Headed North: Players on the Climb
January 24, 2018
Welcome back to PBR New York’s Headed North – where we select members to discuss, highlight, and point out what is to be seen this coming spring and summer at the ballpark. In our last article we looked at three improving 2019 graduates in Jacob Wheeler (Liverpool), Nick Crandell (Olean) and Nathan Poag (Glens Falls) to keep an eye on come April. Today, we feature three more promising 2019 graduates in Noah Cabassa (North Rockland), Nate Chudy (Saratoga Springs) and Michael Geiss (CBA-Syracuse) and expect them to have a breakout season in 2018.
Headed North
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Noah Cabassa C / North Rockland, NY / 2019Rankings StateRank: 97 / POS: 13
North Rockland High School and Kings Baseball Academy product. The 6-foot-0, 180-pounder has an athletic body frame with potential to add size and strength. He features a smooth swing with quick barrel action showing gap to gap potential. This fall Cabassa posted an 89 MPH exit velocity in September followed by an 84 MPH mark in November at the Last Chance Preview. With his hard work and continued development, not only will his swing improve but look for his exit velocity to improve as well. Cabassa is scheduled to attend our Preseason-East showcase in February, and could potentially hit 90 MPH for exit velocity. Defensively Cabassa is smooth receiving keeping the body quiet. Transfer is short and quick with a strong arm showing the ability to throw out runners and keep them honest. His top positional velocity thus far is 75 MPH with a pop time range of 2.03-2.07. Overall, Cabassa is a solid collegiate prospect with the potential to be a key player. He has the ability to drive the ball and has value behind the plate. This will be a big spring and summer for Cabassa to keep improving and continue to learn the game within the game from a catching perspective. Look for a break out spring/summer for the North Rockland and Kings Baseball Academy backstop behind the plate in 2018. |
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Nate Chudy RHP / OF / Saratoga Springs , NY / 2019Rankings StateRank: 142 / POS: 38
Saratoga Springs High School and Saratoga Blue Devils product. The 6-foot-6, 180-pounder has a collegiate body with the potential to still grow and put on size and strength. Offensively Chudy showed us a smooth, short, compact swing at the New York State Games in June. He has a level barrel path showing line drive ability and with a good eye for the strike zone. Chudy posted an 83 MPH exit velocity, which will only increase with added strength and development. On the mound, Chudy shows signs of vast potential with his tall lanky frame. He has long and loose arm action and repeats his delivery well keeping hitters off balance. Mechanically he breaks down slightly on his front side losing some of his height advantage, but this improvement will come in time. Chudy’s fastball peaks at 81 MPH and has the potential for more in the tank. His secondary pitches are above average for he shows good feel for his pitches and is consistent in the strike zone. He has the potential to make hitters swing and miss, as well as locate and spot up. Overall Chudy shows impressive skills on the mound, and at the plate. He is athletic and will only get better. Expect to hear more about Nate Chudy and his Saratoga squad this spring. |
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Michael Geiss RHP / 1B / CBA-Syracuse, NY / 2019Rankings StateRank: 283 / POS: 66
CBA-Syracuse High School and Syracuse Sportszone product. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has a lanky athletic build that shows signs of potential on the mound and at the plate. Offensively Geiss shows a short, quiet set up with an aggressive lower half. He stays behind the ball well and makes solid contact out over the plate utilizing all fields. This fall he recorded an exit velocity of 78 MPH which will improve with added strength development. Along with added strength and his ability to use all fields, this should make Geiss a solid collegiate prospect this upcoming spring and summer. Defensively Geiss can make the play and is athletic to stay in front of the ball. Footwork will need to improve off and around the bag at first base, but this will come with more reps. His positional arm velocity at first was recorded at 67 MPH. On the mound Geiss shows clean arm action but will need to clean up his mechanics to be able to utilize his whole body frame. He is athletic enough to repeat his mechanics and with added arm strength he could be a two way collegiate prospect if he can add velocity to the fastball. His secondary pitches are above average with a tight breaking ball that he can locate well in the strike zone. Look for Michael Geiss and his CBA-Syracuse squad compete this coming spring. |
The baseball season is just a few months away and that first day of practice will be here before you know it. I mentioned this last year in our second article and I find it appropriate to share again. It is important to keep in mind, that somebody will notice the hard work you are putting in. They will notice your hard work, dedication, attitude, body language, and much more. Which brings to mind Grantland Rice’s poem:
“For when the One Great Scorer comes
To mark against your name,
He writes – not what you won or lost
But how you played the Game.”
Always run on and off the field, you never know who’s watching…
See you at the yard.
Recent Headed North Articles
| New York Winter Open | NY | 02/11 | Paul Gerry Fieldhouse - Loch Sheldrake, NY |
| Rising Stars Winter Showcase | NY | 02/11 | Paul Gerry Fieldhouse - Loch Sheldrake, NY |
| Preseason All-State West (NYS Games Trials) SOLD OUT | NY | 02/19 | Pinnacle Sports Campus - Victor, NY |
| Preseason All-State Downstate (NYS Games Trials) | NY | 02/21 | House Of Sports - Ardsley, NY |
| Preseason All-State East (NYS Games Trials) | NY | 02/22 | All-Star Academy - Latham, NY |
| Preseason All-State Long Island (NYS Games Trials) | NY | 02/23 | All Pro Fieldhouse - East Setauket, NY |
| Rising Stars Instructional Showcase | NY | 02/25 | Spencerport, NY |