.
+ 2018 RHP Thomas Bednarski (Alden/Niagara University Commit)...RHP that consistently sits in the mid 80's including popping an 89 MPH FB in July at the Western NY Prospect Preview. Live arm with plus movement; sharp CB that can be spotted and expanded.
+ C Trevor Henneman (Corning/Buffalo Commit)...Full bodied backstop with an accurate arm and some juice in his bat comes off the board. Currently ranked 21st overall in the Class of 2018 rankings and the No. 2 catcher prospect. Participated in PBR Futures Games this past summer in Indiana.
+ 2B JonJon Conahan (Millbrook School/College of Charleston)...The leg kicking, bat waggling NJ native attends school in NY and is the No. 7 ranked player in the class of 2018 (No. 1 second baseman). Complete package as both arm (86 MPH) and foot speed (6.97 60) check out. Was a member of Team NY/NJ at the PBR Futures Games this summer in Indiana.
+ RHP/SS Michael Limoncelli (Horseheads/Pittsburgh Commit)...Limoncelli is starting to become a household name across the state. Came onto the scene as a switch hitting middle infielder; burst on the scene from the rubber as he's shown a mid to upper 80's FB and a feel for his breaking pitch.
+ SS Fritz Genther (Kingston/Maryland Commit)...Steady glove; surrounded by upperclassmen at AA Kingston this past spring. Hit leadoff and showed the ability to stay short and find the gaps. With game experience; he'll reach that high ceiling.
+ LHP Cregg Scherrer (Skaneatles/Stony Brook Commit)...LHP also plays with Baseball U NY. Attending October 30th event in Syracuse.
+ RHP Jason Diaz (Kellenburg/University of Miami)...RHP with athletic, prototypical pitcher's frame. Reports of upper 80's, recently clipping the 90 MPH mark.
+ 2B Zachary Selinger (Kennedy Catholic/Fordham)...Offensive minded infielder who will fit a 2B/3B mold at the next level. Will be fun to watch as he physical matures and hits his stride athletically.
+ INF Eric Volpi (Kennedy Catholic/James Madison Commit)...Power threat from the right side with a large frame (6-foot-5; 220 pounds). Left side capable; the 2019 will most likely make a corner INF transition over the next few years.
+ OF Timothy McHugh (Commack/TCU Commit)...Athletic, long and lean frame with room for gains. Whip like through the zone, balanced approach. The 2019 outfielder from Long Island brings a rare NY-to-the State of Texas transaction.
