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NY State Games: Breakout Names

August 29, 2022
Ted Williams
Director of Scouting, PA

It was a collectively busy summer for the Empire state, starting with our top uncommitted state-wide event on June 27-29 in Cortland, NY. Approximately 500 of the best prospects gathered from all four corners, invite-only, for a showcase on the first day followed by three games each.

To check out the full roster of players in attendance, click (SESSION 1) or (SESSION 2). For full statistics from the event, click (SESSION 1) or (SESSION 2).

Our newly expanded staff (14 total) covered three fields of gameplay, taking in numerous top performances. Included below are scouting notes on 20+ risers who caught our attention with video attached.

  • ‘24 SS Edwin Betances (Iona Prep)

    • One of the defensive breakouts on day one, Betances showed up-tempo footwork with an advanced glove that made a plethora of plays up the middle at 5-foot-11, 175lbs. The LHH then barreled swing after swing during a regular effort of batting practice up into the 92 mph exit range with line drive contact.


  • ‘23 C Braden Seeber (Baldwinsville)

    • It’s been a steady upwards trend for the hulking 6-foot-2, 220-pounder and recent St. Thomas Aquinas commit. The offense keeps making jumps with useful rotational power and an active lower-half, getting bat-speed through for extra-base hits to both gaps. Seeber produced a T100 mph exit velo at 391 feet in the workout, a taste of what’s to come.


  • ‘24 SS Jack Hennessey (Maine-Endwell)

    • A lock to stick in the middle with high-end athleticism, Hennessey ran a 6.79 while featuring 78 mph bat-speed through a flat, accurate path. The #PBRFG22 invitee recorded two hits on Day two of the New York State Games, including a sharp double that split the pull-side gap.


  • ‘23 1B Zowen Collins (Cobleskill-Richmondville)

    • Longer built at 6-foot-3, 198lbs with easy leverage and barrel-whip, the LHH has the makings of a prototypical middle of the order bat at the next level. Went 97 mph exit velo for 366 feet during his BP round, following with a no-doubter to RF and two additional XBH in game-action. Backspin launch (27.7 degrees AVG) with some twitch available. 


  • ‘25 MIF Matthew Gileno (TBA)

    • The athleticism continues improving for the compact 5-foot-8, 165-pound Gileno, leading the showcase off with a 6.92 60-yard dash. Flashed his usual balanced, adjustable approach to all fields from the left side, settling into a T96 mph exit velo and 80% sweet spot rate via Trackman. Elite body control offensively, might find a home at 2B.


  • ‘24 OF/RHP Kyle McDermott (Monroe Woodbury)

    • Hard to miss with a standout frame at 6-foot-5, 200lbs, McDermott was a two-way winner up to 90 mph positionally and 87 mph off the mound. Creates some heavy downhill tilt with sinking life, though secondary is still under development. Also went 92 mph exit velo with a double during gameplay; high ceiling. 


  • ‘24 RHP Owen Birchard (Auburn)

    • One of the more dominant mound performances, the broad-shouldered 5-foot-10, 180-pounder attacked the zone often with a 2700rpm curveball and mid-80’s FB, working plenty of swing/miss over the first five batters faced. Short to long, efficient with arm-speed, and competes. 


  • ‘23 RHP Nicholas Huchro (Arlington)

    • It’s all low-spin and levers from the 6-foot-2, 160lb righty, utilizing timed-up deception to create a rotational element down the slope. Hid the ball well across two innings, dodging barrels with 82-84, T85 mph FB to both sides and a dotted three-pitch mix. Gained a couple swords on sharp, lateral 71-74 mph SL.



  • ‘24 SS Tyler Vivacqua (Liverpool)

    • The definition of a “gamer,” Vivacqua can handle a variety of roles positionally across the field, even stepping up on the bump for T81 mph FB with an adequate curveball. The switch-hitter shined most offensively with a feel to match plane and much improved bat-speed (75 mph). Simple gap-to-gap contact and a quality two-strike approach from a wide base. 


  • ‘24 1B/LHP Jack Donlin (Cazenovia)

    • An offseason riser with the frame and skillset to do damage this spring, Donlin posted a T97 mph exit velo (RHH) with a quiet upper-half and early connection in the swing. The high level hitter turned around as a projectable southpaw too, T81x2 on the bump, mixing a gradual mid-60’s breaker with ability to bury. More mound success coming, short/quick arm-action. 


  • ‘24 OF Henry Aronwald (Trinity Pawling)

    • Not only did Aronwald place amongst the top leaders in the 60-yard dash with a 6.60, but he also landed third in exit velocity (101.5 mph). The power/speed threat will find a home in the middle of the outfield with a bursty first step and natural feel in space. Also added two hits from a muscular stature versus live arms and stole three bags in total.


  • ‘25 3B Aaron Lugo (Monroe Woodbury)

    • An early pick-to-click after seeing the defensive skillset, Lugo had eyes following his every movement across the week. The physical right-handed hitter stepped in with heavy hands at 6-foot-3, 195lbs, recording a T93 mph exit and 65% sweet spot rate during BP. A loose-handed approach allows for clean extension through the LCF gap.  


  • ‘24 RHP James Redick (Shenendahowa)

    • Still green even after seeing a bump in stature over the past year, Redick dominated his two innings with quick hand-speed and enough hip/shoulder separation to draw uncomfortable swings at the plate. Foot on the gas at 81-84, T86 mph early and extended into the mitt, making it jump. Buried above-average SL (71-74) with strikeout potential to glove-side.


  • ‘24 C Cristian Soto (Central Regional, NJ)

    • An under-the-radar backstop who does all the little things right, Soto is an efficient blocker at 5-foot-10, 180lbs. The New Jersey product operates as a leader behind the dish and controls the pitching staff, also boosting his offensive profile with an 82% sweet spot rate, among the event’s best. Bat-speed is starting to transfer to the field from a shoulder-to-shoulder swing. 


  • ‘23 LHP Andrew Speranza (Spackenkill)

    • Crafty with pound-for-pound strength at 5-foot-9, 175lbs, Speranza created a fast move into footstrike, landing an 81-84 mph FB under the hands of hitters. The southpaw spun a hard-sweeping mid-60’s breaker across the plate while fading a 73-76 mph CH back the other way on the same plane. Kept hitters in between speeds, adding and subtracting when needed from a compact delivery. 


  • ‘23 RHP Tyler Kneller (Chatham)

    • It was a banner day for 6-foot-4, 195-pound righty Tyler Kneller, driving a low-spin 85-88, T89 mph FB to the knees with above-average effectiveness. Big stride length and some crossfire present, giving the release deception across his body. A low-to-mid 70’s CB adds a quality lateral presence while a 69-71 mph CH is still under further development; frontline potential as delivery smooths out.


  • ‘24 LHP Luke Leventhall (Lackawanna Trail)

    • Only 6-foot, 150lbs with the upside to command more looks, Leventhall gained plenty of extension out in front from a regular effort. The L/L lived low in the zone for ground balls and weak contact, cutting the FB at 82-84 mph. A well-seasoned 74-75 mph CH worked out of the same tunnel with hard ASR and killed spin. Held direction and tossed in lots of strikes early. 


  • ‘24 OF Brayden Hy (Royalton Hartland)

    • Blessed with almost 28 mph hand-speed and proportional strength at 5-foot-11, 175lbs, Hy matches pitch plane with big rotational scores from the right side. An improving athlete who grabbed a 7.13 60-yard dash with 86 mph positional arm-strength, the power translates cleanly to all phases. Made the trip to #PBRFG22 as a member of Team NY.


  • ‘24 OF Jeremiah Holder (New Rochelle)

    • The 5-foot-11, 172-pounder possesses upside athleticism with 90 mph arm-strength from the outfield and fast-twitch traits offensively. Produced a loud performance across gameplay, accumulating a few physical barrels through the middle of the field; bouncy skillset with more footspeed on the way. Selected to represent the Empire state at #PBRFG22.


UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2022 Last Chance Open: West NY 09/25 St. Bonaventure University
2022 Last Chance Open: East NY 10/09 Dutchess Stadium
2022 Last Chance Open: Downstate NY 10/16 Poly Prep