Tools of the Trade: 2024 Power
September 13, 2023
A breeding ground for upper-echelon northeast talent, New York's class of 2024 set the bar high, making noise in all corners of the state. Though the amount of college-ready arms has certainly been intriguing (25 of the first 40 ranked), they are equally matched with a plethora of power bats sprinkled throughout. When undergoing the evaluation process, we use the five tools (hit, power, glove, arm, and run) as a barometer for comparing players against one another. Obviously, they need to be honed properly and accompanied by in-game success in order for them to have full effect. Today we break down one of the top tools within an exciting class of prospects.
POWER
In today's game, this is the most paid for tool. Think Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, or Matt Olsen, able to change the score with one swing of the bat. When scouting "power," we're looking for both raw power and consistent power. Basically, how does this player translate their best, high-end exit velocity or distance from rep-to-rep? It's worth noting that in a deep class, 4 of the 7 below are still uncommitted!
TOP POWER hitters
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Jaxon Mueller 1B / C / Stillwater, NY / 2024Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 1
The hulking 6-foot-5, 230-pounder was a #PBRFG22 attendee and made quite the impression with hard contact over the pull-side. A freak metrically across the board, Mueller landed on the Blast Motion leaderboards with 26MPH hand-speed, 80MPH bat-speed, and a T98MPH exit velocity. For an encore, the RH batter tacked on a 100MPH backside double in-game.
Uncommitted |
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Jeylem Sepulveda 1B / RHP / Citius Prep, NY / 2024Rankings StateRank: 60 / POS: 3
It's an ultra-physical frame, taller in stature, that doesn't need much to get the barrel going to top-speed. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound righty controls the leg-kick with a whippy path that stays in the zone for length. Executive Director Jared Carrier had a clean look at him in August, up to T95MPH exit velocity with simple effort. The ball really explodes off of the bat.
Delaware commit |
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Kieran Kehoe 1B / OF / Mepham, NY / 2024Rankings StateRank: 93 / POS: 7
One of the louder builds around at 6-foot-7, 215-pounds, Kehoe slows things down with minimal early movement and a short, direct swing. We've seen the strength come in waves, now able to impact for extra-base hits with a T96MPH exit velocity. The Mepham senior was named the Diamond Award winner for the top hitter in Nassau County; .700 AVG, 5 HR, 41 RBi.
Saint Joseph's commit |
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Tim Denet 3B / SS / Iona Prep, NY / 2024Rankings StateRank: 83 / POS: 1
The recent Binghamton de-commit showed innate rhythm and launch quickness through an effortless path at our Taconic Rangers Scout Day in June. Denet is rotationally advanced at 6-foot-1, 195-pounds and knows how to contort the body to all parts of the zone for damage (went backside HR during BP on clip #2). This is a future middle of the order hitter with easy 100MPH exits.
Uncommitted |
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Sam Miller OF / Fairport, NY / 2024On a constant rise up the rankings since 2022, Miller has enjoyed plenty of improvements in the 60YD and bat-speed department, eclipsing 80MPH+ at the New York State Games. The 6.47 runner had a memorable performance with (4) hits and followed it up with a no-doubt HR/bat-flip combo at our #NewYorkOpen. Looking at the long/slender frame, there's much more to come.
Binghamton commit |
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Jeremy Sosa OF / Citius Prep, NY / 2024Rankings StateRank: 78 / POS: 11
Equipped with perfect connection and some twitch off the hip, Sosa generated a monster round at #LeidermanCup for Team NYC. The athletic 6-foot, 190-pounder unloads the hands with authority and could hit anywhere from 2-5 in a collegiate lineup. A mid-to-upper 90's MPH exit velocity should maintain an upwards trajectory with an engaged core through rotation.
Uncommitted |
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Landen Duprey 1B / C / Peru, NY / 2024Rankings StateRank: 92 / POS: 6
Broad-shouldered at 6-foot-3, 215-pounds, Duprey utilizes natural leverage at the front of the plate and an aggressive lower-half to produce massive outputs. The RH hitter put on a show during the #NYSGames with a T99MPH exit velocity (91MPH AVG) & 337 feet peak, crushing the low pitch towards a higher finish. It's quad greens on Blast Motion with feel to accelerate.
Uncommitted |
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2023 Last Chance Open: Upstate | NY | 09/22 | Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex - Cortland, NY |
| 2023 NY Fall Top Prospect Games | NY | 09/30 | Central Park - Schenectady, NY |
| 2023 CHSAA-Long Island Scout Day | NY | 10/08 | Holy Trinity HS - Hicksville, NY |
| 2023 CHSAA-NYC Scout Day | NY | 10/09 | Heritage Financial Park - Wappingers Falls, NY |
| 2023 Last Chance Open: East | NY | 10/22 | Heritage Finanical Park - Wappingers Falls, NY |
| 2023 NY Unsigned Senior Showcase | NY | 10/22 | Heritage Financial Park - Wappingers Falls, NY |
| 2023 Northeast JUCO Sophomore/Transfer Showcase | NY | 10/22 | Heritage Financial Park - Wappingers Falls, NY |
| 2023 Last Chance Open: Downstate | NY | 10/28 | East Coast Sports and Fitness - Yorktown Heights |