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Preseason All-Long Island: Infield Analysis From Feb. 20th

March 8, 2015

Dan Cevette
Director, New York

16 days ago PBR NY held its first ever Long Island/NYC Preseason Invite Only. The response was positive, the talent was heavy, and the smoke has finally settled. Let's take a look at the infielder scouting reports from Feb. 20th. In no specific order.

Justin Drpich, MIF, John Jay HS Cross River, NY (2016)
5-foot-11 180-pound Justin Drpich shows a tall slender build.  Athletic movement to the ball.  Tends to be passive to the ball.  Glove face is up and out in front of his knees.  Hands are soft and transfer from glove to hand is clean.  Arm-action is down and short with an over the top arm-slot.  Great carry on the ball with an impressive arm velocity of 87mph.  At the plate his stance is wide, hands are low and loads back with the pitch.  Stride is long and his bat drops down on pitch.  Bat path is slight inclined at contact.  Shoulders and hips fly open early but his finish is well over the shoulders and balanced.  Exit velocity 86mph and home to first time 4.32.

Joseph Greco, MIF, Bellport HS, NY (2017)
Greco stands in at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds with a lean athletic build.  In the field he’s aggressive, get around the ball with glove out in front. Moves with rhythm with a clean exchange, quick release, arm action down and long with an over the top arm slot, gets through his throws. Showed a 79mph arm velocity. At the plate he starts with an open stance, hands right above his ears with a clean rhythm and loads back on the pitch.  Stride is short and balanced; bat path is short and quick to the ball and stays level through the zone. Hands inside the ball, hips stay closed. Gets full extension through the ball, finish is high above shoulders, balanced. Shows an 83mph exit velocity. Ability to handle the bat at high-level with power, and has a 4.16 home to first time.  Projected to be an above average high school player. All though he’s young he will be a stand out on the varsity level.

Aiden McGrath, 3B, SS, Longwood HS, NY (2016)
McGrath who stands in 5-foot-10, 185-pounds with a slender athletic build. While fielding he moves with rhythm while being aggressive to the ball, glove is palm up and open with soft smooth hands and a clean transfer.  Gets through his throws while throwing from a high-3/4 arm slot and down and long arm-action.  His ball carries well as his arm velocity is 74mph.  At the plate McGrath shows a narrow up-right stance with his hands up high.  Loads back on pitch with a short balanced stride. Bat path is short and quick to the ball with a slight incline through contact. Keeps hands inside the ball and front shoulder closed.  Attacks the ball with full extension and a finish above the shoulders. Exit velocity 75mph, home to first time 4.63.  Projected to be a great ball player. Above average high school player with college potential and with that maybe more.

Frank Merlino, 3B, Ward Melville HS, (2016)
Merlino Stands in at 6-foot-2, 212-pounds with good size at the corner. In the field he lets his glove face turn and is passive at times to the ball, fields ball straight on.  Smooth hands and clean exchange however transfer is slow.  Down and long arm-action with a low ¾ arm-slot and recoils his throw.  Some carry on ball.  Arm velocity registered at 72mph.  At the plate he starts open with his hands high.  Loads back into the catcher with a short and balanced stride.  Short and quick to the ball with bat path level through the hitting zone.  Hands stay inside the ball, and hips stay closed.  Finishes over the shoulder with balance and power. Exit velocity 84mph, home to first time 4.75.   Projected to be a well-rounded pitcher and fielder in college. Due to a great bat I can see him being of more use with hitting then pitching.

Michael Lazos, 2B, Hauppauge HS (2016)
Lazos stands in at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds with a short slender build.  Lets the ball get deep on him while fielding, passive to the ball.  Some rhythm with a slow transfer.  Recoils on the throws with a mid-3/4 arm slot.  Long arm-action with little carry on the ball.  Arm velocity 78mph. At the plate Lazos stands feet even hands low under his shoulders.  Loads back with the pitch, little to no stride with long bat path, which slows his hands speed down.  Slightly inclined bat through contact.  Shoulder fly’s open a little to early with little extension through the ball.  Balanced and finishes a little under his shoulder.  Exit velocity 81mph, and home to first time 4.53.

Justin Cancel, 3B, St. Dominic HS (2016)
Cancel 6-foot-2; 210-pounder with tall athletic built shoes aggressiveness while fielding, glove out in front knees bent, and a clean transfer from glove to hand.  Arm- action down and short with a high-3/4 arm-slot. Quick and above average hand speed with arm velocity being 78mph.  At the plate he starts open with his hands high while loading back with the pitch. Stride is short and balanced as his bat path is short and quick as well.  Stays inside the ball and keeps shoulders and hips closed. Finishes above the shoulder with balance with extension through the ball. Exit velocity 82mph and his home to first time was 4.38.  Projected to be a third basemen in college and an average hitter.

Frank Tricamo, 3B, Half Hollow Hills HS (2016)
Tricamo a 6-foot-1; 170-pounds has a tall slender build.  While fielding the ball tends to get deep on him as his hands seem to be choppy and out of rhythm.  Fields the ball out in front with an average transfer from glove to hand.  Arm-action is down and long, as he throws from an over-the-top arm-slot.  Very little hand speed with little carry on the ball. Arm velocity 81mph.  At the plate he has an even stance with his hands held high.  Loads straight back to the catcher creating an arm bar.  Bat path is slow and long with a slight incline through contact as his hands creep over the plate on contact.  Shoulders and hits fly open early.  Shows some extension and finishes with front leg roll. Exit velocity 86mph and home to first time was 4.37. With hard work and fine tuning of his swing and fielding mechanics he can be a well-rounded college ball player.

Matt Mulligan, MIF, Bellport HS, NY (2017)
Mulligan who stands in at 5-foot-7 130-pounds shows a stocky strong lower half. Passive while fielding the ball and lets it get deep on him.  Transfer from glove to hand is average.  Arm-action is down and short with a low ¾ arm-slot.  Little hand speed and carry on ball when he throws.  Arm velocity 58mph.  At the plate he starts open hands close to ear.  Loads back to the pitch, stride is short and balanced.  Bat stays level through the zone, while keeping shoulders and hips closed.  Shows some extension through the ball.  Exit velocity 76mph.  An impressive home to first time 4.13.

James Jankowski, MIF, Bellport HS, NY (2016)
Jankowski 5-foot-11, 162-pounds. Behind the plate he steps to his target when throwing down.  Transfer is clean and straight to his ear. Slight recoil after release, finishes towards base he’s throwing to and glove finishes tucked under arm-pit.  Hands could be softer and less movement while receiving. Blocking was average, shoulders rolled over nicely.  Needs some fine-tuning.  Best pop time was 2.2.  Catcher arm velocity 69mph. Average high school catcher. With work he can be a good college catcher.  In the infield he fields the ball straight up, glove out in front, knees bent.  Hands are soft and smooth and transfer from glove to hand is controlled.  Arm –slot is mid-3/4 with little carry on the ball.  Arm velocity 72mph.  At the plate he has an open stance, hands above his ears.  Loads straight back to the catcher.  Stride is long and hands drop before contact.  Bat path drags and is slightly inclined at contact.  Shoulders and hips fly open early but still get’s extension on the ball.  Finishes high above the shoulder with good balance.  Exit velocity 70mph and home to first time was 4.78. With work on catching and hitting he can find his way in a college line up.  

Kieran Glynn, 1B, Miller Place HS, NY (2016
Glynn stands in at 6-foot-3 285-pounds.  Stocky with a strong lower half.  In the field he moves a little out of rhythm and choppy and lets the ball get deep on him.  Transfer is slow while his arm-action is long.  His arm-slot is mid-3/4 with little carry on the ball.  Arm velocity was at 62mph.  At the plate he has an even stance hands low nice and relaxed with some movement.  His load has no stopping, clean rhythm.  No stride and his bat path is short and quick to the ball.  Hands stay inside the ball with a level bat path.  Shoulder and hips stay closed and he gets full extension on the ball. Finishes well over his shoulder with great balance.  Has the ability to handle the bat at a high level and shows outstanding power. His exit Velocity was at 83mph and his home to first time was 4.5.   

Michael Santulli, MIF, Sachem High School East, NY (2016)
Michael stands in at 5-foot-7 125-pounds, short but athletic.  While fielding he lets the ball play him, passive.  Hands are choppy and tends to recoil when he throws.  Arm-action is down and long and his arm-slot is over the top.  Arm velocity was at 70mph and shows little carry on ball.  He stands in at the plate with a slightly opened stance, hands are low and looked stressed and stiff.  Loads back to the catcher with a long stride, which makes his hands drop.  Bat path is long and slow through the zone.  Hands creep over the plate due to loading back to the catcher.  Shoulder and hips fly open early and he finishes on his front foot.  

Ben Brown, 3B, Ward Melville HS, NY (2017)
Brown a 6-foot-1 190-pound sophomore with a tall slender built moves choppy while fielding and fields the ball straight on.  Seems to be passive at times and out of rhythm with a slow transfer.  Arm-action is down and long and throws from a high ¾ arm-slot with little carry on the ball and has slight recoil after release. Arm velocity 77mph.  At the plate he starts with a narrow upright stance, hands low and relaxed.  Loads straight back to the catcher and wraps inside his body.  Stride is long and wraps bat around head creating a long bat path to the ball.  Long but smooth through the hitting zone with a slight incline at contact.  Shoulders and hips stay closed and get’s some extension through the ball.  Finishes over the shoulder with balance.  Exit velocity 79mph, and his home to first time 5.09. Projected to be a college pitcher.

Tyler Mandel, 3B, Scarsdale HS, NY (2017)
Mandel 5-foot-10, 198-pounds shows a strong lower half and an athletic built.   Shows next level actions, gets around the ball.  Glove palm is up, hands are soft and smooth.  Arm-action is down and long and his arm slot is over the top.  Gets through his throws well which shows carry on the ball, and shows an arm velocity of 74mph. At the plate Tyler has an open stance and hand held high.  Loads back on the pitch with a short and balanced stride.  Bat path is short and quick to the ball and stays level through the hitting zone.  Hands stay inside the ball and keeps shoulders and hips closed.  Gets full extension through the ball and finished well over his shoulder with balance.  Shows great power as his exit velocity is 86mph.  Home to first time 4.60.  College attributes shown early in this young man.

Jared Donnelly, 3B, Mount Sinai HS, NY (2018)
Jared who stands in at 5-foot-7, 165-pounds shows a small but athletic built.  While fielding he’s athletic and has rhythm while he gets around the baseball showing next level actions.  Hands are soft and smooth and his transfer is clean.  Gets through his throws and has a short arm-action, and a low3/4 arm-slot.  His release is slow with an arm velocity of 64mph. At the plate he has an open stance and keeps his hand right around the shoulder area.  Loads back with the pitch and has a short balance stride.  Bat path is short and quick and level through contact.  Hands stay inside the ball.  He lets the ball get deep on him but uses his fast hands.  Exit velocity 77mph and his home to first time was 4.71.  Projected to be more of a position player in college but the fact that he can pitch will only help him.    

Michael Ruggiero, SS, Smithtown East HS, NY (2017)
Ruggiero a 6-foot 150-pound short stop shows a tall athletic build.  Next level actions already showing as he gets around the ball smooth and with rhythm.  Aggressive with glove out in front of him.  Hands are soft and his arm action is down and short.  Arm slot is low ¾ with quick hand speed.  Ball carries well after release.  Arm velocity is 80mph.  At the plate he stands slightly open while keeping his hands low.  Loads back with the pitch, has a short and balanced stride while his bat stays level through the zone.  Shoulders and hips stay closed and gets full extension through the ball.  Shows power.  Exit velocity 81mph, his home to first time is 4.35.

Nicholas Lamari, 3B/RHP, Fordham Prep HS, NY (2017)
2/15 - Lamari stands 5-Foot-8, 160-pound and shows a slender athletic build. From 3B the fields the ball straight on with his glove out in front of his knees, slightly deep, soft hands. At the plate he stands open with his hands relaxed.  Loads back to the catcher, short path to the ball, mostly level compact swing with consistent contact.  Needs to continue building overall strength at the plate, swing is fluid, signs are there - 81 mph exit velo off tee.. Home to first time is 4.25.

John McCarrick, 3B, Shoreham Wading River HS, NY, (2017)
John who stands in at 6-foot weighing 158-pound slender built with strong lower half moves slow to the ball while he fields it straight on with his glove out.  Passive and lets the ball get deep.  Arm action is long and at a mid ¾ arm slot with a slight recoil, and no carry.  Arm velocity 69mph.  At the plate John has a closed stance, hands low.  Tends to low straight back to the catcher with no stride while having a long bat path.  Bats slightly inclined at contact while hands cast over the plate.  Shoulders and hips fly open early with little extension.  Exit velocity 75mph and his home to first time was 4.57.

Rasul Rahman, 3B, Great Neck South HS, NY, (2016)
Rasul who stands in at 5-foot-11 183-pounds, shows a small stocky build with a strong lower half.  Athletic with rhythm as he fields.  Gets around the ball well with glove out in front.  Soft hands while his transfer is clean.  Gets through his throws with a short smooth, free and easy arm-action.  Mid ¾ arm-slot and shows carry on the ball.  Arm velocity 75mph.  At the plate he stands narrow and upright, hands just above the shoulders.  Loads back to the catcher with a short and balanced stride.  Bat path is long and slow and has an inclined bat at contact.  Shoulders and hips open up early but show’s some extension through the ball.  Finish is over the shoulder with balance. Exit velocity is 81mph and his home to first time is 4.85.

Paul Dominguez, MIF, Rocky Point HS, NY, (2016)
This 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder, stocky with a strong lower half fields with a passiveness to the ball.  Lets the ball get deep.  Turns his glove face to the side before fielding.  Transfer is slow and choppy.   Gets through his throws with a down and long arm-action and an over the top arm-slot.  Little carry on the ball and shows an arm velocity of 79mph.  In the outfield he plays the ball off to his glove side and attacks the baseball.  Gets through his throws with an arm velocity of 82mph.  Arm action is long and his arm slot is high ¾.  At the plate he stands even with his hands low under the shoulders. Hands look stressed and tight while he loads back to the catcher and wraps inside his body.  Has little to no stride while bat path is long.  Bat drops down on the pitch with a slightly inclined contact point.  Shoulders and hips open early.  Little extension through the ball with a balanced finish.  Exit velocity 79mph and home to first time 4.44 seconds.  

Michael Stiles, 3B, Comsewogue HS, NY (2016)
Stiles a 6-foot-2 175- pounder who’s tall and slender.  While fielding he lets the ball play him and get deep.  Lets his glove face turn to the side.  Arm action is long and throws from a mid ¾ arm slot.  Little carry on ball.  Arm velocity 68mph.  At the plate Michael stands in with an even stance hands above the ears with tight, stressed hands.  Load causes front arm-bar.  No stride before contact and bat path is long with inclined through contact.  Hands cast out over the plate and shoulder and hips open early.  Little extension through the ball with a finish over the shoulder and a little off balance.  Exit velocity is 76mph and home to first time was 4.87.

Robert Ditoma, MIF, Comsewogue HS, NY (2015)
Dattoma a 6-foot-1, 176-pound senior shows a tall athletic build with great athleticism and aggressiveness through the ball.  Glove palm is up and in front of his body.  Hands are soft and smooth with a clean transfer.  Gets through his throws with a long low ¾ arm slot.  Plenty of carry on the ball with arm velocity of 79mph.  At the plate his stance is narrow and upright with his hands just under his shoulders.  Loads back on pitch and keeps hands well inside the ball.  Nice east stride short and balanced swing.  Slight inclined bat through contact.  Shoulders and hips stay closed and he gets full extension through the ball.  His finish is well over the shoulder and holds his balance great.  Exit velocity was 83mph and his home to first time was 4.38.  

Joseph Stockman, SS, Northport HS, NY (2016)
Joseph stands in at 6-foot-1 160-pounds with a tall athletic lean.  Moves slow and choppy to the ball, let’s the ball play him and is passive at times.  Transfer is slow but clean. Arm-action is down and long with an arm-slot is over the top.  Little carry on the ball.  74mph arm velocity.  At the plate he stands narrow and upright with his hands high above the ear.  Hands look tight and stiff.  Load causes and arm-bar.  Stride is long causing hands to drop.  Long bat path and slight inclined at contact.  Shoulders and hips open early.  Player attacks the ball out in front and get’s decent extension through the ball. Finish is over the shoulder and balanced.  Exit velocity 76mph and home to first time 4.35.

Dom Vitale, 3B, Massapequa HS, NY (2015)
Vitale a 6-foot-1 170-pound third basemen with an athletic lean built shows choppy movement through the ball and tends to be passive when the ball is hit.  Lets his glove face turn to the side.  Transfer from his hand to glove is clean.  Recoils on his throws.  Arm action is long with a low ¾ arm-slot.  Good carry on the ball with an arm velocity at 82mph.  At the plate Dom stands slightly opened with his hands even with his shoulders.  Loads into the catcher and back with the pitch.  Hands are relaxed and has a short and balanced stride.  Bat stays level through the zone and hands stay inside the ball.  Shoulders and hips stay closed creating great extension through the ball.  Attacks the baseball and finishes above shoulder with good balance.  Exit velocity 85mph.  Home to first time 4.43.

Jake Ellowitz, SS, Lawrence Woodmere Academy HS, NY (2016)
Ellowitz a 5-foot-9 160-pound short stop with smooth and soft hands tends to leave his glove face turned to the side.  Transfer from glove to hand is clean and arm action is down and short.  His arm-slot is low ¾ with little carry on the ball.  At the plate Jake has a closed stance and his hands are slightly just over his ears.  His load causes an arm-bar and also takes away from his stride.  Bat path is long and slow and his shoulders and hips open early.  Hands cast out over the plate.  Shows some extension through the ball and finishes just over the shoulder.  

Joseph Vizzini, MIF, St. Johns the Baptist HS, NY (2016)
Vizzini a 5-foot-7 150-pound middle infielder with a short stocky built tends to be passive when ball is hit to him but keeps glove out in front of him and turns his glove face to the side before receiving.  Arm-action is short and his arm-slot mid ¾ with little carry on the ball.  Arm velocity 74mph.  At the plate Vizzini starts with an open stance hands staying low with a nice clean load.  Stride is short and balanced as well as his bat path being short and quick through the zone.  Hands stay inside the zone and his shoulders and hips stay closed.  Attacks the baseball and gets full extension through the ball.  Finish is over the shoulder with great balance.  Exit velocity is 78mph.  Home to first time was an impressive 4.19.

Zachary Fritz, 3B, East Meadow HS, NY, (2016)
glove to hand is slow but smooth.  Arm-action is long but over the top arm-slot.  Little carry on the ball and recoils when he throws.  Arm velocity 72mph.  At the plate he has an even stance and his hands are right above his ear.  Loads straight back to the catcher.  Stride is short and balanced.  Bat path is short and to the ball with a slight incline through contact.  Shoulder and hips stay closed and full extension through the ball occurs.  Finish is well over the shoulder and great balance.  Exit velocity was impressive at 92mph.  Home to first time was 4.37.

Brian Donnelly, 1B, Valley Stream South HS, NY (2016)
Donnelly a 6-foot 175-pound outfielder/ first basemen with a strong lower half and stocky built.  In the infield he’s aggressive while fielding the ball straight on.  Lets the ball get deep but keeps his glove out in front.  Hands are choppy at times and his arm action is short.  Arm slot is mid ¾ with little carry on the ball.  Arm velocity was 73mph.  In the outfield he plays the ball off to his glove side and attacks the ball aggressively.  Arm action is down and long with a high ¾ arm slot.  Good carry on the ball as his arm velocity was 75mph.  At the plate his stance is wide, hands above the ear and relaxed.  Loads straight back to the catcher and shows a short balanced stride.  Bat patch is short and quick but slightly inclined at contact.  Hands cast out a little over the plate.  Shoulders and hips stay closed and he gets full extension through the ball.  Finish is over the shoulder and balanced.  Exit velocity was 78mph. Home to first was a 4.4.  

Billy Huber, SS, Hauppauge HS, NY (2016)
Huber a 5-foot-10 155-pound junior with a slender build and strong lower half,  fields the ball straight on but lets the ball get deep on him.  Hands are choppy and he recoils after he throws.  Arm-action is down and long, and his arm-slot is over the top. Slow hand speed with little carry on the ball.  Arm velocity 76mph.  At the plate Huber has an open stance as his hands are relaxed with some movement.  His load wraps inside his body as his stride is short and balanced.  Bat path is short and quick to the ball as his hands stay inside the ball.  Shoulders and hips stay closed as he gets full extension through the ball.  Finish is over the shoulder and balance could be better.  Exit velocity 79mph and his home to first time was 4.28.

Jonathan Rich, 1B, Shoreham Wading River HS, NY (2016)
Rich a 6-foot-1 245-pound two-way player showed an impressive lower half build.  While fielding he moved swiftly through the ball and fields the ball straight on.  He’s aggressive but lets his glove face turn to the side.  Needs more rhythm when fielding.   Arm-action is long, and over the top with little carry on the ball.  Arm velocity 75mph.  At the plate he starts open with his hands above his ears.  Clean and relaxed load.  Stride is short and balanced and his bat path is level through the zone.  Hands stay inside the ball as well as his shoulders and hips staying closed.  He attacks the ball with full extension.  Exit velocity 83mph, and his home to first time was 5 flat.

Frankie Papanikoaltos, 1B, Patchogue Medford HS, NY (2017)
Frankie stands in at 5-foot-8 152-pounds slender body type fields the ball straight on with glove palm up.  Hands are choppy but moves through the ball.  Transfer is slow but smooth.  Arm-Action is long and he has an over the top arm-slot.  He has little carry on the ball and his arm velocity 62mph.  At the plate Frankie stands in with an open stance, hands low with a load straight back to the catcher.  Little to no stride at all.  Bat path is long and has a slight incline through contact.  Shoulders and hips open early with little extension on the ball.  Exit velocity 68mph.  Home to first time 4.6.  

Thomas Neary, 1B, Northport HS, NY (2016)
6-foot 175-pound Thomas Neary has a tall athletic lean build.  At first he fields the ball straight on with his glove palm up and out in front.  Transfer from glove to hand is clean.  Arm-action is down and short as his arm-slot is mid ¾. Little carry on the ball with an arm velocity at 73mph.  At the plate he stands narrow and upright.  Relaxed hands with some movement.  Loads straight back to the catcher with a short stride.  Bat path is short and quick to the ball.  Hands stay inside the ball and shoulder and hips stay closed.  Get full extension through the ball.  Finishes over the shoulder and balanced.  Exit velocity 86mph, and home to first time 4.4.

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