Over the next few months, the Prep Baseball Report (PA/NY) crew will be highlighting players in several different article formats, including Ted Williams’ "Diamonds in the Rough" feature series.

The recruiting process can be tough sledding at times and for whatever reason, talented players can remain uncommitted for extended periods of time. Included below are some players who have stood out at events throughout the showcase year and deserve more love for their abilities. More specifically, we will be focusing on five standout uncommitted '21's who could impact a college roster immediately. 

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: WEEK 3

 

Mitchell Kelly OF / RHP / Webster Thomas, NY / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 99 / POS: 14 The Spin: Standing in at a large and athletic 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, Kelly possesses the frame necessary to compete at the next level and showcased an advanced feel for his body (6.85 60-yard dash runner) at the NY State Games in July. Even more impressively, the right-handed hitter featured a balanced, yet powerful approach at the plate and was all over the Blast Motion leaderboards with a peak of 84% on plane efficiency and 21.1 G’s of rotational acceleration. With the ability to match pitch-plane early and get the levers extended towards the front of the plate, Kelly recorded zero groundballs during his batting practice round allowing for hard gap to gap contact and a top batted ball distance of 353 feet according to Trackman Baseball. Defensively, the Webster Thomas product could slot in at a corner outfield position with a solid 85 mph throwing arm and athletic actions in space. An intriguing middle of the order bat with power at a premium position (Corner OF), we wouldn’t be shocked to see even more refinement offensively which could make him an interesting option moving forward. Considering the RHP can run it up to 87 mph off the mound as well, Kelly could offer two-way capabilities if need be, giving him even more positional flexibility.

 

Jaden Caballero SS / OF / Newburgh Free Academy , NY / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 124 / POS: 19 The Spin: Lean and twitchy at 5-foot-9, 155-pounds, Caballero more than makes up for his lack of size with big-time power and an impressive track record of in-game successes. If a 6.83 60-yard dash doesn’t give you evidence that he can stick at shortstop moving forward, consider advanced downhill footwork defensively with a more than capable 83 mph arm strength across the diamond. With above-average pace (4.20 seconds) and ability to make plays on the run, we expect additional strength to be added soon only increasing the chances he stays on the left side of the infield. The right-handed hitter generated a loud round of batting practice at the NY State Games in July with an impressive 96 mph peak bat-exit velocity per Trackman Baseball as well as a 31% hard hit rate (percentage of swings where he accrued a 90 mph bat-exit velocity or higher). The hand speed at the plate was more than legit and allowed Caballero to handle the inner half of the plate with authority. A 39% line drive rate inspires confidence that the right-handed hitter can be an extra base hit threat moving forward possibly at the top of a collegiate lineup.

 

Kevin Peters RHP / Stepinac , NY / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 127 / POS: 44 The Spin: Talk about knowing how to pitch.. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed pitcher featured a durable frame and showed off many traits that you would want in a starting pitcher at the collegiate level. The delivery was fluid and repeatable allowing the righty to pound the zone with an 85% zone rate per Trackman Baseball at the NY State Games in July. Using a tough ¾ slot, Peters painted both corners with unparalleled confidence in his stuff. The FB sat from 83-85 mph with heavy arm-side run (16 inches of induced horizontal movement) while getting up to 2258 RPM’s of spin. Add in a tight and late-breaking 73-76 mph SL with an average of 11 inches of induced horizontal movement from the same arm-slot and you can see the deception he created. Both offspeed pitches ( SL and CH) registered in at a 100% in zone rate and the latter showed quality sell with mostly straight action from 75-77 mph. With three pitches in the zone at all times and a competitor’s attitude on the bump, the Stepinac product has a legitimate chance to be a weekend arm down the line.

 

Reece Joint SS / OF / Honeoye Falls-Lima, NY / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 247 / POS: 42 The Spin: The sweet swinging 5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitter stayed off of the ground with advanced barrel awareness, (30% line drive rate / 70% fly ball rate per Trackman Baseball) and was all over the Blast Motion leaderboards in multiple categories at the NY Prospect Games earlier this summer. Most impressively, the Honeoye Falls-Lima product entered the hitting zone quickly with a 24.3 mph peak hand speed and 77.1 max bat speed, but a 64% on plane efficiency showed that he could consistently hit the ball hard regardless of quadrant pitched into. During game action, Joint notched multiple quality at bats (one base hit) and had no issues handling higher velocity in the box. Defensively, the middle infielder carried himself with confidence while showing off smooth lateral movements. With good posture throughout and feel for the glove hand, an 80 mph arm strength only further ensures that he will stick on the left side of the infield moving forward. The RHP can also step on the bump and run it up to 82 mph with a more than capable 68-69 mph CB giving possible two-way capabilities depending on the level. A well-rounded player in all facets of the game, Joint stands out the most offensively at the moment with the defense trailing not too far behind.

 

Dominick Porto OF / RHP / Penfield, NY / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 339 / POS: 56 The Spin: Although a 5-foot-8, 155-pound frame could hold more strength at the moment, Porto swung it better than almost anyone at the NY Prospect Games putting forth one of the higher line drive percentages we covered during a round this summer (75%). The right-handed hitter demonstrated an uber-efficient approach at the plate and got the foot in the ground early for timing allowing for advanced bat to ball skills. The Penfield product kept the hot streak alive during game action with three quality at-bats (two base hits) and got down the line on one swing in 4.19 seconds while showing off the quickness he possesses. An 87 mph bat-exit velocity should continue to head north as he adds more strength and the power numbers (65.9 mph bat speed / 19.3 mph hand speed per Blast Motion) should increase as well. Defensively, the outfielder can cover ground with a quick first step and feel for the route tree while getting downhill, but a 77 mph arm strength will probably limit him to a LF spot at the next level. All in all, you’re looking at a high-level mover in a smaller frame that will continue getting more physical, which should take an already efficient hitter and make him twice as dangerous.

 

Previous Diamonds in the Rough

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: WEEK 1

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: WEEK 2

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
2021 Preseason All-State - South/Central	PA	02/06	Iron Horse Sports Complex
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/07	MOSH Performance Center
2021 Preseason All-State - Pittsburgh (3PM Session)	PA	02/07	All American Fieldhouse
2021 Preseason All-State - Pittsburgh (9AM Session)	PA	02/07	All American Fieldhouse
2021 Northeast ProCase (2021 Grads Only)	PA	02/13	Liberty Sports Arena
2021 Preseason All-State - Erie	PA	02/13	Erie Premier Sports
2021 Preseason All-State - North/Central	PA	02/14	Liberty Sports Arena
2021 Preseason All-State - East (11AM Session)	PA	02/27	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2021 Preseason All-State East (3PM Session)	PA	02/27	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2021 JR PA State Games Trials - Central	PA	03/06	Liberty Sports Arena
2021 JR PA State Games Trials - East	PA	03/14	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2021 JR PA State Games Trials - West	PA	03/14	All American Fieldhouse