Top Performer Spotlight: 2023 RHP/SS Giovanni Conte (South Colonie)

April 3, 2020
Tim Hunter
VP of Operations

It was a historic preseason here in New York with our boots-on-the-ground scouting staff covering 700+ players at showcase events, all February long. The dust has settled and we are now ramping up our efforts in player rankings, scouting reports, and recap articles. While the outcome of the 2020 HS season is on hold, the Prep Baseball Report (NY) will continue to provide unrivaled coverage for the amateur baseball players in the Empire State.

As we continue our follow up of the Preseason Tour, we will be highlighting "Top Performer Spotlights" on players who recently stood-out at our preseason events. Stay tuned with us for the latest information on the 2020 spring season and beyond.

Scouting Report

Physical: 5-foot-8, 135-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame; 4.73 home-to-1B.
Offensively: RHH. Crouched stance with bent knees, an even base, uses a bat waggle and a toe tap/drag along with a small stride for timing Big, high effort swinger, swing works uphill throughout, great use of lower half, high two-handed finish. Hard contact to pull-side/up the middle. 83 MPH raw exit velocity.
Defensively: Starts and stays low on approach, uses a small hop for timing, clean footwork on approach, fields the ball slightly off-center and in the middle of his body, works ground up. Medium arm swing with a low 3/4 slot. INF - 77 MPH.
Pitching: Steady pace, kicks leg straight out before bringing knee up high, back down and out landing with slight angle closed before a repeatable, balanced follow through. Long, arm swing with a whippy 3/4 release.
FB: T80, 76-78 MPH. Arm side run.
CB: 62-64 MPH. Locates in the zone with early, slurve break.
CH: 60-62 MPH. Arm side sink.

Standout Skill

I was a fan of the way he was able to handle his bat. He did show signs of pop to pull side gap, but he also showed me he can stay inside a baseball and drive it the other way on a line. Uses all parts of the field and flashed some quick hands being able to turn on it when pitched inside.

Player Projection

For me, I think Conte could be a two-way player when he fills out a little more and adds some velo, but I also think he has good athleticism to be a middle guy. He's able to play laterally well with a quick first step. Not a big power guy at the plate, but consistent contact hitter to get on base.

Quick Hit
"Sprays the baseball offensively, quick hands to take straight to the ball. A lot of moving parts in the swing though that messed up some timing. Simplify. Defensively, does a good job of fielding the ball out front and staying low. The footwork sliding up the middle was a little chopping. When moving laterally (forehand/backhand) try to make it look as fluid as possible, want this to be smooth looking. Pitching wise, as size comes and you develop so will velo and your movement. Keep working to involve the lower half and pound the zone."

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