Tools of the Trade: Class of 2025 Footspeed
October 27, 2023
A breeding ground for upper-echelon talent in the northeast, New York's class of 2025 has shown impressive depth across the board. There's a near even split of pitchers vs. position players among the top 30 ranked with a multitude of ACC/SEC commits sprinkled throughout. When undergoing the scouting process, our staff uses the five tools (hit, power, defense, arm, and run) as a barometer for player comparison, knowing that each will need proper refinement and in-game results for them to show full effect. Today we break down one of the top tools within an exciting class of prospects.
FOOTSPEED
The best teams in any sport have a handful of players who pressure the defense. Whether it's straight-line speed such as the 60-yard dash, or in-game aggression like going first-to-third, the ability to take that extra base can jumpstart any offense. Think about trying to control Corbin Carroll, Bobby Witt Jr., or Ronald Acuna Jr. on-base with nobody out. You'll see the pitcher increase tempo to the plate, the catcher anticipating a throw, and the batter hunting a fastball. Below is a look at some of the more gifted runners in NY's '25 class.
TOP RUN TOOL
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Jordan Serrano OF / The Stony Brook School, NY / 2025The undisputed top 60YD in NY's 2025 class, Serrano blazed a 6.30 during last year's Metro Scout Day with long strides and plus athleticism. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder will hold down a future home in the middle of the field, as a ballhawking CF. A much improved upper-80's OF arm is not to be forgotten either. Wake Forest commit |
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Luke Becker OF / CBA- Syracuse, NY / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 30 / POS: 4
One of the summer's major winners, Becker flashed the wheels at the NY State Games where he stole (3) bases and poked an inside-the-park home-run. This coming after an event-best 6.57 60YD on workout day with a lightning-quick first step out of the gate. Uncommitted |
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Sam Saucke SS / 2B / Greece Athena, NY / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 6
Lean and twitchy with bounce to his step, Saucke owns major baseball bloodlines and plays fearlessly in a 6-foot-3, 165-pound frame. We've seen run times as low as 6.67 60YD earlier this summer while 10YD splits tell a better story of the base-stealing upside. Uncommitted |
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James Haughton SS / 2B / Ballston Spa , NY / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 24 / POS: 7
Also a premium defender, Haughton profiles as an easy pick-to-click at the top of a collegiate lineup. The long-armed 5-foot-11, 155-pounder gains ground with fluid hips and features high-scale home-to-first times as a L/R 6.70 runner. Likewise, the approach sets him up to be on base often. Rhode Island commit |
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Mateo Noto SS / 2B / Beacon School, NY / 2025Equipped with more than a few next-level tools under his belt, Noto has continued to reach new territory on run times; 6.71 and 6.75 over the summer. An efficient angular mover at 5-foot-8, 150-pounds, he can go from first-to-third or second-to-home in an instant. Indiana commit |
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Eamon Giblin 3B / SS / Jamesville Dewitt, NY / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 37 / POS: 2
After a strong 2023 spring that produced a team-leading 19 stolen bases, the 6.76 runner wrecked havoc on the NY State Games. It's in-your-face type speed that uses length and athleticism to cover tons of grass defensively. The corner infielder might eventually slide to a future OF role. St. Bonaventure commit |
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Joseph Castro CF / Half Hollow Hills East, NY / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 34 / POS: 1
A natural switch-hitter with 6.78 footspeed, Castro burst onto the scene during March's Team Fransciso scout day. There's above-average flexibility in a proportional 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame, which allows him to change direction quickly and range to the gaps. Uncommitted |
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2023 Last Chance Open: Downstate | NY | 10/28 | East Coast Sports and Fitness - Yorktown Heights |