Summer Top Performers: 3B

NYS Games (June 25-27, 2017) Solidly built 6-foot-1, 180-pound third baseman, ran a 7.54/60. Offensively - effective load, short, compact swing, keeps bat on level path through the zone with upper cut and full extension and exit velocity of 89 MPH - previously registered 92 MPH, evidence of inner knee rotation, lower engagement will produce increased power. Defensively - fundamentally sound with quick, agile movements, smooth transfer to throwing hand for an infield velocity of 80 MPH. Will be a very good next-level player. 

NYS Games (June 25-27, 2017) Sturdy 6-foot-2, 225-pound RHP, ran a 7.59/60. Pitching - uses height to get downward plane on 79-80 MPH fastball that touches 82 MPH, 12-to-6 curveball at 67-69 MPH freezes batters, consistently induces weak contact, developing hip tilt at balance point to engage lower torso. Offensively - effective load, appropriate pre-pitch movement, keeps hands inside ball with full extension after contact for an exit velocity of 90 MPH, inner knee rotation triggers hips, further lower body engagement will add to power. Defensively - basic footwork, sure hands, effective transfer with accurate arm at 78 MPH. 

NYS Games (June 25-27, 2017) Sturdily-built 5-foot-10, 210-pound third baseman. Offensively - left-handed batter, engages hips with inner knee rotation, short to the ball, keeps bat on level path through the strike zone, full extension after contact with an exit velocity of 89 MPH, lives in the middle third with a repeatable motion, further counter rotation between upper and lower torso will add power. Defensively - poised and confident, clean, economic footwork, soft hands, smooth transfer, accurate arm across infield at 80 MPH.

Campus Series-Buffalo (July 5, 2017) Ward stands in at 5-foot-11, 155-pounds with a lean athletic frame. Ran a 4.94 home to first. Offensively- Righty sets up square to the pitcher in a wide stance with his feet outside shoulder width. Shows a slight knee bend with an upright torso holding the back above the back shoulder using little pre-pitch bat movement. On pitch, his trigger is a toe tap in to stride forward while his hands move back into his hitting position. Utilizes good lower body rotation getting his hips clear and using the whole body during the process of the swing. Shows quick hands to the hitting zone with a level barrel path throughout into a high two-handed finish. Demonstrated good plate coverage and line drive ability up the middle and to the pull side. Recorded an exit velocity of 81 MPH. Defensively- Catching, frames well with a quiet body and glove. Good throwing mechanics down to second with quick feet and a downhill throwing motion. Blocks well keeping the ball in front and is athletic getting back up to his feet. Was accurate on throws recording a positional arm velocity as a catcher at 72 MPH and a pop time range of 1.96-2.02. In the infield, good footwork and approach. Fielding mechanics are clean with a good funnel into the chest and quick transition to the throwing position. Good aggressive footwork towards throwing target, can make the play on the move. Recorded a positional arm velocity as an infielder at 79 MPH.

 Campus Series-St. Bonaventure (July 11, 2017)  Fairbrother stands in at 6-foot-2, 170-pounds with a lean athletic frame. Ran a 4.92 home to first, slightly off his previous best time of 4.71 set in July 2016. Offensively- Righty sets up square to the pitcher with his feet just outside his shoulders. Shows a slight knee bend with an upright torso. Holds the bat just below the back shoulder using little pre-pitch bat movement. On pitch, his trigger is a quick and simple step forward while his hands move back slightly into his hitting position. Has quick hands into the hitting zone with an upward lift barrel action throughout into a high two-handed finish. Utilizes good lower body rotation getting whole frame involved in swing. Shows a smooth fluid swing demonstrated in his batting practice round with gap to gap power potential. Recorded an exit velocity of 85 MPH, a 1 MPH improvement from his best recorded mark of 84 MPH set in February 2017. Defensively- Good approach and footwork getting in front of the baseball. Fielding mechanics are smooth with a good funnel into the chest and quick transition to the throwing position. Tends to double tap ball in glove prior to the through. Needs to be more aggressive with the footwork towards intended target to get rid of the ball quicker. Moves well left/right and fields smooth on the run. Recorded a positional arm velocity of 80 MPH, just shy of his previous best of 81 MPH set in February 2017. Pitching- Sets up in the middle of the rubber with a simple side step into a high leg kick above his hip crease. Good drive down with appropriate separation getting into a good throwing position with a mid-¾ release point. Utilizes whole body when throwing and repeats delivery on different pitches. Fastball sat 80-82 MPH and peaked at 83 MPH with cut action. Changeup has good arm side sink and sits 67-69 MPH. Slider shows a good break with tight spin and is 68-69 MPH.

Campus Series- Marist (July 25, 2017) Luke stands in at 6-foot-2, 197-pounds with a strong, tall, athletic frame. Offensively- Lefty shows a smooth swing with an upward lift barrel action. Gets good lower body rotation using whole-body during the process of the swing. Has quick hands into the hitting zone and demonstrated line drive ability up the middle and to the pull side with solid, consistent contact. Overall a clean, effective swing with power potential. Recorded an exit velocity of 88 MPH. Defensively- Good approach and footwork to the baseball. Funnels the ball well into the chest with a good quick transition into the throwing position. Takes aggressive footwork towards intended target with a good infielder arm swing. Moves well left/right and in on the run. Recorded a positional arm velocity of 77 MPH. Pitching- Sets up in the middle of the rubber using a high leg raise above the hip crease. Breaks down well and has good separation with loose arm action into a high ¾ arm slot. Utilizes his lower body well getting a good drive helping him get good rotation into a strong follow through. Fastball range was 78-79 MPH and peaked at 80 MPH with good arm side run. Change-up was 67-68 MPH with arm side sink. Overall a very talented and strong 2020 grad prospect that coaches need to keep an eye on.

Campus Series-Oswego (August 15, 2017) Merkley stands 5-foot-10, 175-pounds with a solidly built frame. Offensively- Even setup, small stride for timing. Hands get inside the ball, barrel path stays level through contact with some extension on finish, gap-to-gap. Middle of the order type projection. Exit velocity peaked at 89 MPH.  Defensively- Stays behind the ball, clean glove with 72 mph arm strength to the bag. Corner infield projection, bat will play at next level.