Diamonds in the Rough: Week 8

Jerry Crispino III SS / OF / Cumberland Valley , PA / 2021

The Spin: High-waisted in a compact 5-foot-7, 185-pound frame with plenty of strength, Crispino III put forth a magnificent effort at the PA State Games in June where he was painted all over our Blast Motion leaderboards. The physical right-handed hitter started wide with a balanced stance allowing an aggressive lower half to generate simple, usable power through the hitting window (25.7 G’s of rotational acceleration) while notching easy bat speed (75 mph peak). The body showed off high-level movement strategies in the box, becoming even more noticeable when looking at a near perfect 84% on-plane efficiency coupled with a 57% line drive rate during batting practice (per Trackman Baseball). A mostly gap to gap approach with backspin off the bat should play well into some extra-base hit ability down the line, which would peg him to slot into a middle of the order role at the collegiate level. You’re looking at a seasoned hitter who can be trusted to handle the bat better than most, evidenced by an impressive 93 mph bat-exit velocity / 85.3 mph average. The primary shortstop demonstrated adequate footwork defensively with a feel for getting around the baseball while featuring a quick-triggered release out of the glove. With the current size and his projection coming offensively first and foremost, he’ll most likely see a move to third base where he possesses a quality 81 mph throwing arm and the ability to make the play on the run from a multitude of slots.

Michael Cunningham RHP / OF / Spring-Ford, PA / 2021

Alex Kuehn RHP / SS / Coatesville Area, PA / 2022

The Spin: An obvious standout from the West Chester Dragons scout day this past weekend, Kuehn did seemingly everything at an advanced level. Still extremely projectable at 6-foot-1 150-pounds, the Coatesville Area product should have plenty of time to add functional strength as he matures, which only heightens a well above-average ceiling at this point. The primary right-handed pitcher featured almost “picture-perfect” mechanics with the ability to hold direction allowing for easy extension, (up to 7 feet per Trackman Baseball) which made an 82-83 mph fastball play up in velocity with extra life to it. A tight 67-69 mph curveball with swing and miss shape to it (16.5 inches of HM) held the zone at 50% and was thrown with increased feel out in front on the release. The changeup raised eyebrows as well at 73-75 mph, getting up to 20.1 inches of fade to the arm-side with 7.13 feet of extension while creating advanced deception at the plate. The right-handed hitter popped offensively with a leveraged approach allowing for a 73% line drive rate per Trackman Baseball. Quick hands (23.40 mph hand speed according to Blast Motion) generated consistent contact points at the front of the plate allowing for an impressive 90 mph bat-exit velocity during a standout round of batting practice. The shortstop ranged with smooth footwork in either direction playing effortlessly to the glove side with downhill momentum. Good body posture and the ability to get around the baseball with consistency led to high level pace across the diamond coupled with a powerful 83 mph arm strength. This has all the makings of a prolific riser in the class with the chance to continue making significant jumps in all phases over the course of the next couple years. 

Tyler Mullen RHP / SS / Lakeland , PA / 2022

The Spin: Another long and tall right-hander with leverage on the bump and out-of-this-world projection, the 6-foot-1, 155-pound Lakeland product showcased one of the higher-spin fastball’s of the year with a 2773 RPM posting at the PA State Games this summer. Mullen got it done with advanced hip-shoulder separation racing down the mound allowing for a whippy arm-action on an 83-85 mph fastball while attacking hitters early on in counts, filling the zone up at a 73% rate per Trackman Baseball. A 68-70 mph breaking ball featured two-plane depth at times (-11.7 inches of IVB / 14.9 inches of HM) flashing as a true out pitch with similar fastball arm-speed. With a 73-75 mph slider generating up to 2676 RPM’s towards the left-handed batters box, the righty showed command of two different-shaped offspeed offerings giving hitters multiple tough looks when ahead in the count. Assuming additional weight will be added onto a lengthy frame sooner rather than later, you have an arm trending towards “Conference Starter” status down the line. The ‘22 RHP has also proven the ability to pitch at a high level in-game as well as at multiple PBR events, which should make him that much more dangerous in the coming years. 

Mason Fixx C / SS / Canon-McMillan, PA / 2023

The Spin: The 5-foot-11, 160-pound switch-hitter keeps getting better offensively and continued trending in the right direction with a standout batting practice round at the Pittsburgh Outlaws scout day just a few weeks ago. Naturally a right-handed hitter, Fixx peppered balls around the yard with good bat to ball skills and plate coverage allowing for a gap to gap approach in the box. A 44% fly ball rate points to loft present in the swing hinting at plenty of extra-base-hit abilities as he further improves on a solid 88 mph bat-exit velocity down the line. Looking at a 63% on plane efficiency (per Blast Motion) should inspire the confidence that he can stay consistent offensively as he adds functional strength, which will likewise improve an already quality 21 mph peak hand speed at the plate. Known for his defense first, the primary backstop is extremely seasoned for a ‘23, showcasing advanced receiving abilities and pop times as low as 2.08. A quick release from the crouch hides a mere 70 mph throwing arm at the moment that we expect to continue getting stronger throughout development. All in all, if the offense continues to climb, you’re looking at a player that could compare admirably to the top 50 in his class.